[bwdbrn1]

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.

 

[bwdbrn1]

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.

 

[bwdbrn1]

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.

 

[bwdbrn1]

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.

 

[bwdbrn1]

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.