Last of the Breed: Honda HRC216 Is The Mower You’ll Brag About

With Honda Halting production of their gas mowers in September of 2023, I decided to make the decision on purchasing the Honda HRC216 commercial mower. This is by far the best choice in push mowers I’ve made to date. It’s absolutely built like a tank and I love that I own one before they can’t be purchased any longer.

[@MrBrian64]

Just picked up a used one. 2019 model that was used once a week by a homeowner and serviced every year by the dealer. Went in to buy an edger and left with the Honda too! Love it!

[@rackemmm1947]

beautiful yard and mower. spot on with the opinions

[@armchairtin-kicker503]

Wise decision. I purchased my Honda HRC 216-AD HXA (MZAN 6000001 - 6099999) on 2-AUG-1990 for $909.95. Still one pull, one start.

[@johndenver8574]

I worked at a small gas engine dealership that sold these. They are thee best mower in my opinion in the world. Never has issues.

[@rickcunningham5581]

Get them while you can. Been running my own landscaping business for 25 years and the hrc 216 commercial mower is the best that's ever been made!

[@jaredkish8716]

Where are they going?

[@Steele_Jackson]

Just picked one up yesterday. Last one I could find!

[@piercedasian]

I am in the process of saving up to buy one of these for the very exact reasons you bought one. I have 2 masters series aluminum deck mowers from the 1990s and early 2000’s that are built to nearly the same standard as the HRC. They run like champs still with zero issues and will likely outlive me. I will still get a new HRC because I want to guarantee that I will have a perfect mower for the next 40 years that I can hand down to my grandkids :). These are so much better than the junk that is out there and battery units at least for now and the foreseeable future won’t be able to offer the performance or pleasure the HRC offers at its price point.

[@25-8]

The hrc216 is undefeated in the bagger department but when mulching, it leaves stragglers too many to count..other than that, no complaints. I've had mine since 2016, heavy use commercially.

[@vkhiev]

I've got 6 of these and 4 HRX217 and a few HR215 love them ALL

[@BA-pz3lo]

i dont need this but you talked me into it 😂 i need to get it while i still can

[@kimbramsen1100]

In the gardening business, I bought one of these three years ago still runs like the day I bought it solid and ordered another one which was very hard to find since they stopped making them and would not send them to California but I got one it’s in the boxfor the future best Mower ever made so sad that they’re not going to be around anymore

[@teshuvahemmet3036]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@Rubster760]

Best mower ever made hands down. Cool video 👍.

[@eldeefitty4473]

I bought the Toro 21 recycler last year, it's the base model so there's no frilly plastic covers for any of the controls, all solid. Not many controls and much smaller but fits my use, even a couple acres at 3+ hours sometimes. Though, I'm sure your Honda would make those mows easier lol

[@garymeadows1771]

January picked up HRU216 Commercial very heavy solid mower perfect for sloppy lawn and bad hips.

[@ricaneva3896]

I was given one by a friend i made it run only once and put it away but now im seeing videos of how good they are ima try making it run again

[@jonathonrossebo1783]

Comparing one of these to today's battery electric mowers reminds of when the first low flow toilets were introduced. They were supposed to save water but in reality they didn't. If anything they used the same amount of water if not more water than the non low flow toilets to flush away "number 2". I don't foresee battery electric technology replacing internal combustion entirely, especially for the commercial user.

[@daviswiens5352]

This or the toro timemaster hdx commercial one ?? Both seem like great options

[@jaredkish8716]

My neighbor had an old commercial Honda unit that he literally wore the deck out on. Wore completely through the deck and it was all cracked out. Probably had a million miles on it

[@jimballos9936]

why would they remove the side chute?

[@valdemarguzman2636]

I have owned two HRC 216 mowers and they are just as nice as you presented. Not sure about the diss on Toro because I have the commercial 21 and it comes with that exact same Honda engine. Nothing plastic on it. Robust like a tank. Having owned both I will say I like the controls more on the Honda and I also like the feel of the Honda when it’s off and being pushed around. Toro transmission feels engaged when off and trying to pull back on it. Both are great mowers, just bought the Toro a few days ago and believe me I’m just as excited as you. I’m in CA so that HRC is no longer available here.

[@f4fake22]

Just bought a hrc 216 commercial Honda. Keeping it in the box for awhile, it will only increase in value.

[@ninja636stunta]

Let me know if you want to sell it.

[@us-eb3info79]

I have this HRC216 HRX217 HRA215 HR214 love then all

[@alfredoavalos457]

Got any pictures?

[@trumpwon8231]

Sure did help Hondas 4th Quater numbers. So lets see what they do in 2nd QTR 2024

[@FloresTrumpet]

After a season, how do you feel about the mower? Still going well?

[@Archifx]

I’d pay double for it

[@Article94]

​@Archifx I found one new about 3 hrs away. Everything Ive vetted is garbage. Thinking the HRC wins

[@trumpwon8231]

It’s the piston sleeve that makes this very, very special. Every other Honda does not have this sleeve. Due to this sleeve you can mow all day. All the other Hondas have to cool down.

[@The805Ink]

Does this model HRC2163HDP shut off when you let off on the handle? I see two handles in the rear but are they combined ?

[@weeeves]

The weak point on that mower is the deck. It's only 16 gauge steel which is thinner than some of the big box store mowers (Troy Bilt = 15 gauge). The Toro 21" Commercial 22296 might be a better option as it uses the same GXV160 engine and has a rust free cast aluminum deck.

[@joeraptor1]

Definitely but that 22296 model is way more expensive where I am. The Honda HRC216 is $1729 Canadian while the 22296 is $2500-2700. Not sure if that Toro is worth such a large price difference.

[@ryanfoley9999]

Good thing I watched this I almost bought a Toro super recycler.

[@Archifx]

Run far far away from one of those POS

[@meatpie1380]

I bought one new and got a new one a lady bent the crank for 250 and put a crank in it

[@marklloyd4153]

Carbon footprint haha 😂 it doesn’t matter

[@captsirl]

I'm commercial lawn maintenance. My new 216 commercial is the worst cutting mower I own.. It cuts likea bush hog. Even but rough. Very disappointing

[@Archifx]

Take it back. It’s not the norm

[@jeffa847]

What is your favorite mower

[@jeremynguyen2346]

The townhouses landscapers use the same honda mower that’s in the video

[@noneyabiznez]

Why is the gas tank so... microscopic?

[@Archifx]

It’s not. Holds about 39 gallons

[@joeraptor1]

It's too bad that Honda doesn't at least stay in the commercial market. If they would add a larger engine on the HRC model and maybe bring back their 36 inch and 48 inch walkbehinds from the 1990s, they'd get a large market share.

[@Jgriffin0808081]

You sound just like me back in may talking to my wife as I was unboxing my HRC216HXA, shes a tank, a real nasty customer

[@Archifx]

Never thought I’d love a mower this much. I know it’s going to last

[@Jgriffin0808081]

Same here, I never thought I'd love a mower as much as I love this one. It's such a joy to use and it will last a lifetime, I ordered the hrc216 shop manual from Honda. I wish I could find another one of these, just to save another lol but they are hard to find now :(

[@Zach-sg5uu]

No batteries! Hydrogen all the way!!😂 If you care about the environment that is. Two stroke diesel commercial motors all the way if you just want the best! Two-stroke gasoline for the second best!, 4 stroke gasoline, then hydrogen & then electric last place!😂

[@timothyheil7510]

HrX 217. Way Better

[@Archifx]

Just didn’t feel as beefy and I wanted the steel deck. Way too many odd rebar and brick surfacing round these parts in the yard

[@jeffa847]

Why do you say the HRX 217 is better?

[@timothyheil7510]

@jeffa847 The 217 acts like a riding mower. Blade stops while engine is running, the transmission is hydrostatic.. which means it has smoother take off and easier on your turf than any other drive system. You can also chose how much bagging or muching the deck does. 60% bag 40% mulch. .. 70% bag 30% mulch. Infinitely adjustable either way. It's a step up and features compared to the 216. I believe the blade stop while engine running is the biggest

[@jeffa847]

@@timothyheil7510 Thanks. The bagging options and possibly better at mulching are what has me questioning whether to replace my 1990s HRC216 with another 216 or go for a 217. I think his is also a hydrostatic drive. His doesn't appear to have it but the 216 can be bought with a blade clutch - mine even from the 90s had it. In fact I don't think they used to offer it without that but I could be wrong. I agree it is a really nice feature - would be hard to adjust to not having that. Even my first Honda bought in ?1989? had a blade clutch. I've really never operated a mower that didn't have one for any length of time.

[@alfredoavalos457]

Why......?