Best Lawn Mower? Honda HRX 217 Exposed
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- čas přidán 17. 07. 2020
- Is this the best walk behind LAWN MOWER for 2020? Here I review Honda's newest mower to see if it's as good as they say and can it mulch as well as it bags & justify it's super high price! The Honda HRX217 Lawn Mower Test & Review
This video was not sponsored
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal. - Jak na to + styl
Thank you for watching. Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE - For more info on Honda Mower click: powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/hrx
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If I buy 1 will you ship it to Scotland I will pay shipping costs
@@ritchietheforky
I don’t think he’s a retailer, he was simply doing a review of the mower
This mower has been a complete dissapointment. I don-t know what Honda did but I had this model for years, it was sporting 190cc engine. Last year I bough a new one, the same model that Honda upgraded with the new 200c more powerful engine. And what a letdown this mower was.. Not only that I don't see it being more powerful, I have a feeling it's less powerful.. It bogs down and clogs when seeing just a hint of wet or thick grass... Don't get me wrong, the quality is superb, the blade clutch is incredible and the quality is second to none but the engine is underpowered. This mower should get the 300cc 10HP engine. Period... Oh yes, I almost forgot. the commercial model has an even less powerful 170cc Kawasaki engine.. What a joke... Is there an aftermarket more powerful engine that would fit Honda HRX217? Please help.
Super expensive residential push mower. &740 at hardware mower stores.
Had this one for about 3 years now. I have a full acre of generally wet property here in western NY. This machine is outstanding. Ironically, I came to love it even further when my wife hit a huge rock and bent the crank. I took it to several shops and no one wanted to replace it. This past weekend I finally mustered up the courage. Bought the Honda shop manual (YES! THERE'S A SHOP MANUAL MADE FOR THESE MOWERS!), ordered a crank, and when it came in within an hour I had removed the engine, cracked open the case, easily removed the crank, slapped in a new one and reinstalled the engine. Just mowed my front yard flawlessly. Will never get rid of this mower. Spectacular design.
How is the plastic nexite deck holding up? Im wondering if i should get the hrn or hrx model?
@@Paytonmarques34perfect! And I never hose it off 😬
As a person who's owned a Lawn Company I can say positively these are the BEST Push Mowers on the Market, period.
As someone who works on lawn equipment, I agree.
As someone who’s owned 2 Honda’s and now this……it’s great hope it lasts just as long but time will answer that!
Plain and simply wrong! AS motor that runs B&S is a vastly superior Lawn Mower for professional use. Also for homeowners a Klippo will probably outlast the Honda by a huge margin.
@@humushumus2219 As a person who owned a Lawn Company in the USA, Honda are the best. I've never even heard of Klippo and it doesn't look like they're sold in the USA at all.
@@CannyNomad I'm from Scandinavia. The Honda is good, but to use them professionally on the lawns around here is not an option. AS motor is German for professional use. Klippo is Swedish and owned by Husqvarna, they are very simple and solid in their construction, sometimes used by professionals.
I have the HRX 217 HZA, same mower but with optional electric start. What I love most about it so far is its ability to mulch and bag leaves in the fall, it gets EVERYTHING. Normally tidying up the lawn and getting rid of all the leaves by raking them takes forever, but that mower just eats all of it like it's nothing and never bogs down even when the cut height is low.
I have lots of experience fixing and maintaining mowers.... a lot. I've worked on and personally used all kinds, brands and models. This is the one I chose as my personal mower. Not looking to change any time soon.
3:28 I'm 6'5" (with an inseam of 36") and the handle was a bit too low for me (creates low back pain)...So I carefully drilled a new hole on each side. (If you plan to do this note the curve pattern and spacing of the original 3 holes. Also, the new holes do not need to be oblong) This modification makes a huge difference in the handlebar height (and does not create any new problems) Mark where the center should be and start with a small bit. (compare/measure the difference between the 2nd and 3rd position and then you'll have a better idea if you want the bar this high.)
I have the previous version of this exact mower and I’ve had it for over 3 years. This is by far the best mower I’ve ever owned. They sell a kit at any hardware store for changing the oil, spark plug and air filter for around $20. I have purchased 2 extra sets of blades and rotate them out every few months to keep the cut perfect. My local small engine repair shop sharpens and balances them for me for $6. I see no reason that this mower won’t last me a lifetime as it’s so well made. I can’t recommend it enough.
That's great to hear they have definitely perfected these over the years and I like that they have kept a heavy duty strategy to the parts and design.
It is a very good mower, but not best. Rear wheel drive make this mower so much harder to control that front wheel drive like most other mowers, even Honda powered mowers with front wheel. Find one of those, and you'll be much more pleased.
@@scottwilkins ... Why is RWD hard to control? This HRX 217 HYA has a hydrostatic hydraulic drive system. It is absolutely smooth as butter. Never scalps, rubber tires never tear up turf. The take off and engagement is so smooth .. absolutely beautiful. This is basically a high-end riding mower compacted into a small walk behind . The handle the controls the bars and everything are all metal Nexite lifetime warranty composite mower deck. The HRX can easily be controlled with one hand going up hills.. It's crazy smooth & powerful. Zero Damage to Turf.
Sounds like you have never used one.
I love it, my third Honda! It is superior to the Toro Super Recycler.
My mower is now 6 years old and still going strong
Your format and delivery is the best on CZcams. I've never mowed a lawn in my life but I enjoy watching and learning from you. God bless.
Thanks 👍 You are very kind, thank you
I've had an older version of this mower for the past 7 or 8 years ... I love it. I have St Augustine grass that I mow/mulch at 4 inches. NOTHING has ever slowed this mower down. It has been completely bullet proof. All these new features are a variation on a great theme. I love this mower and I would definitely buy another ... if this current one ever gives out!
Starting on my second year with this model. Love it: powerful, fast, mulches great, and the hydrostatic drive is great. The air filter is so easy to get to, gas tank is large, handle folds so easy, the blade clutch means you only have to start the mower once per mow, so I got the pull start model.
I just bought this model today. I cannot wait to start mowing my yard. I really appreciate your time and effort on sharing your thoughts through this video!
I bought one last year fabulous mower! Mowed south Louisiana St Augustine yesterday in the rain bagging with no issue!! Well worth the investment and always starts on first or second crank!
I purchased this mower (hydrostatic) primarily based on your review. All your reviews are super informative and unbiased. I love this thing and actually enjoy mowing again!
We had this mower since 2001 and haven’t done any maintenance within 20 years and it still mowing like a champ.
I purchased a similar Honda mower in 2010 with the plastic deck - it still runs like the first day! Another benefit of the clutch brake is you can let the engine continue to run without the blades spinning - useful for those that like to expel the fuel in the fuel line after the line is closed. This shares garage space with my Honda snowblower . . . another 1-pull start machine that is worth its weight in gold! Kudos on your videos! Fantastic content and great topics!
Your reviews are great. Clearly your standards are high so anything you give your blessing to is worth a look. Thanks for your work.
Very kind of you to say, I appreciate that a lot.
Excellent review, very informative. I’m a big fan of Honda mowers. I’ve had three since 1985 and wouldn’t buy any other brand. You get what you pay for. Love the channel and all the info you put out.
I bought one of these back in 2007 that mower has never let me down
I'm always surprised to hear this, no issues with the plastic deck?
@@BrianMDPhD I've had older versions of this same mower for many years and I love the plastic deck. It is possible to pop little breaks in it by hitting rocks but not to the point of destruction. I use mine brutally around the farm and it is still going. I hit lots of rocks on mole hills in heavy grass. I think the average guy on the average lawn would have zero problems. The light weight is very nice.
We bought one in 2002 and it’s still holding in there. Lol
@@notajedimaster2489 Wow! And back then plastics haven’t come as far as they have today. They were making the plastic decks that long ago!? I just picked up mine today!
@@kirkjohnson9353 Haha well I guess we’ll see. I’d hate to have to find out what “limited” lifetime warranty means.
I have the HRX217TDA that my wife bought for me I believe back In 2007. Is well care for an as of today is still proving me with awesome service. Highly dependable mower. Glad you did an awesome review on such high quality Honda mower.
I have owned this mower since 2004. It has never missed a beat. I have replaced the bag once, and other than a few sets of blades and routine maintenance, it's been flawless. I live in Dallas, and we have a long growing season. Through much of the spring and summer I mow every 4-5 days. My mower has a lot of miles on it. The plastic deck is a little faded, but has never shown any signs of failure. I learned a long time ago not to buy cheap tires, mattresses, shoes or tools. Good ones work better, last longer and are the better value even if they cost more up front.
Thank you, I am glad to hear it is serving you so well. It was a very nice machine.
DITTO on cheap! Honda got it going on!
yes indeed -- like they say -- "buy cheap and buy twice".....
I’ve got their HRX from 2006 which is the same mower you tested but with the older engine and it’s been bullet proof! LOVE IT! Paid 800 for it then I believe and don’t regret it. All I do is mulch now, but having the choice with the lever was one of the reasons I bought it. Best mower I’ve ever used.
I'm in the 6th season with the previous (190-cc) version of the HYA, and I still love this machine. I installed an hourmeter on day 1, and I'm at around 200 hours now. I'm SO glad I sprang for the hydrostatic drive. There's a rear axle maintenance procedure that's not fun, but not outrageous either. Valve clearances every couple of years. Oil twice per season. Original plug. Starts first pull almost every time and runs flawlessly regardless of conditions or temperature. Mowing quality & ease of use are near-perfect.
I have the same one but the 2013 version and it's an amazing mower. I see my neighbors who cheap out on their mowers, and have nothing but trouble.
This mower has been flawless. Twice a year oil changes and it's rock solid.
Well worth the money!
That's great to hear!
Ur neighbors have trouble because they dont take care of them lol
Thank you! I was torn between a Toro and a Honda and this video made it easier. I’ve had my HRX for two months now and I love it.
I bought the one with the ‘butterfly’ self propel mode u showed this year. U right. thats the best lawnmower ive ever owned. I got a cub cadet riding lawnmower but I use the honda more!... good video.. beautiful yard
I have one also and have had it for over 5 years. I’ve hit sticks and accidentally some stones when we moved before I knew the lawn. No issues at all with the deck. It cleans up incredibly easy and well. This mower is already heavy and a metal deck on it would make it an outright tank as far as weight is concerned. The ability to turn the blade on and off without killing the tractor is awesome. The bag does fill up really quickly.
My present and previous mower were the Honda 217 models. Excellent mowers, I gave the old one to a friend when I moved, and just bought another after I retired.
Your videos are so awesome, super well-shot and edited and narrated. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Just bought the HRX217VKA tonight for $619 at Home Depot. Hopefully this will be my mower till retirement in 18 years. Great review as always!
Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower czcams.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend Yes it is lightweight so hence not as robust as our old one. But if you take care it does the job really well.
I had this mower way back in 2011 , I absolutely loved it but lost it in Sandy . I then purchased a different mower that was cheaper . I hated it . I gave that mower to my son in law and I bought the honda again and I'm so happy I did and for all of the reasons stated in the video. I love that i can bag , mulch or a little of both. The best feature for me is the blade clutch . I don't have to keep restarting the mower every time I empty the bag . This lengthens the life of the pull starter . I love all of you videos . Thank you
I have a 5 year old version of this mower that I bought new. It does an excellent job. Worth the price.
I just sold my 1992 version of this mower (Honda Harmony with the plastic deck) on craigslist. It still started with one pull and cut great. I used the proceeds to buy the 2020 HRX217 VYA. According to the manual, if you set it half way between mulching and bagging it is great for mulching leaves.
I have this mower Silver and you hit on all the benefits of owning this mower. Well done sir and thank you for another great video sir!
Thanks 👍 very much
Great mower for both homeowners and professionals. The blade brake clutch was the selling point for me and then I learned that most lawn services use and recommended it. My only complaint, is the handle flex. If used too much on steep hills, it will eventually bend where the plastic adjuster is.
I bought the VKA a month ago along with the Toro Timemaster to test them both out. I have 8,000 square feet of Bermuda with 80% of that in my backyard which is mostly a slopes grade. The Toro was awesome, but I couldn’t justify the $400 difference in price. The Honda cuts great and has a very powerful engine. There are some things I wish were better like even in mulch mode you get a lot of clippings that rest in the back section of the deck and I have to clean them out at the end of the mow. I also wish the cutting heights were a bit more dialed in. There is a huge jump from 1 1/4” to the next HOC which is 2”. The Toro had a 1 3/4” cut which was perfect. I do love the Honda and the cut quality is amazing. Thanks for the video!
Have had mine for 8 years works the same as the day I got it. Best mower you can buy. Especially in the fall with the versamow
I have one that was bought in 2007, still going strong, and still starts on the first pull.
Now I know what to tell Santa I want for Christmas! Thank you for another fantastic video!
I really appreciate it thank you
HRX 217 has been around for many years. I have a composite 217 I bought in 2006 and still have. Runs fine
That bag/mulch lever is a great idea. No need to swap a bag for a mulch plug as it is built in - awesome. 👍
Thanks 👍 I liked it so much. Not having a lot of parts around is a great thing
I have a HRX that is 12 years old. Still running strong. I love that mower. Has more than paid for itself.
I love mine, have had it for years.runs great..
Bought an HR21 back in 1978 with the aluminum deck. Although I upgraded to a newer self-propelled Honda about 25 years ago, both are still running after all these years.
I purchased the VKA version the beginning of this season and I'm very satisfied with it. I have roughly .3 acres and it does the job perfectly. I have no regrets, with this purchase. Paid just around $600 from Home Depot. Spot on review of this system. Thanks for the review!
You cut 3 acres with a push mower 😧 no sir not me 😌
Love the mower. I have that model with the electric start. Sure it was $900, but best mower I have ever owned. Bought it in april
I wanted to get the electric start one, it looked so simple and easy to use.
Great review. I finally pulled the trigger and bought the HRX217VKA back in May and I have to say it was the best decision ever, the cut quality is the best I have ever seen in a rotary mower. The $619 is expensive but trust me you won’t regret it. It will last for many many years to come
$619😮
I also have the K6 HYA. One of my best purchases! I don’t regret it at all! It’s a fantastic mower.
Very valuable information with efficient, no BS delivery. Thanks!
Before you buy a new pair of 217/mower blades try this: Make a more aggressive cutting edge with a grinder. I use the flap-disc style wheel on a hand grinder. (Wear safety glasses/goggles and remove the blades to sharpen/grind them and then reinstall) After that you'll really like your 217!
I have been using the 2004 version of the hrx217. In that 16 years I have only changed the oil twice and the spark plug twice. The blade has never been changed. It still runs and cuts nicely.
Comprehensive and fair review.
My neighbour has a 23 year old Honda,standard metal body mower and he rarely does a tune up and it still starts first pull.
If it is the old Cast Aluminum Deck Honda they are better than the new Hondas. They had commercial-grade GX series motors, and the new Hondas have consumer-grade GC series motors. Old Cast Aluminum 3-speed Toros are better than the new Toros too. Both manufactures had to cut costs on their consumer models to make up for the Fact that the US Dollar has been dying for decades now. The commercial Honda HRC still uses the GX series motor and it costs $1,400. The commercial 21" Toro costs $1,800. Inflation suks.
Love my HRX have had it since 2015.
I bought an HRX 217 back in 2012 and agree with every critique you mentioned. Even after 8 years, still starts on the first pull. Still runs and works like the first time I used it. I do only run premium fuel in (Chevron/Texaco with Techron) so even after sitting up all winter, pretty much still starts on the first pull and never had to adjust or tune anything. Only changed the air filter, oil and blades since new. Did notice when the bag fills up the cut isn't as good because the vacuum that lifts the grass is apparently reduced. Removing the bag and leaving the lever in bagging mode for rear discharge, the cut is very good, even with heavy grass, probably because the vacuum is able to lift the grass even more easily and discharge it. My only complaint is that it is heavy, unlike these newer electric mowers like the Ryobi, which we have a couple. My wife loves using the electric mowers since no need to pull start it, they are light and very maneuverable and they are quieter, but they don't cut as well either.
I have the HRX217KVA and I freakin love it. Seems like everyone wants to take shots at it since it’s so damn expensive, but it’s a beast of a mower with excellent performance.
I've the HYA that I've been using professionally for a couple years now. Overall it's a really great mower; always starts, good cut, lightweight, powerful, mulches really well ect., BUT I have had issues with surging a couple times now. I've had to remove the carb several times to try to fix the problem. I think if there was one thing I could change it would be to remove the automatic choke and replace it with a manual one. Much simpler.
I use this mower commercially, it holds up great and can takes a beating. This deck is very durable, and easy to clean. Keep up with the tune up kits every so often and this thing will run forever.
Great to hear that from the commercial world. Thanks for sharing this
I have a 2016 HRR series (discontinued) with smart drive, I absolutely love it!
ME TOO!!😊
Earlier this summer I bought a Honda HRN 216 VYA. I guess it's a step or two down from the 217 you show here, but I love it. Smart drive, blade clutch, three in one mulch, rear discharge, and bag. And I got it on sale out the door under $500.
Might have to get one for next year. I have a Certified 22" 178CC engine and that one cuts really good.
Its also super light i can lift it in and out of my truck no problems. Right now i hardly have any grass to cut so i dont need it
Owned this model since 2015. LOVE IT. Wish they had a 30in version though 🤷♂️
I don't know what they don't have one, Or even do a 25", It's like 21" mowers are a law or something, can't they squeeze two more inches in there? Hopefully they will, but only time will tell.
I know! I would love to buy a Honda mower but the size of my yard is asking for a wide deck. I can only see double blade Toro (if I remember 40+”) in my options.
Silver Cymbal I think I am going to switch to a 30in toro time master, would be great to hear what you think of that one!
I’m in love with my timemaster!
@@Dubiels That looks like a very nice mower. I haven't had a chance to try the 30" yet but would like to sometime
I just picked up this mower after tons of research and debating. I really like it so far and this vid validated my purchase!
I'm going to get one of these with the Select drive (I
am super tall and it is easy to walk with on highest speed). Great review! A local church I work at each week has had this model for the last 6 years and it is great! Time for my own!
I own this machine. Ive owned alot of mowers over the last 30yrs. This one definitely stands apart from all the others ive owned. An absolute beast of a mower.
I really like mine so far. Only had it for two seasons, but our yard is in very rough shape. It’s held up to a lot of bumpy and dusty lawn so far. The deck is all still in one piece too!
I have had one 7 weeks.. for $619... worth it.
Even though they look a lot like they did 10 years ago, the small improvements they have made every year have added up. Lad you are loving yours, its a great mower
I have owned a Honda mower for 22 years. Still going strong.
That's the one I got too. I've been extremely satisfied.
Sounds really affordable to me. We used to pay that for Snappers 20 yrs ago.
@@SilverCymbal my father bought a cheap gas mower 10 years or so ago, fuel in the engine, oil in the gas tank, wondered for 3 hours why it wouldnt start.
i took all out, burns oil and smokes like a dreadnought from time to time but still does its job, remainds me to sharpen the blade, mostlikely the first time after production....
I've had a HRX217 since the first release which I believe was 2003.
Only problem ever was the cruise control transmission went out and I replaced myself for $195.
Mower always starts first pull and cuts great either way - bagging or mulching.
I have the original blades and a second set. I sharpen my own and exchange a couple of times each season.
I bought mine in 2000. Still runs perfectly.
I have a Honda mower my parents bought when I was in high school... I'm 54 years old now, this mower is a beast. Every year, starts on the 1st pull, I think I've replaced the blade, the wheels and maybe the spark plug once, lol. They last forever, worth every penny!
I just purchased a used one today that was in excellent for $50. It's 3 years old and the best deal and walk behind mower that I've ever had.
i have used that mower before, the blade clutch is awesome bercuase i can start the mower and then drive to the part of the yard that i want to mow. best mower ever.
Great video, thank you. My HRX217 arrives Friday, looking forward to using it.
Excellent as always, thank you!
I agree, best push mower! Just wish they would make a larger deck.
You should try the cub cadet cc600 28" deck, I have this also and love it! You would to.
Excellent video review. It confirms everything I had researched. I bought the VKA model about a month ago and love it.
Great to hear! Thank you
How do you like the thumb controls? My two fears are they'd be hard to use on the steep hill in my front yard, and that my thumbs would be sore by the time I'm done with the whole yard.
That's the only reason I'm considering the HYA with hydrostatic transmission...
I bought the $600 1 about 10 years ago when it was actually 500 and something and I actually love it agree with all the features in his review I usually mulch but sometimes bag
I found one of these at a garage sale for $150. I talked him down to 120. He was selling it so cheap because it idled really rough. The only thing wrong with it was a clogged fuel line. It took me 15 minutes to fix and I was good to go :-D One of my best garage sale purchases ever!
Love your channel. First time homeowner here in Charlotte, NC and I bought the HRX217 with the selector nob which controls speed of self propelled. I wanted to get the one with the blade stop but opted to save the money and still extremely happy with my purchase. Both of my neighbors back in Ohio growing up had Honda mowers, mid-90s models and they ran those things forever. So with that said, I was sold on Honda when it came time to buy a mower.
I have extremely fast growing Bermuda down here and the HRX powers through it with no issues and leaves it looking great. May upgrade to a reel mower down the road, but for now, Honda and a little fertilizer has my lawn looking the best in the neighborhood!!
Thats great to hear, they are some really great machines and last.
@@SilverCymbal for sure, and $30 a year on a new blade isn't that bad at all. I mow twice a week and my Bermuda is super thick, so I just bank on replacing it once a year.
Ps, do you have a Twitter or Instagram? Would love to show off my lawn some and get your opinion.
We have a riding mower. We prefer to use our 217 and bag for the first four mowing. The rest of the season we mulch. It handles everything thing that we throw at it.
I owned a Honda HRB mower for 20 years, and it never failed. It was all I needed for my old house with the quarter acre yard.
I recently moved to a different house last month. The new house has much thicker grass due to a sprinkler system, is a half acre, and about half of the back yard has a pretty steep incline hill. After two mowings with my older mower, it was clear that my older mower just couldn't handle the thickness and incline of my new yard. The self propelled wheels barely moved through the grass and basically turned the mower into a push mower without being self propelled.
Since I loved my old Honda mower, I bought a Honda HRX217HYA a couple of weeks ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. I wanted to get a Honda that had the biggest wheels and the most powerful engine available. I also paid a little more to get the cruise control instead of Variable speed Select Drive because I just like it better. My old mower was like this, and I just like it. Plus it has the Roto-Stop blade system, which is also nice. Worth the extra money for me.
The new mower started first pull as I expected, and went though the front yard no problem. Then I started mowing the back yard, and this is when I started to worry about the incline and whether or not the mower could handle it. Well, it handled it just fine. In fact, I don't need to push the mower at all. It goes up the steep hills without any problems, and I don't have to help push it at all. It's great. It has plenty of power to get through my thick yard and up the hill. And of course it cuts great.
With my old mower, it took me just short of 3 hours to mow due to having to push the mower, the slower speed and taking breaks due to the incline just killing me. With my new mower, it's takes a little over 2 hours and I'm barely tired after mowing.
So for anyone who wants to know if the HRX series can go up a pretty steep incline, I'm telling you right now, it can handle it with no problems.
I have had mine for over 7 years and it’s been flawless.
Nice informative video. Nice improvements over the years. One thing to watch out for is grass accumulating in the space where the drive belt pulley is and attaches to the drive mechanism. FREQUENTLY clean it out. This is not where the water flush nozzle can reach, so turn the mower up so you can see how it is compartmented. I actually had to take a chisel to the packed dirt/ grass mix that had turned to a concrete like mass and caused the drive system to slowly fail. The mower was 8 years old and the tread on the wheels were down to bald, so it's hard to say which. I just hope Honda has figured this out and reengineered it. If was more open, a shot with a garden hose occasionally would fix the problem.
I just bought a barely used one today for 225 to work commercially. This is likely going to get the work it was designed for. Thanks for the review.
I have the HRX and it's a great mower. I have last years model, 2021. I really like the smart drive as opposed to the stick version. Mine has sort of a mix of the two in that I have a dial on it and can adjust the max speed and can also use the smart drive lever to adjust the speed (if that makes any sense). Either way, we have a new, larger yard and I upgraded to a Scag Liberty Z 42" mower and have been very happy with that.
Great Video!
This is hands down the best mower you can buy!
The price is cheap compared to how much you will spend on a cheap mower and the constant repair bills over time vs quality built of the Honda 217. plus don't forget all the extras like the lifetime warranty deck and blade stop control and the twin blades that mulch your lawn grass into tiny clippings and last but not least the rear bagger that hold twice the competition, although I prefer the mulch as much better for you lawns health. 👍
i just sold my hrx217 to go to a battery powered mower. It was an amazing mower with a MIJ engine - had the GC 190 and the composite deck. best machine i ever owned and just as good as day one. always started first pull.
You are absolutely correct, i have one and it just rocks.
I purchased one of these brand new in September this year except it was the hrx217hza with electric start and hydrostatic trans. Although I do really like it cause it cuts well both bagging and mulching and the engine is really smooth and quiet plus the blade clutch is an awesome feature to have and the hydrostatic is one of the best feeling self propelled I've ever used I'm now trying to get honda to take it back. At about 8 hours run time I have oil leaking from the dip stick fill tube, the governor shaft and the valve cover. It will also randomly idle like crap and almost stall then vibrate like crazy without even engaging the blades. I don't really care for the bagging setup either it always leaves a bunch behind when you empty it that gets all over the yard. Also the inside of the deck fills up with debris and you can't hardly get to it to clean and that's not even the stuff the gets stuck in the sliding adjustment for versamow. The wheels are kinda janky with hardly any time on it mine seem much looser then when I bought it and you can see the way they angle out now when it's sitting there. Idk it is a great mower probably still one of the best you can get in this price range but kinda a lot of issues for what I paid. If the engine didn't leak from everywhere I think I would have just kept it and dealt with the rest of the stuff but that was kinda the last straw for me. I wish it wasn't impossible to find snapper dealers with push mowers in stock cause the Ninja is all around a better mower and I could get 2 for what I paid for the hrx217. It just don't have all the cool features and you have to have a couple different blades for bagging and mulching and attachment while the honda does everything pretty decent right out of the box. The snapper is built like a tank though and no little issues..... I really hope honda steps up and takes my hrx217 back though it's unacceptable to have it leaking oil from every place there is a gasket or seal within the first few mows. I want to get a commercial honda but gonna wait and see what they say about this one. If they stiff me I'll be out of the honda market.
I have this same model totally love it
I bought the top of the line HZA electric start model, spring 2018. I love it so much I named her Kathryn and keep detailed records of every mow. I installed a tach/hour meter, a big league lawns striping kit, modified with a push broom head to lay the grass over before the rollers set the stripe, and I plasti-dipped the wheels to better match the color of the deck. Also purchased the full shop repair manual and a genuine Honda cover for the winter. She's a beast!
Please elaborate on the lawn striping kit and push broom modification.
@@aaronarmstrong9423
Here's where I got the stripe kit.
www.bigleaguelawns.com/honda.html
Here's where I got the broom head. These are pictures of my mower.
www.amazon.com/Professional-18-Inch-Sweeper-Flexible-Telescoping/dp/B07MSJ8NGF/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sweep+stake+professional+swivel+push+broom&qid=1595177094&sr=8-3#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div
Heinzkitz Velvet LMAO
@@miguelarce-goitia4395 "deadpool" LMAO
Just bought one today. Can’t wait to try it out!
My parents had one of these from the 90s
THE 90s!!!!!
And it still worked before we moved, we gave it to our neighbor.
The only thing that broke on it was the self propelled system, which makes sense the thing was literally over 20 years old, the belt probably just needed replacing.
What else is amazing is how they never really changed the design up at all, the 90s edition looks almost identical to the version in this video.
The rabbit and tortoise icons for propel speed are still there, as well as the orange crank and the red top part of the mower.
Hands down best lawn mower made
I really like my 217 HRX. I had wanted one for years but could not justify the cost or when they went on sale or clearance at end of season they sold fast. About four seasons ago I found a barely used one at Home Depot for $460.00 in late September so I grabbed it. I kept it mostly as a backup mower to my Snapper RE 210 RER but recently that mower had the spindle housing separate from the mounting plate so I am waiting on parts. Now the Honda is my frontline mower. The blade clutch is the best feature in addition to the twin blades. I normally use it in mulch mode but sometimes run the bagger early in the season when the maple trees drop seeds. Mine has the 190 cc engine. I find it to be a bit heavy but like indicated in the video it mulches grass great and does a pretty good job with leaves though not near as good as my Snapper. I have a big yard and view the price as worthy of the Honda quality and performance. Now my backup to the Honda is my older Lawnboy with high rear wheels. very light mower at 55 pounds to the Honda's near 100 pounds.
The best reason to have blade clutch is to turn off the blade when you are making awkward turns in tight and uneven spaces (especially near edges). If the blade is spinning you can easily scalp the grass to the roots or just overstress it
Also when you have to pause to open the backyard gate, etc.
You probably don't have the best mower to be mowing tight, uneven spaces with if that is an actual problem... You might want to try an 18 or 20 inch mower for your specific needs.
@@campbellpaul
I don't get your suggestion. Bigger mower will be even harder to maneuver
@@sergeybebenin They are smaller than a 21"... The blade brake clutch is designed for when the mower is sitting idle.
@@campbellpaul
It's essentially "idle" when you make tight turns (elevating front or rear wheels a number of times).
I don't understand what you are trying to debate
Thanks for sharing this .. everything would suit me except the wheel size, with my large tree lined lawn .. even using a rider for most, I still need larger drive wheels for the trimming.
... I've had several brands with the smaller wheels and they just can't handle the various dips and rolls in the terrain no matter how much leveling I annually try and improve the soil.
I need 11 or larger inch drivers. Cheers ....
I got the top of the line one this year and it seems they got rid of the double handles and now there is a button for blade stopping. They also integrated the thumb controls, but with modulating speed as well which I find very helpful. Even on bumps it keeps chugging along and doesn't get in the way.
I am on my second HRX Model, and love them. I always go with the model similar to what you tested. The only issue I have with is with the pull-start. The spring seems to wear out every few years, but its easy to replace.
I have the HRX 537 here in Ireland. I bought it 13 years ago for £1100 which was roughly around $1400-1500 at the time. I've changed the blades once after my wife loaned it to a neighbour. I've also replaced the bearing on the blade clutch 3 times and the throttle cable once. Nothing else except normal servicing which I do myself as parts here in Ireland are a ridiculous price. After every winter storage it'll start on the second pull and it doesn't care if the grass is wet ( it's Ireland, the grass is lush for a reason) 😁 or dry. After the first few cut's when I've brought it down to where I want it, I then mulch for the rest of the year every 5/6 days so there is little to cut. We've 3/4 of an acre to mow and sometimes I help the neighbours when their machines pack up, it never gets loaned out after the first time. If it packs up tomorrow, I'll be off to buy another one, nothing else would do.
Have a 2012, top of the line with electric start.
Still looks and runs like new, it will last forever.
Best lawnmower and was worth the $900 price.
I have the 2016 exact model of this-HRX 217 VKA and am very happy with it. I had a Toro prior and it mulched terribly and even when bagging it left strips of cut grass on the sides. This one, no grass is left behind whether mulching or bagging. Of course, if you try to mulch when the grass is very high you will be leaving grass behind. But I have done nothing to it since I got it in May 2016 except change the oil, the air filter and sharpen the blade.
I have this mower and love it!
I bought the electric start version 217 this spring. Best mower ever!
That electric start is very cool, well integrated and easy to use