I have a SuperRecycler (used on Kentucky Bluegrass, mind you) and the size of the mulched clippings is truly remarkable.

If you have a sharp blade and keep the underside clean, the clippings are the size of coarse grind coffee.

 

Thank you for the reply. I don't expect anyone to own all 3 of these mowers. This is the kid of input I'm looking for. Whatever your experience is with any of these.

 

I just bought an HRN and it mulches incredibly well. I was going to buy the HRX but went for the quick in stock one at HD. Not sure the HRX is $200 more unless you want the drive speed fixed( not needed imho) and the bigger moltor or the lexite body as opposed to steel.

 

The Lawn Care Nut did a side by side comparison of the Honda versus Toro mulching in his lawn. The Toro left less clumping as I recall. I never see clumps left behind from my own Toro Super Recycler.

 

I just bought an HRN and it mulches incredibly well. I was going to buy the HRX but went for the quick in stock one at HD. Not sure the HRX is $200 more unless you want the drive speed fixed( not needed imho) and the bigger moltor or the lexite body as opposed to steel.

That was one of my big question marks with the Hondas. Thank you.

*Edit*
What is your HOC?

 

The Lawn Care Nut did a side by side comparison of the Honda versus Toro mulching in his lawn. The Toro left less clumping as I recall. I never see clumps left behind from my own Toro Super Recycler.

I saw that video. That was a great comparison. What kind of grass do you cut and what is your HOC?

 

I like my Toro, but make sure you check out the Super Recycler Rant thread to get some more information.

Check out my journal for examples of cut quality.

 

I have bermuda and right now cutting at 2 inches

 

I bought my HRX in summer 2019 when I started cutting my bermuda close to an inch. Reason I went with the HRX and not the HRR which the HRN replaced is ability to cut lower and scalp at 3/4. I think the HRN lowest 2 cut settings are 1 and 1.75.

The HRX allowed me to scalp at 3/4 and maintain at 1.25 and the cut is great. Another feature was being able to mulch/bag at different settings via lever setting but I mostly use full mulch. I eventually moved to a reel this year but I use my HRX for the dirty work.

 

Honda engines are just more reliable as well. So that is something to think about

 

Honda engines are just more reliable as well. So that is something to think about

My SR has a Honda engine.

 

Well that is a good thing. It is hard to wrong with a toro or Honda. they are both great machines

 

The Lawn Care Nut did a side by side comparison of the Honda versus Toro mulching in his lawn. The Toro left less clumping as I recall. I never see clumps left behind from my own Toro Super Recycler.

I saw that video. That was a great comparison. What kind of grass do you cut and what is your HOC?

Tall fescue at 4".

 

I bought my HRX in summer 2019 when I started cutting my bermuda close to an inch. Reason I went with the HRX and not the HRR which the HRN replaced is ability to cut lower and scalp at 3/4. I think the HRN lowest 2 cut settings are 1 and 1.75.

The HRX allowed me to scalp at 3/4 and maintain at 1.25 and the cut is great. Another feature was being able to mulch/bag at different settings via lever setting but I mostly use full mulch. I eventually moved to a reel this year but I use my HRX for the dirty work.

I didn't realize there was a big difference in the
cut heights. I think part of my problem right now is that I don't have the time to cut the grass as often as is needed. I'm maintaining it at 2 inches but it seems like most people are cutting their Bermuda lower, like you do.

When you cut at 1.25 does the HRX leave behind a lot of clippings? Besides not being self propelled, that's my biggest problem with my current Troy Bilt. Huge clumps of grass left behind. My kids are in the backyard playing a lot and they track in a bunch of grass because of it and I'm trying to find the best solution in my budget to reduce that.

 

Honda engines are just more reliable as well. So that is something to think about

I feel like I'm leaning towards an HRN unless I find a great deal on an SR. Maybe some deals will come around near the end of the season.

 

I didn't realize there was a big difference in the
cut heights. I think part of my problem right now is that I don't have the time to cut the grass as often as is needed. I'm maintaining it at 2 inches but it seems like most people are cutting their Bermuda lower, like you do.

When you cut at 1.25 does the HRX leave behind a lot of clippings? Besides not being self propelled, that's my biggest problem with my current Troy Bilt. Huge clumps of grass left behind. My kids are in the backyard playing a lot and they track in a bunch of grass because of it and I'm trying to find the best solution in my budget to reduce that.

The HRX did not leave clumps of clippings behind. I'm a believer in the twin blade system Honda utilizes. Of course I was cutting at least every 3 days.

 

I like the cut quality with my Honda mower.

I bag clippings most of the time, but it mulches very well too.

I have never owned a Toro, but it seems to me from comments from Toro owners here that the Super Recycler cuts better than the lower priced Toros.

I vote Honda.

 

 

I had a Super Recycler for something like 12 years. When I wasn't able to mow regularly and the grass got tall, it would bog down. The Personal Pace thing is nice.

I upgraded to an HRX with the plastic deck. The biggest difference I see is that the Toro has one blade and the clippings fly around under the deck and get mulched up. The problem (problem?) with the HRX is that it has 2 blades (4 cutting edges) connected to the one centre drive shaft and the airflow doesn't seem to lift the clippings as much, but rather there's a strong circular airflow. Because I mow at 4" and the grass is easily blown around, the grass gets blown horizontally and may be lying down instead of standing up, resulting in you having to go over the grass certain ways so that the direction of rotation of the blade is such that it blows the grass that may be lying down a bit up, so that it gets cut.

For example, if you have grass that is laying down towards you as you walk along, you will want the left side of the mower to go over that grass, because looking from the top, the blades rotate clockwise, and the airflow will blow that grass so that it is close to standing upright when it gets cut.

My HRX has that Versamow adjustment. I don't use it. I use either full mulch or full bag. And the only time I bag is if I've been on vacation and there's too much height to mulch. I've had the Honda for a few years and have never used the bag.

The Toro had the squishy button to prime the fuel system before starting. It was pretty reliable. I found that it would start when it was cold (just taken out of the shed) and when it was hot (when I had stopped the engine to move something out of the way) but between these two points, sometimes it was hard to start. The Honda doesn't have the squishy button and starts reliably on the first pull regardless of engine temperature.

It's kind of a wash. If your grass stands upright strongly, either mower would be great. If you don't wait too long between cuts, and you don't cut wet grass, and you keep the blades sharp, either mower would be great.

The Toro had the deck where I could hook up a garden hose and run the mower, and it was supposed to clean the deck. I tried it a couple times. To me it seemed dumb. If you use you end up with wet clumps on your lawn or driveway that you now have to clean up.

The Honda's biggest problem is the two blades that create the powerful horizontal blowing, that blows the grass horizontal as you're trying to cut it. I am always at full throttle, but I wouldn't use anything less.

Edit: Actually I think I've used Versamow once. There was too much height to mulch, and would have resulted in clumps coming out from the back of the mower. So I adjusted the Versamow to mostly mulch but to bag a little bit. I left the bag in the shed and just mowed like that, and it resulted in mulching, and a little bit of clippings coming out the back When you have the big opening on the back of the mower open, even just a little bit, it allows some grass to escape, and is a much reduced load on the engine. And after I mowed like that, I just closed the Versamow to full mulch again and went quickly over the lawn again to completely mulch the little bit that came out the back.

 

I had a Super Recycler for something like 12 years. When I wasn't able to mow regularly and the grass got tall, it would bog down. The Personal Pace thing is nice.

I upgraded to an HRX with the plastic deck. The biggest difference I see is that the Toro has one blade and the clippings fly around under the deck and get mulched up. The problem (problem?) with the HRX is that it has 2 blades (4 cutting edges) connected to the one centre drive shaft and the airflow doesn't seem to lift the clippings as much, but rather there's a strong circular airflow. Because I mow at 4" and the grass is easily blown around, the grass gets blown horizontally and may be lying down instead of standing up, resulting in you having to go over the grass certain ways so that the direction of rotation of the blade is such that it blows the grass that may be lying down a bit up, so that it gets cut.

For example, if you have grass that is laying down towards you as you walk along, you will want the left side of the mower to go over that grass, because looking from the top, the blades rotate clockwise, and the airflow will blow that grass so that it is close to standing upright when it gets cut.

My HRX has that Versamow adjustment. I don't use it. I use either full mulch or full bag. And the only time I bag is if I've been on vacation and there's too much height to mulch. I've had the Honda for a few years and have never used the bag.

The Toro had the squishy button to prime the fuel system before starting. It was pretty reliable. I found that it would start when it was cold (just taken out of the shed) and when it was hot (when I had stopped the engine to move something out of the way) but between these two points, sometimes it was hard to start. The Honda doesn't have the squishy button and starts reliably on the first pull regardless of engine temperature.

It's kind of a wash. If your grass stands upright strongly, either mower would be great. If you don't wait too long between cuts, and you don't cut wet grass, and you keep the blades sharp, either mower would be great.

The Toro had the deck where I could hook up a garden hose and run the mower, and it was supposed to clean the deck. I tried it a couple times. To me it seemed dumb. If you use you end up with wet clumps on your lawn or driveway that you now have to clean up.

The Honda's biggest problem is the two blades that create the powerful horizontal blowing, that blows the grass horizontal as you're trying to cut it. I am always at full throttle, but I wouldn't use anything less.

Edit: Actually I think I've used Versamow once. There was too much height to mulch, and would have resulted in clumps coming out from the back of the mower. So I adjusted the Versamow to mostly mulch but to bag a little bit. I left the bag in the shed and just mowed like that, and it resulted in mulching, and a little bit of clippings coming out the back When you have the big opening on the back of the mower open, even just a little bit, it allows some grass to escape, and is a much reduced load on the engine. And after I mowed like that, I just closed the Versamow to full mulch again and went quickly over the lawn again to completely mulch the little bit that came out the back.

Thank you for the reply. I've pretty much settled on the SR. Right now tractor supply has the two they offer at 10% off so as long as I can find one here locally I'll probably be getting one tomorrow.

I usually cut just once a week right now so I'm a good bit above the 1/3 rule so I may still end up with some clumping but with the personal pace and easier starting (they gauruntee its starts in two pulls, but usually only needs one) I should be able to get my son out there once a week also so we can keep up with things better. I just don't have the time (or daylight) to really keep up with how fast it grows right now. Im convinced that my current Troy Bolt has had a bent crank since I've owned it but it was a hand me down and I haven't had the lawn to justify a replacement until now.

 

I should be able to get my son out there once a week also so we can keep up with things better.

Definitely it is possible, but if he's anything like mine, he may miss some spots. Still helpful.

 

I should be able to get my son out there once a week also so we can keep up with things better.

Definitely it is possible, but if he's anything like mine, he may miss some spots. Still helpful.

I'm currently able to keep up with the mowing myself without enlisting my son, but I'd like to have my hair cut by someone older than 13, just for a little variety. I'll say the haircuts have improved from the ones I got in March. Yes he did miss some spots.

 

Just a note on the plastic deck. The Honda is the first plastic deck I've owned. I have a lot of rough outside curves I need to mow against. With the mowers with metal decks, I just had a lot of rash on the sides of the mower. But it looks like the plastic deck wears away much more quickly. See attached photos. I've had this mower 2-3 years. I use the string trimmer only every 2-3 mows, so I always take the mower right up to the little wall.

I guess eventually I'll have to bolt a thick strip of aluminum or something on there.

The other side of the mower looks the same. But I didn't take a picture of it because you're not supposed to tip the mower to that side.

 

Just a note on the plastic deck. The Honda is the first plastic deck I've owned. I have a lot of rough outside curves I need to mow against. With the mowers with metal decks, I just had a lot of rash on the sides of the mower. But it looks like the plastic deck wears away much more quickly. See attached photos. I've had this mower 2-3 years. I use the string trimmer only every 2-3 mows, so I always take the mower right up to the little wall.

I guess eventually I'll have to bolt a thick strip of aluminum or something on there.

The other side of the mower looks the same. But I didn't take a picture of it because you're not supposed to tip the mower to that side.

Plastic vs concrete will lose pretty much every time. I'd use the line trimmer along the retaining wall or live with the taller grass on the edge.

 

Plastic vs concrete will lose pretty much every time. I'd use the line trimmer along the retaining wall or live with the taller grass on the edge.

I do use a string trimmer, but only every 2-3 mows. It gives me a 6" to 12" (depending on how worn the line is at that point) trimmed swath, and I also use the trimmer to cut the tight little areas like in the corners or tight inside curves that I can't get into with the mower.

I guess if I were to use the string trimmer every time I mow, I wouldn't have to rub the mower against the bricks. But it's way easier to skip the string trimming half the time. Plus, I have to change the head between the string trimmer and the blade edger in order to use the string trimmer (I use the blade edger every mow). Not a big deal, but just another thing to do.