[sdlawn3]

I bought a honda hrr216 at home depot like 3 or 4 years ago and i want to replace it. The problem is the cut is really uneven. On the first pass, I sometimes cant even tell I've mowed. Takes 2 or 3 passes before the cut is even. I've researched the issue and there are others with the same problem so I took their advice and ended up revving up the engine, cutting lower and cutting in concentric circles. That has made some improvements but I feel like its a hassle and the cut still isn't above average in just 1 pass. I also want to cut higher than 3" and even at 3" I feel its too high to get a good cut. The mower seems to have no suction when its off the floor that far.

I also have 8k sq feet to mow and wanted to know if I should get something bigger than 21"? I looked at the timemaster 30" and my research says that it has issues as well with things like engine, trnasmission, etc.. The honda has been dependable so far, so I wouldnt want to trade in a bad cut for mechanical issues. I am spending extra time making additional passes right now and dont want to trade that in for extra time troubleshooting engine problems. I feel the 30" might also be a bit too big as I dont have that much room on my garage.

Ideally, I want something like 24", if that even exists, with great cut and dependable. I mulch 90% of the time. If I cant find that then maybe ill go for another honda 21". Have they been able to fix their cut? Or will getting it from a dealer get me a better machine and hopefully give me some way to get warranty service if the cut isnt good?

 

[RGM]

How often do you sharpen the blades? have you upkept the mower. I used a 216 for 5 years in my business putting atleast 10 hrs a week on it. I think the 30'' toro is over kill for 10k sq but if you need to save a little time it would hold up

 

[Turf Chopper]

if your willing to pay 3 times the price of a 21" then the toro timemaster is a good machine. cuts well and has plenty of suction. mines 3 years old used a couple hours a week no problems with engine or tranny.

 

[Jashley73]

1- Quit mulching, and try side-discharging.

2- See if you can find a "high lift" blade for it.

Those two things will help increase airflow through the deck, providing better vacuum, which will help stand the grass up straight before cutting it cleanly.

And first & last - keep the blade(s) sharp. This is always the first thing to look at. If it means buying an extra blade so that you always have a sharp blade at the ready, do that.

Try these things before spending many times more on a new mower.

 

[sdlawn3]

1- Quit mulching, and try side-discharging.

2- See if you can find a "high lift" blade for it.

Those two things will help increase airflow through the deck, providing better vacuum, which will help stand the grass up straight before cutting it cleanly.

And first & last - keep the blade(s) sharp. This is always the first thing to look at. If it means buying an extra blade so that you always have a sharp blade at the ready, do that.

Try these things before spending many times more on a new mower.

This mower doesn't have side discharge. I have an extra blade set and sharpen often. I'll look into a high lift blade.
The mower only lifts in one side so circles in clockwise direction, while redoing half of the last pass seems to get me the best results.
I have read a lot of people are fine with their hrr216 so maybe I just got a dud.

Btw I also power wash under the deck each time after use so I can mow with a clean deck the next time.
I'd love it if this was operator error, but when I mow at like 2", the cut is really nice, so I'm convinced it's the suction at 3" and above.

 

[UptownLC]

I use a timemaster on about 15 yards a week. I’ve had no issues with it yet and I used it one full season. Idk how it’ll hold up this next season though?

 

[Jashley73]

Can you remove the bagger and rear-discharge?

If the blades have a simple round hole in the bottom (no silly star pattern as seen on some older MTD mowers,) you could always try mounting (2) blades at once in an "X" pattern. Not sure how well this would work on a push mower, but it should increase lift/vacuum.

 

[Turf Chopper]

Can you remove the bagger and rear-discharge?

If the blades have a simple round hole in the bottom (no silly star pattern as seen on some older MTD mowers,) you could always try mounting (2) blades at once in an "X" pattern. Not sure how well this would work on a push mower, but it should increase lift/vacuum.

running x blades is hard on most machines and they take alot more engine power to run efficiently- a push mower with x blades would probably bog on weekly growth. also may be noticeably harder to start.

most honda mowers have a small "chopper" blade thats mounted with the blade to improve mulching and cutting anyway.

 

[Jashley73]

running x blades is hard on most machines and they take alot more engine power to run efficiently- a push mower with x blades would probably bog on weekly growth. also may be noticeably harder to start.

most honda mowers have a small "chopper" blade thats mounted with the blade to improve mulching and cutting anyway.

I get it, but it's worth a shot I guess. He's already having to overlap - might as well be double-cutting at that point.

 

[Turf Chopper]

I get it, but it's worth a shot I guess. He's already having to overlap - might as well be double-cutting at that point.

im curious if maybe the RPMs set on the engine are too low.. even if they are at spec raising the RPMS a bit could improve cutting.

 

[SouthEastTurf]

I have a Toro timemaster, and leaves a beautiful cut. I still think the old snapper 21 inch has the best cut.

The timemaster will also cut down on your mowing time. I had a problem with the idler pully bearing failing in under 50 hours of use.
BTW, i did crank the RPMs up on my TimeMaster, not sure if that cause the idler to fail.

 

[sdlawn3]

Can you remove the bagger and rear-discharge?

If the blades have a simple round hole in the bottom (no silly star pattern as seen on some older MTD mowers,) you could always try mounting (2) blades at once in an "X" pattern. Not sure how well this would work on a push mower, but it should increase lift/vacuum.

interesting idea, the rear discharge is just a door flap. For mulching its closed and for bagging, it goes over the bag. On a previous mower, I used to have a block i would put in on the side discharge when mulching. Am i missing that block? This mower doesn't have a side discharge so I never thought about the suction the mower may lose as air flows to the rear discharge flap.

I'm not sure about the x pattern thing. There is two bolts holding the blades down so I dont think the blades can go in any other way. I will take a look next time I go to sharpen the blades.

 

[sdlawn3]

im curious if maybe the RPMs set on the engine are too low.. even if they are at spec raising the RPMS a bit could improve cutting.

I already took off the cover and set the engine to the higher rpm. It provided a small improvement and sounds awful loud.

 

[sdlawn3]

I have a Toro timemaster, and leaves a beautiful cut. I still think the old snapper 21 inch has the best cut.

The timemaster will also cut down on your mowing time. I had a problem with the idler pully bearing failing in under 50 hours of use.
BTW, i did crank the RPMs up on my TimeMaster, not sure if that cause the idler to fail.

thanks for the feedback, sounds like you guys are doing well with time master. I saw some videos about the engine being underpowerd, the engine shaking off the bolts, the tranny being bad, etc... Maybe those are older models and the new ones are more solid.