[callmestevee_o]

PREFACE: I do not recommend modifying your mower in any way, especially when it comes to the blade assembly. Altering the blades position on the driveshaft could result in damage to the machine or injury to your person or others around you.

With that being said...that's exactly what I plan on doing (minus the damage or injury part of course). I have a Honda HRN216VKA 21" self propelled mower with auto choke. It was the first mower I bought after purchasing my new house. I've always been very happy for it except for the lowest cut setting. With the mower in it's lowest position it would cut just at 1". While this would work for the average homeowner during the growing season, I've always wanted to go lower, especially around this time of the year when I'm scalping my Bermuda.

Modifying the deck to lower it wasn't much of an option because even in it's lowest setting there were a few places where it would drag in my uneven yard. Instead, I decided to lower the blades themselves. This particular mower has the twin blade system on it, so I decided to throw 8 washers on each mounting bolt to act as spacers. This in turn lowered the blade assembly approximately 1/2" making it flush with the bottom of the deck. After scalping my front & back in multiple directions and measuring, it now cuts right at 1/2" which is perfect for me. I would like to go even lower but I'll have to wait until I level again and purchase a reel mower. If you're as simple minded as me and decide to follow in my unwise footsteps, I definitely recommend wearing long pants with tall socks since the blades are now flush with the bottom of the deck and will kick out rocks!

 

[El_cesped]

Bad idea

 

[Toddskill]

Beyond bad idea

 

[klsmith259]

Honda makes a blade spacer. Also, with that many washers stacked I would order longer bolts to make up for the difference and make it safer. In general it should be OK if you have a level lawn and don’t run the risk of hitting something. Lowering the blade will negatively impact the mulching and bagging ability.

 

[callmestevee_o]

Bad idea

Beyond bad idea

Honda makes a blade spacer. Also, with that many washers stacked I would order longer bolts to make up for the difference and make it safer. In general it should be OK if you have a level lawn and don’t run the risk of hitting something. Lowering the blade will negatively impact the mulching and bagging ability.

I agree with all of the above.

This was for scalping only. It has since been reverted back to its normal configuration and will remain that way for the rest of the season. If I need to do a HOC reset mid-season it will be scalped on its lowest setting with an unmodified blade. This was more of a one-and-done experiment.

I was unaware about the Honda blade spacers. I’ll keep that in mind but I’m trying to get my hands on a reel mower this season so I can do future scalps properly. As for the bolts, I made sure that at least 30% of the threads were inside the actual mounting point. Keep in mind about 15% of the threads are taken up by the width of the blades. I also applied some blue loctite to insure they wouldn’t come off mid mow. If I were to do it again (I don’t) then I would probably use longer bolts. I bet it does impact mulching abilities, but bagging seemed to be normal

 

[klsmith259]

I have a reel and a Honda rotary. I do the same with my Honda and have no issues. I prefer scalping with the Honda. It’s just easier for me. The lowest stock setting is 3/4 and I bring it down to 1/2 which is slightly above the bottom of the deck. 3/8 or 1/4 may be attainable but it gets risky. I do have the blade spacer, washers, and longer (higher grade/stronger) bolts that can be used.

 

[callmestevee_o]

I have a reel and a Honda rotary. I do the same with my Honda and have no issues. I prefer scalping with the Honda. It’s just easier for me. The lowest stock setting is 3/4 and I bring it down to 1/2 which is slightly above the bottom of the deck. 3/8 or 1/4 may be attainable but it gets risky. I do have the blade spacer, washers, and longer (higher grade/stronger) bolts that can be used.

Glad to hear someone else has done this. Now that I think about it once I get a reel I’ll probably still use the Honda for scalping too just because of those blades get dinged up I’m not too upset and they’re easy to grind. Do you have a link to the spacers you’re referring to?

 

[Lawnr34]

Does anyone have a link to the lowering blade spacer mentioned?

 

[bmac1996acc]

A spacer designed for this would obviously be the best solution. Absent of that being an option, I considered looking for smaller diameter wheels to lower the HOC on my Exmark. Another option would be to take old blades and cut as many as needed to make solid spacers out of the middle portion.

 

[Toddskill]

Honda makes a blade spacer. Also, with that many washers stacked I would order longer bolts to make up for the difference and make it safer. In general it should be OK if you have a level lawn and don’t run the risk of hitting something. Lowering the blade will negatively impact the mulching and bagging ability.

Is it actually a spacer for lowering the blades? The only one I'm aware of from Honda is for running a single blade on models that come with the twin blade set up. I'd be really surprised if they are selling something to drop the blades as far as the original poster did.

 

[klsmith259]

There are a couple of versions. I ordered the 72532 I believe. It's maybe a 1/4 inch thick or less.

Honda 06725-VK6-000 Spacer Kit, Blade
Honda 72532-VA3-810 Spacer Blade

I just came across this as well, which may be an option.

https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/part/encore/363382

 

[lbb091919]

Is it actually a spacer for lowering the blades? The only one I'm aware of from Honda is for running a single blade on models that come with the twin blade set up. I'd be really surprised if they are selling something to drop the blades as far as the original poster did.

You're right, they are selling it as a spacer to replace one of the two blades. I think these guys are planning to use it in addition to the second blade to drop the HOC about 1/4". Definitely not Honda's intention, it seems much safer than stacking washers.

 

[Toddskill]

You're right, they are selling it as a spacer to replace one of the two blades. I think these guys are planning to use it in addition to the second blade to drop the HOC about 1/4". Definitely not Honda's intention, it seems much safer than stacking washers.

It definitely beats the alternative, guess I'm just not picky enough to risk it over .25-.5" of height.

 

[heep66]

Beyond bad idea

Terrible idea. Rotary mowers are deadly enough in stock form. Get a reel mower for very low cut. They are Expensive but cost less than blindness or death.

 

[callmestevee_o]

Terrible idea. Rotary mowers are deadly enough in stock form. Get a reel mower for very low cut. They are Expensive but cost less than blindness or death.

Rotary mowers are no more “deadly in stock form” than a reel mower. In the end they’re both just meat grinders on the ends of poles. I don’t recommend doing what I did, it’s just an alternative. Being mindful of your risks and taking steps to avoid them is what’s key.

 

[Redtwin]

@callmestevee_o, I’m going to need to do another scalp and plan on doing this to knock the bulk off and the finish off with my reel mower. I’ll take the Honda down to 1/2” and my reel down to 1/8”.

 

[macattack]

Without the support from the blade mounting bracket across the center of the blade, this is a terrible modification. One broken bolt and you could get a foot chopped. Not worth it.

 

[Lawnr34]

Yeah I don't think I'll be doing this..lol. .75 is good enough.

 

[rlb]

Without the support from the blade mounting bracket across the center of the blade, this is a terrible modification. One broken bolt and you could get a foot chopped. Not worth it.

Or maim/kill a neighborhood kid.

 

[callmestevee_o]

Hence the all caps, bold, and italicized “PREFACE” at the beginning of the post