Questions and Answers for Honda GCV190 21 in. Nexite Deck 4-in-1 Select Drive Walk Behind Gas Self Propelled Mower with Electric Start

A:  All Honda HRX mowers have a 60-month (5-year) warranty, but if you purchase and register before May 31, 2016, Honda will automatically add +1 year of additional warranty. So time is running out! -Robert@Honda

A:  5 years. And you have option to purchase extra 3 years warranties from Home Depot which I did.

A:  Robert@Honda, Thank you for your response. What confused me is your answer to another question below stating that this VLA, has a belt that powers a Hydrostatic. I think that was incorrect on the VLA. Only the HYA and HZA have Hydrostatic. But, based on your answer above it sounds like there is little to no difference in a model that has Hydrostatic and one that is belt driven, if both slow down and speed up based upon the load, slope, and grass height... If that is true, seems like the VLA is the better buy. Maybe that is why consumer report rate the VLA as the highest rated mower on the market and not the HYA or HZA. I plan on using this for 10+ years, so I want the best one. You professional thoughts are appreciated to this layman in regards to mowers. Again, thank you for your help.

A:  Confused: The VLA is not hydrostatic; it's a traditional slip-belt design, where the more you pull back on the lever, the tighter the belt is made around the drive pulley, and the faster the mower is propelled forward. Now the HZA and HYA are both hydrostatic drive. The belt runs at a constant speed, and when you move the speed control more fluid to flows from a pump to a motor, making the drive wheels spin faster. Any self-propelled mower will experience changes in speed when the slope, load, turf conditions, etc. change. In a car, a cruise control has a computer and speed sensors that detect a slowdown, and can command the engine to speed up or slow down to match the requested speed. There are no Honda mower models that behave like this, but bot the VLA, HYA, and HZA do have controls that offer a proven and reliable design to change drive speeds to match the operator's request. -Robert@Honda

A:  The HRX217HZA does not have a transmission. To operator the self propelled feature you depress the thumb control on the handle. Press the thumb control slowly until you are accustomed to using the self propelled feature because it will take off if you completely engage the drive.

A:  Yes, assembly is required.

A:  The mower only needs to bag fitted to the frame, and some packing materials and protective wrapping materials removed. The mower is otherwise fully assembled. You may need to get a help to removed it from the cardboard carton? -Robert@Honda

A:  Mainly putting the framework in the bag, adding the engine oil, and taking the packing materials off.

A:  Please contact Home Depot Customer Service to confirm: 1-800-466-3337 -Robert@Honda

A:  The 10% discount only applies if you purchace in the store as they're not set up for online orders yet. I just checked online a few days ago and they're working on setting up a system.

A:  Perhaps some grass or other debris has blocked up or jammed the shutter door or other under-deck parts? Follow the procedure in your owner's manual to safely tip over the mower to inspect the underside of the deck. Or, you can have a servicing dealer do this: Find a dealer near you using this link: http://powerequipment.honda.com/dealer-locator -Robert@Honda

A:  mine seemed a little tight when new, but working it back and forth seemed to loosen it and works Ok now. might try some wd40 on it.

A:  About 42 x 24 x 19. -Robert@Honda

A:  it is maybe 2.5 ft wide, 4 ft long. It is just the mower with the handle folded down with a box around it. Nothing fancy. I just cut the box side down and rolled it out.

A:  3 years on all HRR mowers, 5 years on all HRX mowers. Add +1 year if you buy either type and register it with Honda. Wear items (like tires, blades, air filter) are not covered. The battery itself is not a wear item, so it gets the full 3 or 5 year warranty, depending on the mower. -Robert@Honda

A:  You can expect many years of service from the battery; it has a 3-year warranty (or 4, if you purchase and register before May 31 2016). It is an AGM (adaptive glass mat) tech design (not lithium) and is factory serviced (never need to add electrolyte).-Robert@Honda

A:  Not on this model. The blade is stopped by releasing the lever and stopping the engine.

A:  Bob, this model does NOT have Roto-Stop; Here are the Honda models that do have that feature: HRX217VYA HRX217HYA HRX217HZA HRR216VYA -Robert@Honda

A:  NO

A:  No and from what I understand the roto stop has had problems reading the reviews..

A:  Rear wheel ball bearing drive

A:  Sunny: Actually, both. There is a constant tension belt between the engine and transmission. The actual self-propel of the rear wheels is done by the hydrostatic transmission. When you move the speed control lever, it changes the hydraulic pressure inside the transmission, making the rear drive wheels speed up or slow down. Honda has been using hydrostatic drive in self-propelled mowers for almost 30 years. -Robert@Honda

A:  The mower has a transmission.