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Honda lawn mowers?

J

Jumpem

Lifer
I am looking at the HRX series with the twin blades and NeXite deck. Particularly the HRX217VKA and HRX217HYA.

I can't figure out whether the controls of the HRX217VKA or HRX217HYA would be more comfortable.

The HRX217VKA looks a lot more ergonomic and comfortable to me. With the HRX217HYA you are apparently supposed to hold the bar on the sides with your thumbs extended to hold the drive lever. The HRX217VKA does not come with blade stop or the hydrostatic transmission though.

HRX217VKA:
HRX-Select-Drive-Close-Up.jpg


HRX217HYA:
HRX2173HYAPE_IMGLG.jpg
 
I prefer the standard handles, would go with the HYA. But it's really preference, try going to a box store and holding the levers.
 
videogames101 said:
I prefer the standard handles, would go with the HYA. But it's really preference, try going to a box store and holding the levers.
Click to expand...

I was able to do that. I wish they would have a plot of grass or even artificial turf that you could go back and forth a couple times with.
 
id get the HYA because it has the blade clutch. that's a bigger deal than the comfort of the handles IMHO...

I actually do own the HYA, but like RLGL, my wife mows with that mower
 
Zivic said:
id get the HYA because it has the blade clutch. that's a bigger deal than the comfort of the handles IMHO...

I actually do own the HYA, but like RLGL, my wife mows with that mower
Click to expand...

I wasn't too concerned about the blade clutch. I guess it would be useful if you wanted to keep the engine running while emptying the bag.

Does your wife hold the HYA handles on the side with her thumbs stretched to hold the drive lever? Or does she hold it along the top slightly in from the sides where the lever is horizontal?
 
You should be comparing the HRX217VYA and the HRX217HYA. The HRX217VYA does have the blade stop just no hydrostatic transmission.

I ended up buying the HRX217VYA last year. I did find the handle more ergonomic but its personal preference. You should really stop by a dealer and try for yourself with such a high ticket item. FYI, if you purchase by 5/31/16 you get a free extra year on the warranty to make it 6 years total.

http://powerequipment.honda.com/promotions
 
d4a2n0k said:
You should be comparing the HRX217VYA and the HRX217HYA. The HRX217VYA does have the blade stop just no hydrostatic transmission.

I ended up buying the HRX217VYA last year. I did find the handle more ergonomic but its personal preference. You should really stop by a dealer and try for yourself with such a high ticket item. FYI, if you purchase by 5/31/16 you get a free extra year on the warranty to make it 6 years total.

http://powerequipment.honda.com/promotions
Click to expand...

I had seen that warranty promotion over on Honda's site. I definitely need to get something by 5-31 as my old lawnmower finally gave up this week.

Home Depot has Honda lawn mowers assembled but they are up on a shelf that is three feet off the ground with the controls to the inside/back. I can hardly see anything there.

Runnings has them on display and I can touch all of the controls. They just aren't free to be able to push up and down an aisle.
 
Jumpem said:
I had seen that warranty promotion over on Honda's site. I definitely need to get something by 5-31 as my old lawnmower finally gave up this week.

Home Depot has Honda lawn mowers assembled but they are up on a shelf that is three feet off the ground with the controls to the inside/back. I can hardly see anything there.

Runnings has them on display and I can touch all of the controls. They just aren't free to be able to push up and down an aisle.
Click to expand...

Ahh that stinks. Luckily my local HD had them unlocked on the floor. In any event, I love this mower. I had a hand me down John Deere JS63 before with a B&S engine. The Honda runs so much smoother and quieter and starts on the first pull EVERY time. The blade stop is nice for when opening fence gates etc without having to shut the thing down each time. They are pricey but IMO worth every penny.
 
I got the HRX217HYA. It was priced the same as the HRX217VYA in the store. Home Depot also has a thirty day return policy for gas powered equipment.
 
I have the HYA like model from 2009. Handle seems plenty comfortable, though I only used it a handful of times since purchasing it.
 
jumpem, i picked up a HRX217HYA a month ago. best purchase i've made in a while. the blade stop feature is great. I had to use it alot since it was wet out and i was bagging my grass in the front yard.

I'm coming from an old basic troy bilt single speed briggs and stratton side discharge mower that is sloooooow. I pretty much have to run behind the honda if i have it set at top speed. the mulching feature is great too. there's a honda subforum on the lawnmowerforums message board that has tons of info for you to digest, including how to mod it to have a dual stage air filter.

One minor complaint is that the mower is heavy and can rip up my lawn if i'm turning carelessly at highspeed, or if its really muddy.
If you have an amex card, they were doing a 5% off all purchases at home depot if you click a link on their website. if you already purchased it you can just bring the receipt in and do a return/rebuy.

edit: ah saw you puchased it already.


Midwayman said:
Id go find a used one on craigslist personally. They tend to run forever and you'll save a ton of money.
Click to expand...

While I agree with you 95% of the time, i quickly realized that you have to be really careful when buying power equipment on craigslist. it comes down to the fact that most people treat their equipment like dog shit with not even an inkling of simple maintenance.
 
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evident said:
jumpem, i picked up a HRX217HYA a month ago. best purchase i've made in a while. the blade stop feature is great. I had to use it alot since it was wet out and i was bagging my grass in the front yard.

I'm coming from an old basic troy bilt single speed briggs and stratton side discharge mower that is sloooooow. I pretty much have to run behind the honda if i have it set at top speed. the mulching feature is great too. there's a honda subforum on the lawnmowerforums message board that has tons of info for you to digest, including how to mod it to have a dual stage air filter.

One minor complaint is that the mower is heavy and can rip up my lawn if i'm turning carelessly at highspeed, or if its really muddy.
If you have an amex card, they were doing a 5% off all purchases at home depot if you click a link on their website. if you already purchased it you can just bring the receipt in and do a return/rebuy.
Click to expand...

I'm waiting for my Troy Bilt to crap out. It's now been 8.5 years and runs like a champ - starts first pull, every time. FIL has a Honda and loves it - I would love a propelled mower suchas the Honda.
 
RagingBITCH said:
I'm waiting for my Troy Bilt to crap out. It's now been 8.5 years and runs like a champ - starts first pull, every time. FIL has a Honda and loves it - I would love a propelled mower suchas the Honda.
Click to expand...


I'm just going to keep the troybilt as a backup and use it to mow areas i don't give a crap about, like the wooded area with sticks all over the place that i'm too lazy to pick up. the thing aint breaking anytime soon, but the deck is rusting away. i've been using that mower since i was 13 years old ( parents don't mow anymore and i took it) so for me it was definitely time. It took forever to mow with the old one too.
 
I called the kids down the block. They will mow the lawn and I can hang out and drink a beer and smoke a cigar when they do the work.
 
BurnItDwn said:
I called the kids down the block. They will mow the lawn and I can hang out and drink a beer and smoke a cigar when they do the work.
Click to expand...

Thats what i really need to do. I'm tired of yard work already, but i just bought a brand new weed whacker and lawnmower so i need to at least do it myself for a whole season to amortize the cost
 
evident said:
jumpem, i picked up a HRX217HYA a month ago. best purchase i've made in a while. the blade stop feature is great. I had to use it alot since it was wet out and i was bagging my grass in the front yard.

I'm coming from an old basic troy bilt single speed briggs and stratton side discharge mower that is sloooooow. I pretty much have to run behind the honda if i have it set at top speed. the mulching feature is great too. there's a honda subforum on the lawnmowerforums message board that has tons of info for you to digest, including how to mod it to have a dual stage air filter.

One minor complaint is that the mower is heavy and can rip up my lawn if i'm turning carelessly at highspeed, or if its really muddy.
If you have an amex card, they were doing a 5% off all purchases at home depot if you click a link on their website. if you already purchased it you can just bring the receipt in and do a return/rebuy.

edit: ah saw you puchased it already.
Click to expand...

I just mowed my lawn with it. I am not sure if I am keeping or returning it.

What I don't like:
1. The bag is infuriating. The grass sticks inside of it and doesn't want to dump out. The opening is also square shaped and does not fit into the top of a paper lawn bag. I ended up having to scoop the grass out of the bag one large handful at a time. This makes the blade stop pointless since I turn the mower off each time so it isn't running while I spend three or four minutes emptying the bag.
2. The controls are awkward. It is annoying having to constantly change the orange speed control or let off on the drive lever. With my junk Toro it automatically adjusted speed based on how fast you were walking.
3. No one handed operation. I have to hold up a tire swing and glider swing with one hand while pushing the mower with the other. I couldn't do that with the Honda.
 
Jumpem said:
I just mowed my lawn with it. I am not sure if I am keeping or returning it.

What I don't like:
1. The bag is infuriating. The grass sticks inside of it and doesn't want to dump out. The opening is also square shaped and does not fit into the top of a paper lawn bag. I ended up having to scoop the grass out of the bag one large handful at a time. This makes the blade stop pointless since I turn the mower off each time so it isn't running while I spend three or four minutes emptying the bag.
2. The controls are awkward. It is annoying having to constantly change the orange speed control or let off on the drive lever. With my junk Toro it automatically adjusted speed based on how fast you were walking.
3. No one handed operation. I have to hold up a tire swing and glider swing with one hand while pushing the mower with the other. I couldn't do that with the Honda.
Click to expand...

1. The bag doesn't seem too bad to me, but i take all hte grass and dump it in the woods in my back yard... my sams club paper bags are square as well, i dunno.

2. if you want the automatically adjusted speed you might want to go with one of the lower end models like the HRX217VKA, that has the cvt that changes based on your walking speed

3.why cant you use just one hand? do you mean you cant adjust the speed, and hold the throttle down with one hand?

i was torn between this honda and the toro timemaster due to the 30 inch deck, but it gets terrible reviews. the next step up for toro would be their commercial line 30 inch decks which run $1600+...
 
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BurnItDwn said:
I called the kids down the block. They will mow the lawn and I can hang out and drink a beer and smoke a cigar when they do the work.
Click to expand...

i used to have a guy...

he'd cut it, not talk to me, and then take the clippings....

best 25 bucks ever.

yesterday i had to cut my own grass it was about 18 inches long and i had my dad over yelling about why it's important to cut it more often.

i miss my lawn guy.
 
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