Since I started mowing with the finish mower last year, I have found it's easier to mow up close around a few obstacles with a push mower rather than the RFM. I had a cheaper Montgomery Wards push mower that I was using up until about a month ago. One morning when I was using it, the handle just snapped in half at the base. It was a cheap peice of junk and the price was right
. I was actually happy about losing it because I had been wanting to get a new mower.
When getting a new push mower, I knew I wanted a Honda. IMO, nothing beats a Honda in reliability as far as the mower itself, and especially the engine. I didn't want a bag model as I like to discharge all the clippings and enrich the lawn. Problem was, most everyone wants a bagger these days. Another requirement was that I didn't want anything that was self propelled, to me it was just one more thing to break. The local dealer didn't have any of the HRS series (this series contains the only 2 side discharge models that Honda offers), because he said "they would never sell". He told me he could order one, but it would cost me more. He then started to try to sell me a self propelled bagger and I said no thanks. I called the second closest dealer and they said they had the HRS self propelled in stock, but not the push version. Though they said they could order one at no extra cost. I then called the third farthest dealer away, about an hours drive, and they had an HRS push model in stock. They were also selling it at $30 less than MSRP.
I got up to the dealership and to make a long story short, the guy I talked to on the phone mistook the self propelled HRS on the showroom floor for the push version. But, because of there mistake, they said that they would cut me a deal and meet me half way on either the self propelled HRS model, or the push bag model from the HRR series. Or, they could order me the HRS push model if I really wanted it. I ended up buy the HRS self propelled, even though I didn't want the self propelled. Even though it had the SP feature, it still weighed less than what I was currently using, so I figured I could still push it around without a problem, and just not use that option. Plus, they were going to cut me a deal.
So I ended up getting an HRS216K3SDA Honda lawn mower for $64 off MSRP, which I thought was a great deal. I know you want a self propelled bagger, but I can still give you my opinion on the quality. The first few things that amazed me were the ease of starting, the quietness of the engine is just sheer amazing, the smoothness and ease at which it effortlessly rolls across the ground, and it feels very much like a solid built mower. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy another Honda.
If you want a self propelled bagger, I would suggest going with at least the HRX217K2HXA, or any other higher Honda model that has the hydrostatic transmission. The models lower than that have the cable driven transmission and if they break, they can be several hundred to replace. The hydro transmissions are very reliable and most commercial users will purchase a mower with that type of transmission. If price isn't an issue, and I have found it isn't with you, than I would take a look at one of the pure commercial Honda' s. Particularly the HRC216K3HXA model, because it's drive system is a shaft drive instead of a belt, which is a much more reliable option.
Good luck with your purchase, you can't go wrong with a Honda.
