I like the real world review. I currently have a 20 yr old with the hydrostatic transmission and the only thing the bar does is engage the drive, speed control is only done through the shift lever. I’m probably picking this up in the spring and my back will appreciate the electric start even though mine usually still starts on the first pull. I’m getting a new one mainly because it seems to have a bad valve and it sounds like it’s sort of backfiring at idle.
Hi Ron, Thanks for watching and commenting. I can say now that the season is over that I LOVE this mower. The engine has so much torque and no matter how long or thick the grass, it just muscles right through without even lugging in the slightest. And like you, I always appreciate the electric start. Incidently the battery is charged off the engine so it has an alternator of some kind. Never have to charge the battery. All around great mower. I will probably do a post-season follow-up review so stay tuned!
Actually, the speed control lever only regulates the top speed that you want. The arm slowly engages and speeds the mower up to the speed selected by the lever. If you back off on the arm the mower speed will slow. Very handy to slow down around rough spots or curves.
Thanks for your review. I have this mower on order at my Honda dealer. In doing some research on this mower and watching some Honda videos, I saw one thing in your review that I learned watching a Honda maintenance video on this mower. When checking your oil level on this mower Honda emphasized to NOT screw the dip stick into the opening. Only put the dip stick in the opening and then remove it to read the oil level. Again, DO NOT screw the dip stick in when checking the oil level. However, DO screw the dip stick all the way back into the opening after completing your oil level check. I hope this helps.
Thanks for a thorough review of this great mower. I just bought one but it's still in the box. I appreciate you showing how to use the mower's controls. When I get back from vacation in two weeks I'll start using mine. My 18 year old Honda mower which still runs great, will go to my son in Alabama who just bought his first home. These Honda's are amazing machines!! I'm sorry that these mowers will no longer be built after 2023.
I’m about to pull the trigger on one of these except without the electric start. You are the ONLY person that knows the difference between an engine and a motor!! It was like watching George Carlin mowing his lawn!!
WOW I thought I was going to correct you about the engine. Looks like they went back to OHV vs. the OHC. I have an HR 194 and it ran great up until a seal blew yesterday. It is 35 years old, bought in 1987, and has an OHV engine. GLAD to see it is back. I'll be getting the same as you.
Thanks for pointing that out. I had assumed OHC, which adds lots of cost and complexity, even if not for the initial purchase, then at repair or maintenance time, and the engine is too small and too low RPM to benefit. OHC has a negative ROI for the owner. If they wanted to go OHC on a small engine, it should be their generators where they could benefit a little from efficiency and less noise, but instead they are OHV, and every Chinese knock-off clones their engines so well that the parts are interchangeable, and were made in in the same factory for a while.
Thank you! I just did an oil change and based on your comment I measured the oil level without screwing it down. I appreciate that heads-up! I'm planning a post season review with oil change how-to (already filmed the oil change). When I do that vid I'll give you a shout out to say thanks! Great comment!
Thank you for your video and content. I just unboxed my new honda hrx, almost the same with the exception of the electric start. I'm hopeful the motion handle is comfortable v's the the other model with the gray push lever. I shall see tomorrow when I crank it up. Good evening
I love your content it's honest and straight to the point .I just ordered the same mower and can't Wait to use fir the first time. Our yard is about 3/4 of a acre so this mower will be a great help to keep my yard clean and beautiful, thanks again fir the video.
I have the older model (2018) HRX 217 HZA. I was trying to buy the HYA (no electric start) but they were out of them. This is the only mower I’ve ever used that you can actually cut the grass in the rain. I normally mulch and all the clippings disappear. In the rain, I have to put the clip director in the middle position to bag some of the wet clippings. I replaced a HRR 216 VKA which I still have, and that one cannot do what the HRX can. The only things the HRR is better for are vacuum suction and it uses less fuel. I can take the HRR on the sidewalk and it will vacuum nearly all the clippings and dirt after I edge .
Thanks for the video. I like the electric start plus the blade stop. That is the combination I cannot get with the Toro. I can get one or the other, but not both. I would gladly pay the money for the Honda but it lost me on the drive system. All of the bails and cruise control is a ridiculous design compared to Toro's Personal Pace. Toro has one bail to engage the blade. The faster you walk, the faster it goes. You can jog if you want to. Nobody is going to use 1/2 mulch and 1/2 bag, it's one or the other, so I don't understand why they bother with that feature. Since I'm not the only one running it, it has to be simple, and this is not simple enough. There is no practical way to vary the speed with the bail while you are mowing. I currently have a Toro I need to replace and for one person using it, it must be electric start. So instead of better, as I had hoped, it is still down to pick your poison.
He kinda made this look awkward to use, but once you get the hang of it, it's really easy to use. My only complaint about these is the wheels are hard to adjust when grass gets in there.Otherwise, these are great mowers. Mine's just turning 16, and ready for a new one however.
Would have been nice if they thot to put an oil drain plug in it. Not comfortable about any sludge build up draining when you have to tip the mower over on its' side to drain the out or the potential mess to clean up.
I’m about to bite the bullet on one, except no electric start. You are the ONLY person on RU-vid that knows the difference between an engine and a motor! It was like watching George Carlin mow his yard!
@@BLKSG6 Yeah he said motor and immediately corrected himself and said engine. That’s an internal combustion engine and basically generates its own power from air, fuel and spark. A motor simply converts electricity into a motion or action, like a vacuum cleaner
@@jackwebb5917 Hang on, are you saying that universally, all car companies made the same error in their name? General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and the American Honda Motor Company (that made this mower) and even new ones like Kia Motors Europe? And Detroit is called “Motor City” because …. ?
“Cruise control” doesn’t exist. I have 2 of these and the orange lever is to set your max speed and the clutch bar is your varying part. Also you should adjust your cutting height to the right level the front is higher than the rear
Thank for the great feedback. And thanks for watching. After a couple seasons with the mower I can say it is a fantastic piece of machinery. And I have the mower deck level too....🤣🤣
@@bonitasumney1853 I mean that why I like the front wheel drive ones, you push the handle down and turn, much easier, and never have to let go of any handles
Bought one of these last week. The transmission locked up after a few passes on the yard. No more than one hundred feet….. Seems to happen to quite a few. To bad they build them in China now.
Torque is what matters in this case, I have a 7HP Briggs and Stratton that stalls out while going through thick grass, can't find a torque spec on it. I'm looking to buy one of these HRX mowers and see if the hype is confirmed. Everything online suggests it will be.