Ok, So I know there's other threads on the popular 217s but I kind of want a new answer to my situation in particular and maybe it will help others also.
Last week I bought the Honda 217VKA variable speed version. Now I'm wondering if I should not have bought the 217HYA hydro version. I got it at Home Depot where they said bring it in 30 days back if you don't like it.
Some background: I have a flat yard that takes about 35-40 minutes to mow. It's usually thick and grows fast but this year it's not looking as good so I gotta get on that. I mulch 95% of the time. I live on street with quite a few trees especially in the back so in the fall I do try and bag up the leaves a couple mows by running them through my current mower a 2004 Lawn Boy of the newer design (not the oddball staggered front wheel) I bought from HD also. I empty the bag often when doing this, but it does work.
The Lawn Boy still works, starts almost first time every pull. However the last two years I've welded and fought the handle continuing to break and fall apart. It isn't a show stopper but it doesn't frustrate me. So I saw the Honda 216HRR for $399 at HD and was attracted to it for the price I'd have a Honda. As an former owner of Honda cars and ATVS I know they are made well.
After looking then I was like do spend $100 more and get the blade clutch on the 216? Then I was like why not get the 217HRX for the bigger engine, bag, wheels, etc. But if I wanted a blade clutch I see the 217HRX has a different drive than the 216HRR blade clutch and the 217VKA drive w/o blade clutch. The 217HYA has the two lever design with a 3rd lever to cover ground speed.
My current LawnBoy has a Toro type personal pace self propel trans on it. Basically the handle slides inside itself, the faster you walk the faster it goes. It's fantastic to use. I thought it would be inconsistent when I bought it, but it's perfect.
So I guess that's why I was attracted to the drive of the 216HRR/217VKA being the variable speed on the fly adjustment rather than what I view has the older cruise control style of older mowers on the 217HYA.
I want a blade clutch just to have one I guess. I don't often stop or pause my mower. Mostly in the fall to empty the bag. My son never leaves things in the yard and I took my picket fence down. so I don't NEED one, but it would be nice. If the 217 had the blade clutch design on the 216 it would have been a no brainer.
Soooo... I've used the new 217VKA with variable speed transmission just once so far. It's a little touchy and fast but something I can get use to or even adjust for a smoother engagement. (Something I did on the Lawnboy 10 years ago). The design isn't as good as the Toro style but it's ok. I wouldn't use my thumbs like an ATV to engage it but instead use my palms like a jet ski style really. I like the on the fly adjustment of the speed and the ease of following the curves of my yard with it and the ease of turning around where the wheels don't continue to run since I just naturally let up on the twist paddle.
With that said, I wonder if for another $100 that the 217HYA wouldn't have been a better decision. 1st I get the hydro trans, whether or not it's more rugged I don't know. But in theory it would seem to be. Also, I'd get the blade clutch; though honestly I wouldn't use it but 10% of the time I'd guess. Would be handy I'd guess in the fall with bag emptying. AND if this mower last as long as the price suggests who knows what type of property I may eventually have in the future where a blade clutch could be handy.
So for owners of the 217HYA, do you find the multiple handles to be at all cumbersome? Too wide? Too stacked? Do you find yourself reaching for the ground speed adjustment lever often? I'd find that a pain as for 10 years I've never had to throughout my 35 minute mows. Most important what is it like going around tight obstacles, curves and turning around? Is it a pain to turn at all? By that I mean does the always on cruise control make the wheels continue to turn and fight you as you turn it tightly?
I guess I wished the blade clutch design on the 216HRR was on the HRX, I'm wondering if anyone knows if in 2015 it might be? I'd probably wait. But since it's not I'll ask for now what the opinions of owners, is it as easy though in a different way than the newer style paddle variable speed?
PS> Robert @ Honda, saw your road bike wrap on your 217HYA handles. As a road bike rider myself I loved that idea!
Thanks guys,
Last week I bought the Honda 217VKA variable speed version. Now I'm wondering if I should not have bought the 217HYA hydro version. I got it at Home Depot where they said bring it in 30 days back if you don't like it.
Some background: I have a flat yard that takes about 35-40 minutes to mow. It's usually thick and grows fast but this year it's not looking as good so I gotta get on that. I mulch 95% of the time. I live on street with quite a few trees especially in the back so in the fall I do try and bag up the leaves a couple mows by running them through my current mower a 2004 Lawn Boy of the newer design (not the oddball staggered front wheel) I bought from HD also. I empty the bag often when doing this, but it does work.
The Lawn Boy still works, starts almost first time every pull. However the last two years I've welded and fought the handle continuing to break and fall apart. It isn't a show stopper but it doesn't frustrate me. So I saw the Honda 216HRR for $399 at HD and was attracted to it for the price I'd have a Honda. As an former owner of Honda cars and ATVS I know they are made well.
After looking then I was like do spend $100 more and get the blade clutch on the 216? Then I was like why not get the 217HRX for the bigger engine, bag, wheels, etc. But if I wanted a blade clutch I see the 217HRX has a different drive than the 216HRR blade clutch and the 217VKA drive w/o blade clutch. The 217HYA has the two lever design with a 3rd lever to cover ground speed.
My current LawnBoy has a Toro type personal pace self propel trans on it. Basically the handle slides inside itself, the faster you walk the faster it goes. It's fantastic to use. I thought it would be inconsistent when I bought it, but it's perfect.
So I guess that's why I was attracted to the drive of the 216HRR/217VKA being the variable speed on the fly adjustment rather than what I view has the older cruise control style of older mowers on the 217HYA.
I want a blade clutch just to have one I guess. I don't often stop or pause my mower. Mostly in the fall to empty the bag. My son never leaves things in the yard and I took my picket fence down. so I don't NEED one, but it would be nice. If the 217 had the blade clutch design on the 216 it would have been a no brainer.
Soooo... I've used the new 217VKA with variable speed transmission just once so far. It's a little touchy and fast but something I can get use to or even adjust for a smoother engagement. (Something I did on the Lawnboy 10 years ago). The design isn't as good as the Toro style but it's ok. I wouldn't use my thumbs like an ATV to engage it but instead use my palms like a jet ski style really. I like the on the fly adjustment of the speed and the ease of following the curves of my yard with it and the ease of turning around where the wheels don't continue to run since I just naturally let up on the twist paddle.
With that said, I wonder if for another $100 that the 217HYA wouldn't have been a better decision. 1st I get the hydro trans, whether or not it's more rugged I don't know. But in theory it would seem to be. Also, I'd get the blade clutch; though honestly I wouldn't use it but 10% of the time I'd guess. Would be handy I'd guess in the fall with bag emptying. AND if this mower last as long as the price suggests who knows what type of property I may eventually have in the future where a blade clutch could be handy.
So for owners of the 217HYA, do you find the multiple handles to be at all cumbersome? Too wide? Too stacked? Do you find yourself reaching for the ground speed adjustment lever often? I'd find that a pain as for 10 years I've never had to throughout my 35 minute mows. Most important what is it like going around tight obstacles, curves and turning around? Is it a pain to turn at all? By that I mean does the always on cruise control make the wheels continue to turn and fight you as you turn it tightly?
I guess I wished the blade clutch design on the 216HRR was on the HRX, I'm wondering if anyone knows if in 2015 it might be? I'd probably wait. But since it's not I'll ask for now what the opinions of owners, is it as easy though in a different way than the newer style paddle variable speed?
PS> Robert @ Honda, saw your road bike wrap on your 217HYA handles. As a road bike rider myself I loved that idea!
Thanks guys,
