Honda HRB215 SXA fix or buy another?

[flipr]

I bought this new, HRB215-sxa model frame # MZBA 6033481. Love this mower. About 7 years ago self-propelled stopped working, but I had a rider for my under-half acre so it didn't matter, just stored it. Neighbor was only using it on occasion when theirs wouldn't start.

Now I moved to a residential lot, less than 1/4 acre, and I'm wishing I had my self propelled Honda back in shape. Xenoy deck, no cracks, engine runs first pull. Love the blade-brake-clutch.
Since I've had this, I had the rear drive wheels replaced couple times, due to clicking, and falling off. Then the tranny went after warranty. Honda USA generously covered repair parts, I paid labor.
Now I think the tranny is gone again, have heard its common. Could be something else, no movement, very difficult to push as it is.

Repair estimate from shop is $300, 6 years ago, but I've seen the tranny itself for $140. I really like this mower, now living in Florida, so I need something that can handle weekly mowing. Do I fix this or move on? Can I fix it myself? Fairly handy, but this would be a first for me.

Afraid that if I buy the parts, I won't be able to pull tranny out, or end up needing wheels, or other parts to go along with it.

Not sure going with a new one will be similar quality to what I already have.

Thoughts, suggestions? Have a hilly part of the new lawn, and gotta have self propelled for my wife. I travel too much, and never get at the lawn on time. :laughing:

Thanks for your thoughts, and thanks in advance Robert@honda for your good info. I've read the other posts and this comes in pretty handy.

 

[magbarn]

I bought this new, HRB215-sxa model frame # MZBA 6033481. Love this mower. About 7 years ago self-propelled stopped working, but I had a rider for my under-half acre so it didn't matter, just stored it. Neighbor was only using it on occasion when theirs wouldn't start.

Now I moved to a residential lot, less than 1/4 acre, and I'm wishing I had my self propelled Honda back in shape. Xenoy deck, no cracks, engine runs first pull. Love the blade-brake-clutch.
Since I've had this, I had the rear drive wheels replaced couple times, due to clicking, and falling off. Then the tranny went after warranty. Honda USA generously covered repair parts, I paid labor.
Now I think the tranny is gone again, have heard its common. Could be something else, no movement, very difficult to push as it is.

Repair estimate from shop is $300, 6 years ago, but I've seen the tranny itself for $140. I really like this mower, now living in Florida, so I need something that can handle weekly mowing. Do I fix this or move on? Can I fix it myself? Fairly handy, but this would be a first for me.

Afraid that if I buy the parts, I won't be able to pull tranny out, or end up needing wheels, or other parts to go along with it.

Not sure going with a new one will be similar quality to what I already have.

Thoughts, suggestions? Have a hilly part of the new lawn, and gotta have self propelled for my wife. I travel too much, and never get at the lawn on time. :laughing:

Thanks for your thoughts, and thanks in advance Robert@honda for your good info. I've read the other posts and this comes in pretty handy.

That tranny seems to be somewhat prone to failure. It's really up to you, but usually replacing the tranny and drive belt usually gets them going again for a few more years (the hydrostatic is much better in this regard, but also more expensive too). If you're wanting an equivalent, you're going to have to step up to the $500 HRR216VYA which has the BBC that you love, but only has a plain steel deck and lacks ball bearings on the front wheels. It's really worth stepping up to the $700+ HRX217HYA as you get a beefier 190cc engine, the Xenoy deck (not named NExite) along with the BBC, and the more reliable and much better IMHO hydrostatic transmission.

 

[flipr]

That tranny seems to be somewhat prone to failure. It's really up to you, but usually replacing the tranny and drive belt usually gets them going again for a few more years (the hydrostatic is much better in this regard, but also more expensive too). If you're wanting an equivalent, you're going to have to step up to the $500 HRR216VYA which has the BBC that you love, but only has a plain steel deck and lacks ball bearings on the front wheels. It's really worth stepping up to the $700+ HRX217HYA as you get a beefier 190cc engine, the Xenoy deck (not named NExite) along with the BBC, and the more reliable and much better IMHO hydrostatic transmission.

Appreciate your feedback, thanks much.

 

[robert@honda]

Fitting a new transmission, belt, wheels, etc. to your old HRB would probably run you less than $400 in parts, grease, chemicals and a paper shop manual. The only special tool needed is a pair circlip pliers to remove the criclips (a.k.a. snap rings) from the rear axles. It is not difficult, but take you time and follow the steps. If you have basic mechanical skills you can do the job with no drama. Be sure to drain the oil and fuel and be careful working around the blades. Always disconnect the spark plug cap before doing any service work on a mower.

The closest similar model is the Honda HRX217HYA, which has the hydrostatic transmission and Roto-Stop blade clutch. It is an awesome machine, and comes with a 5-year warranty, typical street price of about $800 and worth every penny. Tremendous cut quality, variable mulching/bagging 190cc engine, 9" wheels, full ball bearings, etc. Made in North Carolina at the Honda plant.

For the past few years, Honda has run a special promotion during the spring, usually from March-May, if you purchase a mower and register it with Honda, you get +1 year of factory warranty added on. If you can get by until next spring, I'd wait, as it is highly likely the promotion will happen again next year.

 

[redmondjp]

You may not need a new transaxle - I have two of these mowers with the two-speed transmissions, and they both have the same problem: the engage lever on the transaxle has a worn hole where it bolts onto the shaft going into the housing, such that pulling the engage cable doesn't rotate the shaft far enough to fully engage the clutch. It's an easy fix, although a bit of work to get access to the lever to replace it.

 

[flipr]

You may not need a new transaxle - I have two of these mowers with the two-speed transmissions, and they both have the same problem: the engage lever on the transaxle has a worn hole where it bolts onto the shaft going into the housing, such that pulling the engage cable doesn't rotate the shaft far enough to fully engage the clutch. It's an easy fix, although a bit of work to get access to the lever to replace it.

Thanks for the info, I just ordered the Shop manual. Are you saying the engage lever might be the part needed?

Still have to pull the transaxle anyway, I would imagine to get to the lever. Right?

 

[flipr]

Fitting a new transmission, belt, wheels, etc. to your old HRB would probably run you less than $400 in parts, grease, chemicals and a paper shop manual. The only special tool needed is a pair circlip pliers to remove the criclips (a.k.a. snap rings) from the rear axles. It is not difficult, but take you time and follow the steps. If you have basic mechanical skills you can do the job with no drama. Be sure to drain the oil and fuel and be careful working around the blades. Always disconnect the spark plug cap before doing any service work on a mower.

The closest similar model is the Honda HRX217HYA, which has the hydrostatic transmission and Roto-Stop blade clutch. It is an awesome machine, and comes with a 5-year warranty, typical street price of about $800 and worth every penny. Tremendous cut quality, variable mulching/bagging 190cc engine, 9" wheels, full ball bearings, etc. Made in North Carolina at the Honda plant.

For the past few years, Honda has run a special promotion during the spring, usually from March-May, if you purchase a mower and register it with Honda, you get +1 year of factory warranty added on. If you can get by until next spring, I'd wait, as it is highly likely the promotion will happen again next year.

Appreciate the insight, I just ordered shop manual, already own the snap ring pliers! Had those for 20 years, still in the tool box.
Thanks much, will give it a go when manual arrives

 

[flipr]

Re: Honda HRB215 SXA fix or buy another? UPDATE

Wanted to give progress report.

I got the shop manual, followed directions to pull the tranny out. Once I had it upside down, it looks like the drive belt was OFF the tranny pulley. But I've got tranny ordered anyway. Looking at the shop manual, it looks replacing the belt is a major undertaking, pulling the BBC apart.

I figured since I'm replacing the tranny, I'd replace the belt too. Any tips on replacing the drive belt? page 4-19 of the manual talks about adjusting the tranny to remove belt from that pulley, but getting belt on engine pulley looks a little daunting.

Thanks much for the help

 

[flipr]

Re: Honda HRB215 SXA fix or buy another? FINAL update

Well, got it running, and propelling fine.
Once upside down, I was able to see the belt came off the tranny pulley.

Removed tranny, checked everything as best I could, it seems like the pulley was moving the axle, so I took a chance and put it back together. Now runs fine, so the slipped belt was my only issue.
Pulls fine in both speeds.

Only question I have will be how to change the belt when that issue comes up.

Thanks to all