Not to happy with my honda hrx 217

[01redcrew]

hey guys

Well as the time goes on i keep disliking the mower. I dont know if its my grass or the mower. But i try and sharpin the blade once a month. It just keeps leaving uncut blades of grass, im 6'3 so i may walk a little faster than normal but still. Also i wish i could find something that i could attach to the front of the mower to help bring the wheel tracks back up. Anyone having any problems with the honda hrx 217? P.S i could write more but just keeping it short and sweet

[TimmyG]

Might be helpful to review this related thread: Honda hrr216 cutting problem

[1977212]

Make sure the corners arnt rounded at all.

[tlinden]

Check the governor spring. There are two holes that give two RPMs. Mine and many others came out of the box set to the slow RPM, not the manual spec. The second hole is the manual spec. I noticed a huge improvement when I did that. I used a tachometor and the manual to verify because I thought it couldn't be, but sure enough after the switch the RPM was at the right spec..

[TimmyG]

I'm on the second hole, running around 3300 RPM give or take (fluctuates between 3200–3400) per the tach I installed. Still, I'm disappointed in the mulching performance. On full mulch, it leaves a blanket of long, cut grass blades behind, regardless of mower blade sharpness, moisture, length of grass being cut, deck cleanliness, etc. But the only blades left uncut are those that I missed.

Nevertheless, I like everything else about the HRX 217. I've just learned to accept the mulching performance. Leaves take several passes.

[andy10917]

I'm 6'6", and I don't have uncut blades, but I'm very careful to keep my speed nice and easy. In Spring Flush and during the Fall Urea Flush, I have to use the sound of the engine to determine my pace - the front lawn can stall the Honda. I love that mower.

[tlinden]

I really wonder if there is a slight difference because it seems some people have this issue and others have none. Weird.

[ Post made via Android ]

[bernstem]

I have one as well. It is a great mower. The only time I get uncut blades or clippings left behind is if I take off more than 1/3 of the turf.


Sent from my iOS device using the Yard Help App

[01redcrew]

thanks guys ill check the governor. Has anyone come up with some kind of contraption that helps bring the wheel track grass back up

[tlinden]

Are you bagging? I haven't had an issue with the wheel tracks so I don't have any recommendation. Unless it turns out the RPM is low so suction is low. You could also try opening the discharge one notch and see if that helps with suction.

[ligrass]

I don't think I've ever had an uncut blade all season. I remember a possible fix for this from the other HRR216 thread. There was a video linked where the guy was sharpening his blade at the wrong angle. He resolved the issue by sharpening a different way. I wonder with the quad cut system if you sharpen a blade even slightly off angle, that somehow causes the missed blade issue? Check out that thread for the video. Also, I'd recommend moving the governor spring to the higher RPM setting if you haven't already done so (at your own risk of course). Now with the higher RPM mode, it's a beast. I get how Andy is able to "make the leaves disappear". My craftsman couldn't touch the mulching capabilities. Bring on leaf mulching season!!

[tlinden]

That's why the tachometer is good to have. Not at your own risk if the manual rpm is what its at

[ Post made via Android ]

[Abyss]

With the wheel tracks, are you talking about the grass laying down from the wheels rolling over it? If so I'm sure you could come up with some sort of contraption that you could lift and lower from behind the mower, something using a metal leaf rake maybe?


Sent from my iOS device using the Yard Help App

[Overfloater]

It seems these mowers don't have much suction. I am still experimenting with mine but it does a poor job standing the grass up.

[ Post made via Android ]

[fp_911]

It seems these mowers don't have much suction. I am still experimenting with mine but it does a poor job standing the grass up.

[ Post made via Android ]

I'm surprised by this as I've had mine about six years and have used it on both fescue and bermuda. In both cases it's done a great job with suction and cutting the lawn consistently.

[andy10917]

Same here! I am so happy with mine that I often avoid posting my opinion about it, for risk of seeming like a fanboy. But it's pretty capable, start to finish.

[kbgfarmer]

Had mine about a year and am happy with it. One minor issue-not sure it's an issue at all but I've noticed that their are grass clippings inside where the bag attaches. I don't bad but use full mulch. Is that normal or should I be concerned or cleaning out that area after every mow?

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[TimmyG]

It's normal. See this post, for example.

After mulching for two hours, the rear chute of my HRX is quite full of clippings. It's important to clear that out after every mow, or you'll get the stank of mold and decay from it composting in place. After every mow, I slide the lever to full bag, tip the mower over, and hit it with a leaf blower.

[rough-cut]

Am I the only one on this site that does a full detail on their mowers after use? Blow, wash top to bottom, power wash under the deck or on the cutting reels, wipe down, grease all fittings, spray lube, top off the fuel tanks and a fresh set of sharp blades for the zero turn. Make sure it's all dry and park in the work shop and covered up if applicable.
I've got a Ferris 72" IS5000 that's 12 years old and still looks as good as new. You can also see the condition of my Toro Greens Master 3050 on my icon. Come on guys, as much as we spend on our turf, skipping the care and feeding of our equipment is just wrong. Just saying...

[TimmyG]

Not...remotely...feasible.