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HRU196M1 (L/R, Blade Brake), HRU196D, HRU196K1Push Mowers Buying Guide
Our buying guide will explain which type of push mower would suit you most, how much you can expect to pay for one, and which features are worth looking out for.
Reviewer Photos & Videos
EmilyBiemanAU
- 5 reviews
Too heavy for the average female
Too heavy for the average female.
I found the double handle bars a little awkward.
Manual does not explain about how the Mulcher works/ grass bag placement. Lever gears are not user friendly, the choke ought to be at the top of the 3 gears- so you just need to push lever all the way down to go.
Gets blocked in thick grass.
But Petrol lasts for ages and to be able to stop the blades quickly in a bare patch is good. Not too noisy, and don't have to bend down to pull starter.
Petrol lasts for ages. Can stop the blades quickly in a bare patch
Too heavy for the average female.
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lgordon9VIC, 3196
- 23 reviews
very reliable,Honda reputation
Easy to start,but it gets heavy to push around if you have a large area.especially as the catcher fills.
Stalls easily with thick cooch grass unless you have the revs really high. Mulch function works very well.Probably built better to last than what's on offer these days
Easy start and well built
Can get heavy to push around and stalls easily in thick grass
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TalktherooAU
- 9 reviews
- 5 likes
The best.
Put simply, the best mower on the market. I have owned one of these mowers for about three years now, always starts first pull of the cord.
Highly recommend this product.
Everything.
1 comment
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Find out how Honda HRU196 compares to other Petrol Lawn Mowers
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DnbjNT, 0881
- 12 reviews
Fantastic
Great mower, cuts beautifully. I love using it and try to beat my husband to it. Fuel usage is great and blades last ages.
Easy to get parts (blades, spark plugs etc).
Reliable, and easy to use
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chaddy_joelAU
- 2 reviews
What a beast!
Picked this beast up on the weekend.
Just an absolute dream to use. The motor purrs. Cuts through any sort of grass with ease. I can now see why all the contractors use this mower.
I start it up in the shed just to listen to it.
Best mower on the market, fuel efficient, clean cut
Nothing really. If anything it's a little heavier than other mowers.
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sandyfeetAU
- 74 reviews
Excellent
I have read that people do not like the cord up on the handles. Rather than complain if you do not like it you have it down at the mower. However all of my hondas have pull cord come up on the right side of the handle. A number of people use these along with myself and they have never got caught on any bush as described in other reviews. The cord is simply up high for a no bend start. It can be moved if you wish to make things harder for yourself.
This is a great mower. I have had it on perfect lawns and bush lawns with rock and sticks and it ...Read more
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krstnAU
Bad
I really like the safety features and easy starting and robustness of the Honda (that's why I bought it), we replaced an old honda with this one so I trust the brand but I have to say I hate the grass chute part.
Easy starting - one pull and it goes
Blade shut off - its great to know that you can move things and leave the mower going with no little fingers or feet being chopped off as once you release the handle and take you hands off the handle bar, the blades stop.
The tiny chute that the grass comes out of - even the slightest damp grass al...Read more
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jrwozzyAU
Terrible
DO NOT BUY A HONDA if you have a decent patch of lawn that needs to be regualy moved, buy the 7hp Rover instead.
It is a very well built machine and the starter and motor have not missed a beat in the 2 1/2 years since purcahced, but over all I do not like this mower.
I have a very robust large buffalo grass yard and it is simply not up to the job. It has given me nothing but headaches, for the price it simply should be better. It stalls on the thicker patches of lawn and the catcher clogs up at the entrance before it is full. I have taken it back to have it serviced but it just doesn't have the power for any decent patch of grass.
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bennydaman1992AU
- 2 reviews
- 4 likes
Couldn't work without it!
I love this lawn mower; it starts first time every time and has never missed a beat. The blade brake is brilliant idea, especially when mowing near/over dangerous objects. The huge bag also makes it possible to mow for a much longer time and not have to empty the bag. The chute is not the best, but I find it only really clogs up while mowing in wet grass; also you may or may not like the long handle bars, originally I didn't like the length but now it is essential for me to mow with long handle bars. I would recommend this lawn mower to anyone ...Read more
with a large lawn to mower or are going to be using it for commercial use. One pull start, blade brake, huge bag (70L), long handle bars. 4 year domestic/2 year commercial warranty Chute - Not the best when you hit wet grassSimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Find out how Honda HRU196 compares to other Petrol Lawn Mowers
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Excellent
I am a contractor using a HRU 196 AND HRU 216 Honda mower. I average 50 lawns a week, sometimes more. At the end of 1 year the mowers will have mowed 2,400 lawns which is more than an average mower will do in a lifetime. These mowers have been going over 3 years non stop. Never 1 failure, just in every 6 weeks or so for a check and oil change. The mowers are out in the rain on the trailer, start first time religiously no matter how cold and fuel economy is fantastic. Fill them once a day and that is usually enough. 5.5hp is plenty to get ...Read more
through thick grass, and 75db is fairly quiet for a lawnmower. I have used a 6.0hp Kawasaki and it is noisier, 96db, and is so much heavier to lift and push, and nowhere near as reliable. You want a solid reliable workhorse get a Honda hands down. Easy to start, Lightweight but strong chassis Cant find anySimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
davidslam
- 6 reviews
Excellent
A pricey bit of gear but I believe good value Parts seem to be pricey also but if the machine lasts for 15years then I believe it is good value as my old Victor which was a lot cheaper lasted 12 Yrs but had lots of bits replaced. A quite clean looking machine easy to use
Certainly ease of start has to be a great atraction I had purchased a Talon from Mitre 10 See my report on that It was a disaster This mower cost me twice the price but has been worth every cent I clean it regularly use only Honda oils and parts only replaced blades so far very...Read more
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RedCow
- 4 reviews
- 1 like
Excellent
This is my second Honda mower and only reason I sold the first one is we moved overseas. A couple of minor changes in the 13 years between mowers but this shows that they had a great mower back then so why change it.
Great mower. Built strong and good quality. Large fuel tank, easy start, strong engine, quiet, neighbours are envious and looks sharp.
I wasn't a fan of the starter halfway up the handle with the starter cord hanging out so you can hang your laundry on it but you get used to it. That's just cosmetic. And when I get really old, I won't have to bend as far - I'm sure this mower will still be going strong then.
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mcboagVIC, 3844
- 16 reviews
- 15 likes
Excellent
I was hesitate in spending the money for this lawn mower but it is a beautiful mower that I think we will have for years to come. It is a solid construction, but to heavy to push. It is amazingly easy to start - my nine year old son can start it! The catcher works well but works best if you mow anti-clockwise due to the volute design,it also has a mulcher which is great for a quality lawn.
It is easy to start, amazingly quite, cuts beautifully, catchs well and has a mulching capability!!
The price - but it is worth it!!!!
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lunicWA, 6168
- 13 reviews
- 7 likes
Excellent
Although this is a slightly more expensive mower, it is worth the extra dollars as it will give you a consistent cut and ease of use for many years as long as the appropriate service is carried out. I have a large backyard, almost able to justify a ride on, but with the Honda it takes so little effort to start and run around that I can almost look forward to mowing the lawns.
This mower being a 4 stroke takes unleaded petrol and starts first time.
Sturdy construction and a large capacity catcher means less stops for emptying.
The fuel tank is ample for a couple of hours of running.
In really long grass it does start to struggle a little but if you make two cuts at different heights its a breeze.
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tasmaid
- 86 reviews
- 4 likes
Excellent
I have had this mower around four years and so far has not missed a beat it always starts first time is a 4 stroke takes unleaded petrol and is very economical as well it has heaps of power we have quite a lot of mowing to do here not a problem for the honda.
the mulching capacity
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Find out how Honda HRU196 compares to other Petrol Lawn Mowers
Know better, choose better.
murrumAustralia
- 15 reviews
Excellent
An outstanding mower. When you think about it, a good mower should last half a lifetime, so why not buy a quality product.
There is a reason no-one makes more engines than Honda. This baby has plenty of power, so if you decide to let your lawn get a little out of control, it wont matter.
MASSIVE CATCHER! And I mean massive, which is great because you will find yourself emptying it half as often.
Huge fuel tank as well.
This is only a minor thing, but I had some issues starting it initially, until a neighbour wandered over and told me I was...Read more
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garic66
- 12 reviews
- 1 like
Excellent
My overall opinion is a resounding, BUY IT, as a profesional lawn mower man it will last for years, the price is towards the high end but well worth it in the end.
6 months ago i purchased a lawn mowing franchise, not knowing which mower to purchase, i talked to other franchisee's, all had Honda hru196d, so on their feedback i purchased mine, the mower is easy to push, rolls straight and true, very large catcher, mulching capability, big engine grunts through almost anything, with the decompression on startup it is very easy to start every time.
the only thing i can point to in a dislike on the Honda is the locking nuts on the handle, running for 5 hours a day the locking nuts come loose, consistantly requireing tightening.
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Excellent
A quality mower with an aluminium base and wheels with ball bearings. Makes iut a breeze to mow your lawn large or small and the real plus is that it should last a lifetime provided that it is amintained properly.
The mower is very easy to start and starts first time every time, unlike the old two strokes.It also has a good mulching capability.
I like everything about it.
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Questions & Answers
Crazyjohnasked
I have a problem with the handle at the back on the right hand side of the mower.The handle is badly corroded and interfere with raising and lowering the mower height.Where can I buy a replacement handle please? regards John.my email is [email protected] again.
2 answers
I suggest you talk to your local friendly Honda dealer who may be able to source a new part for you or may have old mowers around that they can scavenge parts from to repair your mower saving you more money.They get plenty of very cheap trade in mowers, many of which are handy for spare parts.Give them a call.
Thanks for your help Paul.
Julian C.asked
My Honda Buck HRU19 (3 years old) starts well but annoyingly surges and fades when under load. I'm guessing the exhaust filter is the problem so I'm continually blowing clear for any dust or grime. Within minutes it's back to the coughing problem.
Any suggestions?
1 answer
Sounds like your carb needs a clean. It will be a little bit blocked, unable to get enough fuel under load. If you've cleaned the muffler it's not that
Blackshapesasked
Anyone got a manual for the HRU196D Buffalo Classic?
2 answers
I do, what do you want to know?
Never mind Jeremy - I pulled down the carburettor and rebuilt it last night and she’s up and going again. Not my mower - drove five hours to friends property to find out that their mower wouldn’t start!
Thanks heaps for your time :)
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Jessie11
My Honda was bought 16 years ago and it starts like a new one. Had others but they were a waste of money.It still goes after professionally using it for 4 years.
It is a great product at all times.