Understanding Honda's lettering system

24273 Views 18 Replies 8 Participants Last post by golfergordy, Sep 9, 2016

bwdbrn1

Discussion Starter · Apr 6, 2012

I'm a big fan of Honda equipment, and it is probably one of those things that if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand, but I'm puzzled by Honda's lettering system on their mowers.

My personal mower of choice is the HR214. Now, I think I can figure out the HR part, unless I'm all wet, it simply stands for Honda Rotary. The 214 designates 21", 4 horse power. But here's where my attention span gets tripped up. There were three models of the HR214. The PX, SX and SM. They were a push with rope start, self propelled with rope start and self propelled with electric start. So I'm going to guess the P stands for push, the S for self propelled, but how do you read the X and M.

I just had a couple of HRM215s come through my garage. One was an HRM215SDA, and the other and HRM215HRX. The SDA was a two speed, and the HRX a hydro. I take it the M meant mulcher, as opposed to the HRB215 that was a bagger. Gads, what an alphabet soup.

I also have an HR17PDM. O.K., Honda Rotary 17" Push, but I can't figure out the D and M. Not like I'm loosing sleep over this, but can someone point me in the right direction of interpreting the codes? I have an inquiring mind, and I want to know.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Wayne195

· #2 · Apr 6, 2012

Thanks for sharing the info; I never had the numbers figured out for the Hondas'. Are you saying that you like the HR214 over the HRM215's you have had experience with?

bwdbrn1

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 6, 2012

The HR214SX was my first real Honda. I had experience with Honda engines in the past, and when I came across the HR214, I bought it and came to really appreciate it. Many of it's features at like those found on their commercial mowers.

Now the HRM215HXA, like you have, is a really nice mower, and I'd have kept it too, but I've only got so much room in my garage.

Wayne195

· #4 · Apr 6, 2012

The HR214SX is exactly what I have and I love it! I've had it for probably about eight years now and the only time it had to be repaired was last fall when the oil seal leaked. Lawnmowers around here get used pretty hard and I wouldn't be satisfied with just any lawnmower. Now that I have the HRM215 around I've been comparing it to HR214 and from what I've seen already it isn't built as heavily and durably as the HR214. I've thought I should restore the 214 sometime, but I didn't find good a source for parts/decal sets so I never went any further with my dream. I think it would be a very worthwhile restore on a good like that, beside, it isn't looking to great anymore.

Thanks,

bwdbrn1

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 6, 2012 (Edited)

Take a look at these two sites.

All Years Honda Lawnmower Parts
Plano Power Equipment Online Store - Honda Lawn Mower Key

Plus, I've found my local Honda dealer to be a real handy guy to know. He uses an HR214SX himself. He also has a restored HS21, Honda's first rotary, and a restored HR214SX on his show room floor.

From what I've been told, Mr. Honda had a dream of making mowers with plastic decks way back when, but the plastics available just weren't up to the task until this Nexite stuff came along. The HRM215 deck shares a lot of similarities with their current HRX series.

I see in my earlier message I made the mistake of calling the one mower the HRM215HRX. It should have read HRM215HXA. The HXA refers to the hydro transmission. Too many letters! That's the reason I'm looking for the explanation of their meanings.

[email protected]

· #6 · Apr 9, 2012

2

Here's the decoder ring...

FYI, horse power is no longer published for many applications. Instead, "6" refers to a 160cc displacement engine, while "7" = 190cc engine.

if anybody wants this same chart for tractors, tillers, generators, etc., just ask. [email protected]

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

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bwdbrn1

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 9, 2012 (Edited)

Thanks Robert! :coolThis is great.

I just found a nice little HR17PDM the other day. The HR17P follows the code, but the DM must have had a different meaning back then. Cute little thing and darned if it doesn't start on the first pull nearly every time.

Mark / Ohio

· #8 · Apr 12, 2012

Robert Coats said:
...if anybody wants this same chart for tractors, tillers, generators, etc., just ask. [email protected]

Robert,

How about one for generators?

I have an EU3000ISAN

Also is there any breakdown on the serial number for it?

Thanks!

[email protected]

· #9 · Apr 12, 2012

3

Mark / Ohio said:
How about one for generators?
Also is there any breakdown on the serial number for it?

Shoot me the serial number and I can tell you some details (when purchased, warranty status, etc.). If you are not the original owner, I can update the records to show you as the new owner.

Here's the decoder ring for generators, and attached is a .PDF with all Honda Power Equipment model ID details...

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

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Mark / Ohio

· #10 · Apr 12, 2012

Thanks Robert,

I'm the original owner, bought 11/26/10. Just wondered what all was encoded in the serial number.

Serial # EZGF-1340816

[email protected]

· #11 · Apr 12, 2012

Mark / Ohio said:
Just wondered what all was encoded in the serial number.
Serial # EZGF-1340816

There's probably a log book in the factory back in Japan that documents the date that unit was built, what engine S/N it has, etc. I don't have those details, but can tell you this:

1000001-1014473 = K0, 1st production
1014474-1034496 = Starter solenoid change
1034497-current = Add circuit protectors

• Earlier models came with a traditional "wet" battery that required electrolyte to be added and the battery fully charged when the unit was put into service. Newer models (about the past three years) come with a more modern AGM(?) factory-activated, sealed battery.

• A foam air cleaner element was added at 1014474.

• 1015224 and higher got a updated starter relay and improved recoil starter assembly.

Units shipped to California dealers have a number of emissions-related changes:
• There's a canister that captures fuel tank vapor and passes it through a filter before venting to outside air. There are a few dimensional changes to the frame to accommodate this addition.
• The piston rings are a bit thinner and the space between the piston face and the top ring is less; this increases the compression ratio slightly, and provides improvement to exhaust emissions levels, which are expected to get tighter with the next round of EPA regulations.
• The fuel cap has a chain/tether, to ensure the correct cap is used and in compliance with California and (pending) EPA rules.

[email protected]

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

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Mark / Ohio

· #12 · Apr 13, 2012

Thanks again Robert! :cool

Wayne195

· #13 · May 10, 2012

Here is a helpful page that I found last night on the Plano Power Equipment website. It has some more helpful info about the Honda lettering system.

www.planopower.com/store/honda/index_mowers.shtml

Reactions: 1

bwdbrn1

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 11, 2012

Thanks Wayne! I had forgotten about that page, even though I have refered to it in the past myself. Not only does it explain the lettering system, they give the range of years of manufacture of their various models of walk behinds.

virtdave

· #15 · Jul 20, 2013

Can you find the info for a HONDA HF 2315 SBF?It's a riding mower sold in France, and there may be (is there?) a similar model sold in the USA. Any opinions about this model would be quite appreciated too.

Five Points

· #16 · Jul 21, 2013

Hang in there, Robert from Honda may have some info reference that.

[email protected]

· #17 · Jul 21, 2013

virtdave said:
Can you find the info for a HONDA HF 2315 SBF?It's a riding mower sold in France, and there may be (is there?) a similar model sold in the USA. Any opinions about this model would be quite appreciated too.

That is indeed a European-spec lawn tractor made at a Honda factory in France. It was never exported to the USA, so from my office here at American Honda, I have no information about it, sorry.

JB Daws

· #18 · Sep 7, 2016

Hondas made is the USA Overseas market

Hi all does anyone know if there is a fundamental difference with Honda mowers made in the USA FOR Australia? On the Australian web page they look pretty much the same but the warantee is only 2 years compared with 4 in the USA. The lettering is different but the Honda numbers of models appear the same.

golfergordy

· #19 · Sep 9, 2016

As long as you Honda guys are reading this thread and talking about HR214's, etc, I have had one since brand new and I love it. The magneto was replaced about 20-yrs ago, but there's been no other work necessary except for routine annual maintenance. I only put approx 10-hrs running time on it annually, and in the early years I wasn't faithful in doing the maintenance every year, but now I am. The engine currently smokes on startup only, but if I store the mower (between cuts) with the front wheels 8" above the garage floor level, it doesn't smoke at all on startup. I've been figuring to replace the piston rings eventually to fix the smoking issue, but the engine runs fine and I've solved the smoking problem, so I'm in no hurry to replace the rings. Does anyone have a guess regarding how many hours of run time this GXV120 engine is good for. I'm probably at approx. 360-hrs right now.

Also, I just picked up an HR215-SX mower for a good price. It starts easily and doesn't smoke, and the 3 forward speeds all work fine. Everything seems to work ok when the clutch is engaged, but when it's only running at fast speed w/o the clutch engaged it makes a funny sound that doesn't seem normal - sort of like a vibration without the actual vibrating - does anyone have any ideas of what might be causing this? I apologize in advance if I don't get to looking into fixing this problem real soon, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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