New Models From Honda (2013 Hondas)

[MowerMike]

Is this correct ? "HRR216VYA [SmartDrive, Clip Director, Electric Start, Roto-Stop]"

Looks to me like this model does not have electric start, just like last year's model HRR216VYA.

 

[robert@honda]

Is this correct ? "HRR216VYA [SmartDrive, Clip Director, Electric Start, Roto-Stop]"

Looks to me like this model does not have electric start, just like last year's model HRR216VYA.

Oops. Corrected now, good catch Mike

 

[MowerMike]

Oops. Corrected now, good catch Mike

I really don't understand the need for electric start on these models with the 160cc engine, especially with the Roto-Stop feature. Cold starting is a very easy and low effort one pull affair, and with Roto-Stop you never have to restart the mower after the initial start. Maybe the larger 190cc engines require more effort.

 

[robert@honda]

I really don't understand the need for electric start on these models with the 160cc engine, especially with the Roto-Stop feature. Cold starting is a very easy and low effort one pull affair, and with Roto-Stop you never have to restart the mower after the initial start. Maybe the larger 190cc engines require more effort.

Honda has been selling an e. start model with a blade clutch for 20+ years. HR215HMA, HRX217HMA, and now an HRR models gets it. So must be a decent seller. There will always be those customers who want every possible feature. I know Toro sells an e. start model with a blade clutch, probably other brands too, so maybe it's a marketing thing?

I'll ask the engineer about recoil effort on the 160 vs. the 190 engine.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Wow...nice pics.....thanks Robert! I see the Clip Director on the HRR's is a 2-point knob, not like the HRX's where you can have a combo of mulching and bagging--correct?

 

[robert@honda]

Wow...nice pics.....thanks Robert! I see the Clip Director on the HRR's is a 2-point knob, not like the HRX's where you can have a combo of mulching and bagging--correct?

Correct. HRR's Clip Director is either full-mulch or full-bag, not variable like the HRX.

The really nice thing is no more mulching plug to insert/remove or lose in the garage.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Correct. HRR's Clip Director is either full-mulch or full-bag, not variable like the HRX.

The really nice thing is no more mulching plug to insert/remove or lose in the garage.

Yeah I was just going to say that! It is so much easier with a "built-in" mulch plug. Another reason it is better is so your dog won't think it's a chew toy (yes, that actually happened! :laughing.

 

[MowerMike]

Correct. HRR's Clip Director is either full-mulch or full-bag, not variable like the HRX.

The really nice thing is no more mulching plug to insert/remove or lose in the garage.

My Husqvarna 7021P doesn't have or need a mulch plug. The rear door serves that purpose, since it is side discharge, rather than rear discharge like the Honda. Since the clip-director on the HRR mowers doesn't have intermediate settings like the HRX, it really offers little advantage IMO. What would really excite me would be a blade stop on the HRR216PKA push mower.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

My Husqvarna 7021P doesn't have or need a mulch plug. The rear door serves that purpose, since it is side discharge, rather than rear discharge like the Honda. Since the clip-director on the HRR mowers doesn't have intermediate settings like the HRX, it really offers little advantage IMO. What would really excite me would be a blade stop on the HRR216PKA push mower.

IMO it serves a good purpose. Because since the Hondas have a REAR door, there needs to be a mulch plug if you are mulching. The thing that was annoying about the mulch plug on my HRR is that say you were bagging, but you wanted to keep the bag on but go to mulching, you would have to take off the bag and insert the mulch plug, and then put the bag on again. :thumbdown: But with the new design, you can "switch on the go". :thumbsup:

 

[MowerMike]

IMO it serves a good purpose. Because since the Hondas have a REAR door, there needs to be a mulch plug if you are mulching. The thing that was annoying about the mulch plug on my HRR is that say you were bagging, but you wanted to keep the bag on but go to mulching, you would have to take off the bag and insert the mulch plug, and then put the bag on again. :thumbdown: But with the new design, you can "switch on the go". :thumbsup:

How often do you use the rear discharge, anyway ? Heck, I don't even use the side discharge on my Husky, and in fact I've just bolted it closed with a clip and screw, because it's more of a nuisance than anything else. Rear discharges are even worse, because they blow everything back towards the operator and you end up with all that stuff on the soles of your shoes. If you didn't have a rear discharge on your HRR Honda, you wouldn't even need that clip-director.