It’s got the plastic carb with the tiny jets. The plus side is the carburetors kits, carburetors are cheap and easy to fix. The con is that most people cannot fix these. Briggs and Stratton better have a fuel filter before the carburetor to prevent the jets from getting clogged. That motor is gonna frustrate so many people because it will have carburetor issues before the warranty is over.
Hello. I've got a mower that charges its self. I was going to buy a new one till I found out about the new charging system where you have to charge battery after a few starts. I've been told its down to costs. They want to make them cheap. So I repaired my old one that charges its self.
I don't like the new personal pace curved handle design. The previous design was a linear system that has less friction between the plastic moving part and the metal handlebar. A straight-line push vs a curved motion. But I got used to it. The front wheels are plastic bearings. The wheel adjusters are just the cheapest inconvenient thing you can use. I agree with you...these should be upgraded. Yes, put an inexpensive alternator on the motor!!! The "bump-out" on the front baffle under the deck is much smaller than on their 60V versions. This is to keep the engine from bogging down as much in thicker grass or when the mower becomes overloaded when mulching. On the 60v, whenever you back up the mower there is a big clump of grass that accumulates in this area and gets dropped on the lawn. This goes to show that these gas engines are more powerful than the battery versions because they don't need a big bump-out for accumulated, overloaded grass. I bet there is more lift to the blade sail also which will just improve every aspect of mowing performance on this machine vs a battery one. They don't put the adjustable handle on these because it's not a stow-n-go version which can stand on end. It also saves them money. This is a decent basic mower for someone who doesn't have issues with storage, and needs electric start due to physical restrictions, etc. As stated below, put a fuel filter on the gas line and do basic annual maintenance and use fresh stabilized gas and you should have a decent mowing experience for years.
Does the Vortex vent actually do anything? I've run mine open and blocked it with a piece of duct tape and noticed no difference. Anybody out there notice a big cut quality difference between Vortex and pre-Vortex models?
Does this have a blade stop feature like the Honda has? As in if you release the handle does the mower keep running and the blade stops? I’ve been a Honda mower guy forever, and just heard they are ceasing production later this year. Being in the market for a new mower, I am considering Toro. They just don’t seem as well made as the Hondas though?
If you want a Honda you can still get them. The I got the HRX217hya my dad got that in the mid 1980 the blade brake clutch. Lasted 30+ years the aluminum cracked where the handle attached. I got a 20 year old Honda with the blade brake clutch. Just replaced the clutch last summer. Works perfectly. Mobil 1 10W-30. Giving that one to my brother only because when I want to do the discharge I gotta find the discharge chute or insert the plug to mulch. The new one I bought has that lever to bag or mulch. And discharge is just the bag settings and no rear discharge chute needed.
Good video. Just wanted to add 2 things. The lever on the handlebar is an engine break (stops the blade and engine) not just a blade brake. Kind of annoying having to restart all the time when bagging, but not a big deal with electric start. Also the engine on the electric start is 150cc as you said, but on the non electric start model it is 163cc. At least here in Australia it's like that. Not sure why. The 150cc is great on a maintained lawn, but struggles in summer with anything more than about a weeks growth. I do like personal pace, quiet motor, light weight, the wheel grip/size (although they aren't ball bearings, just bushes) and the bag is easy to empty. It cuts well when bagging, mulching with the chute block I find it leaves a clump of grass behind each time I turn around (something my honda with a moulded mulch plug doesnt do). Overall after using it for 40hrs or so in a year id rate it about a 7 out of 10.
