Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hello all. I have a hr216tda (2004) that is losing it's ability to self propel. I did some research and discovered that the transmission needs to be replaced. The trans will cost me about $110. Question 1: is replacing the trans on a Honda lawnmower hard to do? Q2: do I put $110 into the old mower or do I suck it up and buy a toro for $350? Thanks in advance for your opinions!

marcbike wrote:

I think you might be referencing the HR"T" 216TDA. (I can never keep all the numbers straight).  If you are really attached to this mower you could fix it in about 3 hours.  The 3-speed transmission is a known problem (you probably knew this already). As a long term investment I don't believe that the HRT216 has an iron lined cylinder wall. 

 As another option you could sell it for $50 in parts and pick up a used honda with a hydro transmission. The 217 models have a stronger motor. These come up used on ebay and craigslist for a few hundred more.  The motor on most of these consumer level hondas are also not steel lined  either.  It sounds like you might already found a Toro.

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/grd/1724040552.html

This honda is mower looks to be in nice shape:

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/grd/1727026259.html

Thanks underdog. So the 216 engine is not worth keeping around. I guess I will just start looking for used 217s. In the meantime I will take the drive belt off the 216 and get a workout for a couple weeks. Thanks again. M

marcbike wrote:

Your 216 may go right on running forever. Its just that you don't know, and spending money and time repairing that 3 speed transmission may not be the best option. I think a honda with the hydro transmission would be on my list of candidates. I have not seem as many of the hydro transmission with problems. Some of the commercial honda mowers have the steel lined cylinder. Some of the older 215 movers had steel lined GX engines as well.  I have a 215 with hydro transmission that I picked up for cheap on craigslist and I was planning on transplanting another engine. You have a some options.  

I'm on the hunt for 217's. Thanks underdog.