Looking to buy a new walk behind, self propelled lawn mower. I've got a Toro 22" recycler that struggles with my grass. The mower starts and runs fine. But it gets bogged down even when I cut half wide strips. I've been leaning towards a Honda.
Need a New Lawn Mower
- Thread starter bluwolf
- Start date
Desertskyy
Well-known member
I have had a Honda HRX-217 for about 8 years now. Great mower, would buy again
Some say go Honda or go home.
Ride Red
Some say go Honda or go home.
Ride Red
Ton ton
Well-known member
Ever think about goats or sheep?
White Shadow
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2014
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- 985
Ego. Battery power is the future! And actually, the present too....
Willie Makeit
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- Dec 30, 2013
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sounds like you need to mow more often. grass likes to be cut often, makes for better looking grass as well as healthier grass. without know what type of grass you have I would say twice a week for cool weather grass (fescue, kentucky bluegrass, rye) and 3 times a week for warm weather grass (bermuda, zoysia, st. augustine, bahia, centipede). I've owned both toro's and honda's and quite honestly if both are equipped with the honda engine then there's not a dime's worth of difference in the quality of cut.
GreenIron
Well-known member
Consider a Husqvarna 
.
I bought this 22" Variable Speed self-propelled back in ~2004 for my son to mow lawns, for extra income. It was used basically for trimming, as I also bought a Zero Turm John Deere 737 at the time. He used it for about 2 years then sold his customer base to a friend of his. It's been used in the mulching configuration since new.
We've used it only a few times per year since then. To this day, it cranks on the 1st - 2nd pull.
It looks rough but still mows. The front axle cover was damage, so I tossed it.
Other than regular maintenance, the only repairs I've done is to disassemble the carb to clean it a couple time in its life.
It's not a HONDA brand but is powered by one.
.I bought this 22" Variable Speed self-propelled back in ~2004 for my son to mow lawns, for extra income. It was used basically for trimming, as I also bought a Zero Turm John Deere 737 at the time. He used it for about 2 years then sold his customer base to a friend of his. It's been used in the mulching configuration since new.
We've used it only a few times per year since then. To this day, it cranks on the 1st - 2nd pull.
It looks rough but still mows. The front axle cover was damage, so I tossed it.
Other than regular maintenance, the only repairs I've done is to disassemble the carb to clean it a couple time in its life.
It's not a HONDA brand but is powered by one.
hardalada
Well-known member
Sharpen the blade(s) occasionally???
kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
Sharp blades and cutting at least once a week. If you are trying to cut 6 inch high grass down to two inches then its not going to go well. Grass over 3 inches high will not dry properly making it harder on the mower to cut it.
OP- are you bagging the grass, or mulching? If you're mulching, that's extremely difficult for the mower if you're cutting more than an inch of grass.
I mow every 7-10 days and a side discharge works fine as long as the grass is fairly dry.
I mow every 7-10 days and a side discharge works fine as long as the grass is fairly dry.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Things have changed , selection is limited.Consider a Husqvarna
Self-Propelled Push Lawn Mowers
Experience hassle-free mowing with Husqvarna's self-propelled push lawn mowers. Powerful and reliable, our mowers deliver a superior cut for your lawn.
The former manufacturing facility in McRae Georgia closed in 2019.
I have a Honda self-propelled mower, unsure of the model. I can look when I get home. Anyway, I bought it in 2014 from Home Depot and it’s been a champ. I take good care of it and perform regular maitenance, and it’s lasted me a lot longer than any Toro I ever had.
You can’t go wrong with a Honda.
You can’t go wrong with a Honda.
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GreenIron
Well-known member
That's Par for Course.Things have changed , selection is limited.
Self-Propelled Push Lawn Mowers
Experience hassle-free mowing with Husqvarna's self-propelled push lawn mowers. Powerful and reliable, our mowers deliver a superior cut for your lawn.www.husqvarna.com
The former manufacturing facility in McRae Georgia closed in 2019.
hardalada
Well-known member
Are there specialized blades you could obtain for your present mower for your present requirement e.g. if mulching?
(Rather than a general purpose blade that only does an "OK" job of mulching...but could be improved?)
If you are bagging....
Also tip it onto the correct side and ensure that the bottom of the deck is clear of clogged/stuck on grass cuttings which may affect the mower's performance?
(Rather than a general purpose blade that only does an "OK" job of mulching...but could be improved?)
MaxPower Commercial Mulching Blade for 22 in. Cut Toro Recycler Mowers Replaces OEM #'s 108-9764-03 and 131-4547-03 331376X - The Home Depot
This Maxpower Commercial Mower Mulching Blade for Toro Recycler helps to complete all your difficult work easily. Convenient to handle.
www.homedepot.com
If you are bagging....
Also tip it onto the correct side and ensure that the bottom of the deck is clear of clogged/stuck on grass cuttings which may affect the mower's performance?
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Bubba Fett
Well-known member
If you have really tall grass, you need to lift the deck, mow it, then lower the deck, and mow it again. It's a PITA, but that's what I've had to do. Otherwise the blades get clogged. Crab grass is especially bad for this.
thool
Well-known member
If your mower runs fine but then gets bogged under load, you may have a compression issue, or possibly the governor isn't doing its job by not relaxing under load.
Toomanytools?
Well-known member
How big of a yard? I would consider an electric mower (cordless) there are some pretty impressive ones on the market. Small ICE are being banned in CA. 2024 just a matter of time.
Who mows their grass 3 times a week. I have st Augustine and mow once a week during peak season my Honda does just fine bagging or mulching. The the guy who said ego is the future must have never tried an ego on st Augustine In Florida.
nadogail
Well-known member
I see lawn mowers on Craig’s list, some are nearly new and others are running for $100 or less.
My Dad, but he's retired and likes riding the zero turn around.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
People are recommending honda engines, but make no distinction that there are two different model lines and one is great and the other is just meh along with all the other cheap engines.
Better mowers are going to have the GXV series evens such as a GXV 160. It have low oil shut off, cast iron bore, and a conventional overhead valve with gear driven cam and push rods. It have a conventional head
The cheap GCV 160 engine is an all aluminum engine with belt drive overhead cam. It has an angle split block and the head is cast as part of the upper block and is not removable. The timing pulley and single cam lobe are a single piece, not a shaft and are made of plastic. Its pretty much a throw away engine.
As far as small verticals the Honda GXV and the Kawasaki's are at the top of the heap.
The best commercial push mower I have used (other than the old 2 stroke lawn boys) is the snapper commercial. The self propelled disc drive is simple, reliable, and easy to work on. The ninja version mulches really well and the hivac bagger the discharge comes off the side and doesn't clog like the toros with rear drive due to its rear bagging port smooshed due to the toros drive system.
Better mowers are going to have the GXV series evens such as a GXV 160. It have low oil shut off, cast iron bore, and a conventional overhead valve with gear driven cam and push rods. It have a conventional head
The cheap GCV 160 engine is an all aluminum engine with belt drive overhead cam. It has an angle split block and the head is cast as part of the upper block and is not removable. The timing pulley and single cam lobe are a single piece, not a shaft and are made of plastic. Its pretty much a throw away engine.
As far as small verticals the Honda GXV and the Kawasaki's are at the top of the heap.
The best commercial push mower I have used (other than the old 2 stroke lawn boys) is the snapper commercial. The self propelled disc drive is simple, reliable, and easy to work on. The ninja version mulches really well and the hivac bagger the discharge comes off the side and doesn't clog like the toros with rear drive due to its rear bagging port smooshed due to the toros drive system.
AldeanFan
Well-known member
I bought a Husqvarna from Canadian Tire last summer and it’s fantastic. Honda engine, well made deck. I highly recommend them.
Half-fast eddie
Well-known member
Sounds like a good idea … it isn’t. We had a Honda brand for 12-14 yrs, finally died. Bought a Craftsman from Home Depot, with a Honda motor. Motor is fine, the rest of the mower really sux. Clearly suffers from cost cutting.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
This won’t bog down…
just got it Monday. Sorry….had to brag.
just got it Monday. Sorry….had to brag.
A lot of good questions and advice. My yard is not very big. SW Florida Bahia grass. No, I will not cut my grass more than once a week even though it could take it. It does get long but I do keep the mower deck pretty high. I mulch, not bag.
I agree with this. I think the mower I have just doesn't have the guts. I've been looking at this one, and wondering if it's enough of a step up.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-2...REC-_-pipinstock-_-314013158-_-314013234-_-N&
I've never spent this much on a mower. But I have no problem with it, if it will do the job.
I agree with this. I think the mower I have just doesn't have the guts. I've been looking at this one, and wondering if it's enough of a step up.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-2...REC-_-pipinstock-_-314013158-_-314013234-_-N&
I've never spent this much on a mower. But I have no problem with it, if it will do the job.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
That link takes me to a gallon of paint.
seber
Well-known member
I have St Augustine growing in jungle like conditions in black loam soil here in deep east Texas. Think western Louisiana. Once a week is more than adequate even in the hottest part of the year. But I agree, with others, sharp blades are a must. Also, don't mow when wet.
You did better than me. It took me to an upholstered bench
Let me try it again. If this doesn't work, I'll try it from another site. And no, I don't usually have a problem posting a linkhttps://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-2...REC-_-pipinstock-_-314013158-_-314013234-_-N&
I sharpen regularly, like every two times, because I thought that might be the problem. And I always cut in the afternoon for just that reason. I used to want to cut in the morning, but if there's even a little dew, it's twice as bad. I also keep the underside of the deck clean because it does seem to clog quickly. I just think the mower is gutless.
You did better than me. It took me to an upholstered bench
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-2...REC-_-pipinstock-_-314013158-_-314013234-_-N&
Still didn't work, took me to drywall
I'll find it somewhere else.Got the link somewhere else. Although they want $70 more for the mower...
https://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/models/hrx217vka
https://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/models/hrx217vka
Terra Nova
Well-known member
Not knowing the size of your yard or type of grass, I would seriously look at one of the cordless electric options if it works for your situation. So much less maintenance and fuss.
But, as mentioned by others there may be some reasons your current mower isn't, uh, cutting it anymore. Is the blade sharp? Increasing frequency of cutting will have a big impact in cut quality and health of your lawn. In the prime growing seasons here I cut every 2-3 days because it'll get out of hand if I don't.
No bogging here though
But, as mentioned by others there may be some reasons your current mower isn't, uh, cutting it anymore. Is the blade sharp? Increasing frequency of cutting will have a big impact in cut quality and health of your lawn. In the prime growing seasons here I cut every 2-3 days because it'll get out of hand if I don't.
No bogging here though
Desertskyy
Well-known member
That is basically the same mower that I have. It is a great mower. No issues with mine. When I lived in Idaho I mowed a big yard as my house was on a 1/3 of an acre and was surrounded by lawn. The transmission works very well in my experience.
If I needed another mower I would buy the same one again plus because it is a Honda you can get parts for it. Look at the landscape trucks, most have Honda mowers in the back.
Good luck
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I have a similar mower except it has cruise control rather than the palm/finger speed adjustment. I also never buy lawn equipment from the big box store. I dealer with a Honda lawn equipment dealer due to service after the purchase.
Honda HRX217HYA Mower | 21" Walk Behind Mower | Honda Lawn Mowers
The Honda HRX217HYA lawn mower is the ultimate lawn mower. Featuring Cruise Control self propel, Roto-Stop® blade stop system, & a 5 year warranty-the best in the industry.
kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
Then your browser is F'ed up. Both links work fine for me.Still didn't work, took me to drywall
hardalada
Well-known member
The points not covered in your answer:
specialised mulching blade or not?
Clean out the whole fuel system....(ethanol gas problems? in high humidity environment)
check/clean carb bowl;
check/clean jets for partial blockages?
New sparkplug?
Air filter clean and flows air? (not oil contaminated by blowby or tipping mower during deck cleaning)
Can you trial a replacement mower to see if your grass is just too much for a similar/same mower?
That should also answer your query re stepping up the horsepower/brand you really need to be satisfied...
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I think it's location settings. HD's website redirects to random things if you are in a location that doesn't have an item in stock.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Sounds like something useful.