New Honda HRX217VYA

[skipmarr]

Is that what you own? The Hydrostatic version. I hear they are bullet proof then I hear they break down and require a lot of service - the Achilles heal of the mower if you will. I have had Toro PP for 12 years and do not have experience with any of the drive options on the Honda. However the general consensus is the engine is better than the Toro, the deck is better, the wheels are better (larger and BB) and the mulching process is superior. Any comments positive or negative would be welcome readaing. As I mentioned I mulch 100% and have lots of hills - some over 30 degree slope - so the PP you really have to push when at the bottom going up. Thanks

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Is that what you own? The Hydrostatic version. I hear they are bullet proof then I hear they break down and require a lot of service - the Achilles heal of the mower if you will. I have had Toro PP for 12 years and do not have experience with any of the drive options on the Honda. However the general consensus is the engine is better than the Toro, the deck is better, the wheels are better (larger and BB) and the mulching process is superior. Any comments positive or negative would be welcome readaing. As I mentioned I mulch 100% and have lots of hills - some over 30 degree slope - so the PP you really have to push when at the bottom going up. Thanks

Yes that's what I own. The HRX217HYA. If you want to mulch the Honda is for you. The Nexite deck allows me to mow at 7:30 in the morning when there is lots of dew on the grass. I can honestly say I have not had any downtime with this machine that was not my fault. I did break the handle, but that was because I used to haul around a 15 pound blower on the handle. Stupid me. The only negative I see is the Clip Director isn't a perfect seal so after every mow you should clean out the chute behind the plug. But I have not had any other problem at all. And I us it on 10-25 lawns a week, 8 months of the year. Here is a photo, not the best quality but I took it with my phone.

 

[skipmarr]

Nice - I see you have 2 in the stable But what does anyone know about the new Select Drive? I am told by the dealer it is just as good as the Hydro. less expensive for Honda to produce, thus bringing down the cost over $100 on the mower. How long have you had yours and have you had any service issues with the transmission? Looks like you log some serious hours. Thanks

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Nice - I see you have 2 in the stable But what does anyone know about the new Select Drive? I am told by the dealer it is just as good as the Hydro. less expensive for Honda to produce, thus bringing down the cost over $100 on the mower. How long have you had yours and have you had any service issues with the transmission? Looks like you log some serious hours. Thanks

I purchased mine in the summer of 2012 and have used it commercially since then. I have never had any issues with the transmission. I have had to oil the wheels because they started to squeak when I pushed it without the drive engaged, but that's it. It has treated me very well. But I do the same for it.