It has been a long time-Need mower advise

[Johnny]

Well, the last time I bought a new mower was in 1966 and it is now time to buy another one. I am looking at two mowers and if you have experience with either of them I would appreciate your input.

1. Honda HRX217HXA
2. Snapper Ninja

90% of the mowing will be mulching with some bagging in early spring or late fall.

Before someone brings them up, I am not interested in Toro, Ariens, Sears, Husky, or anything else. Just the two brands/models listed above. Thanks

 

[Spazdog]

As much as I like Honda, I'm going to go with the Snapper for it's Briggs and Stratton engine.

My neighbor's Hondas always take a couple of sharp tugs when cold.

I mash the primer bulb once and lightly pull the starter cord and the B&S fires right up. Let me emphasize lightly. I just have to move the engine.

Either neighbor does get to empty thier baggers with the engine running. That's kinda' a neat feature with the Honda. The blade clutch/brake is also something else that can break on the Honda

Reliability? Both are good.

 

[tig1]

Johnny,
My Honda self propelled mower is now 20 years old and still starts on the first pull. Just this morning I sharpened the blade, changed the oil, and mowed for the first time. I had a welding job to do so I didn't have time to clean the air filter, but that's next.

 

[hate2work]

In the fall of '09 I bought a new HRA217HXA from HD for $749.95 minus ten percent from a coupon I bought for $5 on e-bay. The same mower is now priced at $699.95 in my local store, and I'm guessing you can still find coupons on e-bay.

The twin blades mulch pretty good, unless you try to mulch when it's wet, then it tends to plug up often. So mulching when it's dry is a must. Actually, doing anything when it's wet is difficult, tends to plug easily.

I use mine in the rear discharge mode approx 70% of the time, and I bag for about 30%. I rear discharge mode, it just falls to the ground. I prop the rear cover up with a dowel, and I put a cloth hanger on the back so the grass doesn't go all over my legs.

Controls are easy to use, usuallly starts with one pull, even after sitting for a week or more. I used the factory oil for the first 5 hours then switched over to the Amsoil Small Engine 10W-30.

Pros- Very quiet, easy on my ears. Starts easy. Bags well, mulches well when the grass is dry. Handle folds for storage and transporting. Variable speed is easily adjusted and works well.

Cons- Pricey, plugs up with wet grass. Power is sufficient, but could use more for bagging.

I bought it largely based on this review I saw on lawnsite.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=268848&highlight=hrx217hxa+review

 

[mechanicx]

Of the two I'd go with the Snapper. They have a good reputation. I really like the B&S ready start. I don't really like the Honda mowers and they're overpriced. How come you won't consider any other brands? Toros are nice and so are John Deere for the price. What's wrong with the Lawnboy?

 

[Boomer]

I have a Snapper Ninja purchased last year and mow about 1/2 acre with it. I run it in the mulching mode and have great success with it. It starts easily, runs well and does a great job in the mulching mode. As mentioned above, you don't want to try to mulch a very wet lawn. I usually weight until the afternoon or early evening when the grass is dry to do my mowing.

I can strongly recommend the Snapper to you.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I've gotta recommend the Honda. I own an HR215SXA and have a Lawn-Boy staggered deck with a retrofitted Honda GCV160 engine on it, so I have both styles of Honda engine (pushrod GXV and OHC GCV). The Honda you're looking at has the GCV190 engine, with 6.5hp (well, less under the newer "net" rating). The Honda's BBC seems reliable (works great on my HR215) and the resin deck is super light. You really don't even need the self propel system. Honestly, I prefer the feel of a metal deck to the resin deck, but given the service I've had out of Honda's engines, and the frustration I've had with a lot of B&S engines, I'm definitely biased toward Hondas.

Are you keeping your Lawn-Boy as a toy?

 

[Corvette Owner]

I vote for the snapper. I have a Snapper 28 inch rear engine riding lawn mower. A fellow worker recommended it for reliability and cheap parts. He was right, it works great.

 

[bepperb]

I guess the cheaper of the two, I dunno I like my mowers to have a price that starts with a one and has three digits. Seems like you would win either way.


The real reason I've chimed in is to point out that either Lowes or Home Depot will mail you a 10% coupon if you fill out that you are moving/have moved on their sites. Another poster seems to have bought one on ebay. Around here they carry the Honda, I think. I think I've only seen Snapper at Ace.

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Coupon+Registration_253641591_

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: bepperb

The real reason I've chimed in is to point out that either Lowes or Home Depot will mail you a 10% coupon if you fill out that you are moving/have moved on their sites. Another poster seems to have bought one on ebay.

Or just go to your local post office and pick up the free change of address packet. There's usually a 10% off Lowe's coupon in there that both Lowe's and HD will honor.

 

[Johnny]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. To answer a few questions: I love the way the Toro's mow but I do not like their drive system. Two reasons I'm looking at Snapper and Honda are, I love the drive system on the Snapper but I also think a lot of the Honda power/engines. I've heard good things about both of the Honda drive systems so I will weigh all options. I will say, whatever I purchase will be from a local dealer, not a discount chain store. I am a strong believer is service after sale and supporting the small businesses in town. I have actually given some consideration to one of the Snapper rear engine riding mowers as they are small, easy to maneuver, plus the old back ain't what she use to be.

My 1966 Lawn Boy has finally said enough is enough. I would say I got my monies worth out of it. Sounds crazy, but I am going to clean it up and mount it on the garage wall for good memories. It has cut grass from Texas to Wisconsin and then some. I've had that mower longer than I've had my wife so it's kind of part of the family, if you can get attached to a piece of machinery.

 

[IndyIan]

My vote is to get the lawnboy rebuilt!
I had a snapper ninja, but maybe a late 80's one. Clogged up underpowered piece of junk is my summary. Probably has nothing in common with the new ones but our grass seemed to be too fine or wet unless it hadn't rained in two weeks...
I use a simple 2T lawnboy now.

 

[engineerscott]

I have an 11 year old Honda and if I'm still cutting grass when it gives out it will be replaced with another Honda. I've owned perhaps 3 mowers previously all of which had Briggs and Stratton engines and none of them could compare to the quality, quietness, fuel efficiency and ease of starting that the Honda delivers. When my B&S engines were new they started fairly easily, not quite as well as this 11 year old Honda, but after each of them got a few years on them they became progressively harder to start. I do take good care of my engines and I do know how to dismantle and repair a carburetor, but for some reason the B&S engines all became hard starters after a while. My Honda has only failed to start easily once and that was a year that I left some E10 fuel in it over the winter and it formed some varnish. Even then, the situation was rectified by just dumping a little fuel system clear in the the tank, I've never even had the carburetor apart on this motor (something that I could never say about any of the B&B engines I owned after a couple of years).

Now, my data on B&S engines is 11 years out of date, so maybe things have changed in the interim.

 

[engineerscott]

Also, let me add that the two blade mulching system on the Honda does an excellent job and with annually sharpened blades will leave a nice even finish to the yard. This is the best mulching mower I've owned. It'll bag well too, I just almost never use the bagger.

 

[Superbuick96]

Are you retireing the Ol' Lawnboys?? Im looking at the Honda HRX217VKA myself, its the step down from the Honda HRX217HXA. Bought the Lawnboy last year because it was less then half the price of the Honda, I kinda wished I went with the Honda. The nexite deck and the GCV 190 engine is a nice combo. Plus a bonus year of warranty coverage makeing 6 years coverage on the mower, on top of the lifetime deck warranty. I think im breaking down and buying the Honda HRX217HXA Im sure it will last me the rest of my life.. I can't really comment on the Snapper haha sorry. Edit: The extra year of warranty offer ends May 31st

 

[Johnny]

I'm torn between the VKA and the HXA drives. Smart-Drive Vs Hydrostatic-Drive. The VKA cost a few dollars less.

Yes, the Ol' Lawn Boy is officially retired/tired.

 

[660mag]

I have managed the service department of a hondatorosnapperstihlecho dealer for the last 5 yrs, I'm also a tech. I like the snapper with the ohv briggs in the pressure lube w/filter, and IC180 flavor. The high vac deck is best. And if the grass gets too high through on the side discharge and that engine will beat the grass to death without bogging. It has a larger bag to.

As for the honda, the low speed jet is too small. It does use less fuel with no load, but that little jet stops up too easily.

 

[mechanicx]

I think the Hondas have more starting and carburetor issues too. You're not the only OPE mechanic I've heard corroborate that among other issues.

Of the three mowers I currently have a cheapie 20+ year old B&S, an 8 year old Honda GC160 from a dealer, and a 2 year old John Deere B&S from Lowe's, the Honda is the only one that has had starting issues and the carburetor off. I really dislike that Honda for multiple reasons after owning it.

I bought the Honda because I thought at the time they might be good. I bought the JD because I disliked the Honda. About the only good thing I can say about it is it is a little more fuel efficient and slightly quieter. I'd never buy another Honda unless it was at bargain price which they aren't. Some people seem to like them though.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: 660mag

As for the honda, the low speed jet is too small.


Try using some Star-Tron in your fuel. It doesn't work 100% of the time, but there have been many 170/180 carbs with tiny "jets" that were plugged that began pulling fuel after putting this in the tank and priming through the carb. If that doesn't work then I take the carb off and clean/replace it.

 

[FZ1]

I prefer Honda. My HRS starts on the first pull and the twin blade cuts better/smoother than any other lawnmower in my neighborhood.