Honda Riding Lawn Mowers: A Comprehensive Buyers Guide to Upgrade Your Lawn Care Game

If you have a big property, it’s hot outside, and that grass just keeps growing, then you’ve got your work cut out for you. They say that two things are forever, death and taxes, but whoever said that seems to have forgotten about mowing the lawn, because that seems to be endless too. Luckily, Honda came prepared with a huge lineup of riding mowers to help make your life a little bit easier.

There’s no doubt about the fact that Honda riding mowers are absolutely fantastic. This is a longstanding and trusted brand name with an excellent reputation in the industry.

That said, Honda does make dozens of different riding lawnmowers, which means that you have a choice to make. Today, we’re going to talk about what you need to know about Honda riding lawn mowers. We’re going to provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision between the biggest and best Honda riding lawn mowers.

History of Honda Riding Lawn Mowers

Before getting into the benefits of a Honda riding lawn mower, it’s interesting to note that when Honda began developing a superior motor for their earlier models, they actually began by studying how grass grows! In 1975, Takeo Ogano who was at the time working on Honda’s ME engine, was tasked with developing a lawn mower for the International market. Although he didn’t understand this at first, he wondered why he was being ordered to produce a powerful gas powered lawn mower in a country with very little grass! It soon became evident that he was being asked to develop a product for a global marketplace.

Once he realized this, he knew where he had to begin. He studied how and where grass grew. Many engineers believe this is why Honda became a force to reckon with. Instead of focusing solely on the engine, Ogano molded his invention to the distribution of grass around the world, making it easier to manicure with precision based on geographical growth patterns. From that date forward, every style of mower designed by Honda takes this as well as the efficiency of the motor into consideration.

Types of Honda Riding Lawn Mowers

Honda lawnmowers are divided into various types or categories to choose from, so let’s take a quick look. These can be divided into six categories, which include H, HA, HH, GDA, HDA, and SDA.

H Models

There are six riding lawn mowers under the H category, with two of the most popular being the H1011 and the H3011, both being able to cut grass between 1 and 3.5 inches, with the former having an 11 HP engine, and the latter having a 15 HP engine. We then have the H4013, H5013, and the H5518, all of which are of a significant size. The largest of these is the H6522, which has 9 speeds, a roll bar, and can cut grass up to 5 inches.

HA Models

We then have the HA models, the A4118H38A and the HA4120H48A, with the former having an 18 HP engine, and the latter a 20 HP engine. There are slight differences between the two, but both cut grass at up to 4 inches, with the same maximum speed. These tend to be some of the biggest and feature rich mowers from this brand.

HH Models

There are four HH models from Honda, including the H3011H, the H3013H, the H4514H, and the H4518H. These are all fairly basic riding lawn mowers with basic capabilities, usually ideal for smaller lawns.

The GDA

The GDA or H2113GDA is able to reach a top speed of 4.5 mph, it has five gears, and can cut grass up to 4 inches. It’s a relatively small and lightweight mower, ideal for smaller and thinner lawns.

The SDA

If you want a mower that comes with an optional trailer hitch, snow blower, and mulching kit, along with the capability to cut grass between 1 and 4 inches, a dual blade, and a 13 HP engine, then the SDA or H2013SDA is something worth looking into.

HDA Models

There are two HAD models, the H2013HDA and the H2113HDA. These mowers are fairly big, heavy, fast, and come with a variety of possible add-ons. These are ideal for some fairly heavy-duty jobs.

Key Features to Look for in a Honda Riding Lawn Mower

Now that you know the types are categories of Honda riding lawn mowers, let’s take a look at the most important features that

you need to look out for when making a purchase.

Engine Power

Always consider how powerful the engine of the lawnmower in question is. Some Honda lawnmowers may come with engines that have two horsepower, whereas others might feature 20 horsepower or higher. The faster you want to travel and the rougher the terrain, the more horsepower you will need. If you are dealing with a lot of hills and thick grass, you will need all the power you can get.

Transmission and Speed

You then also want to take a look at how many transmission speeds the Honda lawnmower in question has. Some may only have one or two speeds whereas others may have up to five speeds. The more speed you have, the more control you will have over the riding mower, and usually the faster you will be able to travel. Some of these models can travel up to 4.5 or even five mph.

Deck Size

You also want to pay attention to the deck size of the lawn mower in question. Some may come with decks that are only 18 or 20 inches wide, whereas others might be 50 or even 60 inches wide. The wider the deck is, the more ground you will be able to cover at once, although a bigger deck is usually also a bit less maneuverable.

Blade Type

Then also want to consider the blade type, which will usually include standard blades, row lift blades, high lift blades, mulching blades, and Gator blades. For most regular purposes, regular standard blades will do just fine. You are looking for precision cutting, high-lift blades are best. If you have very sandy soil, low lift blades are likely best. You just need to match the blades you have for the type of terrain, as well as what your purpose is.

Size and Weight

Of course, you do always want to pay attention to the size and weight of the unit in question. The heavier the lawn mower is, the more powerful if an engineer will need to have to propel itself forward. At the same time, the bigger the lawnmower is, the more ground you will be able to cover at once, although maneuverability is always compromised. You then also want to consider if the lawnmower in question is too big to fit in your garage.

Maneuverability

Yes, you do want a riding lawn mower that is very maneuverable. Some riding lawn mowers can turn on a dime, which is quite convenient if you have a lot of twists and turns. Generally speaking, if you have a lot of twists and turns in your yard, you might want to go for something a bit smaller and more maneuverable.

Add-Ons

You can also watch to pay attention to all the different possible add-ons that you can get with your Honda riding mower. Some may come with side dispersal units, some with collector bags, some with mulchers, and you can get ones that have trailer hitches, snowplows, snow blowers, and of course, if you plan on pulling or pushing something, you will need to get a larger model with plenty of horsepower.

Comfort

Seeing as you will be sitting down for quite some time, you also want to look for a riding lawn mower that has a fairly comfortable seat, something with decent back support.

Considerations for Your Lawn Size and Landscaping

Of course, what kind of landscape your lawn features, as well as the size of it, will make a difference in terms of your final decision. Simply put, the bigger your lawn is, the more horsepower you will want.

You will want a lawn mower that can travel fast and cover a lot of ground at once, so a large deck is called for as well. Large and fast lawnmowers are great if you have a lot of ground to cover and it’s relatively flat and even.

With that being said, if the landscape of your lawn is very hilly, bumpy, and twisty, you might want to go for something a bit smaller instead. Sticking with a fairly compact riding lawn mower will allow you to easily maneuver around all of the little bumps and twists in your yard.

Honda Riding Lawn Mower Price Range

Honda riding lawn mowers are going to start somewhere just shy of $1,000, and may cost up to $5,000 for high-end models, with special models that come with extras costing potentially thousands more.

Maintenance and Care of Your Honda Riding Lawn Mower

Let’s quickly review some essential riding lawn mower care and maintenance tips.

1. Always clean your riding lawn mower, particularly the deck.
2. Make sure to change or clean the air filter in your lawn mower.
3. Always keep moving parts lubricated.
4. Make sure that the belts of your lawn mower have the correct tension and are not damaged.
5. Replace the spark plugs of your lawn mower on a regular basis.
6. Make sure to change the oil as needed.

Final Thoughts – Finding the Best Style for Your Needs

Only the smallest of yards would benefit from a traditional push mower but those lawns which cover a large surface area would be best served by a riding mower. While you can order your chosen Honda model online, it helps to know the layout of the land before choosing one simply on ratings or price. Do you have a narrow gate or a side yard you need to mow? What is the terrain like? If there are a lot of bumps and mounds? You need a model that gives you full control for a smoother ride. Don’t forget that the model you choose should all but eliminate strain on the back. Riding mowers are most often chosen for their ability to reduce back strain and stress, as a whole, on the entire body. Also, if you live in a very hot climate, a riding mower can help prevent heat stress which can be fatal under certain conditions.

Don’t Forget the Warranty!

In the end, it is important to note that not all models come with a manufacturer’s warranty. If you are going to invest in a lawn mower, you will most likely want to do what you can to protect that investment. Each model has special features to investigate and some of them may, or may not, be covered under the warranty. You may wish to purchase optional insurance coverage to protect against loss or theft. While not the most expensive rider mowers on the market, each Honda riding mower comes with a reputation for excellence in quality and design. What do you need to know about Honda riding mowers? They have a reputation unparalleled in the industry, and that’s the best benefit of all.

As long as you pay attention to the important factors as discussed above, choosing the right Honda riding lawn mower for your needs should be easy. Honda is a fantastic brand to choose from, and no matter which model you choose, you really can’t go wrong.