Best lawnmower I've ever used...

[azasadny]

My father bought me a Honda lawnmower (HRR216TDA) for my birthday this year and I just used it for the first time. My lawn was just put down (sod) last summer and I replaced several pieces last month so I wasn't mowing it too much. It was at least 6 inches long and soaking wet. We've had more than a week of solid, steady drenching rain and I took advantage of a few sunny hours today to cut it down. I left the wheel height at the highest setting (I always do) and I fully expected to have to rake the wet grass clumps off the lawn, but I didn't have to rake at all! Normally, I mulch the clippings, but since the grass was so wet and long, I bagged it. I filled 8 lawn bags (oversize paper bags) and took the clippings to the recycling center.

The Honda performed better then I ever expected a lawnmower to and effortllessly cut through the wet, tall grass without a problem. No stalling, clumping or anything! It is a self-propelled 3spd and I put it on the lowest speed and took my time. What a great product! My Toro and Craftsman could never do what this 5.5hp Honda did! Incredible! Anyone else here use a Honda lawnmower?

Here's a picture of the finished product...

[legion]

I have the same mower...but it's branded a Craftsman. Much better than the Wal-Mart Yard Machine that lasted me 8 months...after a broken carburetor, gas tank, and finally a broken connecting rod.

[RickM]

The love of my life... Ransome bobcat...

[fastpat]

I had a Honda walk behind, rear bagger mower that I used for 10 years. The only issue was occaisional water in the carb float bowl since it sat outside. Easily cleaned out. I gave it away last fall because I didn't want to move it, it was still cutting great, as long as you kept the blade sharp, or new.

I bougtht a new mower this year, moving up several notches on the mower scale since I'm mowing about 4 acres now. A Deere Z-rak 757 zero turn radius mower. It's unbelievable.

Rick, what's that hopper on your Ransome?

[Moses]

Originally posted by azasadny
Best lawnmower I've ever used...

Easy... Oscar Hernandez.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally posted by Moses
Easy... Oscar Hernandez.

Good One!

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally posted by RickM
The love of my life... Ransome bobcat...

Rick - thats a pretty big yard! You could land a plane out there. I think your gonna need a bigger deck...

[Don Ro]

Nice B'day present!, Art.

That Honda is a great mulching mower (mulch plug installed). You'll love it for that.
Beautiful green lawns in your neighborhood - rain does that.
.
I have a several yr. old commercial HRC216 - it mows flawlessly.
Well, it's a Honda mower, that's what they do...mow flawlessly.

I owned a commercial landscape maintenance company for 20+ years. Rarely bought any other 21" mower.
Ran 6 commercial 21" Toros w/Suzuki 2 strokes for a while, they did well...but I always returned to the Hondas.

I still have my original '79 Honda HR21 (side valve/flathead, 3 hp) out in the garage. I rebuilt the engine and basically restored the rig one winter - sentimental sort, I am. I still use it here now/then. Mostly use one of my remaining Exmark or Kees 36" dual blade platform walk-behind mowers to make short work of the 1/2 acre.

Call me crazy...but I love to mow grass - especially w/a good mower.
It's therapeutic for me...a "smooth mow" and the smell of fresh-cut grass.
.
Mowing tip #1. Super sharp blades will cut grass and not tear it...grass tips then won't turn brown.
I use a grinder, then finish with a file.
Mowing tip #2. Always mow counterclockwise.
Mowing tip #3. Hose down/clean the bag (catcher) now/then.
The machine likes a porous bag in order to breathe > have good suction.

Happy Mowing, all.

[MotoSook]

Nice mower Rick! I don't have quit the size yard you've got, but I love my new to me (bought used for $350) tractor/tow vehicle



I've always hated mowing with the push mower. But with the rider, I can do my lawn in half the time...love it!...and when I need to pull the trailer out of the yard...I don't need to manuever the Jeep into the yard anymore

[WolfeMacleod]

Best lawnmower I ever used was a goat and horse.

[Joeaksa]

Whats grass? Remember it vaguely from my childhood but its been a long time.

Funny thing, the rock and cactus in my yard these days rarely need mowing...

[Gordo2]

For the first 4 years of use my Honda HRT216 self propelled was awesome; great cutting, quiet, great function with bagging/mulching or blowing...

THEN LAST WEEK THE TRANSMISSION CRAPPED OUT! Approx. $140 for a new one and they don't sell replacement/repair parts for the old one.

Researching the issue it turned out transmission problems with Honda mowers are unfortunately common. I didn't expect the mower to last forever, but surely it should last more than 4 years without significant repairs required... I take good care of my stuff.

Meanwhile 'm going to try to fix the trans.



Don't think my next mower will be a Honda unfortunately.

Time spent that I could be working on my car.

Gordo

[kmhemi]

I have a wheelhorse. They're built to last

[trj911]

I also "had" a Honda which developed a transmission problem after 3 years. I fixed it by buying a Toro. So far so good.

[gaijindabe]

1965 Economy with a 17HP Kohler. Can't kill the darn thing...

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by gaijindabe
1965 Economy with a 17HP Kohler. Can't kill the darn thing...

I have an early 70's Economy w/ a 60" deck and it served me well, but presently it is in storage as the rod gave up the ghost in the Kohler. We needed something a little more user friendly for the teen daughters to mow the 4 acres of "yard" with so I picked up a 60" hydrostat job that a local guy builds and sells a few years back. It is pictured below behind the roller.

I use an old 1941 Ford 9N with a Befco 72" 3pt finish mower dragging a self engined 60" pull behind type mower to do the 75' x 2500' runway. Spring time kind of sucks with all the rain and 9 acres of grass!

[URY914]

Here is my favorite... Look at the model number.

[turbo6bar]

Some recent Honda mowers have lousy transmissions. Lawncare professionals recommend the commercial Honda$, as the consumer models just don't last. When I was looking for a 21", Toro was recommended regularly, commerical or consumer models.

I ended up getting a used 21" Lawnboy. I use a 36" Exmark walkbehind for 99.9% of mowing, though.

[RickM]

Oh boy...I didn't mean to mislead you guys. I have a Ransomes Bobcat but it's not that one. I couldn't find a pic on the net of my model so I used what I could find quickly on google.

Anyway, It is by far the best mower I've had. It'll probably outlast me.

Pat, that's a broadcast spreader attachment.

[notfarnow]

mmmmm..... Ford 9n

I only have 3/4 of an acre, so can't justify buying one. I've seen them set up with front-end loaders, but apparently the 8Ns are better suited?