I have a 32 year old briggs quantum 55.Its a beast and still starts first kick every time. Uses very little oil and other than basic services will cut through a rain forest.It came with a champion plug and after 25 years i decided to lash out and replace it with another champion.Still has original alloy deck and wheels and pull rope. So what can i say other than Briggs all day for this happy camper!
I have an Australian masport mower fitted with a Quantum 55 commercial briggs bought new in 1992. I change the oil every 6months with mineral sae 30 oil.Sharpen the blades every 2 years and clean and regap the spark plug annually. I inspect and blow the air filter pretty much every second mow.Mower is kept in a dry shed and i have never power washed it. I have cleaned the carby once 10 years ago.The mower is push only and i still have original cables ,wheels and pull rope.Got to love the old school briggs and stratton. Cheers from Australia
I bought a Sears push mower 14 years ago with a B&S Platinum engine. I feed it synthetic oil and ethanol free gas. For 14 years it's started up with no more than 3 pulls the first time I bring it out after winter storage. Bullet-proof. I drive Honda cars but I have a Briggs mower engine. One time I accidentally put 2-stoke mixed gas/oil in it. Ran with it anyway and it didn't have a problem. Just smoked a little, spark plug was fine.
Ive had my hrx217 since 2019 and maintained a dozen lawns with it. Yearly tuneup and a few oul changes per season and its been great. Only thing I've had to replace was the pull starter assembly. Adjustments are pretty simple,its reliable,and parts and all sorts of how to videos are online. At $729 in 2019 it was expensive, but imo a worthwhile investment. If i ever have to replace it ill probably go commercial and get a stihl with the kohler command.
Hey! Just bought one myself, $799 at Home Depot. Quick question: how has the deck held up? I’m scared to scratch it or break it. I don’t have much experience with the material Thanks
@@GodExplained Mine is still in great shape. I've hit alot of driveway gravel, big sticks,even barb wire. The deck is made out of a product called nexite. It's what football helmets are made of. Theyve also got reinforced webbing underneath to add strength and rigidity. If I haven't broken it in 5 years itll last ya. The handle that switches from discharge to mulch sometimes gets debris around the groove the shudder slides in and you'll have to clean it up some to get it to operate smoothly,but its otherwise great. Its very handy for me using it on other peoples lawns.i often bag my own and sometimes another customers. If the grass is damp I'll discharge or put it in the middle and partially mulch. I think you'll find it an excellent mower. Just do the maintenance often as is necessary.
My problem with the Honda is the drive system, it just doesn’t last, I had it fixed twice and it just breaks again. The wheels spin when lifted up but has no torque to actually push the mower. Never had a problem with a brigs and Stratton motor. I just got a dewalt with 163 cc b&s motor for 500, the Honda was 550. Probably would have been fine with either but I’m glad I got the dewalt. Very strong drive system has a lot of push and cuts great. I will say tho the design choice to have plastic at the front and rear of the deck on the dewalt isn’t my favorite, while the Honda deck is all metal.
Had my hrx217 fir 5 years with no tranny trouble. My belt has about done all it can do,but the belts only $15. The hondas drive systems have alot of adjustment, so unless your belts worn out you can usually just adjust it up some.
When Honda transmission seals fail, prepare to spend 2-3 hours replacing them, if you dare. When the auto choke wax item fails, prepare to spend an hour or 2 replacing it, and watch enough UA-cam videos to help you understand how to put the carb back on (swearing loudly enough to kill your neighbors dog is usually required until you figure it out). Get used to cleaning the rear drive gears because they clog up and you won’t be able to pull the mower backwards. The mulch/bag lever is going to jam up with debris and quickly get stuck in whatever position you have it in. Briggs isn’t what they used to be, but for cost, ease of use, and maintenance I’d still pick them.
@@VerifiedHandyMan Subaru Robin, if you can find one. Kawasaki is also fairly trouble free. However, both are more difficult to find on a walk behind. The Honda engine is good (except for the cheaper bucket models, 400,000 of which have been recalled), but the mower itself presents too many expensive, and time consuming issues. Honda is getting out of the walk behind mower business, so it’s not going to be an issue much longer. Don’t buy a used Honda
It takes less than 10 minutes to replace the Honda thermo-wax autochoke actuator, not "an hour or 2...". Also, my lawn is heavily treed, and in the fall we get hammered with leaves. I use my Honda to mulch/bag leaves, and the clip director has never "jammed up with debris...". Maybe a Honda just isn't for you; perhaps you should stick with something else.
I replaced a crank in a honda gcv160 last year and for 1st time doing it it was ok but if I didnt have all the specs off interweb holy cow what a pain. I’ve had two honda’s now and they are too expensive with too many moving parts to fail and if you dont fix things yourself will be VERY costly to maintain long term with the self drive clutch system and so forth. I would not recomend buying a honda used and even if you got it free be prepared to spend money sooner or later. Stay away from Briggs check & add oil engines. Junk. Known to seize even within first couple uses.
I have gotten a Troy bilt with Briggs Stratton motor. It ran for 12 years with no oil change just adding here and there lol and now it just died hopefully I can fix it
I find that Honda engines tend to produce slightly more torque for their displacement than Briggs & Stratton, but, Briggs & Stratton engines tend to burn less oil, and are more fuel efficient. Honda horizontal shaft engines don't seem to have the oil consumption, I'm referring to the 214 R lawnmower engines. We, as a family, bought 3 of the 214 R lawnmowers, and every one of them put out blue smoke for about a minute after start up. I have not had that problem with Briggs & Stratton engines, whether the side valve or overhead valve engines. All Honda engines are Overhead valve. I live in Utah, ~4,000 feet above sea level. The Honda engines run inherently rich, where the Briggs & Stratton engines tend to be more stoichiometric, which is why they seem to be more fuel efficient. Between the better fuel/air mixture of the carburetors and reduced oil consumption, the Briggs & Stratton engines produce much lower emissions than the Honda engines. I ended up getting rid of my Honda mower, because the fumes were just too hard on my lungs. I've since switched to a battery electric mower, when the blade brake assembly on my Briggs & Stratton mower seized up. (engine still OK)
Thanks for the very insightful comment! Emissions and stricter regulations is probably why Honda is exiting the U.S. lawn mower market. The 214 R lawnmowers are relics. Gotta do what’s best for you though, glad you made the switch.
Briggs used to be such great engines. I feel like at the tail end of the Honda era of push mowers, Those engines started getting more like the new Briggs too. I own two Hondas in the last year and they both crap the bed on me.
@@VerifiedHandyMan Yea it’s a real bummer because Honda are know for lasting like 20 years or more. I think the commercial stuff is still premium though.
All i remember as a kid back in the 80s, my family would buy the SNAPPER push mower with the Briggs and Stratton motor ,and after about 3 times, I would pull my arm out of socket trying to start it ..... When i got older and started buying mowers myself, i never bought anything with that name....maybe they are better now,...I have a craftsman push mower with a honda motor and it starts every time with the slightest pull....just saying...
@@VerifiedHandyMan my burning question is: What's the REAL reason they stopped production of their push mowers in North America? They still make snow blowers
California actually banned the sale of gas-powered lawn mowers starting in 2024 because of the emissions, other states have considered similar legislation. Based on the timing it might be related. Making another video about this soon, stay tuned!
@@VerifiedHandyMan YES!!! I have seen some videos, & articles, stating Honda refuses to make mowers that wil no longer perform up to their standards once the emissions controls are applied. Not the lame excuse they gave, wich was, "We want to focus more on our dirt bikes, & side by sides." I just don't buy that excuse myself.
Woooow the lost me at Superior built and technology 😂 it's a bucket engine 🤣 the cheapest one's they build don't mix Honda's automotive prowess with this mower engine it's just as cheaply built as the rest with their plastic camshaft and push rod design with that flimsy valve cover.. u can't even get the valves out without a full engine tear down.. i would probably just save the extra cash go with the briggs as the parts are cheaper 😅
In the U.S. this video really has no purpose if you are looking to buy a new lawn mower. Honda has stopped making them for the US. market due to emissions regulations.
My Honda deck is made from ( I think it's called nexite) . It's almost bulletproof and completely corrosion proof. I've beat the crap out of mine for almost 5 years
I bought a brand new Husqvarna mower with a Kohler HD775 engine. Took it out of the box, assembled it, started it up, ran it for about 15 seconds, then shut it down, put it back in the garage, and listed it for sale (It was a special order item I had shipped; returning it would've been expensive). I could not believe how loud it was; much, much louder than a Honda GCV engine. That was an absolute deal-breaker for me. I'll stick with Honda engines.
Thanks for watching! Find links to equipment and supplies below:
Honda Tune-Up Kit: amzn.to/4bbTYou
Mill File: amzn.to/3vZNj1q
Craftsman M215 Mower: amzn.to/4bwy8vD
I feel older Briggs are far superior to newer Briggs.
Same thing with every appliance I own
Weren't most all of them better 50 years ago when things were built to last?
💯 Agreed.
Yes! 💯%
I have a 32 year old briggs quantum 55.Its a beast and still starts first kick every time.
Uses very little oil and other than basic services will cut through a rain forest.It came with a champion plug and after 25 years i decided to lash out and replace it with another champion.Still has original alloy deck and wheels and pull rope.
So what can i say other than Briggs all day for this happy camper!
32 years is impressive! Out of curiosity - what basic services do you do? I need to do what you are doing.
I have an Australian masport mower fitted with a Quantum 55 commercial briggs bought new in 1992.
I change the oil every 6months with mineral sae 30 oil.Sharpen the blades every 2 years and clean and regap the spark plug annually.
I inspect and blow the air filter pretty much every second mow.Mower is kept in a dry shed and i have never power washed it.
I have cleaned the carby once 10 years ago.The mower is push only and i still have original cables ,wheels and pull rope.Got to love the old school briggs and stratton.
Cheers from Australia
It’s kick start? Lol
I bought a Sears push mower 14 years ago with a B&S Platinum engine. I feed it synthetic oil and ethanol free gas. For 14 years it's started up with no more than 3 pulls the first time I bring it out after winter storage. Bullet-proof. I drive Honda cars but I have a Briggs mower engine. One time I accidentally put 2-stoke mixed gas/oil in it. Ran with it anyway and it didn't have a problem. Just smoked a little, spark plug was fine.
14 years is very impressive! Says a lot about your maintenance plan
Ive had my hrx217 since 2019 and maintained a dozen lawns with it. Yearly tuneup and a few oul changes per season and its been great. Only thing I've had to replace was the pull starter assembly. Adjustments are pretty simple,its reliable,and parts and all sorts of how to videos are online. At $729 in 2019 it was expensive, but imo a worthwhile investment. If i ever have to replace it ill probably go commercial and get a stihl with the kohler command.
Hey! Just bought one myself, $799 at Home Depot.
Quick question: how has the deck held up? I’m scared to scratch it or break it. I don’t have much experience with the material
Thanks
@@GodExplained Mine is still in great shape. I've hit alot of driveway gravel, big sticks,even barb wire. The deck is made out of a product called nexite. It's what football helmets are made of. Theyve also got reinforced webbing underneath to add strength and rigidity. If I haven't broken it in 5 years itll last ya. The handle that switches from discharge to mulch sometimes gets debris around the groove the shudder slides in and you'll have to clean it up some to get it to operate smoothly,but its otherwise great. Its very handy for me using it on other peoples lawns.i often bag my own and sometimes another customers. If the grass is damp I'll discharge or put it in the middle and partially mulch. I think you'll find it an excellent mower. Just do the maintenance often as is necessary.
With a maintenance plan like that you won't have to replace it for 40 years
My problem with the Honda is the drive system, it just doesn’t last, I had it fixed twice and it just breaks again. The wheels spin when lifted up but has no torque to actually push the mower. Never had a problem with a brigs and Stratton motor. I just got a dewalt with 163 cc b&s motor for 500, the Honda was 550. Probably would have been fine with either but I’m glad I got the dewalt. Very strong drive system has a lot of push and cuts great. I will say tho the design choice to have plastic at the front and rear of the deck on the dewalt isn’t my favorite, while the Honda deck is all metal.
The advantage is that it can be fixed, in my experience B&G is just easier to replace when needed
@@VerifiedHandyMan same here
Had my hrx217 fir 5 years with no tranny trouble. My belt has about done all it can do,but the belts only $15. The hondas drive systems have alot of adjustment, so unless your belts worn out you can usually just adjust it up some.
Honda's decks haven't been metal for years, they're plastic.
When Honda transmission seals fail, prepare to spend 2-3 hours replacing them, if you dare. When the auto choke wax item fails, prepare to spend an hour or 2 replacing it, and watch enough UA-cam videos to help you understand how to put the carb back on (swearing loudly enough to kill your neighbors dog is usually required until you figure it out). Get used to cleaning the rear drive gears because they clog up and you won’t be able to pull the mower backwards. The mulch/bag lever is going to jam up with debris and quickly get stuck in whatever position you have it in. Briggs isn’t what they used to be, but for cost, ease of use, and maintenance I’d still pick them.
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like you’ve replaced a transmission seal or two. Do you have another engine preference outside of Honda or B&G?
@@VerifiedHandyMan Subaru Robin, if you can find one. Kawasaki is also fairly trouble free. However, both are more difficult to find on a walk behind. The Honda engine is good (except for the cheaper bucket models, 400,000 of which have been recalled), but the mower itself presents too many expensive, and time consuming issues. Honda is getting out of the walk behind mower business, so it’s not going to be an issue much longer. Don’t buy a used Honda
It takes less than 10 minutes to replace the Honda thermo-wax autochoke actuator, not "an hour or 2...". Also, my lawn is heavily treed, and in the fall we get hammered with leaves. I use my Honda to mulch/bag leaves, and the clip director has never "jammed up with debris...". Maybe a Honda just isn't for you; perhaps you should stick with something else.
I replaced a crank in a honda gcv160 last year and for 1st time doing it it was ok but if I didnt have all the specs off interweb holy cow what a pain. I’ve had two honda’s now and they are too expensive with too many moving parts to fail and if you dont fix things yourself will be VERY costly to maintain long term with the self drive clutch system and so forth. I would not recomend buying a honda used and even if you got it free be prepared to spend money sooner or later.
Stay away from Briggs check & add oil engines. Junk. Known to seize even within first couple uses.
You tube videos show the auto choke being replaced in under 10 minutes
Anyone have experience with ogawa lawn mower? Compare to brigg and straton. Only these two available at local store
Ogawa mowers are equipped with a Briggs & Stratton engine, similar to Craftsman and Toro!
I have gotten a Troy bilt with Briggs Stratton motor. It ran for 12 years with no oil change just adding here and there lol and now it just died hopefully I can fix it
I mean, 12 years without an oil change is insane lol, props to you though for keeping it alive!
Very informative!
Glad it was helpful!
I find that Honda engines tend to produce slightly more torque for their displacement than Briggs & Stratton, but, Briggs & Stratton engines tend to burn less oil, and are more fuel efficient. Honda horizontal shaft engines don't seem to have the oil consumption, I'm referring to the 214 R lawnmower engines. We, as a family, bought 3 of the 214 R lawnmowers, and every one of them put out blue smoke for about a minute after start up. I have not had that problem with Briggs & Stratton engines, whether the side valve or overhead valve engines. All Honda engines are Overhead valve. I live in Utah, ~4,000 feet above sea level. The Honda engines run inherently rich, where the Briggs & Stratton engines tend to be more stoichiometric, which is why they seem to be more fuel efficient. Between the better fuel/air mixture of the carburetors and reduced oil consumption, the Briggs & Stratton engines produce much lower emissions than the Honda engines. I ended up getting rid of my Honda mower, because the fumes were just too hard on my lungs. I've since switched to a battery electric mower, when the blade brake assembly on my Briggs & Stratton mower seized up. (engine still OK)
Thanks for the very insightful comment! Emissions and stricter regulations is probably why Honda is exiting the U.S. lawn mower market. The 214 R lawnmowers are relics. Gotta do what’s best for you though, glad you made the switch.
Briggs used to be such great engines. I feel like at the tail end of the Honda era of push mowers, Those engines started getting more like the new Briggs too. I own two Hondas in the last year and they both crap the bed on me.
Understandable, I’ve heard mixed opinions with Honda, especially in recent years!
@@VerifiedHandyMan Yea it’s a real bummer because Honda are know for lasting like 20 years or more. I think the commercial stuff is still premium though.
What model do you own? Just curious because I wanted to see the reviews on them!
@@VerifiedHandyMan It was the HRX217HYA
Ahh gotcha, have you found what works for you yet? Curious to see what your alternative was, I’ve seen mixed opinions about both.
Which Honda lawn mower are you veiwing
Honda HRN216VKA
Anyone one know what size of plug wrench I need for a Briggs and Stratton SP51H it’s the one with the Honda engine Tia
5/8 or 3/16, can’t remember off the top of my head. You can get a tool an Amazon for less than $8 that has both connection sizes
Cheers bud 👍
All i remember as a kid back in the 80s, my family would buy the SNAPPER push mower with the Briggs and Stratton motor ,and after about 3 times, I would pull my arm out of socket trying to start it .....
When i got older and started buying mowers myself, i never bought anything with that name....maybe they are better now,...I have a craftsman push mower with a honda motor and it starts every time with the slightest pull....just saying...
Honda is the suave go-to in my opinion. Tough that they are discontinuing their gas powered lawncare items:/ any thoughts on that?
I am definitely Honda all the way. Especially cause of the fuel efficiency
They know their engines!
Was looking around at different mowers the Honda lawn mower caught my eye great review!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! You can’t go wrong with a Honda.
My hrx217 has been solid reliable since 2019
400,000 GCV170 recalled for plastic camshaft and defective decompression valve 2 hr fix costing honda 10+ million dollars
Wow, what a mess up 😵💫 I assume $10 million is pocket change for them though. They mainly just wasted user time when that happened.
Gotta try the new 190cc but hopefully they made it with better quality parts.. old b&s are machines built to last
Agreed!
informative video
Thank you!
I would much rather work on a Briggs and Stratton than a Honda
Easier to work on, parts cost less and are more easily available
Parts definitely cost less, I’ve struggled to find them at my local hardware stores though (Midwest)
B&s does make some good engines,but you wont find em on a pushmower. Youve gotta look towards commercial equipment for their good engines.
Very true.
Classic range is good. Ours is 20 years old and neglected
Their Vanguard engines are good.
@@eugeneoreilly9356 yeah,I've got a vanguard on a 25yr old lawn vacuum that's rock solid
How much
$600
R.I.P. HONDA push mowers in North America😭😭😭😭😭😭
I love my older Hondas.
I was bummed to see this news!
@@VerifiedHandyMan my burning question is:
What's the REAL reason they stopped production of their push mowers in North America?
They still make snow blowers
California actually banned the sale of gas-powered lawn mowers starting in 2024 because of the emissions, other states have considered similar legislation. Based on the timing it might be related. Making another video about this soon, stay tuned!
@@VerifiedHandyMan YES!!!
I have seen some videos, & articles, stating Honda refuses to make mowers that wil no longer perform up to their standards once the emissions controls are applied.
Not the lame excuse they gave, wich was, "We want to focus more on our dirt bikes, & side by sides." I just don't buy that excuse myself.
You can still Honda here in Texas
Briggs and scrapum
😂
Woooow the lost me at Superior built and technology 😂 it's a bucket engine 🤣 the cheapest one's they build don't mix Honda's automotive prowess with this mower engine it's just as cheaply built as the rest with their plastic camshaft and push rod design with that flimsy valve cover.. u can't even get the valves out without a full engine tear down.. i would probably just save the extra cash go with the briggs as the parts are cheaper 😅
Agree 100pc.
Had a honda 160 engine still ran just the body rusted out after 14 years.
Wow 14 years is impressive!
Too bad honda doesn't make lawn mowers anymore in U. S.
Exactly, it’s crazy to think this is an end of an era!
In the U.S. this video really has no purpose if you are looking to buy a new lawn mower. Honda has stopped making them for the US. market due to emissions regulations.
Stopped production - yes. You can still purchase while supplies last.
Stay away from B&S. You be lucky to get three mowing seasons out of one.
But they said no oil changes ever 🤣
I changed my oil every season.
Honda push mowers are no longer being made. Get it while you can.
I was sad to see that. Might have to do with California banning the sale of gas equipment and other states considering similar legislation.
Aluminum deck honda mowers where the best.........Everything after that are S(IT, not worth buying
Can’t beat that corrosion resistance 💪🏼
My Honda deck is made from ( I think it's called nexite) . It's almost bulletproof and completely corrosion proof. I've beat the crap out of mine for almost 5 years
Don’t waste your money on toro
💯
B&S is garbage nowdays.
Nobody makes them like they used to
Briggs and striations are junk
Briggs and Stratton are the worst engines you could possibly ever buy, Honda or Kohler all the way. B&S is garbage.
Kohler is another great alternative!
I bought a brand new Husqvarna mower with a Kohler HD775 engine. Took it out of the box, assembled it, started it up, ran it for about 15 seconds, then shut it down, put it back in the garage, and listed it for sale (It was a special order item I had shipped; returning it would've been expensive). I could not believe how loud it was; much, much louder than a Honda GCV engine. That was an absolute deal-breaker for me. I'll stick with Honda engines.
Never even have had a hiccup with my Briggs push mower. I drive Honda cars but won't mow with their mowers.
I’m team Honda, but I sure don’t think Briggs is garbage. Maintain either and I think they will all last a long time.
LOL maintain them properly, they work great, Honda are over priced for what they are.
Everything about BS is cheap crap