Honda is a well-known name in the market and the company has never failed to surprise us with the quality of its products. The Honda HRX217K5VKA gas lawn mower is no exception to the rule.
It is a self-propelled gas-powered lawnmower that excels in delivering a well-groomed lawn year after year. The self-propelled lawn mower can easily handle moderately hilly terrain which measures close to or just above half an acre.
The Honda HRX217K5VKA lawn mower is a large mower weighing almost 96lbs. The mower is designed in gray and red with a deck size of 21”. There is a molded skirting around the cutting deck that makes it look wider than it actually is, although it does not go past the wheels.
Review of Honda HRX217k5VKA
The molded skirting helps in keeping the grass from spitting out the sides. The Lawnmower deck is made from an extremely durable polymer material.
The NeXite deck is unique to Honda HRX models and was developed to resist dents, rust, and corrosion. This lightweight polymer material has been tested time and again for its durability and every time it has come out in flying colors.
This is the reason behind Honda promising a lifetime warranty on the deck. Apart from the durability of the material the shape of the deck is of extreme importance when it comes to performance. The Honda HRX217K5VKA is designed to deliver optimal performance.
The superior design helps in quite a few aspects.
Better vacuum lift and volume help to keep the grass circulating longer, while the precision clearance between the deck and the blades improves circulation and the unique design diverts the cut clippings back into the blades to further reduce the clipping size.
The Honda HRX217K5VKA is equipped with large 9” ball bearing wheels that would help in maneuvering this otherwise heavy gas-powered lawnmower. A part of the power from the engine is diverted to the rear wheels.
The energy delivered to the rear wheels helps in self-propelling the mower. The rear-wheel-drive will help you in guiding the lawnmower even through hilly or uneven terrain with ease. Each wheel has a height adjustment lever to adjust the deck height at 7 different positions.
A quick-release 3 position adjustable handle will aid in maneuvering the lawnmower. The handle has a quick release latch on each side that allows you to fold the handle right into the mower deck so that it becomes compact and you can easily store it in your garage space.
The handle can be adjusted to three different positions so that you can set it at a height that is most convenient for you. The handle has a maximum height of 41” that is tall enough for people over 6 feet.
The Select Drive Control forms a part of the mower handle. This helps in controlling the speed of the mower with a simple speed adjust dial. The position of the Select Control Drive adds to the convenience of the operator.
The Honda HRX217K5VKA boasts of a Versamow system that enables you to choose how much you want to mulch and how much you want to bag.
You can actually choose a part of both at the same time and a green colored handle also called the Clip Director will help you in this process.
The rear discharge clippings are directed to a large removable bag that has a capacity of 2.5 Bushels.
The Honda HRX217K5VKA is powered by a 190cc reliable Honda GCV engine with an auto choke for easy starting and a manual fuel valve to shut off the fuel flow during transport storage or maintenance.
The engine meets all the standards set by EPA and CARB and hence you do not have to worry about the permission to use such a mower in your locality.
EASE OF USE
The ergonomically designed handle, the Select Drive Control on the handlebar, the large 9” wheels and the rear-wheel-drive all contribute to the ease with which you can move your lawnmower across your lawn.
The Speed Drive Control has a dial that will help you to set the speed of the lawnmower in accordance with your stride and the roughness of the patch. The maximum speed that you can set it in is 4MPH.
Maneuvering this large machine even in a hilly uneven terrain wouldn’t pose much of a problem. The best part of a self-propelled lawnmower is that it takes off the strain from your muscles and the only thing you have to do is guide it through the right path.
On the other hand, the powerful four-stroke Honda GCV machine is extremely reliable and will never let you down. Equipped with an auto choke transmission it will never give you a starting problem and a single pull of the cord will make the engine purr.
The height adjustment of the deck can be a little frustrating as you need to adjust the lever attached to each wheel to set the whole deck to a certain height. A single lever would have been of great conveniences but this definitely enhances the accuracy of the adjustment.
PERFORMANCE
The Honda HRX217K5VKA has a twin blade Micro-Cut system that leaves you with an ultimate mowing experience and a great clean cut smooth lawn surface. Each blade of grass is guided to the upper blade that makes the first cut and then delivers it to the lower blade to make a smaller cut.
The clippings then circulate inside the deck so that they are cut further into smaller pieces. The smaller clippings are not only easily decomposed if discharged into the field but will also eliminate any risk of clumping and will give you a better-looking lawn.
The lever at each wheel lets you adjust the height of the deck. You can choose from seven different height options which range between 0.75” and 4”.
The Honda HRX217K5VKA has a unique Versamow system that helps you manage the clippings. A single knob or the clip director is attached to a sliding door under the deck. When fully open the clippings are directed to the bag for later disposal. The large 2.5
Bushels bag does not fill up easily and can be easily removed and emptied at your convenience. You can adjust the knob to set how much clipping you want to bag and how much you want to mulch. In a full mulch mode, the door is completely closed.
The clippings do not find their way to the bag and are more finely mulched and then directed to the ground. The mower doesn’t have a side discharge mode like most other ones in this category but that may not pose much of a problem.
MAINTENANCE
The Honda HRX217K5VKA does not require extensive maintenance and can start with a single pull or two even after a long resting period due to the auto choke transmission. The standard gas-powered lawn mower maintenance protocol is the basic that you have to follow. The Honda lawn mower lacks an integrated port or deck wash system that facilitates cleaning.
SAFETY FEATURES
The flywheel brake lever stops the engine as soon as you let it go. This is an important safety feature along with the manual fuel valve that is used during transport storage and maintenance works.
WARRANTY
The NeXite deck comes with a limited lifetime warranty while there is a 5-year warranty on the entire lawnmower when used for residential purposes and a 90-day warranty when used commercially.