28 yr old Honda HR215, do the new ones mulch better???

[Jeff T]

Well, the story continues.

I ended up finding a 4 year old HRX217 w/electric start and bag from a couple moving from IL to FL. A whopping $200. What an amazing machine.

The old HR215 went to a friends son who bought his first house!

 

[HarmonySeeker]

I'm just about fed up with the uneven cut my 215 has developed. It leaves a line of grass uncut on every pass. A thin line, not very wide at all, but it's obvious as all get out.
I'm going to rebuild a cub cadet now and see how it does.
I'm guessing it has something to do with the engineering of that double blade arrangement.
So after all, fairly unhappy with that Honda.

 

[dfbrown]

I'm just about fed up with the uneven cut my 215 has developed. It leaves a line of grass uncut on every pass. A thin line, not very wide at all, but it's obvious as all get out.
I'm going to rebuild a cub cadet now and see how it does.
I'm guessing it has something to do with the engineering of that double blade arrangement.
So after all, fairly unhappy with that Honda.

Put new blade on it. Sharpen them to 30degree and the line will go away. OR If your mulching and taking too much grass off in one shot and or going too fast it can leave a mow hawk. That's all it can be. Not a honda problem or any other mower problem. Clean deck sharp blades and balanced. Nice pace and dry grass taking off a reasonable amount it should cut perfectly.

 

[HarmonySeeker]

If I put a new Honda blade on it, should I have to sharpen it, as well? Mind you, I have kept my blade sharp. By hand, with a file.
I mow in first gear. I went out of my way today to assure I was only taking 1/3 off at the most and the grass was dry.
And the blade appears to be in good shape, using the manual that came with the unit as a guide.
That's why I'm so disappointed.
Thanks for the idea, But it seems to me like spending good money after bad, having to replace the blade clutch, a new blade bearing and a mulch plug already.
It's already cost a lot of 'bad' money to get this far.

 

[dfbrown]

If I put a new Honda blade on it, should I have to sharpen it, as well? Mind you, I have kept my blade sharp. By hand, with a file.
I mow in first gear. I went out of my way today to assure I was only taking 1/3 off at the most and the grass was dry.
And the blade appears to be in good shape, using the manual that came with the unit as a guide.
That's why I'm so disappointed.
Thanks for the idea, But it seems to me like spending good money after bad, having to replace the blade clutch, a new blade bearing and a mulch plug already.
It's already cost a lot of 'bad' money to get this far.

I personally put a fresh edge on a brand new blade and I check balance and run out anyways. Honda own blades are really really good about that.

Ok mowing in 1st gear Ian obviously slow and blades are sharp. Double check the very edge of the blade is sharp ans not rounded at all. That can leave mowhawks. One thing I forgot to mention Is to check the mowers rpm. If it's low or barely on spec it can make a difference. Not because of hp but because of blade tip speed. A hr215 is typically 3100 + or - 150. So double check they are 3250rpm with blades spinning. Make sure grass is dry and your doing 1/3 rule. Unless your cutting super low and deck is clean it should cut awsome. I have had a ton of hondas over the years and hr215s we're awsome. If you really mulching with the plug and dual blade option there just ok at mulching. Not spectacular but just ok. More of a professional nagger or side discharge. Mowhawks even happen on my hrx217hya with clean deck and cutting at 3". I noticed ifnim trying to take too much offnto mulch for a customers yard it leaves a mowhawk at that point inrear discharge and then fan it with my backpack blower. My personal yard never a issued because I cut every 4 days in Pennsylvania. Hope this helps. Which hr215 do you have?

 

[HarmonySeeker]

mzbb-6091227 sxa
As far as speed goes, I do have a tach and I'll check rpm.
I run the throttle IN the detent between the choke and fast positions to maximize speed. It doesn't seem to make a difference.
I note that the manual does not mention a throttle adjustment, as I've seen it. The adjustment they do document is the choke.
So I presumed that if the choke was sitting right, that took care of everything else.
I am cutting 1 notch from maximum height. I cut that same lawn 2 notches from the highest last week and it didn't grow excessively in between.
So not too high.
I cut at 2:30 in the afternoon, so not wet at all.
And as you indicate, it is not a big mohawk, just as you say, if you brush the lawn with your foot, the mohawk just shows up.
But it looks like hell the next morning.
I see you recommend a sharp blade edge, as opposed to many who say, a non-sharp edge.
I have to come down in the middle here: I sharpen to a sharp edge with a hand file, and as the other side notes, it's dull shortly thereafter.
And yes, mowing in 1st gear is a SLOW process.
But having to go over areas twice?
Even longer.
Again, thanks for your words. I will verify engine speed, but my manual shows no way to adjust engine speed.