We want everything yesterday!

 

I remember as a kid, waiting for things. But I think even myself, over the last 10 years, I don't feel anything should take more than 2-3 days to get. I did order a car in 10/06 and it took 9 weeks to arrive--boy that was a rough 9 weeks!

I just ordered a lawnmower which is scheduled to arrive 4/30 at one of the big box stores. Oddly, we have few in stock in the entire Phila. area. My hunch? People don't mow their lawn as much themselves?

Switch the area to CT or MA, and each store has like 22 in stock!

Decided to treat myself to a Honda, and not even the entry level. What the heck, can't take it with you. The last time I got a lawn mower was in 2002. It still runs, but the decking corroded and grass sprays out the front...

Page 1>>

Honda mower

I have had a honda (walk behind) mower for 5 years. It starts and runs great and does a wonderful job of cutting/mulching, but I wouldn't buy it again. It is the rear wheel drive self propelled model, and my main complaint is that it has very strong resistance when pulling it backwards when the drive system is disengaged. Many times, the rear wheels won't turn at all and just skid across the grass when pulling it backwards. I have a lot of areas in my yard where I have to push the mower under low hanging evergreen trees, then pull it back out from under the tree to do the next swath. The resistance in the rear wheels makes that a difficult job. I wish I had just bought a free wheeling non self propelled model.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Glasses in one hour

Some things are slower now than before. In the ‘50s I recall optometrists who would produce a finished product in an hour.

if

alandb wrote:

I have had a honda (walk behind) mower for 5 years. It starts and runs great and does a wonderful job of cutting/mulching, but I wouldn't buy it again. It is the rear wheel drive self propelled model, and my main complaint is that it has very strong resistance when pulling it backwards when the drive system is disengaged. Many times, the rear wheels won't turn at all and just skid across the grass when pulling it backwards. I have a lot of areas in my yard where I have to push the mower under low hanging evergreen trees, then pull it back out from under the tree to do the next swath. The resistance in the rear wheels makes that a difficult job. I wish I had just bought a free wheeling non self propelled model.

If the one with the blade brake were available I would have even gotten that! I don't really need the self-propelled, never had one. That is interesting that it doesn't like to be pulled back--is yours the regular one or the hydrostatic? That's a term I remember from being a kid, my dad was looking at Club Cadets with it...then he went buck wild and got a 17 HP Kubota diesel, with an 8 speed manual and farm tires! I guess I got some of that from my dad, though I'm more in check...

Well...

I remember as a kid, if we ordered anything by mail, we had to fill out some form, mail it with a check, then wait.

How did we survive?

--
When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.

Adjust the drive cable

alandb wrote:

I have had a honda (walk behind) mower for 5 years. It starts and runs great and does a wonderful job of cutting/mulching, but I wouldn't buy it again. It is the rear wheel drive self propelled model, and my main complaint is that it has very strong resistance when pulling it backwards when the drive system is disengaged. Many times, the rear wheels won't turn at all and just skid across the grass when pulling it backwards. I have a lot of areas in my yard where I have to push the mower under low hanging evergreen trees, then pull it back out from under the tree to do the next swath. The resistance in the rear wheels makes that a difficult job. I wish I had just bought a free wheeling non self propelled model.

Virtually all Honda self-propelled mowers are designed to be pulled backward when the drive is disengaged. From what you describe, the drive cable may need an adjustment. Post the model number and someone can likely offer some help.

--
John from PA

Your self-Propelled Honda is probably not adjusted correctly

John from PA wrote:
alandb wrote:

I have had a honda (walk behind) mower for 5 years. It starts and runs great and does a wonderful job of cutting/mulching, but I wouldn't buy it again. It is the rear wheel drive self propelled model, and my main complaint is that it has very strong resistance when pulling it backwards when the drive system is disengaged. Many times, the rear wheels won't turn at all and just skid across the grass when pulling it backwards. I have a lot of areas in my yard where I have to push the mower under low hanging evergreen trees, then pull it back out from under the tree to do the next swath. The resistance in the rear wheels makes that a difficult job. I wish I had just bought a free wheeling non self propelled model.

Virtually all Honda sel-propelled mowers designed to be pulled backward when the drive is disengaged. From what you describe, the drive cable may need an adjustment. Post the model number and someone can likely offer some help.

Yeah that's not right. I have a self-propelled Honda too, about the same age, and while I usually leave the blade engaged pulling backwards, I always release the drive bar before pulling backwards. Once I do that, pulling backwards offers almost zero resistance, the same as if the mower isn't running. That is what all self-propelled Honda mowers have been designed to do at least since the 1980s.

Of course, if I leave the drive bar, which is a different lever than the blade bar, engaged, my mower too would do what your mower is doing, because then I'm fighting against what the self-propelled drive system is doing. That would also risk excessive wear to the drive system. I don't mean to insult you here, but the possibility of user error is worth checking one more time before putting time and money into a fix.

Try this: start the mower. Don't engage the blade if your mower has a blade-brake clutch (this keeps the motor from shutting down when the blade is not engaged--this is found on self-propelled Hondas costing about $750+ but not $400). Set the drive speed lever to a middle setting. With the mower motor running on level ground and the drive bar released, your mower should be stationary. Now just push the drive bar alone forward with fingers without propelling the mower forward with your arms or legs. At that point the mower should move forward until the drive bar is released, at which point, it should stop moving forward again, and you should be able to use two fingers on each hand to pull the mower backwards without resistance, the same as you could if the mower motor was shut off. If it works correctly at a middle setting of the drive speed lever, push that same drive speed lever up to high and try again.

If there's any question about which bar is the self-propelled drive bar, check out the mower user manual (available online for free download if you no longer have a print copy).

If you are indeed disengaging the drive bar before pulling backwards and you still have to fight to pull the mower backwards, or if the mower moves forward even a little bit when running but with no pushing from your arms or legs when the drive bar is released, something is wrong with your Honda mower and probably was from Day One. It is fixable.

A mis-adjusted cable is a good candidate among several possible causes. You can find YouTube videos and other webpages that address this issue. YMMV fixing this yourself, but taking it in for repair (which will now be off warranty) at this busiest time of year for mower shops will probably result in a lengthy delay before you get the mower back, although they should be able to fix this for you. Can you borrow a neighbor's mower while awaiting diagnosis and repair?

You should get this taken care of though. First of all, Honda mowers are expensive, and you're not getting what you paid to get and what Honda owners generally do get. And what you describe is a potential safety or mower wear issue if the drive bar/self-propelled system is not working correctly.

--
"141 could draw faster than he, but Irving was looking for 143..."

Got this last summer... June

Got this last summer... June I think

https://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/models/hrx217vk...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-21-in-NeXite-Variable-Spee...

It was $10 cheaper and discover had the 5% back along with HD 11% rebate

Net cost after all the discount was around $580. The last lawn mower was a toro from the mid 80's. If this one lasts 15 years will be a nice.

During the summer it starts up on the first pull so long as fuel valve has been opened for a few minutes. I tend to run it dry after each run to ensure minimal/no fuel remains in the bowl.

No issues rolling it back. It is a bigger/bulkier machine than the old toro. Did the first cut of the year the other day. There were some areas of pretty thick grass. Areas where the toro stalled several times. This thing went through it like it was nothing. 200cc's probably over kill, but you can never have enough power smile.

Got the unit from a local store. At nearly 100lb, surviving ups/fedex transit would be difficult.

Bought a recliner

johnnatash4 wrote:

I remember as a kid, waiting for things. But I think even myself, over the last 10 years, I don't feel anything should take more than 2-3 days to get. I did order a car in 10/06 and it took 9 weeks to arrive--boy that was a rough 9 weeks!...

On March 1st I ordered a recliner, pickup scheduled for March 17th. Super! Even got rid of my old recliner. Moved a small couch over to where the old recliner used to be and life was okay. Not good but okay. Oops! Get a message from the store: the delivery of my new recliner has been pushed back from March 17th to April 14th. Damn! But nothing I can do about it, it is what it is. Oops! Toward the end of March I get another call from store: the delivery of my new recliner has been pushed back from April 14th to May 5th. Damn. But nothing I can do about it; after all, it is what it is, right?
So here I sit, on a couch I've grown to dislike immensely, waiting for the next call from the store and hoping to hear: Hey, your recliner is here you can come and pick it up. We'll see.

Phil

--
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

Talk About Wait Times!

johnnatash4 wrote:

I remember as a kid, waiting for things. But I think even myself, over the last 10 years, I don't feel anything should take more than 2-3 days to get. I did order a car in 10/06 and it took 9 weeks to arrive--boy that was a rough 9 weeks!

I just ordered a new pickup and was told the wait was 16 weeks!! Apparently, the worldwide shortage of computer chips is to blame.

son of a gun

zx1100e1 wrote:

Got this last summer... June I think

https://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/models/hrx217vk...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-21-in-NeXite-Variable-Spee...

It was $10 cheaper and discover had the 5% back along with HD 11% rebate

Net cost after all the discount was around $580. The last lawn mower was a toro from the mid 80's. If this one lasts 15 years will be a nice.

During the summer it starts up on the first pull so long as fuel valve has been opened for a few minutes. I tend to run it dry after each run to ensure minimal/no fuel remains in the bowl.

No issues rolling it back. It is a bigger/bulkier machine than the old toro. Did the first cut of the year the other day. There were some areas of pretty thick grass. Areas where the toro stalled several times. This thing went through it like it was nothing. 200cc's probably over kill, but you can never have enough power smile.

Got the unit from a local store. At nearly 100lb, surviving ups/fedex transit would be difficult.

That's it! That's the one I ordered yesterday. 5% Chase Freedom and 0% tax because I'm shipping it to a DE store. I know what your thinking but I have a clear conscience lol

Do you think it's a coincidence these big box stores are located in NH right over the MA border?

I'm just thinking how nice it will be to not have grass spraying out the front, put it with it for 3 seasons.

And no lie--if the one that had the blade stop were available I woulda clicked it and picked it up!!

Man it's like I'm even thinking of not using my old gas in it, and of changing the oil in 5 hours of use. My old machine I changed the oil 1X since 2002!

Today I ordered my son a new bike--wth $179 on amazon for a kids' 20"? Then Walmart $59 for a Huffy! Ordered that at 7 AM EDT, 23 min. later get an email ready for pickup. Now if only HD could do that with my mower!

Just saying ... ;)

https://www.revenue.pa.gov/generaltaxinformation/tax%20types...

johnnatash4 wrote:

That's it! That's the one I ordered yesterday. 5% Chase Freedom and 0% tax because I'm shipping it to a DE store. I know what your thinking but I have a clear conscience lol

Do you think it's a coincidence these big box stores are located in NH right over the MA border?

I'm just thinking how nice it will be to not have grass spraying out the front, put it with it for 3 seasons.

And no lie--if the one that had the blade stop were available I woulda clicked it and picked it up!!

Man it's like I'm even thinking of not using my old gas in it, and of changing the oil in 5 hours of use. My old machine I changed the oil 1X since 2002!

Today I ordered my son a new bike--wth $179 on amazon for a kids' 20"? Then Walmart $59 for a Huffy! Ordered that at 7 AM EDT, 23 min. later get an email ready for pickup. Now if only HD could do that with my mower!

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

as

soberbyker wrote:

https://www.revenue.pa.gov/generaltaxinformation/tax%20types...

johnnatash4 wrote:

That's it! That's the one I ordered yesterday. 5% Chase Freedom and 0% tax because I'm shipping it to a DE store. I know what your thinking but I have a clear conscience lol

Do you think it's a coincidence these big box stores are located in NH right over the MA border?

I'm just thinking how nice it will be to not have grass spraying out the front, put it with it for 3 seasons.

And no lie--if the one that had the blade stop were available I woulda clicked it and picked it up!!

Man it's like I'm even thinking of not using my old gas in it, and of changing the oil in 5 hours of use. My old machine I changed the oil 1X since 2002!

Today I ordered my son a new bike--wth $179 on amazon for a kids' 20"? Then Walmart $59 for a Huffy! Ordered that at 7 AM EDT, 23 min. later get an email ready for pickup. Now if only HD could do that with my mower!

As you probably know, go to a wine/beer place at 8 AM EDT on a Saturday, and the parking lot is full of PA and NJ cars, NJ being bad offenders, but given their taxes, understandable. No different than NH with MA and ME plates, or OR with WA plates, etc.

PA considers everyone who earns more than 49k /yr to be rich and should get a 43% income tax increase. So to be fair, we need to save money where we can. If I had time I woulda got the Huffy somewhere else too. And how about this one? Buy something in DE, return in PA, and the return includes 6% sales tax. Maybe Harrisburg ought to check into it!

Personally I don't believe in SD v. Wayfair but scotus did, so that's that.

SHOULDN'T

I shouldn't keep checking but the quantity of lawnmowers available has gone from 130 to 32 in one day.

I have had my orders fail before with HD, they're not that good and should hire a new 3PL!

What I mean is if you follow the link, it will say "32 ready for delivery to 19xxx"....and that number dropped by 100 in 36 hours. Hot item.

Quality Honda from Home Depot differs

Maybe you should try the new one. I don't have any issues with that. Only thing when I did decide to have it last 2 years ago, I did go to Honda, not Home Depot because I ve been told the quality from Honda dealer better than HomeDepot. But your experience may be different. I love it. Only thing I feel sorry for Honda that it cannot cut through the stones smile The blade hits many times to the stone and there's many cracks.

I live in severe weather. There's one time I didn't have time to store it in heated garage, then next summer, it cannot start. I feel broke at that time, but after several days trying, it can start again with cord or with start button. That's amazing.

Highly recommended over other brand, except Honda Civic! Quality on the down hill recently. Hope this help!

Quality Honda from Home Depot differs

anh wrote:

Maybe you should try the new one. I don't have any issues with that. Only thing when I did decide to have it last 2 years ago, I did go to Honda, not Home Depot because I ve been told the quality from Honda dealer better than HomeDepot. But your experience may be different. I love it. Only thing I feel sorry for Honda that it cannot cut through the stones smile The blade hits many times to the stone and there's many cracks.

I live in severe weather. There's one time I didn't have time to store it in heated garage, then next summer, it cannot start. I feel broke at that time, but after several days trying, it can start again with cord or with start button. That's amazing.

Highly recommended over other brand, except Honda Civic! Quality on the down hill recently. Hope this help!

I don’t buy into that theory. What you're probably seeing is mowers branded "powered by Honda" with honda engines on them. A few manufacturers are doing that now, and MTD is one of them. MTD makes a clone of a honda that is the same color as Honda's push model (the HRR2166PDC) but with a deck made by someone else. Honda mowers have dual blades on most of their mowers. That is one way to tell a 100% Honda machine vs. one powered by Honda.

--
John from PA

Not true

johnnatash4 wrote:

~snip~ And how about this one? Buy something in DE, return in PA, and the return includes 6% sales tax. Maybe Harrisburg ought to check into it!

~snip~

I had bought a fairly large flat screen TV, (not flat panel) in Delaware. After about a month it had developed a few rows of off color stripes. I called a nearby (in PA) (part of the chain) store and asked if I could exchange it there, even though I bought it in Delaware. They could but would have to charge me the tax on the new one. No even up exchange. How about a straight return, I'd get the price on the receipt, no 'extra' because of the 6% tax in PA.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Honda ...

John from PA wrote:

I don’t buy into that theory. What you're probably seeing is mowers branded "powered by Honda" with honda engines on them. A few manufacturers are doing that now, and MTD is one of them. MTD makes a clone of a honda that is the same color as Honda's push model (the HRR2166PDC) but with a deck made by someone else. Honda mowers have dual blades on most of their mowers. That is one way to tell a 100% Honda machine vs. one powered by Honda.

Honda motors are very good quality. I had a (GMC) Saturn Vue that had a Honda J35S1 engine and Honda transmission. Great running car. Prior year Vue's without Honda's help had troubles.

I had a bunch of trouble free Honda Motorcycles, including my first, a 50cc. I have a 2003 Harley Road King, it's had a few issues from time to time the Honda's never had.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

lol

soberbyker wrote:
johnnatash4 wrote:

~snip~ And how about this one? Buy something in DE, return in PA, and the return includes 6% sales tax. Maybe Harrisburg ought to check into it!

~snip~

I had bought a fairly large flat screen TV, (not flat panel) in Delaware. After about a month it had developed a few rows of off color stripes. I called a nearby (in PA) (part of the chain) store and asked if I could exchange it there, even though I bought it in Delaware. They could but would have to charge me the tax on the new one. No even up exchange. How about a straight return, I'd get the price on the receipt, no 'extra' because of the 6% tax in PA.

Either I'm mistaken, or lying, but actually, I'm telling the truth.

I had a battery from Costco DE. Exchanged it in Glen Mills.

Costco doesn't exchange things. They return, and resell. I think it makes sense, sort of like a bank. Avoids errors. I distinctly remember as a kid exchanging things--the courtesy desk holds your exchange and let me go get another item. I'm positive that happened when I was a kid.

Let's say it's an even $100. You would get a refund for $100, then get charged $106, and owe $6. For a $100 item bought in DE and being "exchanged" in PA. In a perfect world.

They returned my battery, gave me what I paid for it per records plus sales tax, then they charged me for a new battery, with sales tax, and actually gave me $2 back net because the price went down as they shortened the warranty from 42 to 36 mos.

I could be lying, I could be mistaken. But I think the detail that I've provided shows that there's more than a 50% chance I'm telling the truth.

Same thing happened when buying in PA, and returning in NJ.

What I think it is? Is that a clerk must do a manual override in order to differentiate with the sales tax, if they do nothing, then a refund is based on the state which is issuing a refund.

Just like you get tires at Costco replaced under warranty. Technincally when you are getting tires using a warranty credit, the "teaser" $110 or $150 off doesn't apply.

1) On a warranty replacement, there is no charge for mounting and balancing, part of that $110 or $150 is to discount the mounting and balancing

2) The computer applies the discount and removes it, 2 transactions. But the people at Costco are nice. They will walk you to the courtesy counter, and have them issue you the $110 or $150.

They have the discretion, which is why imho they and other retailers often miss the sales tax. If you buy in NJ and return in PA? Why should PA refund you anything, you never paid sales tax in PA. Most likely, unless the clerk does something manually, you'll get .06, not .06625. Likely most people would point it out if it's less, but not if it's more, human nature.

Your case is the right way, the way it should be, and I think the clerk took the time to look. It doesn't always happen.

Just thought of one more thing. My mom lives in CT. They like NY and MA have a deposit on cans and bottles. One time, about 12 years ago, I said I'm gonna save the beer bottles and cans that have a 5 cent deposit on them which I bought in DE and PA. I must have had 72 bottles and cans. You guessed it, I got 5 cents each. I'm not making it up, but then again, even if I am, it doesn't matter, I'll never do it again for < $4, I just figured we would be going there let's see what happens.

I'm

John from PA wrote:
anh wrote:

Maybe you should try the new one. I don't have any issues with that. Only thing when I did decide to have it last 2 years ago, I did go to Honda, not Home Depot because I ve been told the quality from Honda dealer better than HomeDepot. But your experience may be different. I love it. Only thing I feel sorry for Honda that it cannot cut through the stones smile The blade hits many times to the stone and there's many cracks.

I live in severe weather. There's one time I didn't have time to store it in heated garage, then next summer, it cannot start. I feel broke at that time, but after several days trying, it can start again with cord or with start button. That's amazing.

Highly recommended over other brand, except Honda Civic! Quality on the down hill recently. Hope this help!

I don’t buy into that theory. What you're probably seeing is mowers branded "powered by Honda" with honda engines on them. A few manufacturers are doing that now, and MTD is one of them. MTD makes a clone of a honda that is the same color as Honda's push model (the HRR2166PDC) but with a deck made by someone else. Honda mowers have dual blades on most of their mowers. That is one way to tell a 100% Honda machine vs. one powered by Honda.

Old enough to remember that Troy Bilt was a great tiller.

They were built in you guessed it, Troy, NY.

Today, they are if I'm not mistaken nothing more than rebranded MTD Yard Machines, with the logo and the red color. I had a 2008 or so troy bilt weed trimmer 2 cycle that was complete junk. I couldn't ever start it.

I don't think Honda is the same deal. They may be made in NC, but it's not the Yard Machines scenario. If it is, so be it, I'm looking to buy a premium machine and seems people online say it is one...

Just checked inventory and tried to make an order--there were only 2 left and it said low inventory (134 yesterday). Put in the zip code for Salem NH and every single store has this mower in stock, 22 in Salem. This is worse than trying to get a tablet where there are no chips and no glass to mfg. them!

LOL x2

johnnatash4 wrote:
soberbyker wrote:
johnnatash4 wrote:

~snip~ And how about this one? Buy something in DE, return in PA, and the return includes 6% sales tax. Maybe Harrisburg ought to check into it!

~snip~

I had bought a fairly large flat screen TV, (not flat panel) in Delaware. After about a month it had developed a few rows of off color stripes. I called a nearby (in PA) (part of the chain) store and asked if I could exchange it there, even though I bought it in Delaware. They could but would have to charge me the tax on the new one. No even up exchange. How about a straight return, I'd get the price on the receipt, no 'extra' because of the 6% tax in PA.

~snip~

Let's say it's an even $100. You would get a refund for $100, then get charged $106, and owe $6. For a $100 item bought in DE and being "exchanged" in PA. In a perfect world.

~snip~

What you said right there, it's the same thing I said about the TV, and the way the law says it should work. Reality and the law can be two different things of course, but it's exactly how it worked for my return, so .... "Either I'm mistaken, or lying, but actually, I'm telling the truth."

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

decisions

Decision making is funny. I said no problem to the price on a mid level Honda push mower. My buddy in FLA who has had mcmansions with the arm that swings out in the kitchen to fill a pasta pot said I've always wanted a Honda, but to tell you the truth, the most I ever spent was $200 on a lawn mower (I also know he doesn't mow his own lawn he hires landscapers).

This AM, I started looking at gas grills, have done without for 3 years, the $109 one I got in 2002 had its burner rust out, and when I replaced with generic, no good. Not the right size.

I feel that I'm at a station in life where deserve I a Weber (I do have a Weber kettle which I use and it's 18 years old). But to be honest? I don't think I can afford one figuratively speaking. At $470, it's a joke and a toy. It needs to be around $1,200 where imho it's got the specs of a normal gas grill.

My buddy above? He's had multiple $1000+ Webers and said they are worth every penny.

My point is isn't it funny how we all have different priorities? I guess, I want something very tangible if I'm going to spend, not just a name. For example, nobody is gonna notice "Honda" on my lawnmower as I push it around. People would notice "Weber" on my grill if they came over for a BBQ. Unfortunately, Char-Broil is what they're gonna see!

On the subject of Weber’s, especially the warranty

I have a Weber, one of the fully stainless steel models. It is about 12 years old. I had recently noticed that the lid has an inner liner which was showing signs of corrosion. When I called Weber to inquire if I could purchase the inner liner, I was advised that the lid has a 20 year warranty! Weber shipped me a new lid, even the shipping was included. When I checked on line, the lid cost is $340. I have also received under warranty, new burners, ignitors and a few other odds and ends.

--
John from PA

ah

John from PA wrote:

I have a Weber, one of the fully stainless steel models. It is about 12 years old. I had recently noticed that the lid has an inner liner which was showing signs of corrosion. When I called Weber to inquire if I could purchase the inner liner, I was advised that the lid has a 20 year warranty! Weber shipped me a new lid, even the shipping was included. When I checked on line, the lid cost is $340. I have also received under warranty, new burners, ignitors and a few other odds and ends.

I think I remember you may have mentioned them when I had mentioned Kohler...well...there is nothing wrong with standing by products. My buddy said a Char-Broil won't last in FLA the way a Weber will....

Add Weber to the list of great American companies...just hard to afford lol

Then again the Kohler I got in 2004 for < $300 was in the mid $700's before being discontinued....things have really gone up in price. That's why a $200 grill is actually cheap, it was $200 in 2004...so maybe the construction is even cheaper....

On the topic of small engine

On the topic of small engine power equipment; storage procedures are very important.

At the end of the season I run all the equipment (lawn mower, blower, trimmer) dry. Even then, a few more starts to just make sure.

Same thing with the snow blowers. Subsequent starts the following season with fresh fuel usually requires 1-3 pulls at most.

During the season I buy .5-1gal of fuel (both for snow and lawn equipment). This allows several sessions within a 3-4 week period before getting fresh fuel.

For 2 cycle equipment I use this oil - https://www.amazon.com/EcoTech-Full-Synthetic-2-Cycle-16-Oun... . It's synthetic and practically smoke free. When done, I don't smell like 2 cycle exhaust.

have

zx1100e1 wrote:

On the topic of small engine power equipment; storage procedures are very important.

At the end of the season I run all the equipment (lawn mower, blower, trimmer) dry. Even then, a few more starts to just make sure.

Same thing with the snow blowers. Subsequent starts the following season with fresh fuel usually requires 1-3 pulls at most.

During the season I buy .5-1gal of fuel (both for snow and lawn equipment). This allows several sessions within a 3-4 week period before getting fresh fuel.

For 2 cycle equipment I use this oil - https://www.amazon.com/EcoTech-Full-Synthetic-2-Cycle-16-Oun... . It's synthetic and practically smoke free. When done, I don't smell like 2 cycle exhaust.

I have to admit, I used Sta bil until it ran out, then I stopped. The snowblower is too big to drain the fuel, and the tank is pretty big, so I leave it to chance. My electric start broke years ago, and it was more than a car to get the part! So I have to pull start a 9 HP engine. Oddly, starts first pull. Sounds like a Harley though, not as smooth as out of the box, but does the job.

the mower I do run it out because it's not that hard. Guess what? I got the mower out yesterday and noticed that when I bag, not as much sprays out the front. I told myself when I get this new Honda it's not going to be that much better, in reality. The other thing is my 2002 says "6.5 HP." I happen to know they no longer put HP on these machines, and that the 200cc Honda is merely 3.8 HP.

The 6.5 HP, however it was determined, the number is not equivalent to Honda's class-leading 3.8 lol

Whenever we allow marketing to use numbers to measure goodness, we lose, they run buck wild. Look at SUVs and cargo space, pretty hard to compare. CR-V's have more than full sized Europeans, etc. But the new Grand Wagoneer is particularly puzzling to me, given its exterior dimensions are even larger than the new Tahoe, which is 7" longer than the 2020. Short of YouTube, we consumers have a hard time getting to the truth...

So on the new mower when it comes, I don't plan on using the old gasoline. Problem is, I have 4.5 gal or so....

btw the 2002 Craftsman with a Briggs and Stratton and empty fuel tank...it started on pull #2 yesterday....oil changed 1X since 2002 and never replaced plug nor air filter. This is its 20th season. I dunno many say they don't make 'em like they used to.

p.s. OT since my son is getting into bike riding, now we need bikes. I was thinking if Costco still sells the one I saw a few years ago (I'm not looking to spend $1,000+). Decided to google the one I bought off someone in the 80's that's in the shed....someone is selling it on eBay for $600 as vintage! dang haven't used it in 15 years though

You can use a siphon to

You can use a siphon to drain the snow blower. I've had to do that in years past when I put too much fuel in and not enough snow came down.

Re bagging, i only bag in the fall when shredding the leaves. The village picks up what's left near the curb. Otherwise grass clippings always get mulched. I don't recall seeing anything (or much of anything) come out the front when full on mulching mode.

I had an elbow injury last fall. Pull starting anything was difficult, glad the electric start worked on the big 2 stage. It typically fires right up... Barely cranks a second.

that's

zx1100e1 wrote:

You can use a siphon to drain the snow blower. I've had to do that in years past when I put too much fuel in and not enough snow came down.

Re bagging, i only bag in the fall when shredding the leaves. The village picks up what's left near the curb. Otherwise grass clippings always get mulched. I don't recall seeing anything (or much of anything) come out the front when full on mulching mode.

I had an elbow injury last fall. Pull starting anything was difficult, glad the electric start worked on the big 2 stage. It typically fires right up... Barely cranks a second.

Great idea, I have a Harbor Freight tools siphon I can use...it's like $5 and change with a coupon, and I think $12 on amazon...

Mine comes out the front because the metal that is parallel to the blade rusted off. Anybody who is particular (I see it on YouTube) would have simply thrown away my mower, it is messy with clippings dropping where they shouldn't The Honda is more for perfectionists being smaller clippings and even a blend of how much between mulch and bag being possible....

We live in a first world country. That mower sold out, another 100 were available yesterday, sold out. Imagine that...

Any way you can plug the hole?

I'm thinking bolt a piece of metal in front of the hole or a piece of plywood. Just thinking because we had to do that on our farm lawn mower when the deck rusted out.

johnnatash4 wrote:
zx1100e1 wrote:

You can use a siphon to drain the snow blower. I've had to do that in years past when I put too much fuel in and not enough snow came down.

Re bagging, i only bag in the fall when shredding the leaves. The village picks up what's left near the curb. Otherwise grass clippings always get mulched. I don't recall seeing anything (or much of anything) come out the front when full on mulching mode.

I had an elbow injury last fall. Pull starting anything was difficult, glad the electric start worked on the big 2 stage. It typically fires right up... Barely cranks a second.

Great idea, I have a Harbor Freight tools siphon I can use...it's like $5 and change with a coupon, and I think $12 on amazon...

Mine comes out the front because the metal that is parallel to the blade rusted off. Anybody who is particular (I see it on YouTube) would have simply thrown away my mower, it is messy with clippings dropping where they shouldn't The Honda is more for perfectionists being smaller clippings and even a blend of how much between mulch and bag being possible....

We live in a first world country. That mower sold out, another 100 were available yesterday, sold out. Imagine that...

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

Honda Mower

I bought a Honda mower and love it. It starts right up every time. My back is too funky to use a push model anymore and the self-propelled mower is the way to go for me. When I let go of a handle the motor keeps on running but the blade stops so I can empty the bag with the mower running and I can use the self-propelling feature to drive the thing around without the blade turning. It doesn't seem to have an issue when pulling it backwards - rolls just fine. Now if only it would do the mowing unattended that would be great.

--
GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S

If you've got the money...

thrak wrote:

Now if only it would do the mowing unattended that would be great.

If you've got the $$$ and the right kind of lawn layout and terrain (like a flat, large backyard; I do not), that problem's been solved with several available robot lawnmowers:

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-robot-lawn-mowers

They're pricey little suckers though. Make the Hondas look cheap. Though I guess compared to a riding mower, tractor, or landscaper, those prices may not be so bad.

--
"141 could draw faster than he, but Irving was looking for 143..."

It started every time!

thrak wrote:

I bought a Honda mower and love it. It starts right up every time. ...

In the '80s I had a Craftsman electric mower and hated it. It started every time!

Honda mower

John from PA wrote:
alandb wrote:

I have had a honda (walk behind) mower for 5 years. It starts and runs great and does a wonderful job of cutting/mulching, but I wouldn't buy it again. It is the rear wheel drive self propelled model, and my main complaint is that it has very strong resistance when pulling it backwards when the drive system is disengaged. Many times, the rear wheels won't turn at all and just skid across the grass when pulling it backwards. I have a lot of areas in my yard where I have to push the mower under low hanging evergreen trees, then pull it back out from under the tree to do the next swath. The resistance in the rear wheels makes that a difficult job. I wish I had just bought a free wheeling non self propelled model.

Virtually all Honda self-propelled mowers are designed to be pulled backward when the drive is disengaged. From what you describe, the drive cable may need an adjustment. Post the model number and someone can likely offer some help.

Thanks to John From PA and Lost Anyway for responding to my complaint about my Honda mower offering resistance when pulling it backwards. Sorry it took so long to acknowledge your help and respond.

My Honda is Model HRR216VKA from Home Depot purchased in 2016. It doesn't have a separate blade clutch, when you release the engagement bar, the motor stops along with the blade. The rear wheel drive system uses thumb paddles, not an engagement bar. You control the drive speed by how far you push the paddles.

With the motor stopped, the rear drive wheels click and offer a very small amount of resistance pushing it forward. When pulling it backwards though, the wheels do not click, and offer significant resistance, but they are not locked up. Interestingly, they actually offer less resistance pulling backward when the motor is running. I suppose it is the blade brake causing the additional resistance when the motor is not running. But even with the motor running there is still enough resistance that the tires will skid when pulling it backwards on wet grass.

I have had the local small engine shop look at it and they tell me it is normal for this model and many people have complained about it. It is caused by the wheels having to turn the gears in the transmission box when pulling it backwards. When pushing forward, there is a spring release mechanism in the drive gears in the rear wheels and that is why you hear the clicking. But when pulling it backwards, the springs do not release the gears and cause it to turn the axels and transmission box causing the resistance. My next door neighbor has the exact same mower (one or two years older than mine) and it does the same thing.

Other than that one complaint, the mower starts and runs beautifully and does a great job of cutting and mulching. All I have ever had to do for maintenance is change the oil and sharpen the blades. I have learned to live with it, but I guess it doesn't stop me from complaining. grin My back yard is over 1/2 acre, so I only use the Honda for trimming around the edges and under the trees. I ride on my Craftsman Pro for the rest of it. It takes me about 1 hour with the Honda (including my small front yard plus the trimming in the back yard) and about 45 minutes on the Craftsman rider to do the 1/2 acre. Then if I have to do the weed whacker along the fence and foundation, that adds about another 45 minutes. Then, add another 1/2 hour to do the mower clean-up and finish up by relaxing in the lawn chair with a cold beer and I have spoiled the better part of an afternoon. Oh well ... one advantage of being retired I guess.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Another idea ...

pwohlrab wrote:

I'm thinking bolt a piece of metal in front of the hole or a piece of plywood. Just thinking because we had to do that on our farm lawn mower when the deck rusted out.

Look around for a yard sale, someone might have the reverse problem, deck is good motor is shot, transfer the motor. If you (johnnatash4) use facebook there are a ton of groups of folks looking to give stuff away rather than throw it out, there are also online yard sales. Now is a good time of year to take a drive on trash day and find one someone is throwing out for whatever reason. All you need is a good deck. I've done it in the past.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Expedited Shipping

johnnatash4 wrote:

I remember as a kid, waiting for things. But I think even myself, over the last 10 years, I don't feel anything should take more than 2-3 days to get. I did order a car in 10/06 and it took 9 weeks to arrive--boy that was a rough 9 weeks!...

Ever get upset when you order something online and pay for expedited shipping and they wait a week to ship it?
Mark

Funny you should mention a Craftsman mower

minke wrote:
thrak wrote:

I bought a Honda mower and love it. It starts right up every time. ...

In the '80s I had a Craftsman electric mower and hated it. It started every time!

I also had a Craftsman electric mower but in the 70s. You couldn't beat it for the convenience of starting, but I remember having to move that cord out of the way all the time.

Phil

--
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

I just kept hoping for a failure.

plunder wrote:
minke wrote:
thrak wrote:

I bought a Honda mower and love it. It starts right up every time. ...

In the '80s I had a Craftsman electric mower and hated it. It started every time!

I also had a Craftsman electric mower but in the 70s. You couldn't beat it for the convenience of starting, but I remember having to move that cord out of the way all the time.

Phil

I just kept hoping for a failure.

Honda rear-wheel lockup

alandb wrote:

My Honda is Model HRR216VKA from Home Depot purchased in 2016. It doesn't have a separate blade clutch, when you release the engagement bar, the motor stops along with the blade. The rear wheel drive system uses thumb paddles, not an engagement bar. You control the drive speed by how far you push the paddles.

With the motor stopped, the rear drive wheels click and offer a very small amount of resistance pushing it forward. When pulling it backwards though, the wheels do not click, and offer significant resistance, but they are not locked up. Interestingly, they actually offer less resistance pulling backward when the motor is running. I suppose it is the blade brake causing the additional resistance when the motor is not running. But even with the motor running there is still enough resistance that the tires will skid when pulling it backwards on wet grass.

I have had the local small engine shop look at it and they tell me it is normal for this model and many people have complained about it. It is caused by the wheels having to turn the gears in the transmission box when pulling it backwards. When pushing forward, there is a spring release mechanism in the drive gears in the rear wheels and that is why you hear the clicking. But when pulling it backwards, the springs do not release the gears and cause it to turn the axels and transmission box causing the resistance. My next door neighbor has the exact same mower (one or two years older than mine) and it does the same thing.

Other than that one complaint, the mower starts and runs beautifully and does a great job of cutting and mulching. All I have ever had to do for maintenance is change the oil and sharpen the blades. I have learned to live with it, but I guess it doesn't stop me from complaining. grin My back yard is over 1/2 acre, so I only use the Honda for trimming around the edges and under the trees. I ride on my Craftsman Pro for the rest of it. It takes me about 1 hour with the Honda (including my small front yard plus the trimming in the back yard) and about 45 minutes on the Craftsman rider to do the 1/2 acre. Then if I have to do the weed whacker along the fence and foundation, that adds about another 45 minutes. Then, add another 1/2 hour to do the mower clean-up and finish up by relaxing in the lawn chair with a cold beer and I have spoiled the better part of an afternoon. Oh well ... one advantage of being retired I guess.

That rear-wheel problem would be really annoying to me as well. Websearching this model number, I do see many complaints about this issue. Most Honda self-propelled mowers do not do this. A few Honda models produced around this time apparently were built with undersized bushings that caused many complaints about rear-wheel lockup when backing up.

See for example: https://www.simplyadditions.com/Blogs/Problem-with-Honda-HRR...

Honda issued service bulletin 107 describing a fix. The fix was performed free of charge for the first three years but now is out-of-warranty. It can still be done by a Honda dealer, reportedly at a reasonable parts-and-labor cost, or can be do-it-yourself, replacing a height adjuster arm with a bushing on each rear wheel side.

Here is a webpage showing Service Bulletin 107, but note that the model numbers are slightly different than yours with two extra letters, which the bulletin says means it doesn't apply to your model, but it probably really does apply to your model as well:

https://www.lawnmowerforum.com/threads/honda-hrr-models-rear...

--
"141 could draw faster than he, but Irving was looking for 143..."

Thanks for the info and links!

@Lost Anyway. At least I know that this problem isn't something I just dreamed up.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Cheap way to cut your lawn by itsself

--
Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

Cheap Way To Cut Your Lawn By Itsself

bobkz wrote:

check this out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmCQkosIa2k

Now that's the way to do it.

--
johnm405 660 & MSS&T

must be a Ford

must be a Ford

Too bad our biggest section

Too bad our biggest section is a rectangle. It takes at least a dozen passes (maybe more) to get it done.

I'm going to try doing it on an angle next time, just to see how well it comes out (or doesn't).

I always switch up my mowing and will do on the diagonal

zx1100e1 wrote:

Too bad our biggest section is a rectangle. It takes at least a dozen passes (maybe more) to get it done.

I'm going to try doing it on an angle next time, just to see how well it comes out (or doesn't).

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

the mower

is finally on a trailer and headed to the store. How odd is it, that I will have never owned a Honda product of any kind, until 2021? Toyota, 2016. Strange indeed.

It is unusual to me, that the big orange home center store sold out of the mower, when it's that pricey. Also, how every store in MA and NH have 10-20 in stock. What if someone in the mid Atlantic, or Northwest, want to buy this mower, and none are available, as they're all up in New England, sitting on shelves? I've watched. Since I placed my order on 4/15, the Salem NH store sold 1 mower, and has had 21 in stock for a long time. There was a 2nd batch down here that hit stores and all sold out. I was about this far away from treating myself to one with a hydrostatic transmission, as 7 of those were available in a store 14 miles away. Yep, sold out. I dunno if that transmission is really needed (on my snowblower wouldn't it be nice to have, as mine is the pin lock aka 1WD), but I do remember as a kid, my dad was looking at Cub Cadets with hydrostatic transmissions. He ultimately went even further and got a diesel Kubota with an 8 speed manual and front end loader and farm tires....

Must use those stimulus

Must use those stimulus funds somehow.

When we got ours last June, the closest 5 HD stores were OOS. Had to go out about 15 miles to one in the suburbs. Even they had low stock, 2 or 3 of this model ($700 mower). It's the start of the season and many are prob still working from home, so why pay a landscaper when you can do it yourself.

By my calculations it will take us 2 years to break even on the blower, mower and wacker. So next season it will be all profit smile

On a side note, ordered a skillet from macy's on the 17th. It's still "processing" with no specific eta. Customer service says it's scheduled to ship today. Macy's != amazon for sure!

If you ordered from Macys,

If you ordered from Macys, good chance it's coming from China, especially if they can't give you any shipping data.

--
Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267

Says made in italy

Says made in italy https://www.macys.com/shop/product/ballarini-parma-plus-nons... .

Maybe designed in italy, made in china. So far no tracking #. We'll see if something updates later today or tomorrow am.

Monday came and went. Got an

Monday came and went. Got an email early this morning. Item is on back order. It took macy a week to figure this out!@#

We'll give it a few weeks, see if it ships. Told ma not to get her hopes up.

Expectations too high?

zx1100e1 wrote:

Monday came and went. Got an email early this morning. Item is on back order. It took macy a week to figure this out!@

Just use an alternative source.

That same item is available online via Bed Bath and Beyond at $30 but the discount takes it down to $25. You need to pay the shipping although if you are a BB&B member that is free and actually under some circumstances the price might come down further. See https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/ballarini-par...

Also available on Amazon at $25. See https://www.amazon.com/Ballarini-75001-641-Aluminum-Nonstick....

--
John from PA

^^Genius!!As much as I hate

^^Genius!!

As much as I hate amz, I ordered it from them. Should be here Friday. There's a $3.96 coupon too. Mom should be happy smile

Don't know why I didn't look there too. I assumed mom did her research.

Page 1>>