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Looking at picking up a new Hivac this weekend. I've read good things about the speed they move and the bagging capability. Anyone opinion is appreciated.

Model number you're looking to purchase?

P2185020

The self propelled walk behind style.

I have the commercial version of this mower. I don't like it. For the few times that I used it it broke a lot. I hate that lever to make it go forward. It jabs me in the stomach and it's hard to move in tight corners when that think is sticking out. It's just sitting in my shop now. It's brand new. Kinda sucks since it's a nice mower.

What kind of mower do you use?

Mine will be for my own use, not commercially but I would like it to last a while.

You mean appart from the Snapper? Exmark 30", Ferris, 48" and Ybravo 21".

The Snapper I barely use. I used like 5-10 times. Havn't touched it since.

No issues with the Ybravo then?

Would that be too overkill for a homeowner?

YBravo is a good mower. Had a few kinks, but mostly my fault. Very good mower. Stripes like a godess.
Overkill in a way, but it will last forever.

JBrzoz00 said:

Looking at picking up a new Hivac this weekend. I've read good things about the speed they move and the bagging capability. Anyone opinion is appreciated.

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Don't know if I'm too late here but have u considered a Honda? I picked up an old HR194 a few months ago and it's amazing. Starts with almost no effort, mows damp grass with no problem, not quite as loud as my snappers. I got it because I got tired of damp grass plugging up the chute on the snappers. I'm just a homeowner but I sometimes have to mow when it's damp, especially in the spring. Im very impressed with Honda.

Snapperfreak said:

Don't know if I'm too late here but have u considered a Honda? I picked up an old HR194 a few months ago and it's amazing. Starts with almost no effort, mows damp grass with no problem, not quite as loud as my snappers. I got it because I got tired of damp grass plugging up the chute on the snappers. I'm just a homeowner but I sometimes have to mow when it's damp, especially in the spring. Im very impressed with Honda.

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I like the Hondas too. :biggrin:

I've considered a Honda but from what I've read the snappers move quicker than most other self propelled residential mowers.

I like the fact the drive system isn't under the deck on the snapper as well.

True. The drive system on the snapper is definitely less complicated than Honda. Not sure about speed, if the new snappers are the same as old as far as that goes though then high speed is pretty darn fast.

I've read entirely too much about mowers and probably should have just picked one but I'm deciding between the Honda hrx217 and a hi vac. I usually mulch but was planning on bagging in the fall for the leaves.

I don't know if this makes a difference but all the really nice yards I see, the grass is bagged.

Lots of opinions about mulching vs bagging. As long as the grass isn't too tall mulching is supposed to be better as it recirculates the nutrients in the grass and any fertilizer back into the grass. If only mulched a handful of times, usually just bag and never noticed a much difference but maybe if I mulched more often (and had better grass) I would. That being said, if I were to buy a new mower today the only one I'd get is the Honda HRX217HYA. With the adjustment between bagging and mulching, Honda quality, roto-stop blade clutch, and on and on its much better than the snappers out there today for the money. The snapper drive system is simpler but if u spend a bunch of money on a mower it's assumed it will be well taken care of and give u years of problem free service provided the normal maintenance is performed.

What is the diff between the HYA and VKA?

The HYA has the blade clutch and hydrostatic drive. The VKA has select-drive and no blade clutch. Don't know much about the select drive but the handle controls are different. VKA is about $600, HYA about $750. Same engines just some minor differences.

I went with the HYA, it's awesome !!

Nice! Congrats!