I've started my 20th season with my Honda Masters.
I love the BBC since I can leave the engine running when I dump the bag.
Saves wear & tear on the starter mechanism too.
Only thing to really watch is to make sure the deck isn't clogged up when engaging. That's easy to do if you don't dump the bag soon enough. I tortured my BBC the first year until I got a bit smarter, since it was the first mower I'd used that could actually fill the bag and keep running.

The Blade brake clutch is bulletproof & a great convienence to have on a mower. If you are afraid of it at all then just put the throttle down to idle if you walk away from the mower or disengage the blade brake. Trust me, if the one in 50 million thing happens & the blade engages then the engine will die. But really, the blade is UNDER the the mower deck. You don't really even get close to it when you remove a bagger off the back of the machine. And if for any reason you need to look or reach under the mower deck then the engine should be turned off, no exceptions.

The commercial grade BBC used on the Masters series is virtually bullet proof under homeowner use. The HRX has a different design BBC and won't last as long as Bills but it really won't give any problem unless for some reason a bottom crank seal leak develops. But that would be true of the Masters commercial clutch. The pads don't like oil.

avoid the bbc at all cost! more stuff to go wrong

Lawnmowerdan

The same could be said for power windows and doors in cars, but that wouldn't stop me from having these creature comforts. Of course there's always the possibility that something "could" go wrong with the BBC, but my question is what is the probability? From the posts before you they sound pretty bulletproof.

If you don't mind the higher cost, I think a blade brake is great. Although Honda does offer identical models with BBC and zone start, you can figure BBC is about a $100 adder. I have had Hondas, Kubotas, Snappers and Toros with BBC.

Honda and Kubota are very robust. Should not give you problems over life of the mower, provided you keep it clean and dry, and don't lose a crankshaft oil seal. Only had one Snapper, though it was less reliable because it did slip. Have had Toros with Tecumseh and Suzuki engines and performed well, although I think design is kind of "Mickey Mouse" with the belt drive arrangement.

If you are going to mulch, the BBC is not as big a deal. However, if you are bagging, it's a big improvement over zone start. It's nice to be able to idle down the motor, empty the bag, and then take off again without having to restart the engine every time.

One major reason I like it is I have to drive my mower up a 2 x 6 x 10 ft to get to my front yard and without it I would have to pull or push the mower up.

Hi,

I think Blade Brakes are now required by mower regulations. So it is difficult to buy a new mower with it. Having said that I think the Blade Brake is a good idea. I was mowing a slope and fell. The mower came towards me but I was O.K.

The mower I have is a Honda HRC 216 Commercial. The blade brake stopped the blade as soon as I fell and released the two control levers which are spring loaded. It also disengaged the drive.

For this reason I think blade brakes are a good idea.

best, Mike.

My old Honda had it, and it was bulletproof. I never had a problem with it. When I bought my Toro, many said Toro's system wasn't as strong, so I passed.

"I think Blade Brakes are now required by mower regulations. So it is difficult to buy a new mower with it. Having said that I think the Blade Brake is a good idea. I was mowing a slope and fell. The mower came towards me but I was O.K. "

No. It is not required. It one way of satisfying a reg that requires the blade stop when the deadman switch is released. Another method is to simply shut the motor off and stop all rotation with a brake.

Whether BBC's make the job of lawnmowing any easier is open to question or at least individual interpretation.

"roadbike" is correct. BBC is not required. CPSC only requires that blade stop turning within specified time when "deadman" is released. This can be accomplished with BBC or with Zone Start (engine kill and brake).

Also, I typoed in my previous post. Honda does not offer otherwise identical models with and without BBC. Therefore it is difficult to compare "apples to apples" regarding upcharge for BBC. However, I stand by my estimate that it is about $100.

My dad has restored my 1984 Toro 20672 mower recently, and its BBC now works great again! It is a matter of adjusting for the right amount of tension in regards to the BBC cable (too much tension = BBC controls won't work; too little tension = blade always spins).

~Ben

I'm gonna be looking for another to replace 2 previous Deere mowers with BBC which have been excellent. Can't wear 'em out! Also, I have special need: cannot pull with right hand and hold kill switch with the left (birth trauma c-p). Designers think it is just a right-handed world and make no allowances for the rest of us. Also have a Honda w/BBC but engine is worn out. I will be looking other makes that will be competitive.

My old Honda has BBC and I love it. Zone start works but requires extra effort and accelerates wear on the starter rope.
BBC does require additional maintenance. I got mine cheap because the owner found it hard to pull and didn't want to spend any money on it. The BBC was clogged with grass. I took the clutch apart and cleaned it, changed the oil and filter and it's still going strong nine years later. Another maintenance item is the lower bearing, if you hear a growl or rumble when the blade is stopped replace it pronto. If that bearing comes apart there will be bits all over the lawn, it is all that holds the disc in place.

I love my BBC on my tLawn boy. Have had it for about 7yrs now. I do a lot of mulching and have to stop to pick up sticks and such and not having to stop and recrank has truly saved my back

This site has be came a ghost town !