HONDA HRX217HZA Lawn Mower: First Impressions | This thing is a BRUTE!

[@Ron-dj1cm]

I like the real world review. I currently have a 20 yr old with the hydrostatic transmission and the only thing the bar does is engage the drive, speed control is only done through the shift lever. I’m probably picking this up in the spring and my back will appreciate the electric start even though mine usually still starts on the first pull. I’m getting a new one mainly because it seems to have a bad valve and it sounds like it’s sort of backfiring at idle.

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

Hi Ron, Thanks for watching and commenting. I can say now that the season is over that I LOVE this mower. The engine has so much torque and no matter how long or thick the grass, it just muscles right through without even lugging in the slightest. And like you, I always appreciate the electric start. Incidently the battery is charged off the engine so it has an alternator of some kind. Never have to charge the battery. All around great mower. I will probably do a post-season follow-up review so stay tuned!

[@11211lcb]

Actually, the speed control lever only regulates the top speed that you want. The arm slowly engages and speeds the mower up to the speed selected by the lever. If you back off on the arm the mower speed will slow. Very handy to slow down around rough spots or curves.

[@LeonardoMigot]

@@NoRedemptionOutdoors we are in 2024 and they put cam ⚙ in plastic = pure issues = scammer mower

[@benharrison1069]

Thanks for your review. I have this mower on order at my Honda dealer. In doing some research on this mower and watching some Honda videos, I saw one thing in your review that I learned watching a Honda maintenance video on this mower. When checking your oil level on this mower Honda emphasized to NOT screw the dip stick into the opening. Only put the dip stick in the opening and then remove it to read the oil level. Again, DO NOT screw the dip stick in when checking the oil level. However, DO screw the dip stick all the way back into the opening after completing your oil level check. I hope this helps.

[@kendemers8821]

Thanks for a thorough review of this great mower. I just bought one but it's still in the box. I appreciate you showing how to use the mower's controls. When I get back from vacation in two weeks I'll start using mine. My 18 year old Honda mower which still runs great, will go to my son in Alabama who just bought his first home. These Honda's are amazing machines!! I'm sorry that these mowers will no longer be built after 2023.

[@songlight494]

Beautiful grass. I just bought this same mower.

[@blackhawks1870]

Good review. Bought the same one. Still in the box. I’ll open it in summer

[@11211lcb]

WOW I thought I was going to correct you about the engine. Looks like they went back to OHV vs. the OHC. I have an HR 194 and it ran great up until a seal blew yesterday. It is 35 years old, bought in 1987, and has an OHV engine. GLAD to see it is back. I'll be getting the same as you.

[@jackt6112]

Thanks for pointing that out. I had assumed OHC, which adds lots of cost and complexity, even if not for the initial purchase, then at repair or maintenance time, and the engine is too small and too low RPM to benefit. OHC has a negative ROI for the owner. If they wanted to go OHC on a small engine, it should be their generators where they could benefit a little from efficiency and less noise, but instead they are OHV, and every Chinese knock-off clones their engines so well that the parts are interchangeable, and were made in in the same factory for a while.

[@jackwebb5917]

I’m about to pull the trigger on one of these except without the electric start. You are the ONLY person that knows the difference between an engine and a motor!! It was like watching George Carlin mowing his lawn!!

[@barthutchison4207]

Pretty sure honda oil is checked without screwing the dip stick in unless it states otherwise

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

Thank you! I just did an oil change and based on your comment I measured the oil level without screwing it down. I appreciate that heads-up! I'm planning a post season review with oil change how-to (already filmed the oil change). When I do that vid I'll give you a shout out to say thanks! Great comment!

[@barthutchison4207]

@@NoRedemptionOutdoors My pleasure and thanks for your content. Based on your video and others I've decided to purchase this machine.

[@scottrose5922]

Thank you for your video and content. I just unboxed my new honda hrx, almost the same with the exception of the electric start. I'm hopeful the motion handle is comfortable v's the the other model with the gray push lever. I shall see tomorrow when I crank it up. Good evening

[@barthutchison4207]

The first time using it was an adjustment coming from a john deere mower but now I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

A good Honda engine is hard to kill... anybody disagree?

[@turboford4145]

I love your content it's honest and straight to the point .I just ordered the same mower and can't Wait to use fir the first time. Our yard is about 3/4 of a acre so this mower will be a great help to keep my yard clean and beautiful, thanks again fir the video.

[@beb1527]

I have the older model (2018) HRX 217 HZA. I was trying to buy the HYA (no electric start) but they were out of them. This is the only mower I’ve ever used that you can actually cut the grass in the rain. I normally mulch and all the clippings disappear. In the rain, I have to put the clip director in the middle position to bag some of the wet clippings. I replaced a HRR 216 VKA which I still have, and that one cannot do what the HRX can. The only things the HRR is better for are vacuum suction and it uses less fuel. I can take the HRR on the sidewalk and it will vacuum nearly all the clippings and dirt after I edge .

[@DawnJiang-kd6me]

I have the older model the hrx 217 2018 model but it is a hya.

[@Robert-ug5hx]

I just orded one yesterday, with honda getting out the lawn mower business it was time to put up or shut up with it

[@jackt6112]

Thanks for the video. I like the electric start plus the blade stop. That is the combination I cannot get with the Toro. I can get one or the other, but not both. I would gladly pay the money for the Honda but it lost me on the drive system. All of the bails and cruise control is a ridiculous design compared to Toro's Personal Pace. Toro has one bail to engage the blade. The faster you walk, the faster it goes. You can jog if you want to. Nobody is going to use 1/2 mulch and 1/2 bag, it's one or the other, so I don't understand why they bother with that feature. Since I'm not the only one running it, it has to be simple, and this is not simple enough. There is no practical way to vary the speed with the bail while you are mowing. I currently have a Toro I need to replace and for one person using it, it must be electric start. So instead of better, as I had hoped, it is still down to pick your poison.

[@robinengland5799]

Thanks for video, just ordered one!

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

You’ll love it!! Glad the video could help you in your decision 👊🏻

[@yves-mariesellin6026]

excellent,le perroquet sur l'épaule pendant la tonte 😄👏

[@tooagle]

He kinda made this look awkward to use, but once you get the hang of it, it's really easy to use. My only complaint about these is the wheels are hard to adjust when grass gets in there.Otherwise, these are great mowers. Mine's just turning 16, and ready for a new one however.

[@barnycanuck6234]

Would have been nice if they thot to put an oil drain plug in it. Not comfortable about any sludge build up draining when you have to tip the mower over on its' side to drain the out or the potential mess to clean up.

[@trumpwon8231]

What gas’s did you buy as well

[@Dolvid]

What an excellent review. Thanks!

[@thomasc6127]

How is it holding up 4 years later?

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

Still going strong. This is one of my life best purchases. I can wholeheartedly endorse this mower!

[@thomasc6127]

@@NoRedemptionOutdoors good to hear because I just picked up a new one!

[@yvettebernhard4452]

I don’t know if I missed it but can you reverse it

[@trumpwon8231]

So was it a full bottle you never said

[@sebastiancrabill444]

I like your gas can, its getting harder to find a double handle can,...

[@HogFatherMN]

Can't find one of these units anywhere around me. Anyone know of a place that has them in stock and ships?

[@HogFatherMN]

Think I'm going to pick one up. Anybody who owns one have any criticisms?

[@jdclay1547]

You don't have to vary the handle, that's what the orange lever is for while your mowing. As you now just move the lever.

[@westsacramentowastetrucks]

“Cruise control” doesn’t exist. I have 2 of these and the orange lever is to set your max speed and the clutch bar is your varying part. Also you should adjust your cutting height to the right level the front is higher than the rear

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

Thank for the great feedback. And thanks for watching. After a couple seasons with the mower I can say it is a fantastic piece of machinery. And I have the mower deck level too....🤣🤣

[@highbloxplayz7186]

Do you think this needs a lawn striping kit?

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

I tend to think, yes.

[@highbloxplayz7186]

@@NoRedemptionOutdoors Ok thanks, planning to buy one around March, Which website did you buy this on?

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

@@highbloxplayz7186 I think it was Mowers Direct, if memory serves. Hope this helps.

[@highbloxplayz7186]

@@NoRedemptionOutdoors Alright, thanks. Did you get lift gate service for that machine?

[@jackwebb5917]

I’m about to bite the bullet on one, except no electric start. You are the ONLY person on KZbin that knows the difference between an engine and a motor! It was like watching George Carlin mow his yard!

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

LOL!! I appreciate you watching and dropping a comment! 👊🏻

[@andrzejlubiejewski7421]

Electric start was the one of reasons I bought it.

[@BLKSG6]

did he say something about the difference between an engine and a motor? What is the difference? I feel like I missed something interesting

[@jackwebb5917]

@@BLKSG6 Yeah he said motor and immediately corrected himself and said engine. That’s an internal combustion engine and basically generates its own power from air, fuel and spark. A motor simply converts electricity into a motion or action, like a vacuum cleaner

[@BLKSG6]

@@jackwebb5917 Hang on, are you saying that universally, all car companies made the same error in their name? General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and the American Honda Motor Company (that made this mower) and even new ones like Kia Motors Europe? And Detroit is called “Motor City” because …. ?

[@ranbandz7566]

What kind of gas do you put in?

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

Non ethanol gas. It's the only way to go. 👍

[@ranbandz7566]

@@NoRedemptionOutdoors thank you !

[@shangrilaladeda]

The gcv 190 has. 5.5 hp

[@ajamesc55]

i wish the front were the drive wheels so you can just lift it up and turn

[@bonitasumney1853]

It is very heavy, not easy to lift.

[@ajamesc55]

@@bonitasumney1853 I mean that why I like the front wheel drive ones, you push the handle down and turn, much easier, and never have to let go of any handles

[@TheLawngineer]

It’s a great mower!!!

[@Raider1836]

Bought one of these last week. The transmission locked up after a few passes on the yard. No more than one hundred feet….. Seems to happen to quite a few. To bad they build them in China now.

[@tophatjohnny]

at least it has a full 5 year warranty!!

[@davidcasstevens2549]

If you like a brand new repaired mower. Kinda like buying a reconditioned unit, with no discount!!!

[@tophatjohnny]

In your case the seller should replace

[@berettaguy7445]

FYI, they were made here in the U.S...Swepsonville, NC.

[@Raider1836]

Assembled parts from China 🇨🇳

[@glennchurch6892]

The throttle actually goes forward more than you pushed it. Full throttle is ALL the way forward.

[@Charlimike24]

Yes but it will flip back to the same position. It is just around 3000 rpm.

[@TecumsehRulesbcserk]

3.8 horses? Oh please my Toro Tecumseh mower has twice that and it has 3 less CCs

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

What mower you running? Might be looking to move up to a zero turn so suggestions are welcome.

[@smtnag]

Torque is what matters in this case, I have a 7HP Briggs and Stratton that stalls out while going through thick grass, can't find a torque spec on it. I'm looking to buy one of these HRX mowers and see if the hype is confirmed. Everything online suggests it will be.

[@HumphreyDoreen-r4c]

Rutherford Harbor

[@Harvey-Paul]

Obviously did not read the owners manual.

[@tophatjohnny]

lol

[@bertraminc9412]

What a ridiculous intro song.