Honda or Toro

Thinking my 16 y.o. Husqvarna self propelled is not long for this world.

Any Honda owners with an opinion or Toro with the personal pace feature care to comment?

 

Never had a Toro, but after getting a Honda generator, I will only buy Honda small engines from now on if they are an option.

You might check the tractor and mower thread as well.

 

I looked for a mower thread and didn't see one...Can you point me at it? Thanx

 

This might be the thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-with…-boat-engines-and-water-heaters.649569/

 

Thanks Venom...exactly what I was looking for

 

Had my toro about 8 years now or so. Still starts on first pull every time. Can’t go wrong with Hondas either.

 

I have a Husqvarna mower with Honda engine. The mower body will rust out before the engine breaks.

I only buy Honda power equipment or Honda powered equipment.

 

My current Husqvarna was been a real workhorse. I may look at the AWD if my dealer has any.

 

I have the push mower. Husqvarna has discontinued all pushing mower, maybe the AWD. I think Husqvarna mentioned they're only making riding mowers.

 

I have a Honda powered Husqvarna and love it. Previously had a Honda powered Craftsman and when the deck finally rusted out, my son took the motor and installed it on another deck. A few years back we switched all our small engine equipment (generators, pumps, fans etc) to the Hondas and never looked back. The GCV160 and GX motors are bulletproof, just make sure to use premium fuel with no ethanol. Oh, and mice tend to like the wiring.

 

I've used a bunch of honda snowblowers at work and I'd only buy honda, one of them is 25 years old and still starts on the first pull every time.

 

I build wire cages to house my generator, water pump and mower in the garden shed. Little basterds!

 

Landscaped for a living for over 18 years. Ran a Honda commercial self propelled with blade brake clutch for 8 of those years. Started first pull every time until someone stole it out of my truck. Ran 2 Ariens with Kawasaki engines for remaining 10 years after that. Great mower as well. Started 1st pull every time. Thing was a tank and the self propel mechanism was superior to the Honda. Looks like Ariens discontinued their product line. But you can’t go wrong with a Honda either.

 

I have both a toro timemaster 30 inch and a honda hhr 21 inch. The toro and honda self propelled control is different but both work just fine once your use to it, I do think the toro has a faster max speed but that may be due to the larger engine. Both start first or second pull even though they are both over 5 years old.
Only negative about the Honda is that the rear drive wheels are known to lockup in reverse sometimes, I think the did fixed the issue for newer models.
I do think the Honda self propell control is a little simpler/more ergonomic but I grow up using a Honda so it may just be ingrained muscle memory by this point.

If you want to try either of them I would check what your local HD rents, some have Toro and some have Honda, you could easily rent one of each for the same day and try the self propelled system out to see what feels better for you. I think you'll be very happy with either toro or honda.

 

The self propelled system in the Honda is indeed improved. I bought a new HRN216 in 2021 and it has been flawless. You can reverse it just fine; it'll freewheel just like a non-self propelled.

 

I have a Honda and love it; best mower I've ever had. I think my model is HRX217.

 

Fairly certain that's what we're going with. Mrs. SpruceMica preferred the ergonomics of the controls and if she'll mow who am I to argue

 

I like the variable mulching system. Most others are either bag or mulch. Honda lets you have 10 settings of bag/mulch. Also, the wheels have bearings, not bushings. The plastic deck is super easy to maintain.
You’ll like it for sure.

 

This is the one I have. I got it at Home Depot several years ago. I think it was about $650 or so back then. There are fancier models in that lineup, but I think they are basically "creature comforts" (like electric start, for example). I just wanted a decent mower to last a long, long time. I use a small velcro strip to hold the bar against the handle to keep the motor running while emptying the bag. Works like a champ.

https://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/models/hrx217vka

 

I've had a Honda HRX217HXA since 2005, haven't treated it particularly well and it's still trucking along beautifully. Also starts first pull. Takes about 15 seconds to warm up before I can engage the blade.