Subaru EA175 Power Lawn Mowers and Others

[KJack]

I just purchased a new home and I am in the market for a new mower. My yard is a decent size and will most likely take 25-30 minutes to cut. I will mostly mulch. I might not need a mower as expensive as these but, I just like what they offer.

So, I am very intrigued by the Subaru engine that gravely/ariens offers on their lawn mowers. It seems to have more up to date technology than some of the other engine companies. Anybody have experience with this engine?

http://robinamerica.com/pfeatures.aspx?pid=242
http://www.gravely.com/en-us/walk-behind-mowers/xd3/Pages/default.aspx

I am also looking at Husqvarna, Toro and, Honda. The Husqvarna looks good since I can receive a 15% discount at Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_421866-63311-961450014_4294747213__?productId=4346381&Ns=p_product_price|1
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-21-in-N...5apZ1z0zumaZ3le
http://www.toro.com/en-us/homeowner/mowers/walk-power-mowers/Pages/Series.aspx?sid=Super-Recycler

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: KJack
I just purchased a new home and I am in the market for a new mower. My yard is a decent size and will most likely take 25-30 minutes to cut. I will mostly mulch. I might not need a mower as expensive as these but, I just like what they offer.

So, I am very intrigued by the Subaru engine that gravely/ariens offers on their lawn mowers. It seems to have more up to date technology than some of the other engine companies. Anybody have experience with this engine?

http://robinamerica.com/pfeatures.aspx?pid=242
http://www.gravely.com/en-us/walk-behind-mowers/xd3/Pages/default.aspx

I am also looking at Husqvarna, Toro and, Honda. The Husqvarna looks good since I can receive a 15% discount at Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_421866-63311-961450014_4294747213__?productId=4346381&Ns=p_product_price|1
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-21-in-N...5apZ1z0zumaZ3le
http://www.toro.com/en-us/homeowner/mowers/walk-power-mowers/Pages/Series.aspx?sid=Super-Recycler


My family has a Karcher 3100psi power washer with a Subaru engine. It is five years old and used monthly to clean grease traps at my dad's restaurant. I use it to do the house, sidewalk, driveway, ect. . .

It runs like a tank. I would highly reccomend it.

 

[GregGA]

Pass on the Honda with the blade brake clutch(BBC) This is an unnecessary addition. Keep it simple. The BBC was the main reason I replaced my 6 year old Toro. After the 5 year warranty was up it started breaking cables @ $41 each.

I purchased a Honda HRX and love it. From everything I've read, the Honda engines are top notch.

 

[bubbatime]

The Subaru engines are top notch commercial grade quality. Parts are hard to find for them and are expensive compared to Honda and Briggs though. They don't even make a carb rebuild kit for my 11HP Subaru pressure washer engine. I had to order each gasket and replacement piece individually, which is quite annoying. A new carburetor was $130. Compare that to a Honda GC engine where you can buy a brand new carb from Honda for $20.

Honda GC engines are very cheaply made homeowner engines that might last 300-500 hours. I much prefer the GX engines.

I also would take a Chinese clone engine before I would take a Honda GC as the Chinese cloned Honda's commercial GX engines usully. They are good quality and more durable than a Honda GC.

Check out mowersource.com before you buy. They have good prices and ship to your door for free. I like their Toro Super Recycler with Honda clone engine for $499.

 

[Cujet]

With the frequency I run over stuff, I'd never be satisfied with an Overhead Cam Honda. As they tend to break cam belts when hitting stumps (hahahaha)

More seriously, I have a heavily used, Subaru powered 11HP generator. It's been a fantastic engine. Still runs perfectly after all these years. I would not hesitate to purchase any Subaru powered equipment.

 

[KJack]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Great info

What do you guys think about the Husqvarna


http://www.lowes.com/pd_421866-63311-961450014_4294747213__?productId=4346381&Ns=p_product_price|1

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: KJack
What do you guys think about the Husqvarna


Looks fine; it has a good engine, but it'll be heavy. 22" decks are generally heavier and less maneuverable than 21" decks. I don't know how durable the blade brake clutch is on the Husqvarna. I have two mowers with them (blade clutches): a 2001 model Honda HR215 and a 1987 model Lawn-Boy 8157. I use both weekly and the clutch works well on both. I enjoy the ability to keep the engine running while I remove the bag for emptying. Those mowers I have without a blade clutch are used for mulching. But I normally bag my own yard. If you normally mulch, then I wouldn't buy a mower with a blade clutch. Though mine have been reliable, they're both commercial-level mowers and the durability of residential blade clutches and/or cables is not as good.

The Subaru OHC engine is cool. I like the timing chain. Are the guides and tensioner good on it? I don't know. The Honda OHC uses a belt, so there are no guides or tensioners involved. It's a simpler system. Could it break if you run over a tree? I suppose, but I wouldn't know; I don't run over trees.

 

[punisher]

That Gravely with the Robin/Subaru= droolworthy. I have a Gravely rider, and it is indeed a tank, a heavy heavy tank, but nearly indestructible.

Toro Super Recyclers are great. I would have no hesitation picking one up, and I would still take a Honda powered one. Just a personal preference. On the other hand, the Chondas are USUALLY good engines and I can't imagine Toro would take a chance on hurting their reputation going with a bottom feeder Chonda clone on a higher end offering. Likely a Lifan clone, which is pretty decent.

Subaru-Robin doesn't make a bad engine. I have two EX series on a generator and a pressure washer and both have been flawless (6 years going on both of them). Fortunately my local tool rental store has a lot of Robin engines on their equipment, and parts are easy for me to get.

Blade clutches are convenient, but they do cause problems, sometimes expensive problems.

 

[meep]

I am a big fan of honda engines. I have had several. I have owned one robin-subaru and dismantled some of it to modify it to fit a project I was working on. If I had to wager, I'd say the subaru had just a little bit more fine attention to detail, or thicker, heavier metal. Would it make any difference? IDK. The basic subie motor compared to a GX series honda.

The current yamaha on my genset is a Nice engine as well.

You really can't go wrong with either, but I would likely favor the subaru due to my observations of heavier fasteners, thicker materials... hoping that the crank on the subaru was more robust. that seems to be the only real big possible issue with catastrophic failures from hondas on mowers.

 

[Hokiefyd]

The Subaru engine certainly has a material advantage over the residential Hondas: the Subie has a lined cylinder and a ball bearing supported crankshaft. If you look at the design, though, you'll see that the Subaru engine is extremely similar to the Honda GCV. All the small details on the Honda are there. Subaru replaced the Honda's rubber belt with a chain, but it uses the same type of rocker arms the Honda uses. The carburetor has the exact same angled fuel drain plug in addition to the center bolt in the bowl. The Subaru uses the same type of fuel flow lever that Honda uses. The Subaru uses the same angled dip stick in the same location as on the Honda.

Does anyone know where the Subaru engine is made, and when it was introduced into the market? It resembles a GCV clone to me, much the same as the new Kohler Courage appears to be a Chonda GXV clone.

 

[meep]

subaru has an rpm-based timing schedule. it uses more advance over 1800 rpm. i don't think honda has that...

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: meep
subaru has an rpm-based timing schedule. it uses more advance over 1800 rpm. i don't think honda has that...


That is cool. Do you know how it works? You'd think it would necessitate an ignition coil or a flywheel that have the ability to phase themselves relative to each other (like variable cam timing).

They don't list it as a feature on this page. If you have a link that says more about it, I'd love to read it.

http://robinamerica.com/pfeatures.aspx?pid=242

Edit: are you sure that's on the EA-series engines? They list it as a feature of their SP-series engines. Either way, neat system!

http://robinamerica.com/pfeatures.aspx?pid=241

 

[KJack]

Thanks everyone for your insight

I have a very hard time making decisions on things like this. I have seen the Subaru powered gravely in person and it is a nice looking machine. The one lever deck adjustment was quick and easy. The engine looks good in person and even has a fuel shut off. I was very impressed by this mower.

I also got a look at the Toro super recycler power by the Honda Gvc 160. I really like the ball bearing wheel setup and the personal pace speed control on this unit

So these are my final 2 choices. I’m really wanting to go with the Subrau engine. I have always been one to go outside of the norm. I don’t see many people with Subrau powered lawn mowers. And this engine seems to be top notch. On the other hand, the Toro has a couple more bells and whistle (Ball bearings, Personal pace) than what the Gravely deck offers. I know both would do great in my application, but I'm very indecisive. In a perfect world, the Toro would be powered by a Subrau. That would make my decision very easy.

Gravely Subaru $439
Toro Super Recycler $599

http://www.toro.com/en-us/Homeowner/Mowe...rsonalPaceHonda

http://www.gravely.com/en-us/walk-behind-mowers/xd3/Pages/default.aspx

 

[GregGA]

Where are you buying the Gravely and what is their return policy?

The engine is cool, but I would feel better if I knew I could return it within 30 days for a full refund. The Toro WILL give you a good cut. I just can't find any reviews on the Gravely. A cool engine won't make up for a mower that doesn't handle or cut well. And the Toro(without BBC) will hold up. One lever deck height adjust is also cool...if it holds up.

The Toro has a 5 year warranty and an aluminum deck.

I would still have my Toro if it hadn't of had the BBC and lower end Briggs engine.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Both are going to be quality machines. I like the Toro due to the aluminum deck and ball bearing wheels. My Honda HR215 has those features and I find that they add value to the mowing experience. I like the Subaru engine, and agree with you that if the Toro had the Subaru engine, it'd be an even easier choice. I still like the Toro over the Gravely.

That said, though, and regarding Personal Pace, I don't generally like those types of systems and prefer a bail that you can pull to engage the drive. I would get a hands-on demonstration from your dealer before purchasing either. If the same dealer sells both, that would be ideal; you could compare them directly.