Choosing Between Two Honda Models

[rewom]

Considering the HRX217VKA vs the HRX217HYA.

Background: House on 1/4 lot, slight hills, lots of turning due to landscaping. Not a lot of straight back and forth mowing, maybe half. After giving up on lawn services, I used a Scott's reel mower, and it did the whole yard for about two years and then just became unusable on about 20% of the yard which is too thick/soft and requires a power mower. (The mower itself is fine and properly adjusted, the grass just got more lush in certain areas. I have looked into this with Scott's and I have tried my neighbor's reel mower, same problem). I also need to bag several times a year for leaves and things. Mainly live oak leaves (small, shed multiple times per year). Also red oak. The grass is bermuda, but my neighbor just put in some St Augustine, so I will have it soon. I mulch most of the time. Will probably move in a few years - who knows what my yard will be like?

Looking at the two mowers above - main difference being the HYA has roto-stop and the Cruise Control transmission, vs Smart Drive. The dealer said both are great, but he would choose the HYA due to the transmission. Thinks it works better for him personally, and has greater longevity. I really like the idea of being able to stop the blade without killing the motor. Unsure about the difference in transmissions. (The current power mower I used last year is a front wheel drive hand me down that runs poorly, but has 3 fixed speeds, and it has worked, but I can just tilt the mower back and lift the drive wheels, something I will not be able to do with the Hondas.)

Thoughts on choosing between the two? Which transmission is more proven for longevity (I assume all the other components are similar as to longevity).

I also have a number of questions:

1) In looking at model numbers, I notice the same model number with a K2, K3, K4 inserted in the middle. The dealer tells me those are essentially revisions. How do I make sure I get the most current model and not end up with last year's or earlier versions of this year's model?

2) Maintenance - looking at the owners manual, it says every year (or 100 hrs) there are a number of things you need to take it to a dealer for service. Clean the fuel tank/filter. Adjust the idle speed. Check and adjust valve clearance. Grease the pinion gears. Every two years take it in for rear wheel bushings to be greased. Do you really need to take the Honda mowers to the dealer every year for these items? The dealer told me none of this is necessary - just do oil, air filter and spark plug and bring it in only if it is running badly.

3) Gas - dealer said midgrade or premium only, no gas older than 30 days. Are the engines/carburetors that picky? Is this necessary? As far as I know, the manual says regular gas is fine.

4) The dealer said if I get the HYA, for the first season I need to start it, let it run on low for awhile before engaging the blade and mowing. He was not very clear, just said it would be bad to start it, put it in high, engage the clutch and take off. Said something about longevity, breaking in the clutch... He did not make sense to me. What do you think of this?

5) I will likely store the mower outdoors, under a covered patio, where rain will not get to it. Are there any significant drawbacks to this?

6) Lastly, I found this one post from a guy who helps out at his Dad's small engine repair business, and says he sees tons of the HRX mowers with problems. Rather than repeat, it is the last post in this thread: http://www.autopia.org/forum/hot-tub/136141-honda-lawnmower-2.html (I take all postings with a grain of salt, but wondered if this rings a bell with anybody).

Spending this much on a mower I want it to work well, last a loooonnnggg time, and not require tons of maintenance. I have no luck with my edger/trimmer after it sits idle for an off season. Tips to avoid such with a mower would be welcomed.

Thanks for any thoughts. Don't take any of my post as negative to Honda, just asking questions.

 

[rewom]

Chirp, chirp, chirp...

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

I can't answer some of your questions but I will answer what I can. Personally I would get the HYA (that is the mower I have), because I like the Roto-Stop, but maybe you would like the Smart Drive (on the VKA) since you have a lot of flowerbeds you need to mow around so you can change your speed. But you can also changed your speed quickly on the HYA by only pushing in the drive lever half way or so, along with adjusting the orange lever to change speed.

As for if you need to take it to the dealer every year for all of those adjustments, I take it to the dealer for the general blade sharpening, oil, spark plug, etc. but only because I don't have the tools at home to do it myself. I don't get those extra things checked, but maybe you would want to. Personally I would only take it in if it has issues (plus the general maintenance).

I use regular gas, but a lot of people on here say not to, because of the "bad gas these days". If you are going to let it sit over winter either drain the gas out or run it every once and awhile.

As for letting it run for awhile before engaging the blades, I don't do that, but it doesn't mean I am doing the right thing. The guy who delivered the mower DID say to let it idle on low for maybe 10 seconds before turning it off so it does not backfire, but that's all. Not a big deal.

I hope that helps a little, and Robert@Honda should be able to help you with your other questions. Please feel free to ask me if you have any other questions, and make sure you let us know what you decide! :smile:

 

[bwdbrn1]

I think that you are looking a what are perhaps two of the best lawn mowers on the market today. Still I would not try to talk you out of looking at other brands and critically comparing them all. My personal choice in outdoor power equipment is Honda, and I will just say that it is based on my own personal experience with a number of different brands with engines from different manufactures.

Let me offer these answers in response to your questions.

1) The dealer was correct. The higher the number, the more recent the revision, and the dealer should be able to tell you what they were.

2)There is a reason Honda, or any other manufacturer, recommends certain things be done simply because it increases the likelihood of longevity if those areas are maintained on a regular basis. I suppose it also satisfies the issues for warranty coverage, and I believe Honda's warranty is very good. Many of those things could probably be done by the owner himself, but that might bring warranty issues into question. So, for the period of the warranty, it might not be a bad idea to follow the recommendations outlined in the owner's manual and warranty.

3)Todays gas with ethanol is hard on any small engine, no matter the manufacturer. It is not recommended to keep more on hand than you can use in 30 days for any small engine. Always use Stabil, or similar product in your gas.

4)You should ask him to clarify. One thing you could do for now is look at Honda Power Equipment's web site and down load a pdf copy of the owner's manuals for the mowers you are interested in and see what Honda has to say first hand.

5)Anything will stay cleaner, nicer and last longer if stored inside, but we're not all lucky enough to have the garage, or space in a garage to store everything. Honda sells covers for their mowers, and they are probably available as an after market item too.

6)Guy doesn't really define what "tons" is, but they do talk about the detrimental effects of ethanol gasoline. He is talking about the GCV190 engine, I believe. I personally have a lawn mower with a GCV160 engine, which is basically the same engine as the GCV190, that has run reliably since 1999, and admittedly, I have not taken as good of care of it as I have other mowers and engines.

There are certain recommendations covered in the owner's manuals for long term storage that if followed, will make starting and operating you mower the following season easier.

Another thing I'd recommend you do is ask to take the mowers you are looking at for a "test drive". See how the different controls and features feel to you first hand before committing to buying.

Hope that helps. I'm sure others will chime in too.

 

[robert@honda]

... K2, K3, K4 inserted in the middle. The dealer tells me those are essentially revisions. How do I make sure I get the most current model and not end up with last year's or earlier versions of this year's model?

The K-code = version of a model. The higher the number, the more current the version. The HRX models are currently at version K4 (January, 2013); this update adds Autochoke, and introduces a lower cost electric start model. HRX units are available with the deluxe Cruise Control (hydrostatic) drive system, or the simplified SmartDRVIE variable speed, slip-belt design. Older K3 models may be available at a discount. The K-code is always included in the serial number sticker on the rear of the mower deck, and also on a small white label on the outside of the carton:

Do you really need to take the Honda mowers to the dealer every year for these items?

No. You can DIY in most cases. Some special tools are required for certain procedures (feeler gauge for valve adjustment, torque wrench for blade installation, etc.) To comply with the terms of the warranty, you just need to document all required service procedures were done per the Maintenance Schedule. A great investment is a paper Shop Manual, which is loaded with details on how to do everything from changing a spark plug to a full overhaul of the engine. Honda sells Shop Manuals direct on their eBay store (free shipping and updated for 3 years); here's a link: Honda Shop Manuals on eBay

...Are the engines/carburetors that picky? Is this necessary? As far as I know, the manual says regular gas is fine.

#1 problem customers have with hard-starting or poor running mowers happens when fuel is allowed to sit untreated > 30 days. 99% of automotive gasoline sold today contains at least some ethanol, and such fuel *will* decay and cause problems. This can easily be avoided by NOT allowing fuel to sit in the mower's tank > 30 days. Simply let it run dry / out of fuel if you don't expect to run the mower for more than a month, or drain out all the fuel. You may also elect to treat the fuel with a stablizer additive, and this can extend the lifespan of the fuel. But, for my machines, draining or running them dry is 100% effective at preventing fuel-related problems.

Using regular unleaded gasoline is just fine; going with a mid-grade or higher octane fuel is NOT going to help unless the fuel does NOT contain ethanol. This can be hard to find, and is often more costly than fuels that do contain ethanol. Again, regular unleaded with ethanol is fine, just don't let it sit in the mower's tank for > 30 days.

...it would be bad to start it, put it in high, engage the clutch and take off. Said something about longevity, breaking in the clutch... He did not make sense to me. What do you think of this?

Being a bit gentle when operating any equipment will help. You'll get better results if you simply let the engine warm up all the way (about a minute or two) before starting the blade or engaging the drive wheels.

5) I will likely store the mower outdoors, under a covered patio, where rain will not get to it. Are there any significant drawbacks to this?

Insects, dirt, dust, etc. can cause problems. Rain/moisture can accelerate corrosion of steel parts. If you must store it outdoors, clean under the mower deck, discharge chute, grass bag, etc. and cover it.

...he sees tons of the HRX mowers with problems.

The HRX has been on the market for 10 years now, and has consistently won praise from journalists and owner's alike. It is a "top pick" in almost every list you can find out there. The HRX comes with a five year warranty (six if you register it between now and the end of May) and a lifetime warranty on the NeXite / composite mower deck. It's not without flaws, but most people who've owned / used one will tell you it's the best mower ever.

Hope this helps...

 

[rewom]

Thanks all, a big help. Even though I had looked at the manual briefly, it always helps to be told to look again at what the manufacturer said - and I looked more places in the manual this time and between the manual, your posts and the dealer felt ready to buy.

I went to a different dealer and after a few questions I bought the HYA for $699. The current (K4) version. He wheeled it off the floor, put the oil in, gassed it up, registered it for me, and we loaded it up. I think at least two other dealers are selling the K3 and possibly K2 version for the same price. (The hang tag said K2 at the prior dealer but I did not look on the mower).

I knew higher octane gas would do nothing for an engine not designed for it - it is not better or cleaner, just higher octane. Just wanted confirmation. The owners manual (about storage) makes it pretty easy to figure out how to deal with the gas aspect. By the way, it is pretty easy to get ethanol free gas - they sell it in cans at the dealer or Home Depot, for outrageous prices of course. They also have it premixed with oil for 2 stroke engines. And it is stabilized. I do not think it makes sense for a mower given the cost, but may well make sense for a weed whacker.

Well, now I have to go through the manual (yeah, I actually do read them for some things I buy), and will be doing some mowing very soon. Will probably post back once I have done both.

 

[bwdbrn1]

Congratulations, I'm sure you'll be very happy with both the mower, and from the sounds of things, with the dealer you bought it from as well.

Don't know where you live for sure, but if there is any kind of boating around where you are, there may be gas stations that sell non-ethanol gas from the pumps. I live along the Mississippi river, and stations that are close to the river and cater to boaters sell it.

Look forward to hearing how you like your new mower.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Great choice!! :thumbsup: I'm sure you will be happy with your choice and make sure you let us know how you like it! :smile:

 

[-Tsunami-]

5)Anything will stay cleaner, nicer and last longer if stored inside, but we're not all lucky enough to have the garage, or space in a garage to store everything. Honda sells covers for their mowers, and they are probably available as an after market item too.



Honda Silver LM Cover for HRR and HRX Series Walk Mowers.

 

[robert@honda]

Animated .GIFs are a thing now...

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y483/robertathonda/lmcover_zpsa29267e8.gif