I know this is an old video, but when you check you Honda oil, you do NOT screw the plug back in to test. The sticker that tells you how to check the oil is right in front of you when you fill the oil. It states to unscrew the plug, wipe the stick and place it back in the hole WITHOUT screwing it in to measure oil level. Great video. Hope this helps someone watching this in the future.
Thank you Tech Gorilla for the comments. I do have an oil harrow story but not on this mower. The oil as shown in this video was supplied with the mower and it was the correct amount to add to the new engine. I hope at least Honda got that part right after all the other trouble with this mower. Checking the oil after an oil change it is difficult to see the oil on the level indicator. Thanks again for the comments!
Im getting ready for springtime and installed a new air filter, spark plug, blades and an oil change using mobil one. I also drilled a small hole in the discharge flap and attached a 30 inch bungi cord to the handle to hold the flap open a tad bit more and eliminate it clogging up the discharge when not bagging or mulching
Nice Mower ! I gave away my 30 year old Snapper lawn mower yesterday. It was finally to the point it was getting pretty tired and consuming oil. I replaced it with a used Harmony 2 Honda mower. I loved my Snapper with the Ninja mulching blade but it was time to retire it. I have always liked the Honda mowers because they run so smoothly. I would have painted those holes just to prevent rust. Nothing wrong with modifications on new stuff. I have worked in the small engine field for years. We did whatever makes the customer happy. I have also relocated the handle before on mowers. some models come with two sets of holes for that reason. Mabe Honda can add that into their next years modifications. I am sure it would cost thousands to modify the equipment that punches those holes. In other words, I wouldnt count on it. lol.
My Honda had to take the heights adjusters completely off and swap sides , this allowed the handle to sit much higher and the wheel adjusters were still functional. Originally it sat so low it was a literal pain in the back to mow grass.
I wish they still built them like that! I have a 19 year old Craftsman 42" riding mower with the 17.5hp Kohler engine and have done nothing to the engine but have replaced bearings on the deck several times and the seat has finally split. Will have a new video up soon on this Honda push mower with another issue. Thanks for the comments and have a great day!
I just replaced the deck on my 2001 model Honda mower because i like the handle design way better than either the new Honda like this or the higher end one with blade clutch. I have a husqvarna awd and dislike the handle and drive system on it, even with the larger motor gc190 it won't pull a half full bag without some help and rarely will it fill the bag.
Honda must be watching. I bought a HRX last year and didn't like the height. I was going to make the mode on mine and realized My HRX came with 3 positions but I had mine setup in the middle position.
Nice job on the video...informative...do you think that the clip/grass director could be modified to allow for both bagging and discharge like the 217 VLA?
Hi JJ, I'm not familiar with the 217 VLA so I have no ideal how or why one would want to bag and discharge at the same time. There must be a reason for this and please share if you know. Thanks for the comments!
@@CarveTools Thanks for responding...from what I know the 217 VLA and HRX217VKA has a lever/director that locks into several position (i.e., from bag to mulch in increments) that allows you to bag and mulch at the same time. You can vary how much you bag vs mulch by how wide the detector is set...hope that makes sense.
I noticed that the front wheels don't always stay on the ground/rotate when you are mowing. Is this normal or is there a way to fix that? I just used mine for the first time yesterday and it was so light in the front on the uneven yard that the front wheels would stop engaging with the ground or the front would easily pop up. Had a Troy Bilt front wheel drive that stayed on the ground. I like the Honda features but want the wheels to stay on the ground. Any suggestions? thanks
Hi Erin, The right front wheel on this one does not always touch the ground even though all the wheels are adjusted to the same slot. I haven't been too concerned since it does not seem to leave any gaps in the lawn. Very good observation!
I had a 2015 HRR2169VKA and I noticed the same issue. Front wheel rotation was dependent on how tight the front wheel bolt was...I wasn't a fan. I think the root of the problem was the mower felt off balance, heavy in the back with little weight up front even when not being self propelled. I also wasn't a fan of plastic wheels......Honda HRR made me miss my old Toro with real rubber.
The old mower had a broken piston ring and the cylinder was gouged. Just one of those things even after regular oil and air filter changes. The new mower cuts a lot better anyway especially after solving the rear wheel lock up issue. Thanks for the comments and have a great day!
@@CarveTools I can't believe you bought another HONDA, I have the first model you showed bought it 4-5 years ago, only mowed small lawn.., needed a new starter cord year 3 and last fall the rear wheels locked up and forward drive won't work, I will never buy another HONDA, I had much better luck with CRAFTSMAN and MURRY, both going over 25 years each with no problems. I bought a number of TORO mowers for my crews and zero problems, NO MORE HONDAS for me and yes all mowers maintained well, so maintenance not the issue, I bet the HONDA has less then 20 hours on it
I like the new one because of the micro cut and I can cut twice as much without emptying the bag. No big deal the blade stops with the handle released since it has an electric start. Unfortunately the wheels are worn out and slick, will have to cut new grooves or replace them.
The price for the wheels are very reasonable at boats.net. Look for Honda Power Equipment and just select Honda lawn mowers. Pricing for the same wheels on ebay is usually overpriced.
Guess I 'm guilty of reading more into the title than you intended. I expected a mower modification; something to the engine, or blade, or mower deck. A hole in a bracket on the handle is somewhat underwhelming; hardly worth putting up with the annoying music. My condolences on the failure of your other mower after only 9 short seasons at just about being broken in.
Sometimes we have to do thing that are kind of crude but it got the job done. Power equipment does not come in sizes for tall men. Thanks for the comments!
longhand335 freeze up? I have been working on lawn mowers forever and never heard of that one? Care to explain what you mean? Actually, I think you mean gum up? Using an additive prevents that from happening and if he is able, you can get regular gas( called recreation vehicle fuel) to avoid using that evil Ethanol fuel.
Youre right and I think you can drill another on top too it helps for hills I live in Pittsburgh and use the roto stop one VYA to cut like 90 lawns lol🤣
Joe Jirak You wouldnt want to watch us prep brand new trucks for RhinoSpray in bed liner then. We generally ask the owner to drop off the truck, or the dealer delivers it brand new to us. We first use acetone on the paint to remove all the wax, then we sand and wire wheel in every nook and cranny inside the bed before the two part expoy liner is sprayed in. Nothing like screwing up a $40 to 60k truck bed before making it look nice and tough too. Generally, any modification is alarming to anyone. he should have painted those holes with black enamal paint as they will quickly rust.
