Honda Exiting Gas Lawn Mower Market. Honda electric start lawn mower

Honda HRX217HZU (Electric Start)

This was the first mower I have purchased. Liked the idea of key start. Purchased 30/1/23. Used twice and then wouldn’t start. Returned to shop for service. Apparently a 20 part failed. The new part was estimated to arrive in August 2023 and service centre quoted 5 hours to repair. Honda disputed the time to repair. Agent requested a new mower as a replacement under the two year warranty.Honda refused request. Having to pay someone to mow my lawns which I amnot happy about given I paid 1700 for a top of the range mower. I thought warranty offered protection for buyer. Would not buy another Honda due to the company refusing to provide a decent service.

Purchased in Jan 2023 at Yardworx for 450,679.

Fantastic Mower

Cuts wet grass and catches it easily,the versa mow function and Hydrastatic Drive makes mowing a pleasure.The Blade Brake function is one of the best ideas that I have seen incorporated on a mower,you can stop the blades and move objects or let it idle down before switching off.I would recommend this mower to anyone.

Brought one and half year ago, already not starting, need to wait 3 weeks to check for repair Under warranty. Engine always stop when put on low level, suggest never buy it,only brand name ,poor service and quality.

Author stated being incentivised for this review

Find out how Honda HRX217HZU (Electric Start) compares to other Petrol Lawn Mowers

The JS48 started being problematic so it was time to go. Settled on this new Honda, after a lot of comparing the various Honda models, because of it’s self propelled and electric start options. Love the safety features where you can stop the blades but still have the motor running when you have to empty the catcher. Cuts so much finer than previous mower and with the bigger chute it doesn’t clog and the catcher is bigger, but it can get heavy when full. It actually cuts so fine that the garbage truck dropped the first bin that I put out full of

Read more wet grass. Has a mulch and bag option without having to put in plastic plugs into the chutes like the John Deere. Only thing is that it doesn’t have a side discharge but the flap at the back is designed so it allows the cuttings to come out as you mow, if you don’t have the catcher on. Also has constant trickle charging for the battery. unlike my old one which you had to periodically put on a charger. Also has a lever for adjustable speed, which can be preset, so you don’t have to worry about losing speed or the mower starting to get away from you. The only thing I find is that the key seems very flimsy, Only time will tell how long it lasts.

Purchased in June 2020 at Benalla Mowers Chainsaws for 450,459.

Just Ok. Expensive for unresolved issues.

Purchased the Electric Start Honda to replace my 21″ cut self propelled Honda which lasted over 20 years and must say the new Honda HRX 217 doesn’t measure up.The Electric Start is great but the engine doesn’t start as readily as my old Honda Mower so you need to turn it over heaps.The individual 4 wheel height adjustment is a nightmare and is 50 years behind the time. This means you have to adjust each wheel in each corner of the frame when you change the height setting. My lawn has 4 levels and different cut grass. The old self propelled

Read more Honda had 1 Lever to instantly adjust the height of all wheels at once. Shame on you at Honda. The catcher feed chokes up and does not properly feed the catcher so you are forever unclogging the feed between the blade and catcher. The catcher does not always lock in place and falls off when not expected. The mower. whilst having power does not like long grass as it can’t get it to the catcher so you have to mow the lawn 2 to 3 times to pick up the cuttings. The “Mulcher /Catcher Bag ” Function is ridiculously stiff and not worth playing with while you are out mowing. The adjustable self propelled speed control is good with many drive speeds to choose. Blades are expensive. At time of purchase Honda Distributors were all bound to the same sale price set by Honda. You would get better deals on other brands. This definitely is not Honda’s finest engineering. I would not buy this model again.

Honda Exiting Gas Lawn Mower Market

honda, exiting, lawn, mower, market, electric

As our team is putting together our best lawn mower recommendations for the year, it’s with a hint of sadness as Honda is exiting the gas lawn mower market. There hasn’t been a time we haven’t recommended Honda lawn mowers and its commercial HRC series has been our top selection for self-propelled models for the past several years. While we’re genuinely disappointed to see them go, it’s not completely over, though.

When is Honda Exiting the Gas Lawn Mower Market?

Back in October 2022, Honda sent out a notice through its dealer network that it would cease manufacturing gas lawn mowers beginning in September 2023. It plans to continue selling the units through 2024 until they are gone.

Like many manufacturers, the pandemic certainly took its toll on Honda’s ability to keep production rolling. Disruption in parts supply forced Honda to temporarily halt production in March 2020 at its highest-volume plants in Swepsonville, North Carolina.

That was two and a half years before this announcement, though. While there are still supply issues across many industries, outdoor power equipment is in a different state than many products. The accelerating growth of battery-powered lawn care equipment for both homeowners and professionals is most certainly part of the conversation. That shift in what consumers want and Honda’s ability to maintain profitability in this sector are contributors as well.

Statement From Honda Power Equipment

“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. Honda will continue to sell the remainder of its lawn and garden product line and industrial-type power products such as GX engines, generators, and water pumps, and continue to support its service and parts operations in the U.S. market.”

Statement on Honda dealer Interactive Network

Notably, Honda hasn’t come out with a battery-powered platform the way most of its competition has. Does this mean that Honda is completely done with lawn mowers? There’s no telling for now.

What we do know is that Honda has made some of the best gas-powered lawn mowers available. It goes beyond its legendary small engines and includes designs that have been field tested and proven for longer than some brands have even been in existence.

That said, I’m hopeful we’ll see Honda return in some form. The industry will continue even if Honda chooses not to. And keep in mind that it’s a massive company run by people that are highly intelligent. If it makes sense for them to re-enter the market, I’d place my money on the products being excellent and continuing its legacy of high-quality, dependable equipment.

Of course, other brands will still offer lawn mowers with Honda engines. As long as the rest of the build can keep up, the reliability of Honda will continue to be available as a power plant.

Discover more Honda Power Equipment products here.

Honda HRX Electric Start vs Pull Cord?

Well my 10 year old or so Briggs and Stratton finally died so I’m finally gonna pull the trigger and get a Honda HRX like I’ve been wanting to for a while. I’m in Canada and it seems like our models are slightly different than the US ones. It seems like the HRX is the only one with more than 160cc engine and what we have are essentially 2 models of HRX, both completely the same except for the electric start (HRX2176HZC) vs pull cord (HRX2176HYC).

I am enticed by the convenience of the electric start but I wonder if they are reliable or if they are problematic. Any feedback would be appreciated. Secondly, I would have to store my mower in my shed outside and we get very cold winters here (-30 C /.22 F). Would that be an issue for the electric starter? The price difference with the 2 mowers is an additional 120 CAD for the electric start so that’s not a huge deal.

DFW_Zoysia

Yeah, but if the electric start is known to be problematic I could just save the 120 and go with the pull cord only. That’s IF they are known to be problematic. If most users have no trouble with them then I’d be inclined go spend the extra 120.

I don’t have one, though I almost pulled the trigger before I found my reel mower. Cold aside, I pull the batteries out of my stored equipment to keep them on a tender over winter. I would do the same with this if you can’t hook the float charger to it in storage. I was vacillating on whether getting an HRX with blade stop was worth the extra 100. Having the same functionality now with the reel mower, yeah I suppose it is a feature I enjoy. Being that the HYC and HZC are both equipped the same, I think I would save the money from an electric start and pick up a striping kit to attach to it. I did the Checkmate on my 21″ mower.

MasterMech

The electric start is self-charging, which is nice, but on a small lawn, I doubt it would run long enough to recharge. Which begs the question, how many times are we starting this thing on an 1,800 sq ft lawn.

llO0DQLE

The electric start is self-charging, which is nice, but on a small lawn, I doubt it would run long enough to recharge. Which begs the question, how many times are we starting this thing on an 1,800 sq ft lawn.

I talked to my local Honda dealer rep and he told me it would take 8-10 minutes to recharge. I probably take at least that long to mow my front and back lawn just because I don’t rush through it and I have some weird areas that require me to slow down and do a few passes. I would probably only start it once if I leave it running for the whole mow or maybe 2x if I stop when I move from front to back or vice versa. I did this with my old mower because I had to cross some obstacles and didn’t want the blade hitting anything but with a blade stop, I may not need to do this anymore.

rockwalltxguy

I have the Pull cord and it’s fine. Barely takes any effort to start. Don’t see a need for electric start at my age. If you are older or have a bad shoulder then maybe, for me it’s not worth the hassle of having to fix an electric start if it goes bad.

I have an 8 year old manual start HRX and it has never needed more than 2 pulls to start. Unless you physically can’t pull the cord, I wouldn’t bother spending the extra for the electric start.

MasterMech

The electric start is self-charging, which is nice, but on a small lawn, I doubt it would run long enough to recharge. Which begs the question, how many times are we starting this thing on an 1,800 sq ft lawn.

I talked to my local Honda dealer rep and he told me it would take 8-10 minutes to recharge. I probably take at least that long to mow my front and back lawn just because I don’t rush through it and I have some weird areas that require me to slow down and do a few passes. I would probably only start it once if I leave it running for the whole mow or maybe 2x if I stop when I move from front to back or vice versa. I did this with my old mower because I had to cross some obstacles and didn’t want the blade hitting anything but with a blade stop, I may not need to do this anymore.

Exactly. With a blade stop, you start the mower once, and no need to shutdown for minor interruptions.

Man, 10 minutes to mow the lawn. 😆 (I’m mowing 10x the lawn area with a 21″ rotary at the moment. I’ll switch to the greensmower soon but that’s not going to speed things up any!)

Honda Izy HRG 536 VL Self-Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower (Electric Key Start)

honda, exiting, lawn, mower, market, electric

The new 2020 Honda Izy HRG536 VL lawn mower features Honda’s latest Euro-5 compliant, four-stroke GCVx170 engine. These new engines offer enhanced combustion by creating stronger turbulence inside the chamber, while also being more tolerant to lower quality fuels. All Izys have a new Auto Choke system, offering improved temperature sensing and choke optimisation, for easier starting in the most challenging conditions. Easy to manoeuvre and ideal for large gardens ( 2 tennis courts). It also features variable power drive and selective mulching.

Honda Izy lawn mowers are expressly designed to get the mowing job done as quickly as possible. As a general rule, the 21″ Honda Izy lawnmowers cater for gardens up to 2 tennis courts in size.

This Honda Izy HRG536 VL has a large 21″ (53cm) cutting width and is designed for cutting a larger lawn quickly and easily. The powerful GCVx170 Honda engine drives the lawnmower forward as well as cutting, and with a 66 litre grass bag, you’ll be admiring a perfect lawn in no time.

Honda has made life a little Izy-er for all lawn lovers with the launch of its new class leading Izy lawnmower range. Significant revisions to the second generation Honda Izy model line-up include a redesigned blade which significantly improves ‘cut and collect’ performance as well as reducing noise by 30 per cent. To achieve this, Honda engineers spent six months performing extensive air-flow studies completely redesigning the blade from a clean sheet of paper. Other significant revisions include the introduction of a new auto choke system. Maximising on decades of marine experience, engineers have developed a device based upon technology found on Honda outboards, which allows the engine to operate with optimum efficiency in all conditions

The pull start is specially designed to be virtually effortless. Flexible, double-lined cables make adjustments easier and more precise.

Versamow selective mulching

With a single lever, Honda’s Versamow system will either collect the grass cuttings into the bag or finely shred and blow them down into the lawn to create a natural fertiliser.

Electric start

Simple and convenient, the electric key start ignition makes starting your lawnmower even easier and is fitted in addition to the standard recoil pull-start.

Auto-choke

All of our products are powered by world class Honda engines so you can be assured of reliable starting and low maintenance. All of our lawnmowers run on unleaded petrol.

Low noise

Our RD team have designed a patented low noise blade (-0.5dB(A)) compared to traditional blades. With a combination of engine and cutter deck design, its noise level is 30% under the current EU standard.

  • Variable speed power drive. No more pushing. Let this 21″ powered Izy lawn mower do all the work for you!
  • New and more powerful and reliable 167cc GCVx170 engine. Overhead cam design and powerful torque across a wide RPM range. Easy to start.
  • Versamow selective mulching
  • Electric Key Start
  • Large 66 litre grass bag
  • Folding handle. Allows storage in the smallest of spaces.
  • Easy on the environment. Economical, clean, powerful and reliable GCV160 4-stroke engine and quieter blade design gives new Izy a 30% reduction in noise.
  • Easy starting. Auto Choke System ensures the perfect start even in cold weather.
  • Adjustable cut. Easy to adjust lever gives you a choice of six cutting heights.
  • Easy-to-manoeuvre. Thanks to double ball-bearings and extra-wide no-slip wheels manoeuvrability is easier than ever.
  • Durable deck. High quality, durable steel cutter deck. The rounded design also provides optimal airflow for outstanding grass collection, as well as easy cleaning with no nooks and crannies for wet grass to stick to.

About Honda Izy Lawn Mowers

The cutter deck is built tough to go on and on. Our manufacturing process adds all round strength to the cutter deck, because it’s formed in a press from a single sheet of steel. Then we paint it with a powder coating process that leaves a tough, durable finish that’s resistant to corrosion and UV ray deterioration.

Strong handles

The handles are fixed to the cutter deck by a strong supporting arms at the side and won’t flex or bend during use. They can be quickly fixed into position when you need to start work, or folded down to save space when stored away in the shed or garage.

Honda was first to use this type of engine on lawnmowers and it still can’t be beaten.

With years of experience and research building engines, we’ve designed a light 4-stroke motor that sits at the heart of the IZY mowers. It delivers solid, reliable power with lower and cleaner emissions. It has an auto choke system, which adopts the same technology you’ll find in Honda cars and motorbikes.

Green economy

The engines are the lightest and most compact of their type. They’re incredibly easy to start because of a super-light flywheel and a new soft grip recoil handle for added comfort. Both features make sure the job isn’t like an unplanned gym workout!

The low maintenance, 4-stroke engines avoid the messy business of mixing oil and fuel usually associated with a 2-stroke. They are less messy and less noisy, always start and fuel economy is much better too.

IT FUELS AND FEELS RIGHT

NO SPILLS MEANS NO DEAD GRASS AND NO MESS. THIS ERGONOMIC FILLER CAP IS EASY TO REMOVE WITH A TWIST.

All IZY mowers have high airflow collection bags.

As the rotating blade cuts the grass it generates the airflow, which is important for the collecting process. The low air pressure creates a vacuum effect – literally sucking up the clippings – directing them through to the collection bag at the rear.

Dust free

We created a special material for our collection bags that start at 50-litres, through to a huge 73-litres capacity, depending on which mower you choose. Made with an ultra-fine mesh they maximise the collecting process without affecting the airflow and can stop even the finest dust particles from getting through. You won’t find a cleaner and more efficient system anywhere.

You’ll soon see noticeable results from mulching.

The HRG 536 Smart Drive IZY lawnmowers have a simple Versamow selective mulching switch that opens or closes a door at the back of the cutter deck.

With the exit from the cutter deck open, the cuttings go straight into the collection bag as normal, when no mulching is required. With the mulching switch on, the door is closed, the fine clippings drop down and settle around the grass roots, creating a natural fertiliser.

0% less noise means it’s IZY-er to live with

As with all Honda products, protecting the environment is always an important consideration. With noise pollution regulations spreading throughout Europe, noise reduction is a key item for consumers of petrol lawnmowers.

Sticking to its core ‘Izy’ concept, noise levels have been reduced from 96 dB(A) to an impressive 94 dB(A). This has been achieved by making significant changes to the blade tips which now include the introduction of slots. The cutter deck tilt angle. rear verses front. has increased and slots have been added in the rear shield of the cutter housing to maximise the air flow to the grass bag. These modifications have resulted in significantly improved class leading ‘cut and collect’ performance as well as dramatically reducing the noise level by 30 per cent.

Auto choke innovation means it’s IZY-er to use

‘How much choke do I use?’. this is a familiar question which most lawnmower users would rather do without. Honda engineers furthered the Izy-ness concept by studying the problems often encountered while using the choke.

As a result of their research a thermo wax assembly now opens and closes the choke valve automatically inside the intake manifold of all new Izy models. When the engine temperature is low (i.e., when starting from cold) the choke valve is closed; once the engine has warmed up, the choke valve opens.

Following engine start, the thermo wax assembly operates by receiving heat from the engine block moving the choke link to the open position. When the engine temperature cools, or when some time has passed during operation and choking is necessary, the thermo wax assembly will be returned to its initial position by the return spring. This moves the choke link to the closed position. In addition to simpler mowing, the innovative auto choke device also improves performance because the correct carburettor settings are automatically controlled and achieved with greater efficiency.

Brand

Power Source

Power Details

Engine make

Transmission

Starting Method

Design

Cutter Deck

Cutting Width

Cutting Heights

Number Cutting Heights

Propulsion

Collector

Noise Value. Sound Power Level dB(A)

Weight

Dimensions (L x W x H)

Warranty

Other Features

Honda
Petrol
Honda GCVx170 engine, 1 cylinder, OHC 4-stroke, air-forced cooled, overhead camshaft, 167cc
Honda
Variable Speed
Key
Wheeled
Steel
53 cm
28-102mm
6
Self-Propelled
66 litres
98
36.2 kg
1534 x 582 x 1014 (mm)
5 years domestic
Versamo selective mulching

Honda Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Details

Our local business, Anglia Mowers, Dealer Code ANG100, is a Honda Authorised Dealer, and as such will automatically carry out any recommended pre-delivery procedures to Honda’s own standards and will electronically register your new machine with Honda UK too, which means that your warranty is both activated and validated giving you access to all the backup and support you will ever need. This level of after sales support is always available from a Honda Authorised Dealer, so don’t be talked into accepting less.

Honda Motor Company Limited is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of cars, motorcycles and power equipment. Honda is also the world’s largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year. The company has assembly plants around the globe.

It was back in September 1978 when Honda launched their very first lawn mower in Europe. At that time, standard 2-stroke technology dominated the market, providing noisy, dirty engines that were difficult to maintain. So Honda fitted their lawn mowers with ground-breaking 4-stroke engines; setting new standards of performance, reliability and safety, but they didn’t stop with the engines.

Honda’s aim has always been to constantly improve in all areas of design, so they built in hard-wearing durability and long-lasting performance at every stage of the process, from cast iron cylinder sleeves and ball bearings to support the crankshaft, to aerodynamic cutter decks with nylon grass bags for improved airflow and more efficient collection.

For years, Honda have built all their lawn, garden and power equipment around clean 4-stroke engine technology. That’s because they’re committed to making their products as user-friendly, fuel-efficient and reliable as they can, without compromising performance.

Today, Honda have harnessed their design and technology expertise to create a versatile repertoire of lawn, garden and power products from lawn mowers and brush cutters through generators and water pumps to tillers and snow throwers. Their patented Roto-stop feature is their latest benchmark in design, providing complete safety and peace of mind by allowing users to stop their lawn mower blades turning without switching the engine off.

Honda Small Engine Electric Starters

We are an Authorized Honda Engine Dealer carrying a large selection of Honda Electric Starters. If you do not see the Honda Electric Starter you need, please complete the Lawn Mower Parts Request Form and we will be happy to assist you.

  • Honda 31200-ZJ1-841
  • Honda 32100-ZJ1-842
  • and others
  • Honda 24 HP GXV670, GXV620 and GXV610 series engines
  • and others

Electric starter motor Solenoid not Included

8″ length Solenoid included 12 teeth on gear 12 volt Striking or disassembling starter will void warranty

Length: 7″ OVERALL Center To Center Mount: 2 1/2″ OD Housing: 3″ Teeth: 10 metal gear 3 3/8″ housing length between caps

Length: 8 ” OVERALL Center To Center Mount: 2 5/8 ” Teeth: 12 metal gear Solenoid included with hardware

  • Cub Cadet 31200-ZJ1-841
  • Honda 31200-zj1-841
  • Honda 31200-ZJ1-842
  • and others
  • Honda EB11000K1 generator; GX670 engines
  • and others

Length:8 1/4″. Teeth:14. Solenoid is included. Honda code 2450740

Volt: 12 Teeth: 10 Length: 7″ OVERALL LENGTH Solenoid included

Also see: Briggs Stratton Starters Also see: Honda Starters Also see: Kawasaki Starters Also see: Kohler Starters Also see: Onan Starters Also see: Tecumseh Starters

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“Many thanks for the prompt parts order. I waited over 4 months for my local repair shop to get the part and they ended up with the wrong one. Next time I will do it myself.”

Best Overall

honda, exiting, lawn, mower, market, electric

Earning the top spot in our tests is a battery lawn mower that rivals the power of a gas mower but without the smelly fumes, the oil changes, or the frustrating pull cord. Instead, this self-propelled mower from EGO has a 56-volt, 7.5-Ah battery that provides up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge; that’s enough to mow most lawns up to a 0.5 acre and more than enough for our small yard. We put the mower to the test in early spring, mowing a lawn just out of winter dormancy that was patchy, wet, and ferny.

Other than attaching the bag, assembling the mower was easy. And a mere press of the button brought it roaring to life. This mower has a 21-inch cutting deck and a one-hand lever that adjusts the cutting heights through six different settings for grass heights of 1.5 to 4 inches. We found it very easy to adjust.

The lawn mower easily handles all common types of lawn grass, including tougher warm-season varieties like Bermudagrass, zoysia, and St. Augustine. A few buyers have complained that it struggles to lift overly tall grass high enough for an even cut. However, we found that it struggled a bit in the wet grass as well, becoming stuck at one point in a ferny patch. Aside from that, it delivers a precise and crisp cut that is sure to impress.

The speed of the mower is variable, so you can set it to match your stride from a leisurely 0.9 mph up to a brisk 3.1 mph. As this was our first time using a self-propelled mower, there was a bit of a learning curve. At first, it felt like the mower was pulling us along. However, we soon got the hang of it and appreciated the ease of adjusting the mower’s speed. We also liked the adjustable handle, which made it more comfortable to mow.

We found that the mower was easy to maneuver, even around obstacles or sharp turns. As the self-propelled function does most of the heavy work, this is also a great mower for yards with slopes. At nine inches in diameter, the mower’s wheels are fairly large, and it is rear-wheel drive, which also helps when mowing over rough terrain or hilly areas. You can dispose of the grass clippings in the included 2-bushel bag, discharge them to the side, or mulch them into fine clippings to quickly decompose them into healthful lawn nutrients. This mower even has a LED headlight, so you can mow early in the morning or at dusk to take advantage of mild temperatures.

Most of the mower‘s construction is heavy-duty plastic for weather and rust resistance, but that might not be as durable as steel, although we felt it seemed quite sturdy. Once you finish mowing, the handle folds all the way down for easy storage. We really appreciated this feature, as the mower doesn’t take up as much room in the garage. This mower comes with a 56-volt battery and a fast charger that has the battery ready to go in just an hour.

Price at time of publish: 549

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Power Source: Battery | Weight: 62.6 pounds | Grass Discard Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge