Honda HRU197
24 reviews · Statistics
- Weekly (2)
- Occasionally (2)
Reviews
Reliable, starts virtually 1st time, every time even after a month of inactivity.
Buffalo Bull HRU197All you need to do is the basic engine maintenance. Some flaws with design if you need to do other work other than just mow a normal grass area. i.e., mow under low hanging trees or mow at 45 degrees block cutting on a hill.
... Read more
Should not be called Easy Start - worst mower
Buffalo Bull HRU197This mower is not Easy Start, there is no primer. Worst mower I've ever had. My old Briggs & Stratton was way more easy to start. Epic fail from Honda, would not suggest this to anyone.
... Read more
Excellent engine, but !
Buffalo Bull HRU197The Honda engine is excellent, and reliability and build quality of the mower very good. However the designers show a lack of basic knowledge of this type of product. It cuts wet or dry grass reasonably well if not too long, but not as well as my previous mower. The worst feature is the front to rear balance, and the very small rear wheels for a heavy mower. It is ok without the catcher, but with it fitted most the weight of the mower is on those ridiculous 200mm rear wheels. They should have fitted 300mm wheels as is done to most good units s
... Read moreold in the USA. Would be less than half as hard to push. I have had the mower for about 12yrs or a bit more. Change the oil every two yrs. Clean the air cleaner regularly. It is on its fourth set of Honda blades. Adjusted the valves once. Use it on a 2000m2 block which has level to 15% gradient. Current condition is still A1
Honda HRU197 15 year review
Buffalo Bull HRU197.As a mechanic owner,I meticulously serviced this mower and it served me well for 15 years.I changed engine oil 3 monthly using synthetic 10W-30 and replaced the spark plug and dual air filters annually but cleaned them 4 times a year.Valve clearances were checked annually along with the in tank fuel filter.It still had the original high quality factory cutting blades for 15 years and it cut very well.It was advertised as a 6.5Hp OHC/OHV engine and had a lot of power and torque but it was really only 5.5Hp (Net.)If I had known that I would ha
... Read moreve got the similarly sized Commercial engine for my yard.The throttle cable came loose a lot and slipped out and it became annoying.Honda has a better bracket holder with a small bolt instead of a Phillips head screw nowadays)At the end the electronic ignition module failed as the engine started to miss and became hard to start.I dislike the idea of a belt driven camshaft in oil because there is no oil filter to remove debris as it wears and must put extra stress on crankshaft bearings to keep it tight.I thought I would have got 25 years from it like my old Victa 2 stroke which ate cutting blades for breakfast and was absolutely gutless...I am now buying a new HRU196 Professional with the Commercial GXV160 engine.They still make the best mowers on the market and once you’ve had a Honda you never go back to anything else!
Find out how Honda HRU197 compares to other Petrol Lawn Mowers
Know better, choose better.
Worst mower ever
Buffalo Bull HRU197Crap crap crap worst mower ever wont get rid of grass have to move it by hand for the price I paid and was told it was the best mower will never buy another Honda product
... Read more
Wish I had done more research about this mower.
Buffalo Bull HRU197I have had mower for a few months, starts really well but terrible at getting rid of the grass. I dont like using catcher, in a normal mower the grass, especially when it is wet would fly out, but not with this. The grass gets stuck and you have to manually get grass out with your hands. Very disappointed.
... Read more
For an expensive mower expected better in design
Buffalo Bull HRU197M1I have only had the mower a short amount of time but have used enough to get a feel of how it will be for he longer term. It is a solid unit which is weighty making it not as easy to move around but I did know that before purchase. Engine start is fantastic - couple of pulls and it engages easily. Being a Honda I do expect the engine to perform and last but time will be the ultimate measure of that of course. My biggest disappointment and real surprise is around the catcher which I have now read elsewhere as being a concern. firstly I agree tha
... Read moret it's design is poor in relation to emptying - all of the grass does not come out without manual hand assistance - and this is on model with a larger catcher. I cannot imagine a contractor finding this acceptable every time the catcher needs emptying.
Clogged up, catcher empty
Buffalo Bull HRU197K1this mower starts always first or second time, but unless the grass is thin or patchy its always clogs up. always tipping out a half empty or less catch bag of grass. i cant understand why the shoot is so small. would not buy another honda unless redesigned. there seems to be other models with a honda motor that look ok.
HRU 197 Hard to start
Buffalo Bull HRU197K1The Bull is good once its going, but takes around 15 pulls to start (its been the same since new) and the cord does not retract readily (it does eventually, but not straight away which is what I would expect from a new, premium-price mower).
Overall its ok, but disappointed as I went out of my way to recommend that we buy this mower (for a small lawn at a block of flats). The mower is only 2 years old.
Once going, it cuts well and seems to be economical and reasonably quiet.
Hi Peter,
Thank you for taking the time to contact Honda and expressing your concerns.
... Read moreWhilst we understand your frustration that the unit may not have met your expectations. We appreciate all feedback from our customers, whether it be negative or positive. It gives us an opportunity to improve the services and products we provide. We would suggest that you take you mower back to your local Honda dealer to have this issue inspected. Please feel free to contact customer relations at, [email protected] or 1300 559 846 if you would like to discuss this matter further. Many thanks, SarahHi, thank you for coming back to me. Taking it back to the selling dealer is difficult as I don't have a vehicle that can carry the mower back to the shop.
A lesser problem is that the dealer that I
... Read more bought it from is about an hours drive away from me - although I could take it to a closer one if I could transport it. Thank you, Peter.Hi Peter,
Please get in touch with your dealer. They may be able to arrange transportation of the unit for you. If the selling dealer is too far away, perhaps try contacting your local dealer. You
... Read morecan locate them at http://dl.hondampe.com.au/Default.aspx?d=P/EFind out how Honda HRU197 compares to other Petrol Lawn Mowers
Know better, choose better.
Works every time.
Buffalo Bull HRU197This mower is fantastic. I have had it for a few years and always starts. It does not rust away like my others and has heaps of power. Spare parts are easy to find in our city and service and support is great. This is the best lawn mower I have ever owned. Way way better than my older Victas. Well done Honda.
Simply the best
Buffalo Bull HRU197Have owned this mower for 5 years, it starts first or second pull every time, is a breeze to use and is still rock solid, it feels as though you could drop it off a cliff and it would keep running.
I won't buy another Honda because I'm not a fan of the nanny handles on the new models, but the way this one is running I'll never need to buy another mower anyway.
omg
Buffalo Bull HRU197Too heavy to push or lift. Easy start ha ha try 20-30 pulls. Need to use aero start to get running. it seizes up if not started weekly. Total waste of money should have gone with a briggs and stratton. Height lever fouls on bushes etc. Will swap for new victa if someone interested. Forgot the useless engine brake and no choke system.
Find out how Honda HRU197 compares to other Petrol Lawn Mowers
Know better, choose better.
Exceptional cut quality and so much power
Buffalo Bull HRU197M1I bought an HRU197 M1 (mulch and catch version) to replace our old John Deere SB14 which had a failed blade brake clutch and failing self-propelled transmission. The rest of the JD works perfectly and it still starts on the first pull to this day!
I bought this Honda on sale, roughly 20% off RRP, and couldn't be happier with my decision. Originally, I was going to buy the HRU216 which is the 21" version with self-drive, but I preferred the 19" version as it is considerably lighter and has a newer engine which is quieter, uses less fuel and ha
Great motor but....
Buffalo Bull HRU197Great mower, starts and cuts fine but can get clogged when mowing damp or wet grass. The safety bar is rather a pain to use especially when having to mow under an obstacle or shift an item when mowing. The brackets that hold this bar are a right pain and catch easily on chain wire fences, shrubs and the pockets of my clothing. Should be mounted inboard of the handle bar.
Starts easy
Safety bar brackets
Engine great but trouble even with damp grass
Buffalo Bull HRU197M1I do lawnmowing for a living and have always used Hondas, in particular the HRU197. Firstly I have had 5 Honda mowers and never had a problem with the engine. The Honda mowers will start either first or second pull, even if they have been not started for weeks. They are well built and can take a real battering. The problem is that this new model just wont pick up grass when its wet. Im not talking about mowing in the rain, just when its damp. Im finding even a light dew now in Autumn is causing the mowing chute to clog up. The mower has a 1
... Read more9 inch base and the discharge chute is only 3 inches. Its the same a funnelling 6 lanes of traffic into 1 lane and then wondering why there is a traffic jam. I cant work out why Honda have changed something that wasn't broken. There are other commercial quality mowers and when I purchase a my next mower in 6 months ill be looking for another brand. good solid machine that starts first time wont pick up even slightly wet grassQuestions & Answers
Is the engine 4 stroke
My mower is virtually unbreakable however I should replace some parts which are slightly damaged, but mower is still going great. Is Air Filter Cover Case for Honda 17231-Z0L-050 17220-ZM0-030 compatible with Honda HRU 197 Buffalo Bill? I think as a discontinued model the parts will fit, but can you confirm please?
Get an answer from our members
Details
 | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Petrol Lawn Mowers | Petrol Lawn Mowers | Petrol Lawn Mowers | Petrol Lawn Mowers |
| Price (RRP) | $845 | $1,079 | $875 | $939 |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 3 year(s) | 3 year(s) | 3 year(s) | 3 year(s) |
| Replaced by | Honda Buffalo Bull HRU197K1 | Honda Buffalo Bull HRU197M1 |
Extra Information
ieatwords.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ieatwords.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
Hi Liba,
Honda Australia always appreciates feedback from our customers, whether it is negative or positive, as we constantly striving to exceed the expectations
... Read moreof our client base and also strengthen the Honda dealer network. All feedback we do receive regarding any of our products are complied and sent to the appropriate departments for review. This will help assist in the future if or when we redesign our products. Like many other products regular servicing and maintenance ensures the mower will work for many years to come. If you have any further concerns with please feel free to contact Honda customer relations team on 1300 559 846 or via email [email protected] Many thanks, Sarah