HONDA COMMERCIAL 21" HRC 216 HDA MOWER / "Let's grease her up" !!!

Here's a new Honda HRC-216-HDA walk-behind lawnmower that I'm gonna kinda "prep" for duty here. Things are better now / (in an that the "automatic choke" feature is now GONE), and, the wheels on these machines have both inner AND outer bearings ! (that's why I bought it), I was a bit pissed they didn't include a bottle of oil in box / right off the bat ... but after that: it's a great machine.
Here is what I LIKE to do ta get "maximum service" outa my mower's so they'll last a LIFETIME ! ... "so have a look" ... *there should never be ANY need of another machine ("it's the last mower you'll ever need in a lifetime"), *IF you take care of it*.
"Just having NOT to use an excellent to start the machine when it's COLD will be a GREAT revelation".

[@jordanprice3640]

Great tips, points, and comedy! I’ve now done the same to my Honda HRC216. I love the quality of this mower, I have a 20 year old Honda residential mower that I use with my lawn business and it runs like new. Other than the transmission going out which was replaced today thanks to another KZbin video it’s never had any problem. I’m excited to see how long the commercial model will last!

[@TommyZTrains]

Thx. Jordan !! HONDA: "as time goes by / you'll know why" !. : - )

[@butterbeanq]

Yes I have the HRC216 commercial and the home version I have gone thru 2 transmission within year on the home version and the hrc216 commercial not one at all .Don't get me wrong they are both good mowers they are used daily..going into my 12th year..with both..

[@LeonardoMigot]

@@TommyZTrains i prefer Honda gcvx and non with camshaft in steel rather in plastic camshaft

[@Archifx]

Amen! Fellow youtuber here, cant thank you enough for doing this sort of a teardown video to show the parts that matter and where our money is going. Great stuff here, I am off to go get my grease now!

[@TommyZTrains]

Such beautiful Machine "grace" garners a very meager bit of attention !. "The LAST Mower you'll EVER Buy" ? "yep" !!!.

[@Calvin-xp4qp]

Great vid TommyZTrains! I bought an HRC-216 back in 2005/06 cause I didn't want to purchase another lawnmower, ever. Since then, I've loaned it out to three or four of my friends over the years because their $300-$500 mowers broke down or engine blew most recently, yesterday. Change the air filter and oil every season and it'll be ready to lend a helping hand year over year. -Nice tip on greasing the bearings, I'll do it as soon as I get my HRC back again :-) TY!

[@TommyZTrains]

Hi Calvin !! "as time goes by / you'll know why" !! (Good Slogan yes ?). THX. !! :- )

[@trumpwon8231]

Not only no oil, also no info in the sent manual on the amount of oil. So after a mountian of research. 22oz.

[@garyhall9138]

Purchased one last month, still waiting. Shipping is directly from the factory, to Northern Tool...they said it would arrive this week. Thanks for the quality video, good stuff.

[@TommyZTrains]

LOVE mine Gary, *and you will NOT regret your purchase !. "One pull / and it literally manicures your lawn".

[@lynheydt3304]

Nice info. Just purchased one last month I didn't relube the bearings but not a bad idea. I did spray the underside with a good silicon spray not sure how long that going to last but its better that doing nothing oh Waldo waxed the out side of the deck sure makes the grass come off easy. Just to note my old troy built still going but 24 years old and getting tired.

[@TommyZTrains]

"Fluid-Film's" pretty nice stuff Lyn ... "That stuff really works to" !!!

[@trumpwon8231]

Big bummer, bars to mow are 4 inches Lower on the commercial unit. Guess they figured all commercial buyers are super short kids

[@mikebonge7206]

Great machine

[@TommyZTrains]

"NO argument there Mike".

[@Dr_Joe]

Great idea to use Fluid Foam underneath. I was using PAM nonstick to less than ideal results.

[@TommyZTrains]

The elements ALWAYS win in the end ... *after that: "the word 'NEW' dies-out as well". (we tend ta let things go) ... Me ?: "I'll let ya know". ; - )

[@SibRevs]

How did this thing hold up this past season? Any issues and/or annoyances?

[@TommyZTrains]

It EXCEEDED all expectations !

[@OscarRodriguez-ln2om]

On this model, can the handles be folded down easily or do you have to take off the screw boot on and off every time unlike the HRX residential models?

[@TommyZTrains]

Nope, with the COMMERICAL unit it's all nuts and bolts.

[@OscarRodriguez-ln2om]

@@TommyZTrains ty I figured, beautiful mower!!! 👍🏼

[@robkunzig5795]

Tommy - thanks for this review! I'm thinking of buying one of these cause I don't like the blade stop assm. Can you give me your thoughts three years later Please?!! thanks much, Rob

[@TommyZTrains]

Absolutely PERFECT operation amid a one-pull start EVERY TIME. "It's not a Mower, it's a manicuring machine" !. It cuts so well the word "Mulcher" is not an allegiant enough word / "fit' Rob !. WELL WORTH THE MONEY and BEYOUND !.

[@zechariahfrink3707]

Great tips for making a machine run at it's optimum! Do you still have the Big Mow? Man It'd be great to see how to grease and lube up that beast hahaha!

[@TommyZTrains]

Hi !! Nope: "I doubled my money / and sold that one". "LOL" ; - )

[@zechariahfrink3707]

@@TommyZTrains Ah I gotcha. Hey can't blame ya for doing that!

[@hixnada8278]

Happy to see this video - thanks Tommy! Did I understand this correctly.....the mower in the video was built in 2016, and you purchased it new in 2020? So it was basically 4 years old when you bought it? Also, is there any reason to think that the red grease you added would negatively interact with the clear grease Honda used in the bearings?

[@TommyZTrains]

Hi Tim !! Yeah; "the build date IS the build date" ... and so far as the grease: "I have no idea" (compatibility-wise) so "no", I just used "Lucas" red n' tacky / DONE. It's interesting: it seems like that in MORE & MORE examples; (take a Toro Zero turn / and the greasing of the machines mower-blade mandrels / as a for-instance), the actual "zirc" (atop of that mandrel) does NOTHING. Again: (in the example I preface here), "Why": because the two inner-bearings (again: INSIDE the mandrel), are SEALED / and the plastic - covers are ON like the "covers" that I remove in this clip on the various bearings (in the Honda product here) ...... ANYWAY: "your actually greasing N O T H I N G". IOW: there should be no "cover" too spud off ! & that bearing(s) cover SHOULD HAVE BEEN left OPEN .... (like a "bearing-buddy on a boat trailer). Quickly: In the above example / I called Toro (It wasn't easy actually "talking" to someone either) and I made a remark about this FACT ... *their reaction was one of great confusion, amid a total lack of understanding of just "what" I was actually TRYING to say !. So FINALLY I got "through" / and we "connected" / and they understood what I was saying / citing a "manufacturing process error". *That was alot of BS as my Zero-Turn Dealer here (in my town) replaces these mandrels ALL THE TIME ! ... "it's designed obsolescence" Tim !. Anyway: my 'zero-turn' sounds like a gigantic "weed-wacking Ginsu" when I engage the cutters !. "I luv it". Finally: it's interesting that I seem to be all alone in my having done 'ANY' of this ... "them bearing's is sealed" (they say) "LOL". End-run: "my shit's filthy in grease and it will NEVER fail". Epilogue: This "excessive compulsive" shit's ta blame / "says my wife" ?, ... GREAT: YOU'LL FIND "ME" THERE. : - )

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

Ujoint applications, grease has to be totally purged (on greasable) and cleaned out of sealed bearings. Most grease isn’t compatible.

[@davidpaul3821]

Are you still happy with the mower ? I'm trying to decide between this one and the nexite deck 217.

[@TommyZTrains]

Mower continues to EXCEED ALL Expectation, *it's like a "liquid ball-bearings" on wheels. Take care of it, "& you'll NEVER want for another". (Just MY Opinion).

[@gilgarcia4501]

Great advice Tom! I just bought the same mower and would like to perform that exact service on the wheels. Could you please provide the brand of that "pick tool" you used to remove the outer gasket covering the wheel bearings along with the synthetic oil? I found the Lucas red grease. Thanks!

[@TommyZTrains]

Hi Gil, Just a nice "Dental Pic" ... (an awl wouldn't work that well I think). Just be gentle / and it will come-off nicely. BTW: mine continues to operate FLAWLESSY. HONDA: "as time goes by, YOU'LL know why". :- )

[@gilgarcia4501]

@@TommyZTrains Thanks Tom for your expert advice. Yes, gentle, and patients is the key. Which I have neither! lol... Thanks again for your informative video.

[@TommyZTrains]

@@gilgarcia4501 :- )

[@gilgarcia4501]

@@TommyZTrains Hi Tom, Well I followed your service advice with the wheels on my Honda HRC216 (front wheels no issues.) The rears I'm having an issue? How did you get the rear bolt to tighten without the other wheel bolt turning? the transmission bar just spins. I was able to get one tire off but when I tried to tighten the bolt It just kept turning? Which then I couldn't loosed the other tire? appreciate your help? lol...Thanks!

[@TommyZTrains]

@@gilgarcia4501 I don't really know ... *It sound like the NUT is spinning / not in it's cage. This Mower is at our "Summer-Place" and not in front of me / and won't be for some time. Perhaps you're overlooking some small little means of holding that "nut" ?. "Sorry".

[@erichammond2466]

Honda Auto choke is TERRIBLE. getting my Commercial Honda this weekend. Who would have thought I'd pay an extra $500 for a manual choke lol. Sad..but Hondas are the best.

[@TommyZTrains]

Spot-on Eric, There's NO WAY I'd of bought another Honda with that BS auto-choke !. "YOU WILL LOVE THE MACHINE" !!

[@erichammond2466]

@@TommyZTrains thanks for the lube er up tips!! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge!!

[@rainbowbaaren8171]

Hope all is well.. quick question.. How did you get the rear wheels off? I can't seem to get the wheels to lock as I turn the nut, the nut just keeps spinning 🤔

[@TommyZTrains]

Hi, "I can't recall" / and this machine is at our summer-place / thus I cant look. I'd guess it's just a simple matter of a hidden nut on the inside "stick". :- ) *sorry 4 delay answer*

[@derekjohnson7504]

Where did you buy it?

[@TommyZTrains]

At my Local Honda Dealer ... *their likely not available anymore / as gas mowers are NOW "counter'ban".