Buying Advice My recent experience bought an HRR then had to buy an HRX mower. HRR VS HRX

[Robshonda]

So after 10 years with my Toro Personal pace mower, the transmission died. I could replace it but I wanted a new one. The Toro did a great job and I have thick, lush tall fescue that gets mowed every 5 days. It is sometimes wet with dew when I mow too. Well I went to a great ACE hardware that has a great rep for selling and repairs. Thats where the Toro came from. I looked at the new Toros but they had an unknown engine on them. BTW Home Depot sells them with Briggs engines...Decided I wanted a Honda this time and bought the HRR model. It seemed to have some kind of vibration and after 3 mows paint was coming off the underside allowing grass to build up there. Remember this grass can be pretty wet sometimes. It would take 10 minutes after each mow to clean the underside...not good.
I took it back to the dealer and they allowed me to get the HRX model. What a difference. The mower has more power, is quieter and I do not have to spend much time cleaning the underside since its Nexite. It hosed off easily. It mulches better, mows faster due to more power I guess. Bagging was great on either machine, but I am trying to avoid bagging. I like how I can adjust anywhere from mulching to bagging. The HRR was only mulch or bag. The bigger wheels on the HRX roll easier too. I have heard people saying to remove the top blade if you live in the Northwest where the grass is really wet most of the time. I may try it as the mower mulches so fine it makes a sticky mess. I do not like the rear discharge feature, it does not spread the clipping out very well. I wish they made a side discharge attachment for it...Just did the first oil change on the HRX. So if you have thick grass, have to mow wet grass, get the HRX mower.
BTW the grass grows so fast in the spring every 5 days I am mowing at 3 to 3.5 inches high. The grass is about 6+ inches high so I am asking a lot of this mower to mulch so much at a time, but it can handle it. Look forward to reading more posts about Honda mowers.
This is my first post.

 

[mechanic mark]

So after 10 years with my Toro Personal pace mower, the transmission died. I could replace it but I wanted a new one. The Toro did a great job and I have thick, lush tall fescue that gets mowed every 5 days. It is sometimes wet with dew when I mow too. Well I went to a great ACE hardware that has a great rep for selling and repairs. Thats where the Toro came from. I looked at the new Toros but they had an unknown engine on them. BTW Home Depot sells them with Briggs engines...Decided I wanted a Honda this time and bought the HRR model. It seemed to have some kind of vibration and after 3 mows paint was coming off the underside allowing grass to build up there. Remember this grass can be pretty wet sometimes. It would take 10 minutes after each mow to clean the underside...not good.
I took it back to the dealer and they allowed me to get the HRX model. What a difference. The mower has more power, is quieter and I do not have to spend much time cleaning the underside since its Nexite. It hosed off easily. It mulches better, mows faster due to more power I guess. Bagging was great on either machine, but I am trying to avoid bagging. I like how I can adjust anywhere from mulching to bagging. The HRR was only mulch or bag. The bigger wheels on the HRX roll easier too. I have heard people saying to remove the top blade if you live in the Northwest where the grass is really wet most of the time. I may try it as the mower mulches so fine it makes a sticky mess. I do not like the rear discharge feature, it does not spread the clipping out very well. I wish they made a side discharge attachment for it...Just did the first oil change on the HRX. So if you have thick grass, have to mow wet grass, get the HRX mower.
BTW the grass grows so fast in the spring every 5 days I am mowing at 3 to 3.5 inches high. The grass is about 6+ inches high so I am asking a lot of this mower to mulch so much at a time, but it can handle it. Look forward to reading more posts about Honda mowers.
This is my first post.

Thanks and yes they are good quality mowers, my oldest son has my 1990 hr215sxa still going strong.

 

[exotion]

Thanks and yes they are good quality mowers, my oldest son has my 1990 hr215sxa still going strong.

The hr215 is the best mower Honda ever made.

As for the hrr vs hrx I agree the hrx is the better machine. Oddly enough my hrr has well over 1000 hrs of mowing tall wet and thick grass and I rarely have grass build up under there. And I've tried removing the top blade that does nothing doesn't bag better and makes mulching worse

 

[mechanic mark]

The hr215 is the best mower Honda ever made.

As for the hrr vs hrx I agree the hrx is the better machine. Oddly enough my hrr has well over 1000 hrs of mowing tall wet and thick grass and I rarely have grass build up under there. And I've tried removing the top blade that does nothing doesn't bag better and makes mulching worse

Honda HRC216PDA Model Info | 21" Walk Behind Commercial Mower | Honda Lawn Mowers I know it's expensive, but if you have a business mowing daily, this is one tough machine that will last you many years to come provided you maintain it accordingly.

 

[exotion]

Ya if I buy a expensive commercial machine I am buying the toro comercial 21"

 

[HondaPower]

excellent post!

Made me upgrade my mower!

 

[allhifi]

So after 10 years with my Toro Personal pace mower, the transmission died. I could replace it but I wanted a new one. The Toro did a great job and I have thick, lush tall fescue that gets mowed every 5 days. It is sometimes wet with dew when I mow too. Well I went to a great ACE hardware that has a great rep for selling and repairs. Thats where the Toro came from. I looked at the new Toros but they had an unknown engine on them. BTW Home Depot sells them with Briggs engines...Decided I wanted a Honda this time and bought the HRR model. It seemed to have some kind of vibration and after 3 mows paint was coming off the underside allowing grass to build up there. Remember this grass can be pretty wet sometimes. It would take 10 minutes after each mow to clean the underside...not good.
I took it back to the dealer and they allowed me to get the HRX model. What a difference. The mower has more power, is quieter and I do not have to spend much time cleaning the underside since its Nexite. It hosed off easily. It mulches better, mows faster due to more power I guess. Bagging was great on either machine, but I am trying to avoid bagging. I like how I can adjust anywhere from mulching to bagging. The HRR was only mulch or bag. The bigger wheels on the HRX roll easier too. I have heard people saying to remove the top blade if you live in the Northwest where the grass is really wet most of the time. I may try it as the mower mulches so fine it makes a sticky mess. I do not like the rear discharge feature, it does not spread the clipping out very well. I wish they made a side discharge attachment for it...Just did the first oil change on the HRX. So if you have thick grass, have to mow wet grass, get the HRX mower.
BTW the grass grows so fast in the spring every 5 days I am mowing at 3 to 3.5 inches high. The grass is about 6+ inches high so I am asking a lot of this mower to mulch so much at a time, but it can handle it. Look forward to reading more posts about Honda mowers.
This is my first post.

Excellent post. Indeed, the HR"X" models are built to a MUCH HIGHER standard; parts quality should be considered "commercial" grade. From chassis to every other lawnmower mechanical component, the HR"X" is simply a far better built skew.

With my recent HRR purchase (June, 2017, HRR-2169 VKC), I noticed the front wheels are (surprisingly (and disappointingly) attached , although reinforced to the actual metal dome "chassis". That would be fine if there was a metal bar (drive-shaft) running between the wheels, but no such sensible design acuity here?

And so (perhaps even when new?), after the first 15-minute cut (that went great), I noticed te Right Front wheel a good 1/2" (12-15 mm) higher than the left ! (Yes the "ground" was even/flat and multiple surfaces were used).

Quick reasoning suggests that without such a metal drive-shaft keeping the front wheels "true" (aligned and flat -to the surface below), the chance for even slight chassis flexing (even from the factory) will result in this uneven front tire alignment.

I inquired with Honda. I await their reply.

peter jasz

 

[Rich M.]

I recently purchased a HRR and found, like you, the same issue with the front right wheel. I had an earlier post on this and others comment on having the same issue. This leads me to believe this is more of issue at plant assembly.

For me, the choice between the HRR and HRX was the mower weight. I, unfortunately, do a far amount of backing the mower and adding more weight to the pull in reverse was not something I wanted to tackle. The HRR is ten pounds heavier than my old mower and I certain feel the difference. I did want the HRX deck.

I to was surprised how quickly the paint under the deck came off.

With this said, after four cuts with the new mower, I still give it a thumbs up.

And so (perhaps even when new?), after the first 15-minute cut (that went great), I noticed te Right Front wheel a good 1/2" (12-15 mm) higher than the left ! (Yes the "ground" was even/flat and multiple surfaces were used).

Quick reasoning suggests that without such a metal drive-shaft keeping the front wheels "true" (aligned and flat -to the surface below), the chance for even slight chassis flexing (even from the factory) will result in this uneven front tire alignment.

I inquired with Honda. I await their reply.

peter jasz

 

[allhifi]

I recently purchased a HRR and found, like you, the same issue with the front right wheel. I had an earlier post on this and others comment on having the same issue. This leads me to believe this is more of issue at plant assembly.

For me, the choice between the HRR and HRX was the mower weight. I, unfortunately, do a far amount of backing the mower and adding more weight to the pull in reverse was not something I wanted to tackle. The HRR is ten pounds heavier than my old mower and I certain feel the difference. I did want the HRX deck.

I to was surprised how quickly the paint under the deck came off.

With this said, after four cuts with the new mower, I still give it a thumbs up.

Hi Rich: Good to know I'll enjoy the next three cuts (I have one under the belt --next likely today ! lol) I'm not impressed you have discovered the Right-Wheel issue as well. It's one thing to have a hot-shot reputation (Honda), quite another when it could be marred by such a poor design choice --that must be plaguing countless others and MUST be redesigned.

Good call on the extra 10-lbs of the HR"X". I thought it was a bit more 94-99 lbs., but even at the ten pounds you cite, that is quite the leap that would most definitely be felt moving it around. (Correction: You cited 10-lbs. more than your last mower --my mistake)

For me, it was the HRX's considerable "bulk" (more subjective than real I think) that impacts maneuverability. For indeed, the HR"X" build quality is far superior. Not to say I didn't recognize the added weight. But damn, I like well-built stuff !

I'll reply with Honda's official statement when received. In the meantime, Happy Mowing.

peter jasz

 

[Rich M.]

Hi Rich: Good to know I'll enjoy the next three cuts (I have one under the belt --next likely today ! lol) I'm not impressed you have discovered the Right-Wheel issue as well. It's one thing to have a hot-shot reputation (Honda), quite another when it could be marred by such a poor design choice --that must be plaguing countless others and MUST be redesigned.

Good call on the extra 10-lbs of the HR"X". I thought it was a bit more 94-99 lbs., but even at the ten pounds you cite, that is quite the leap that would most definitely be felt moving it around. (Correction: You cited 10-lbs. more than your last mower --my mistake)

For me, it was the HRX's considerable "bulk" (more subjective than real I think) that impacts maneuverability. For indeed, the HR"X" build quality is far superior. Not to say I didn't recognize the added weight. But damn, I like well-built stuff !

I'll reply with Honda's official statement when received. In the meantime, Happy Mowing.

peter jasz

Peter,

Certainly interested what Honda has to say.

I think you made the right choice with HRX. Believe me, I thought about the difference for several weeks. I did not need the bigger engine of the HRX, but I really wanted the deck. i held off a year hoping they would bring the plastic deck to the HRR as another model, but as we all know, it did not happen. Again, my deciding factor was the extra weight.

Now being in my early 60's, I am not the young guy tooling around in the yard pushing the mower. I am waiting for the day when some young kid comes around and says, "excuse me old guy, would you like me to cut your grass?" The only saving grace is that young kids no longer seem to cut grass or shovel walks.

Perhaps if the newer mowers come with gaming screens, we may see kids cutiing the lawns.