hrr216k3vxa

17 years ago

I just replaced my Troy Bilt mulcher - after many years of great service it must now rest in peace. I need a mulcher and have no need of a bagger or side dischage. I, like someone else checked consumer reports (yeah, the copy now hanging out in the outhouse), and bought the HRR216K3VXA from HD. I used it for the first time last week and the mulching part was great. Two problems though: my thumbs are killing me and the drive blade control kept disengaging after I, too was about 1/3 of the way through my 1 1/2 hour mowing. I probably can live with the thumb thing, thinking I might be eligible for a trophy for having the most muscular thumb muscles in the tri-state area, but the disengaging thing is a real problem. Is there an adjustment I can make, or has anyone come up with some home remedy to resolve that? Someone noted in one response an adjustment could be made - it seems with the machine being new it would not need that.

Any help will be appreciated!

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Comments (5)

huskyfan2006
17 years ago
There is a modification to the BBC that is suppose to fix the disconnect problem. Any Honda sevice center can install the fix free under warranty. I haven't had the fix done yet, but the dealer said the fix is available now.

Also, there is suppose to be a modification to the speed control to make it easier on the thumbs. I don't know if this fix is available yet.

With these 2 upgrades, this should be a great mower.
mulcher5
17 years ago
It already is a great mower! Try to find the same quality & features for the same price in another mower- good luck.
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Rod, sounds like your dealer was working a little scam on you. His price reduction to $599 is what I paid for mine at Home Depot, its their every day price. Thats one of the problems with locally owned small dealers. They drop their price to what the big guys charge every day and make you think they are doing you a favor, or its a limited time special deal...so buy now. David, your yard is about the size of mine. The HRX may be overkill, but its just made a little better and hopefully will last a little longer. As I said, with Honda your not going to go wrong regardless if you buy the bottom or top of the line, IMO. Thats a choice you need to make based on what you want vs. what you have to spend. I'm thinking my HRX mower will last longer than I will remain in my current house and who knows what kind of yard the next house will have. Could be small, could be much bigger. To answer your question on switching between mulching and bagging on the HRX line, it can't be more simple. Your right, to switch between mulching and bagging on the HRR line you have to remove the bag and insert the "mulching plug". The HRX line has the versamow system. There is a lever that has 10 setting from 100% bag, to 100% mulch with 8 levels in between where you can partially bag. I found this most useful in my lawn by getting rid of some leaf accumulation I had. Chop them up into smaller pieces for a little mulch and bag the excess in one pass. I don't do this but if you had a compost pile and wanted to mulch as well it would be great. I'm not sure if I have the patience for composting.
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brinkley
Original Author
17 years ago
I was waiting to give an update until I had used my replacement mower a couple of times, which I now have.

I got fed up with the runaround regarding the upgrade to the HRR216K3VXA that was suppose to help the blade disengage and thumb pressure issues. I called an authorized Honda repair place and the first question they asked was where I purchased the machine - I knew instantly the finger-pointing game was afoot and I was in trouble. He quickly dismissed me by saying it was Home Depot's problem, not theirs and to deal through them. Of course HP (two different staff individuals) had already told me they don't do repairs. So, I boxed it up and lugged it back to HP and bid it farewell.

I then went to my handy, dandy and trustworthy True Value store close to my home (again), and talked to them about the line they carry - Cub Cadet. I had stopped here first before purchasing the Honda, and decided not to go the Cub Cadet route, as they didn't even make a showing in the Consumer Reports rating article.

I purchased the CC-949, and have now used it twice. It has a 5.5 HP Honda/ARCS engine, is a 3 in 1 (bagger, side discharge and mulcher), and it is serviced by my friends at True Value. I have not used the bagger or side discharge, as I am a mulcher. It does a very respectable job at mulching - it leaves a few clumps here and there, but that is not overwhelming. It also is easy to start, no issues with thumbs, or blades disengaging, and it moves right along. All in all, a good purchase and less expensive than the Honda.

In the end, at least for me, I guess the whole mower thing becomes a package purchase as opposed to just going out and buying a machine. Knowing I can take it to a place close by for service, if needed, and to a store where staff actually know what they are talking about and you can even find one easily to help you (actually, they greet you at the door and ask if they can help - interesting concept), has added value in and of itself.

I do want to thank everyone who makes posts to this site Â I have learned a lot from you folks, and will surely learn more as time goes on Â keep up the good work.
huskyfan2006
17 years ago
"I called an authorized Honda repair place and the first question they asked was where I purchased the machine - I knew instantly the finger-pointing game was afoot and I was in trouble. He quickly dismissed me by saying it was Home Depot's problem, not theirs and to deal through them."

Before I bought my VXA at Home Depot, I called Honda about extending the warranty to 3 years and warranty service at an authorized Honda Service center. They told me I could extend the warranty and get service at a Honda dealer. They also said if a Honda dealer didn't want to service the mower because I didn't buy it from them, they want to know the info and who the dealer was that refused the service. Honda does not want issues with dealers refusing service.

I have received the 3 year warranty and the Honda dealer told me they can install the BBC update when ever I am ready to bring them the mower. They also stated that they were getting info about the speed control update.
mulcher5
17 years ago
My VXA purchase experience is similar to huskyfan's. I got the 3 yr. warranty on my VXA, after it was no longer being offered by my local Honda dealer. I also was told that the BBC improvement would be installed for me under warranty & the same for an improvement to the thumb paddle wheel drive control. Although I've not had the mower more than a year, I've not had the need to take advantage of either or these 2 offers from Honda. Like I've posted on other threads on this forum, these 2 "problems" with this mower have not been "problems" for me. I believe that it's a matter of individual preference & ability, as well as proper mower set-up & adjustment. It's an awesome mower for the $.

hrr216k3vxa

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