Honda HR215 Mulching

[Summers]

I just purchased an older Honda HR215 PXA push mower (MZAM-6012450) and so far I love it. This thing runs great. I didn't have self propelled before so it doesn't bother me that this one doesn't have it. Even though it is much older it is a major upgrade from our 7-year old Troy Bilt push mower (my son hit a tree stump with the Troy Bilt and wrecked it). I did not want to spend a ton of $ on a new mower and I found this Honda on Craig's List. I traded my junked Troy Bilt and $100 for this Honda. It is in nice shape and has the cast aluminum deck so no rust.

I don't mind that the Honda doesn't have the self propelled option but I do wish it had a mulch plug (it did come with a bag). Does anyone know if I can find a mulch plug for this thing somewhere? I can't find one online and none of the local dealers have an old one laying around. Is there a mulch plug from a newer model that will work with this mower?

I did find where I could upgrade from the single blade to the twin mulching blades - but without the mulch plug is it worth it? I mowed my front yard last night and it did a nice job without a mulch plug and without a bag, but I think it would do even better with the plug. I just don't have anywhere to dump the clippings if I bag it.

Just looking for tips here. I can also get the side discharge chute online. Is it worth getting the twin blades and pairing them with a side chute? Appreciate the help.

 

[bwdbrn1]

The HR215 is a great mower, and the twin blade set up works great. I use one now as my daily driver, and I've been a fan of the HR214 for years as well.

The single blade works well for either bagging or when using the side discharge chute. The side discharge chute is readily available, and so is the second mulching blade, adapter and longer bolts. Keep an eye out for the mulch plug on ebay as Honda doesn't offer it anymore, and unfortunately, none of the newer mowers mulch plugs will work. The HR215 and HR214 use the same mulch plug, so you should watch under listings for either mower. Every now and then the "mulch kit", which included the plug, the second blade, the blade adapter, and the longer bolts to install it all, comes up on ebay too. I'd keep in contact with your local Honda dealer as they may get one in on a mower that's broken beyond repair and maybe they'd give it to you or sell it to you for a good price.

 

[Summers]

Thanks for the tips. Is it worth getting the twin blade setup to use with the side chute?

 

[bwdbrn1]

The twin blades work with the side discharge, but really aren't necessary. I've seen HR214s and HR215s where people used them as mulchers by just leaving the door shut and without the plug. The channel up to the door just fills up with grass, so I wouldn't recommend that. Here's what Honda has in their list of accessories for various pieces of outdoor power equipment. I copied those for the HR215.



HR214 ALUMINUM DECKS Complete Kits
HR215 For twin-blade mulching; uses original Honda Code Part Number
HR216 blade and new upper blade. Install 7268428 06762-VA3-S00
HR215K1 blade spacer, new bolts, washers and
mulching plug.

Replacement Parts
upper blade 453369172531-VA3-810
mulching plug not available
blade spacer 452740475232-VA3-810
10X25 bolts (2) 4452421 90105-VA3-J01
10mm s.washer (2) 0681015 90481-430-000

There was also a deck guard kit. Steel parts that fit over the lower edges of the mower deck. They were standard on the earlier HR214. Nice to have I suppose if you do a lot of edging along rough surfaces. It's part number 06761-VA3-690. Another really nice accessory is the handle brace. I've put one of those on the HR214s and the HR215 that I use. They're heavy mower and the brace really helps strengthen up the handle and makes the mower easier to move around. it's part number 06531-VA3-010.

If you have a Honda dealer nearby, they're usually good folks to get to know. Like I said, they may get a mower in with the mulch plug, and pass it along to you. I've gotten parts from my dealer for my mowers that way. I've also had good luck locating parts online by doing a search using the part numbers. Insert Honda 06762-VA3-S00, for instance, into your search engine and you can look around for the best deals.

 

[Henry47]

The mulching plug is no longer made for the HR214 or HR215 Honda. I have been bagging grass for over 20 years and got tired of it and lost a bid for a mulching plug and two mulching blade kits last week which went for $157.00.....best bid I ever lost. I ordered the mulching blade kit ( comes without a plug ....you get a heavy metal spacer, two bolts, two special spring washers, and a mulching blade which mounts above your regular blade.....you should change your regular blade while you're at it ) and just in case I ordered a side-shooter adapter.....I DIDN'T NEED THE SIDE SHOOTER ADAPTER.
Removed bolts and old blade and blade holder......cleaned everything good and installed mulching blade kit and also new lower blade. Took off rear bag and cut my wet lawn ( pretty wet from morning dew ) two weeks in a row now.
The lawn looks GREAT ( no clumps or problem of any kind ) and after cutting today I looked underneath and there wasn't a blade of grass stuck underneath. Don't go crazy searching or waste your money looking for a plug......you don't need one for a great mulching job.....maybe that's why Honda quit making them.