I agree. I got my HRX217HXA about 20 years ago. Best mower I have ever had. Hands down! 👍👍 I would make a few recommendations: (1) Use ethanol-free fuel, unless you really enjoy cleaning or replacing the carburetor -- not to mention the drama of dealing with the gaskets as you do so. (2) Use engineered fuel for long-term storage. I have used TruFuel for 5 years and have never had trouble starting the mower in the Spring. The same for my snowblower. (3) Change the oil at the end of each mowing season. Minimum. (4) Carefully check and replace the fuel lines and fuel line filter as needed. (5) Keep the mower deck clean and lubed. (6) Lubricate the carb control panel and lube the throttle and speed control cables, as well. Love my Honda mower! Thanks for a great video!
That seems pretty typical - no? Every motorcycle or small engine I’ve ever had said not to… And the owners manual says this too… so owners own fault if they miss this.
I had a Lawn Boy as my first mower. I was very impressed with the incredible durability as I was using it to mow as a small business though I never made any money.
@@richardmorse5307 My first lawnmower was a lawnboy with a bag side bag hanging off it. That POS was IMPOSSIBLE to start. Dumped it for a craftsman. Still have the craftsman tractor (1986 model) and a new Honda push. Can't seem to part with the tired old rider.
I also have one of these mowers...it's been great. I bought it ~10 yrs ago when on end of the season clearance at Home Depot. Paid roughly $500 for it new. As others have pointed out, you don't screw the dipstick in when checking oil level..you just "dip" it in until the threads hit the top of the tube and then remove to check oil level. Mine has the 190 engine and it takes 12 ounces of oil, not 20. I wouldn't recommend using gear oil in the crankcase either...if it were needed, the engine manufacturer would recommend it. I use a dedicated synthetic 10w-30 small engine oil that's specifically formulated for small, air cooled engines...it contains more anti-wear additives than current generation automotive oils, and it can withstand higher operating temperatures. Blade torque is 36-43 ft lbs, and I'm careful about using anti-seize on anything as it can result in over-torquing. I'm a little disappointed about the recent recall of the 170 and 200 engines for the decompression cam mechanism...the camshaft on these engines is plastic. I guess it works, as it does on my 190, but it seems cheesy. My other mower, worthy of mention, is a John Deere 14SB...it's a beast. The thing has been used in quasi-commercial use, doing up to 10 yards per week. I've had it for 30 years now and it still runs great. Kawasaki engine with pressurized lubrication (oil pump), and I added a spin-on filter. Engine is all original and doesn't use a drop of oil during a season of use...same engine oil as I use in the Honda. Repairs over the decades: New wheels, one new transmission, couple cables, one new carb, one blade-brake clutch. Not bad considering the age and use it's had.
I have the same mower. I bought it from one owner, 1 year old. (No electric start). I payed $500. I have an older one I bought in 2012. Still using it. Great mowers.
Arch you made some great videos, I took apart my carbutetor and cleaned it up wirh gum out, engine starter fluid and compressed air, it started on the 1st pull start. Great advice, tanx meng!
I love them . I just bought 2 brand new still in the boxes HRX217HYAs . I dont know when ill use them as i have a gardner now 😂. Next year im moving i plan on doing my own thing I just want to make sure i have one .
hi i have a honda lawn mower a mulcher looks like new i bought it used very cheap, i cleaned the carb, and the deck underneath put fresh gas in it runs fantastic, best mower Ive had in a long time next to the john deere ja-65 and 14 sb with the Kawasaki engines, also last forever with the aluminum decks.
@@TheNovaJohn Thank you, i hope the two mowers i have will run many yeards, i also have a cool mower called the gocart lawn mower was made one year only by yard machines was sold in a canadian store called canadian tire.
LOL,, I always wondered about that. I have a few vids on lawnboys!! They were my favorites when I was younger! I have a few I want to fix up hopefully soon!!!
38 years ago when I was a kid…. I used to cut my grandfathers lawn (3 acres) with his old 2 stroke Lawn Boy. It was ancient then but he had that damn mower right up till the day he died! Thing had tons of power! I actually bought one later in life because I had remembered how good it was. The newer Lawn Boy I bought came from Home Depot and it was a complete piece of shit! Lol. My HRX217 was $1,000 CAD and it is the absolute best mower “I” have ever owned. I honestly believe it will last me till I start pushing up daisies! It’s already 15 years old I think.
Yea, probably a better way,, there is so little oil in these machines. Not like an older briggs. This way the oil comes up a little higher and will be safer! Usually I just drop it, grab a thread or 2. Thanx fer posting and watching!
Yea, less than an ounce, I've revised that to say drop the stick in and hold it square so it doesn't lean up against the tube.. The idea was to grab a thread so its fairly accurate.
I just bought my first single family home with a yard (currently in a town house with an HOA that mows the lawns) and now I need to get a mower. I’m looking at the Honda HRX217VKA, which a a bit of a step down from yours. Do you think it’s worth spending the couple hundred extra on the model you have? My yard is just over a 1/4 acre.
The newer ones do have issues, you should be fine with that machine although you may find it a bit small depending on how much ya actually need to cut. Pools, patios, etc....
Try cleaning it with a pressure washer,, take the blade off 1st,, then oil and lube the crap out of it,,make sure the cable is actuating the mechanism and its all moving.. Give it a test with the blade on and if its OK then wash the area a little with the hose,, should be good.. probably all the dust and grass,,,,most likely just jammied up! Good luck!
Arch almost positive most Honda engines require dip only to check oil do not thread in. Normally they have a decal that shows that on the dipstick side but maybe this model is different. At Eliminator we had a Honda HR214 that we purchased in 1988 used for $300 Cdn. basically what you have but with aluminium deck. All we did was keep under deck clean, blades sharpened and oil change ever year it was our personal mower. Even when the recoil rope broke and only had 1.5 feet of pull it always started first pull. Sold it fully serviced in 2020 for $250 Cdn so it cost us basically $50 to use it all those years. Only problem with these units is the cost of replacement parts if you need them but maintained rare that anything happens to them. Other than the limited edition MTD Stainless Steel Pro mower i rate this as numero uno!
I actually heard a Honda guy suggest the method I use years ago,,,it doesnt matter really, I screw a few threads, I mention not to tighten and not to overfill Either way its silly because it makes absolutely NO difference. The most important thing to stress is the definition of "filling the engine with oil" as I have seen people actually fill the engine up thinking the term to fill the engine is literal! I'm sure you have seen this as well So we have another Vote for Honda!!!!!!
@@TheNovaJohn Yep likely 40% of the mowers we get in for service either are below the ADD mark on the dipstick or way above the FULL mark from customers overfilling the engine. Actually had one customer yelling at me saying he had not overfilled his engine with oil until i showed him the two holes on the dipstick for ADD and FULL marks then showed him the arrow pointing to the work FULL which was 2 inches higher the the FULL mark. Guess what thats where he filled it too, no apology for yelling just said he needed glasses. We now pass on working for this guy!
I use a Dremel tool with a tungsten carbide rotor bit to gently sharpen my blades on my lawnmower. It removes very little of the steel while doing a back and forth motion and can sharpen the blade like a razor. Also I only use premium gas with a stabilizer in my lawnmower and Mobil One 10-30 oil. The premium fuel has more detergent in it and keeps the carb clean. I have a John Deere JX75 that is 24 years old. Have worn out four sets of wheels on it and three blade clutches. Hope this Honda HRX with a hydrostatic drive last as long. The John Deere is still running, too bad they quit making them!
I have John Deere 14PZ with aluminum deck and yellow wheels so it is the anniversary model, that thing put every blade of grass in it, I still have it. which wheels do you buy? I have the Honda HRX 217 with manual pull start, I needed one that had power wheels.
I just got the HRX217 and it is insanely impressive. How tough do you think the nexite deck is in terms to long-term abuse? Should I return it and get the hrn216 and sacrifice 30cc to get a steel deck?
Well,, I've seen cracks on the older decks but not on these. I've had a couple of these and seen a few others. I've had and sold many of the older plastic decks all had some kind of crack, usually not bad enough to stop operation. However, the steel ones do rot but I get the really beat up ones that people throw out because they just don't care for them.
I have a Honda XHRT 217. Itsbeen dormant for about 6yrs. Added gas opened up fuel shut off valve to the run posion. I tried to start it, no light off. I pulled out the air cleaner, it was fairly clean. I bought a spray can of engune starter spray it started but when the starter fluided ran out the motor shut off it ran good for about 4seconds. This is about 10yrs old there is only a pull rope and a foldable cable and spring loaded handle and the self propelled handle. Can you help me?
I have my old Honda HRX 217 VYA model still running strong by changing the oil filter spark plug and running ethanol free gas only. Curious since I used to modify motorcycle carburetors... have you found a main jet or carb kit upgrade, governor upgrade adjustment to give it a little extra power?
No,,, if you have links for these things, drop them in the message I will pin it up for all of us! Mine runs real strong so I don't see the need but hey maybe its useful on another application and other may like it!!! Thanx!!!
You can speed it up safely, the rpm is reduced to meet the sound specification. Not crazy and use a Stihl tach, I only engage full speed under load and slow it while emptying the bag.
My only 2 complaints: 1- I’m only 5’10-11 ish. And the handle feel too low even at the highest of 3 settings. 2- I thought it could be stored vertically (sales person) - nope.
This is the best video ever. I love the detail and the great knowledge. im waiting for my new honda lawnmower to come off back order. im on a waiting list. I can't wait yo get it.
Mine won't stay running. New carb, air cleaner, and spark plug. Just got a new cap, then will try the coil, then pull the valve cover. Very aggravating.
Don't know if ya did, check the fuel filter, its inside the hose connected to the tank and check the tank for water and filth, not to mention check your filler tank! This time of year I see it a lot. People wind up with dirt and water in their filler tank. They say 'I just put fresh fuel in it" yea, but the filth and water that was already there is messing ya up!
@@TheNovaJohn After watching your video, you're darn right I checked it. Cold here in the Windy City. If worse comes to worse, I'll take it in or buy a clunker to get me by. Best wishes!
@@TheNovaJohn yes it’s very cool . I don’t know if there’s a video of it operating or how it functions that would be neat to put on your channel to show people
Sadly. The greatest mower on the planet is no longer made. October 2023 the last one rolled off the production line. I was lucky enough to have just bought a new one here in Canada this week. It was the last at the dealer in my area. Here in Canada they are called HRX2176HYC. I think the C is for Canada. I don't know what the 6 is for. Anyway, Americans get three more variations than us. Lucky!
I know! My Canadian brethren often lament! lol Glad you got a new one! I'm jealous! Hopefully one day again I will have two of these as I sold one a few years back before I knew these would be gone, sadly.
Arch i will put my 2008 Toro Super Recycler with a Briggs & Stratton engine against any mower. His name is Mordecai & has started on the first or second pull for 14 years. Because i keep it maintained above and beyond the most stringent maintenance standards/schedules & blades sharpened monthly while cutting every 3 days during the growing season my lawn benefits as much as possible from the mowing process. I understand all the hype surrounding the Honda engines & the reason the market places premium prices on them. They are great engines. But Mordecai has something for them....
I was hoping someone had one! Those are kewl, Every year I restore and repair a few of those. I enjoy working on these. The older models are much better. The new OHV Briggs engines are crap however. I can also say the newer honda engines seem to be made cheaper. I rate the Toro second in my opinion the New 2020 model being a very cool mower
@@TheNovaJohn not all new Briggs engines are crap. We've had the 8.50, 8.75 and 10.0 at work and they have all run great for many seasons. They aren't built as nice as the honda engines and are a bit loud but they make more torque. I just got a new HRX with the GCV 200 and it is pretty nice. My other mower is a snapper Ninja with an 8.75 Briggs professional with screw on oil filter. That thing will do the job of a brush hog without even bogging down I modified blades to run double full size gator blades it will mulch ft tall grass without leaving strips behind. I haven't had the honda long enough to get it dialed in yet mulching it seems to leave a lot behind but does an awesome job bagging.
@@zack6892 Agreed! & Thanks,,, I should make a video on this!! Its difficult with these vids, anyone can make a statement even off the cuff and not cover ALL the bases for sure. Even the little briggs OHV has merit, for what it is. Cheap, light and the plastic carb can handle the ethanol. 3 bolts also hold on the top and make for easy cleaning and maintenance. As you know, the issue is people don't take care of these and they cant handle abuse like the old timey engines.
I have one of these I bought second hand 7 or 8 years ago. It was actually built in 2008 and still runs and drives perfectly. A 537, which is the European model no, 21"=53cm. But built in the US. A great mower, but on this side of the Atlantic the new equivalent is €1300.
Thanks for posting! I am a Huge Fan,,,,BTW its also quiet for a gas engine. Has a "Smooove" sound that I feel is a bit more tolerable. Glad to hear we have a fan across the pond! Thanks for watching!
25:54! Is it possible that you don't know how to properly check the amount of oil on this type of oil level gauge??? Well, it's logical that if something ends up, then you'll just touch the gauge, otherwise you have it in the picture on the engine itself. The oil level gauge just fits, and it should not be screwed in!
That's what the book says but I noticed after doing this like hundreds and hundreds of times that if ya don't hold the stick flush it will lean and touch the side of the tube, that will affect the reading.. Honestly it doesn't matter much either way.. The point of error is soooo slight... What I should have said was to check the oil with the machine on a flat surface! We see many stationary machines die because the engine was never level.
Nize to hear a Pro User chime in!!! I do tend to agree lol I know they don't push this as a commercial machine but I would use want to use it as such for smaller areas if I was a Pro User Thanks for watching and posting!
Battery options are great for smaller lawns! Problem is, they will still need maintenance on the running gear/blades and it will be very hard for the consumer to find a mechanic to fix these in the future! Not to mention they will all be scrapped once the batteries wear out. Replacement batteries will be expensive enough to encourage the purchase of a new machine.
That's the way to do it properly. If he put the correct amount of oil in it's showing overfull because the oil level wan't checked properly. Even my Goldwing manual says to check it that way.
My HRX217 Really good parts, cut is probably the best, but self-propel sucks. Drive shaft at wheels uses a bushing instead of a bearing and wears on the shaft and can lock it up. Honda could have designed this better.
Actually these mowers have become Maintenance nightmare! I have one that leaks oil and the compression piston is faulty. You can find tons of people on UA-cam talking about these continuous issues! Must be why Honda is getting out of the mower business. I’ve always loved Honda mowers, but I just wasted 700 dollars on a mower that I work on more than I mow with!
You probably purchased the new one. I've serviced many hundreds of Honda engines, its rare that they leak! Very rare! Yes Honda is OUT of the mower and small engine business but its because of other things... I have a live show that explains this in detail and most people even in the business simply don't know why Sorry ya got one that needs to be fixed, Here's the link,, ua-cam.com/video/k-EKrrxWeXo/v-deo.html
I had a stainless steel deck mower that I sold, its on the channel as one of my 1st videos years ago! Now that will last but its a push with a Honda on it. I go through hundreds of machines every year. All the decks go bad eventually. The older gray plastic decks often crack but these newer Nexite ones I haven't seen crack yet. I'm sure they will dry out eventually. I keep mine nice and in my shed, also I check the yard for anything that is too large! As my dad taught me sooo long ago,,Ya gotta Police the yard! lol
I know,,,,still, I had to have it! When I 1st bought this machine I injured my back really bad and twisting my body to pull start any engine was a horror! So yes, I needed it more then and many people probably do.
I have one of these and hate it. I got it for free from a friend. Dealt with engine surge for 2 years before i had enough. I took the carb and the 6+ gaskets off Cleaned the carb replaced the plug. And the blade. Still surges. Paid a professional $50 No more surge, ran like a top, for about a month. Back to engine surge. The kicker is holding everything perfectly in line and trying to install the long bolts where as other mowers have studs to slide on 1 gasket or part at a time. Im now $300 into this mower and it still sucks
Thanks fer sharing! I just did a video on how to assemble the gaskets, which ones can be glued on and not installing the air box while tuning out issues! I've had 100's of these engines, usually its the mechanic/user/owner that just doesn't understand what's going on! I've also seen people moving the guvnor spring to the wrong hole which NEVER works! My guess is the guvnor isn't set right, people rung these machines under a bush and mess this up!
I'm reading that Honda will be discontinuing their US manufacturing of gas-powered lawnmowers? Hard to believe they have the best mowers? They state the following: The decision to end lawn mower production is driven by market forces such as stricter environmental regulations, shifting customer preferences, and our focus on growing profitable products in our portfolio." SAD, I was just getting ready to buy a new Honda mower. No battery-powered mower for me. It's still about those damm batteries charging.
More like NGO's sued the crap out of them! Millions of frivolous suites, not to mention the wef's and dei pushing companies out of business especially where Americans are employed in country!
If you look quickly at the homelessshithole, they still have the HRX in stock. Picked up an HYA in San Antonio last week for 699 minus 10% because of veterans day. The recall serial numbers were long ago from what I got. It's a 2024 model. Anyways, they can keep their crappy batteries. One more thing, I run strictly 100LL avgas in all my lawn equipment. No more garbage auto fuel for me. Couldn't tell you the last time I cleaned a carb.
@@TheNovaJohn Funny, I wasjust going to respond to your comment and the save feature showed up today on this page. I save many videos in folders and thankfully it showed up today because I just bought a HRX 217 and this video looks like just what I need and gets many good comments. Thanks for taking your time to make this.
Planet he says! Show me the curvature (you can't it doesn't exist)! We live on a plane not a planet or a pear! Isaiah 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: Circle (מעגל) not a ball (כַּדוּר)!
That's true, 12- 13.5 is what the spec is. I misspoke, have you ever made a mistake? I also cautioned to not over-fill and even if you put 12oz in it can still be too full. I said that as well. An entire video and this is your focus? Did you like anything in the video? Completely over filled it isn't is it. That's a dramatic thing to say. I work on hundreds of machines a year and Honda isn't the most common engine or machine. This Is why we check our oil I also mentioned sucking some or spilling some out. I added slowly from that container and it wasn't that over full. It also is older and will burn some of it.
Arch, I’ve been thinking about mounting a spare vice I have outside so I’m not covering everything in my garage workshop with steel and rust particulate. What do you use to prevent that vice from rusting? Probably old motor oil, if I know you by now! 😉😂👍🧰🔧
U got it,,in fact,,you just reminded me to oil it again. I need to either cut off or just heat the crap out of the rotator adjuster, its stuck! That's a nice U.S. made vice I got from my late friend Don,,,it was in my basement for a few years getting rusty! That's how the rotator wing nut got stuck! Funny, down there it was getting ruined but outside its being used and works fine. Next time I need to sharpen a blade & its nice out, I will take my flapper disc and torch to it and freshen it up!!
Rein i have had my vice outside but under a patio overhang for 5 years now and still no rust and the screw still working fine without additionally lubrication. Originally when i sharpened blades inside the shop i had made up a sheet metal three piece foldable wall that i put around the vice and blade. The three speaker magnets i had attached to back of each side of this 3 sided wall captured all the metal grinding dust. Pull the magnet off one at a time and the stuff falls into the garbage bag.
Honda is useless to me as it doesn't have side discharge. I live in Florida and cut grass all year long. In Florida bearings are too much trouble to service. Metal bushings are better in Florida.
Worst mower I have ever owned! Broke down 4 time in 10 months the first year I owned it ! Good luck with Honda warranty, they don't care !!!! There is a reason they quit selling mowers
This guy has no clue what he’s talking about and just makes stuff up. He’s a tinkerer and makes things a bit too complex. You don’t need to mix different oils together. No one sandblasts their spark plugs. The motor is not ‘partially oil cooled’. What does he mean by ‘you can’t go by torque when doing up the bolts for the blade’.
Instead of saying this like a Dick, why don't you just ask me what I mean? For example, Oil is the transfer medium that releases the heat picked up by the engine, it transfers this heat to the block, the fan on the flywheel helps move the air over the engine.
@@TheNovaJohn yes that is why everyone referred to the old VW Beatles as partially oil cooled as well… I guess with your logic these engines are partially metal cooled as the engine block and heat sinks are also a transfer medium. Don’t need to try and sound like the smartest guy in the room…just the most helpful instead.
Thanks for the video. The torque specs on the blade bolts is 36-43 ft lbs.
Thanx Zep!! Pinned!
I’m in Australia and I bought one probably 6 - 8 years ago. I got it brand new and cheap. I use it a lot as I mow lawns including my own. Great mower.
Glad to hear all the way from 'down under'! It is a nice machine and I have my pic of machines too!
I agree. I got my HRX217HXA about 20 years ago. Best mower I have ever had. Hands down! 👍👍
I would make a few recommendations:
(1) Use ethanol-free fuel, unless you really enjoy cleaning or replacing the carburetor -- not to mention the drama of dealing with the gaskets as you do so.
(2) Use engineered fuel for long-term storage. I have used TruFuel for 5 years and have never had trouble starting the mower in the Spring. The same for my snowblower.
(3) Change the oil at the end of each mowing season. Minimum.
(4) Carefully check and replace the fuel lines and fuel line filter as needed.
(5) Keep the mower deck clean and lubed.
(6) Lubricate the carb control panel and lube the throttle and speed control cables, as well.
Love my Honda mower!
Thanks for a great video!
Agreed! Thanx fer watchin!
Best dam mower review and maintenance video on the planet! Excellent work and thank you for sharing!
Thanks Doug!! Welcome to the channel!
Do not screw the dip stick in when checking the oil on a HRX 217.
Correct
That seems pretty typical - no? Every motorcycle or small engine I’ve ever had said not to…
And the owners manual says this too… so owners own fault if they miss this.
I didn’t know, I’ve been screweing it in This whole time 😂
@@Bsting2843 There is a picture on the side of many Honda engines showing the checking position.
I have a 60 year old Lawn-Boy two-cycle mower that can beat the crap out of that Honda.
And I've used it commercially 40 years, still going strong
There's one on my channel and I have a few outside that need a resto!
But sadly, both these machines have been relegated to history!
I had a Lawn Boy as my first mower. I was very impressed with the incredible durability as I was using it to mow as a small business though I never made any money.
@@richardmorse5307 My first lawnmower was a lawnboy with a bag side bag hanging off it. That POS was IMPOSSIBLE to start. Dumped it for a craftsman. Still have the craftsman tractor (1986 model) and a new Honda push. Can't seem to part with the tired old rider.
I also have one of these mowers...it's been great. I bought it ~10 yrs ago when on end of the season clearance at Home Depot. Paid roughly $500 for it new. As others have pointed out, you don't screw the dipstick in when checking oil level..you just "dip" it in until the threads hit the top of the tube and then remove to check oil level. Mine has the 190 engine and it takes 12 ounces of oil, not 20. I wouldn't recommend using gear oil in the crankcase either...if it were needed, the engine manufacturer would recommend it. I use a dedicated synthetic 10w-30 small engine oil that's specifically formulated for small, air cooled engines...it contains more anti-wear additives than current generation automotive oils, and it can withstand higher operating temperatures. Blade torque is 36-43 ft lbs, and I'm careful about using anti-seize on anything as it can result in over-torquing. I'm a little disappointed about the recent recall of the 170 and 200 engines for the decompression cam mechanism...the camshaft on these engines is plastic. I guess it works, as it does on my 190, but it seems cheesy.
My other mower, worthy of mention, is a John Deere 14SB...it's a beast. The thing has been used in quasi-commercial use, doing up to 10 yards per week. I've had it for 30 years now and it still runs great. Kawasaki engine with pressurized lubrication (oil pump), and I added a spin-on filter. Engine is all original and doesn't use a drop of oil during a season of use...same engine oil as I use in the Honda. Repairs over the decades: New wheels, one new transmission, couple cables, one new carb, one blade-brake clutch. Not bad considering the age and use it's had.
I have the electric start one ,ive been in the carb every year it sucks
I have had this mower for 20+ years and it is the Best Dam Mower on the PLANET! 🤩
LOL!!!!
Glad to hear!
I have the same mower. I bought it from one owner, 1 year old. (No electric start). I payed $500. I have an older one I bought in 2012. Still using it. Great mowers.
Hey,,nuttin's perfect but ya can't blame a guy for liking something that is really nice!
Luv the stories!!!
Thanx for sharing!! Enjoy these!!
Have this 11 years now goood product.
Yup,,,,definitely one of the best!
Arch you made some great videos, I took apart my carbutetor and cleaned it up wirh gum out, engine starter fluid and compressed air, it started on the 1st pull start. Great advice, tanx meng!
Great to Hear Ed!!!!!
Glad to help,,,good on ya!!
I love them . I just bought 2 brand new still in the boxes HRX217HYAs . I dont know when ill use them as i have a gardner now 😂. Next year im moving i plan on doing my own thing I just want to make sure i have one .
I'm jealous! Good on You!!!
hi i have a honda lawn mower a mulcher looks like new i bought it used very cheap, i cleaned the carb, and the deck underneath put fresh gas in it runs fantastic, best mower Ive had in a long time next to the john deere ja-65 and 14 sb with the Kawasaki engines, also last forever with the aluminum decks.
Ohh Nice,, two sweet machines!! Congratts Dave!!
@@TheNovaJohn Thank you, i hope the two mowers i have will run many yeards, i also have a cool mower called the gocart lawn mower was made one year only by yard machines was sold in a canadian store called canadian tire.
I greased the front axles. I also greased the rear axles and cleaned and regreased the rear wheel gears for the transmission
Nice,,, my machine is old now and still going strong!
l
Arch , love the old lawn boys excellent cut and also fogs the backyard not a mosquito alive Lol
LOL,, I always wondered about that. I have a few vids on lawnboys!! They were my favorites when I was younger!
I have a few I want to fix up hopefully soon!!!
38 years ago when I was a kid…. I used to cut my grandfathers lawn (3 acres) with his old 2 stroke Lawn Boy. It was ancient then but he had that damn mower right up till the day he died! Thing had tons of power! I actually bought one later in life because I had remembered how good it was. The newer Lawn Boy I bought came from Home Depot and it was a complete piece of shit! Lol. My HRX217 was $1,000 CAD and it is the absolute best mower “I” have ever owned. I honestly believe it will last me till I start pushing up daisies! It’s already 15 years old I think.
Honda says do not thread dipstick when checking oil level. Just stick it in and pull it out.
Yea, probably a better way,, there is so little oil in these machines. Not like an older briggs. This way the oil comes up a little higher and will be safer!
Usually I just drop it, grab a thread or 2.
Thanx fer posting and watching!
@@TheNovaJohn If you screw the dipstick in, you're putting in a lot less oil than what's really needed!
Yea, less than an ounce, I've revised that to say drop the stick in and hold it square so it doesn't lean up against the tube..
The idea was to grab a thread so its fairly accurate.
I just bought my first single family home with a yard (currently in a town house with an HOA that mows the lawns) and now I need to get a mower. I’m looking at the Honda HRX217VKA, which a a bit of a step down from yours. Do you think it’s worth spending the couple hundred extra on the model you have? My yard is just over a 1/4 acre.
The newer ones do have issues, you should be fine with that machine although you may find it a bit small depending on how much ya actually need to cut. Pools, patios, etc....
On my mower, the blades stay engaged. Nothing wrong with cable and springs. Any suggestion?
Try cleaning it with a pressure washer,, take the blade off 1st,, then oil and lube the crap out of it,,make sure the cable is actuating the mechanism and its all moving.. Give it a test with the blade on and if its OK then wash the area a little with the hose,, should be good..
probably all the dust and grass,,,,most likely just jammied up!
Good luck!
@@TheNovaJohn ok thank you, I’ll give it a try.
Arch almost positive most Honda engines require dip only to check oil do not thread in. Normally they have a decal that shows that on the dipstick side but maybe this model is different. At Eliminator we had a Honda HR214 that we purchased in 1988 used for $300 Cdn. basically what you have but with aluminium deck. All we did was keep under deck clean, blades sharpened and oil change ever year it was our personal mower. Even when the recoil rope broke and only had 1.5 feet of pull it always started first pull. Sold it fully serviced in 2020 for $250 Cdn so it cost us basically $50 to use it all those years. Only problem with these units is the cost of replacement parts if you need them but maintained rare that anything happens to them. Other than the limited edition MTD Stainless Steel Pro mower i rate this as numero uno!
I actually heard a Honda guy suggest the method I use years ago,,,it doesnt matter really, I screw a few threads, I mention not to tighten and not to overfill
Either way its silly because it makes absolutely NO difference.
The most important thing to stress is the definition of "filling the engine with oil" as I have seen people actually fill the engine up thinking the term to fill the engine is literal!
I'm sure you have seen this as well
So we have another Vote for Honda!!!!!!
@@TheNovaJohn Yep likely 40% of the mowers we get in for service either are below the ADD mark on the dipstick or way above the FULL mark from customers overfilling the engine. Actually had one customer yelling at me saying he had not overfilled his engine with oil until i showed him the two holes on the dipstick for ADD and FULL marks then showed him the arrow pointing to the work FULL which was 2 inches higher the the FULL mark. Guess what thats where he filled it too, no apology for yelling just said he needed glasses. We now pass on working for this guy!
Wayne Stefinashen My sentiments exactly. Life is too short and precious to ever deal with negative people. 👍
@@waynestefinashen239 Yup,,lol,,,,,
What about the frequent engine surging issues?
check the folder on honda, plenty of vids in there
I use a Dremel tool with a tungsten carbide rotor bit to gently sharpen my blades on my lawnmower. It removes very little of the steel while doing a back and forth motion and can sharpen the blade like a razor. Also I only use premium gas with a stabilizer in my lawnmower and Mobil One 10-30 oil. The premium fuel has more detergent in it and keeps the carb clean. I have a John Deere JX75 that is 24 years old. Have worn out four sets of wheels on it and three blade clutches. Hope this Honda HRX with a hydrostatic drive last as long. The John Deere is still running, too bad they quit making them!
Awesome!!! Good Job!!! Nice to hear
Thanx fer watchin
I have John Deere 14PZ with aluminum deck and yellow wheels so it is the anniversary model, that thing put every blade of grass in it, I still have it. which wheels do you buy?
I have the Honda HRX 217 with manual pull start, I needed one that had power wheels.
I bought the HRX2176HZA for this season, haven't gotten to use it yet .
You will!!
Hang in,,,its coming!!
I just got the HRX217 and it is insanely impressive. How tough do you think the nexite deck is in terms to long-term abuse? Should I return it and get the hrn216 and sacrifice 30cc to get a steel deck?
Well,, I've seen cracks on the older decks but not on these.
I've had a couple of these and seen a few others.
I've had and sold many of the older plastic decks all had some kind of crack, usually not bad enough to stop operation. However, the steel ones do rot but I get the really beat up ones that people throw out because they just don't care for them.
I have a Honda XHRT 217. Itsbeen dormant for about 6yrs. Added gas opened up fuel shut off valve to the run posion. I tried to start it, no light off. I pulled out the air cleaner, it was fairly clean. I bought a spray can of engune starter spray it started but when the starter fluided ran out the motor shut off it ran good for about 4seconds. This is about 10yrs old there is only a pull rope and a foldable cable and spring loaded handle and the self propelled handle. Can you help me?
Check out the Folder for all my Honda Repair videos~
ua-cam.com/play/PLN2-S6TaOCsE2XQK3AJqvxeBXOY9RyJaA.html
I have my old Honda HRX 217 VYA model still running strong by changing the oil filter spark plug and running ethanol free gas only. Curious since I used to modify motorcycle carburetors... have you found a main jet or carb kit upgrade, governor upgrade adjustment to give it a little extra power?
No,,, if you have links for these things, drop them in the message I will pin it up for all of us!
Mine runs real strong so I don't see the need but hey maybe its useful on another application and other may like it!!!
Thanx!!!
You can speed it up safely, the rpm is reduced to meet the sound specification. Not crazy and use a Stihl tach, I only engage full speed under load and slow it while emptying the bag.
Curious which super clean product or alternative product you recommend to help keep the plastic under deck area clean?
I use superclean but if you cant get that try purple power or even green clean
Just got mine in great shape $200! Score!
Wow!!! Great score!!! Enjoy it! Congratts!!!
My only 2 complaints:
1- I’m only 5’10-11 ish. And the handle feel too low even at the highest of 3 settings.
2- I thought it could be stored vertically (sales person) - nope.
This is the best video ever. I love the detail and the great knowledge. im waiting for my new honda lawnmower to come off back order. im on a waiting list. I can't wait yo get it.
Glad ya liked it Jimmy,,,,Good luck with your new Honda!!
Mine won't stay running. New carb, air cleaner, and spark plug. Just got a new cap, then will try the coil, then pull the valve cover. Very aggravating.
Don't know if ya did, check the fuel filter, its inside the hose connected to the tank and check the tank for water and filth, not to mention check your filler tank! This time of year I see it a lot. People wind up with dirt and water in their filler tank. They say 'I just put fresh fuel in it" yea, but the filth and water that was already there is messing ya up!
@@TheNovaJohn After watching your video, you're darn right I checked it.
Cold here in the Windy City. If worse comes to worse, I'll take it in or buy a clunker to get me by.
Best wishes!
On a scale of 1-10, the HRX 217 is an 11 !!!
lol,,, I tend to agree
1 Honda HRC GRX shaft drive
2 Honda HRX
3 Honda HRN
These are my favorite mowers in this order
Ohh Nice! I haven't seen a shaft drive in a couple of years
@@TheNovaJohn yes it’s very cool . I don’t know if there’s a video of it operating or how it functions that would be neat to put on your channel to show people
@@marklloyd4153 Good idea!
Next time I get one,,,If I get one!
Sadly. The greatest mower on the planet is no longer made. October 2023 the last one rolled off the production line. I was lucky enough to have just bought a new one here in Canada this week. It was the last at the dealer in my area. Here in Canada they are called HRX2176HYC. I think the C is for Canada. I don't know what the 6 is for. Anyway, Americans get three more variations than us. Lucky!
I know! My Canadian brethren often lament! lol
Glad you got a new one! I'm jealous!
Hopefully one day again I will have two of these as I sold one a few years back before I knew these would be gone, sadly.
Arch i will put my 2008 Toro Super Recycler with a Briggs & Stratton engine against any mower. His name is Mordecai & has started on the first or second pull for 14 years. Because i keep it maintained above and beyond the most stringent maintenance standards/schedules & blades sharpened monthly while cutting every 3 days during the growing season my lawn benefits as much as possible from the mowing process. I understand all the hype surrounding the Honda engines & the reason the market places premium prices on them. They are great engines. But Mordecai has something for them....
I was hoping someone had one!
Those are kewl, Every year I restore and repair a few of those.
I enjoy working on these. The older models are much better. The new OHV Briggs engines are crap however.
I can also say the newer honda engines seem to be made cheaper.
I rate the Toro second in my opinion the New 2020 model being a very cool mower
@@TheNovaJohn not all new Briggs engines are crap. We've had the 8.50, 8.75 and 10.0 at work and they have all run great for many seasons. They aren't built as nice as the honda engines and are a bit loud but they make more torque. I just got a new HRX with the GCV 200 and it is pretty nice. My other mower is a snapper Ninja with an 8.75 Briggs professional with screw on oil filter. That thing will do the job of a brush hog without even bogging down I modified blades to run double full size gator blades it will mulch ft tall grass without leaving strips behind. I haven't had the honda long enough to get it dialed in yet mulching it seems to leave a lot behind but does an awesome job bagging.
@@zack6892 Agreed! & Thanks,,, I should make a video on this!!
Its difficult with these vids, anyone can make a statement even off the cuff and not cover ALL the bases for sure.
Even the little briggs OHV has merit, for what it is. Cheap, light and the plastic carb can handle the ethanol. 3 bolts also hold on the top and make for easy cleaning and maintenance.
As you know, the issue is people don't take care of these and they cant handle abuse like the old timey engines.
Arch is meticulous as me ! ❤
Good to hear someone else is!!
Thanx fer watchin!
I have one of these I bought second hand 7 or 8 years ago. It was actually built in 2008 and still runs and drives perfectly. A 537, which is the European model no, 21"=53cm. But built in the US. A great mower, but on this side of the Atlantic the new equivalent is €1300.
Thanks for posting!
I am a Huge Fan,,,,BTW its also quiet for a gas engine. Has a "Smooove" sound that I feel is a bit more tolerable.
Glad to hear we have a fan across the pond!
Thanks for watching!
I’ve owned mine since 2008 also. I’ll die with it I think. Lol
Great Teacher.
Thank you Ron!
Thanx fer watchin!!
Love my hrx217hza
Great machine,,dont make them like this anymore, actually they don't make them anymore lol
25:54! Is it possible that you don't know how to properly check the amount of oil on this type of oil level gauge??? Well, it's logical that if something ends up, then you'll just touch the gauge, otherwise you have it in the picture on the engine itself. The oil level gauge just fits, and it should not be screwed in!
That's what the book says but I noticed after doing this like hundreds and hundreds of times that if ya don't hold the stick flush it will lean and touch the side of the tube, that will affect the reading..
Honestly it doesn't matter much either way..
The point of error is soooo slight...
What I should have said was to check the oil with the machine on a flat surface!
We see many stationary machines die because the engine was never level.
Great video! Thank you!
Thanks Bud!
I agree best 21 inch on market been mowing commercially with one since mid nighties never had any problems
Nize to hear a Pro User chime in!!! I do tend to agree lol
I know they don't push this as a commercial machine but I would use want to use it as such for smaller areas if I was a Pro User
Thanks for watching and posting!
A lot of maintenance to consider. Maybe it’s time to buy a battery-powered model? Great video for proper lawnmower maintenance though.
Battery options are great for smaller lawns! Problem is, they will still need maintenance on the running gear/blades and it will be very hard for the consumer to find a mechanic to fix these in the future!
Not to mention they will all be scrapped once the batteries wear out. Replacement batteries will be expensive enough to encourage the purchase of a new machine.
When checking the oil level, you shouldn't screw in the dipstick. You should unscrew, wipe off the stick, then dip and check.
That's the way to do it properly. If he put the correct amount of oil in it's showing overfull because the oil level wan't checked properly. Even my Goldwing manual says to check it that way.
✔️💪🏽👏🏽
My HRX217 Really good parts, cut is probably the best, but self-propel sucks. Drive shaft at wheels uses a bushing instead of a bearing and wears on the shaft and can lock it up. Honda could have designed this better.
Yea,, that's a common issue I see on every rear drive I've worked on. They are all made with some kind of bushing, oil lite or otherwise
Damn it’s over a thousand pounds here in 🇬🇧
probably the taxes! not to mention the inflation!
Actually these mowers have become Maintenance nightmare! I have one that leaks oil and the compression piston is faulty. You can find tons of people on UA-cam talking about these continuous issues! Must be why Honda is getting out of the mower business. I’ve always loved Honda mowers, but I just wasted 700 dollars on a mower that I work on more than I mow with!
You probably purchased the new one. I've serviced many hundreds of Honda engines, its rare that they leak! Very rare!
Yes Honda is OUT of the mower and small engine business but its because of other things...
I have a live show that explains this in detail and most people even in the business simply don't know why
Sorry ya got one that needs to be fixed,
Here's the link,,
ua-cam.com/video/k-EKrrxWeXo/v-deo.html
IF you hit a rock or any objects the deck will crack. The deck gets dry brittle and crack
I had a stainless steel deck mower that I sold, its on the channel as one of my 1st videos years ago!
Now that will last but its a push with a Honda on it.
I go through hundreds of machines every year. All the decks go bad eventually.
The older gray plastic decks often crack but these newer Nexite ones I haven't seen crack yet.
I'm sure they will dry out eventually. I keep mine nice and in my shed, also I check the yard for anything that is too large!
As my dad taught me sooo long ago,,Ya gotta Police the yard! lol
yea the new ones crack too. Amazing how it finds rocks in a yard with no rocks.
Yup,,, the Ground heaves them up!
Where I live its mostly sand and topsoil.
Ya don’t even need the power start, it’s an easy one pull start mower
I know,,,,still, I had to have it!
When I 1st bought this machine I injured my back really bad and twisting my body to pull start any engine was a horror!
So yes, I needed it more then and many people probably do.
I have one of these and hate it.
I got it for free from a friend.
Dealt with engine surge for 2 years before i had enough.
I took the carb and the 6+ gaskets off
Cleaned the carb replaced the plug. And the blade. Still surges.
Paid a professional $50
No more surge, ran like a top, for about a month. Back to engine surge.
The kicker is holding everything perfectly in line and trying to install the long bolts where as other mowers have studs to slide on 1 gasket or part at a time.
Im now $300 into this mower and it still sucks
Thanks fer sharing!
I just did a video on how to assemble the gaskets, which ones can be glued on and not installing the air box while tuning out issues!
I've had 100's of these engines, usually its the mechanic/user/owner that just doesn't understand what's going on!
I've also seen people moving the guvnor spring to the wrong hole which NEVER works!
My guess is the guvnor isn't set right, people rung these machines under a bush and mess this up!
@@TheNovaJohn meh, im over it, going electric.
Its a Honda!
Y
I'm reading that Honda will be discontinuing their US manufacturing of gas-powered lawnmowers? Hard to believe they have the best mowers? They state the following: The decision to end lawn mower production is driven by market forces such as stricter environmental regulations, shifting customer preferences, and our focus on growing profitable products in our portfolio." SAD, I was just getting ready to buy a new Honda mower. No battery-powered mower for me. It's still about those damm batteries charging.
More like NGO's sued the crap out of them! Millions of frivolous suites, not to mention the wef's and dei pushing companies out of business especially where Americans are employed in country!
If you look quickly at the homelessshithole, they still have the HRX in stock. Picked up an HYA in San Antonio last week for 699 minus 10% because of veterans day. The recall serial numbers were long ago from what I got. It's a 2024 model. Anyways, they can keep their crappy batteries. One more thing, I run strictly 100LL avgas in all my lawn equipment. No more garbage auto fuel for me. Couldn't tell you the last time I cleaned a carb.
Can't save your video 😞
You can,, there are various programs out there for computers and also apps for the phone.. These are for UA-cam recordings!
Check out Tube Buddy
@@TheNovaJohn Funny, I wasjust going to respond to your comment and the save feature showed up today on this page. I save many videos in folders and thankfully it showed up today because I just bought a HRX 217 and this video looks like just what I need and gets many good comments. Thanks for taking your time to make this.
@@teleguy5699 Great to hear!! Great machine! Yes there are others too but hey,, nuttin wrong with havin a favorite!
@@TheNovaJohn No sir!
Honda has now stopped manufacturing lawnmowers for good.
Yea,, sad!
I did a live show, its in my folder tab at my home page
I went kinda deep as to why, most people don't really know the deep story.
Wrong... The 2025 models are all battery junk mowers.
Planet he says! Show me the curvature (you can't it doesn't exist)! We live on a plane not a planet or a pear!
Isaiah 40:22
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
Circle (מעגל) not a ball (כַּדוּר)!
ERRF IS NOT A PLANET….🗣️📢
ERRRF DOESNT BEND🤔🥴
Don't be soo silly! Its a lawnmower video not a flat earth video! Sit back and just watch
20 oz of oil…….its only 12 oz. You completely over filled it!!!! Know your specs, people depend on your details
That's true, 12- 13.5 is what the spec is.
I misspoke, have you ever made a mistake?
I also cautioned to not over-fill and even if you put 12oz in it can still be too full. I said that as well.
An entire video and this is your focus?
Did you like anything in the video?
Completely over filled it isn't is it. That's a dramatic thing to say.
I work on hundreds of machines a year and Honda isn't the most common engine or machine. This Is why we check our oil
I also mentioned sucking some or spilling some out.
I added slowly from that container and it wasn't that over full. It also is older and will burn some of it.
Arch, I’ve been thinking about mounting a spare vice I have outside so I’m not covering everything in my garage workshop with steel and rust particulate. What do you use to prevent that vice from rusting? Probably old motor oil, if I know you by now! 😉😂👍🧰🔧
U got it,,in fact,,you just reminded me to oil it again.
I need to either cut off or just heat the crap out of the rotator adjuster, its stuck! That's a nice U.S. made vice I got from my late friend Don,,,it was in my basement for a few years getting rusty! That's how the rotator wing nut got stuck!
Funny, down there it was getting ruined but outside its being used and works fine.
Next time I need to sharpen a blade & its nice out, I will take my flapper disc and torch to it and freshen it up!!
Rein i have had my vice outside but under a patio overhang for 5 years now and still no rust and the screw still working fine without additionally lubrication. Originally when i sharpened blades inside the shop i had made up a sheet metal three piece foldable wall that i put around the vice and blade. The three speaker magnets i had attached to back of each side of this 3 sided wall captured all the metal grinding dust. Pull the magnet off one at a time and the stuff falls into the garbage bag.
You can save that and use it to make a black oxide coating!
Wayne Stefinashen That metal wall sounds like a genius idea! As for the vice, here on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the salt air would destroy that vice.
Arch's Garage Or put things in a bath of Evaporust and never get back to them? 😂
Honda is useless to me as it doesn't have side discharge. I live in Florida and cut grass all year long. In Florida bearings are too much trouble to service. Metal bushings are better in Florida.
I'm on the nature coast, and use the HRX 200cc model. On full mulch it does the job, even in the tall stuff.
Worst mower I have ever owned! Broke down 4 time in 10 months the first year I owned it ! Good luck with Honda warranty, they don't care !!!! There is a reason they quit selling mowers
did you buy one of the new ones? which model did you get?
This guy has no clue what he’s talking about and just makes stuff up. He’s a tinkerer and makes things a bit too complex.
You don’t need to mix different oils together. No one sandblasts their spark plugs. The motor is not ‘partially oil cooled’. What does he mean by ‘you can’t go by torque when doing up the bolts for the blade’.
Instead of saying this like a Dick, why don't you just ask me what I mean?
For example, Oil is the transfer medium that releases the heat picked up by the engine, it transfers this heat to the block, the fan on the flywheel helps move the air over the engine.
@@TheNovaJohn yes that is why everyone referred to the old VW Beatles as partially oil cooled as well… I guess with your logic these engines are partially metal cooled as the engine block and heat sinks are also a transfer medium.
Don’t need to try and sound like the smartest guy in the room…just the most helpful instead.
Ha Ha Ha too funny.
Also has quit making mowers.
TOO MUCH FANBOI BS. ABSOLUTELY NO SCIENCE. JUST CONJECTURE AND PERSONAL OPINION/GOT SOLD ON SOME ADVERTISEMENT
USE CAPS MUCH! LOL
@@TheNovaJohn TOTAL LOW IQ FALLING FOR ADVETISING MUCH❓LOL 👨🏻🦼👨🏻🦼🤮🤮🚐