Honda HRC216 mower

[Dave]

I posted something similar in the equipment repairs forum but couldn't seem to get my question answered completely.

Are there any Honda HRC216 owners who know how to increase the engine RPMs and not the actual carburetor adjustment which just adjusts the slow idle speed (or for other mowers in general)? My reason for asking is because when I purchased this mower, the max full throttle is set way too low for my liking and I feel I can mow down accounts with much more ease with the blades moving a lot faster.

Thanks in advance!

[hardboiled]

I don't know anything about honda engines, other than I rented an edger that was hopelessly underpowered. I think the first step would be to get the specs for the max rpm of your engine and check it with a tach. It may have been set up wrong in that the throttle cable is not adjusted properly in the clamp. The governer could be adjusted wrong. Is this a new mower? Can you take it back to be checked where you bought it?

[P&C Lawn Care]

I don't think their is a way to increase rpm with out adjusting the carb. Once you engage the blade it seems to spin at about the same speed. Have you checked your throttle cable to make sure it is adjusted properly and has not come loose? It might need to be looked at by a small engine mechanic, take it back to where yopu bought it and ask them. I'm sure it has a warranty, right?

[Woody]

Dave:

As in your previous post, the answers you get here are going to be what is the CORRECT thing to do. You have already been told, by countless people, that you need to take it back to the dealer.

You seem quite unsatisfied with this answer, and it appears that all you want to do is adjust the thing to run as fast as it possibly can. So be it. It's obvious you have no concern for life or limb, for yourself, or anyone around you. This is why I, for one, will not give you the answer you seek.

Here is another option for you. Take the mower back to the place of purchase, accept whatever paltry sum of money they offer you for it, and buy something else with a larger engine on it.

What you fail to understand is that increasing engine RPM is only going to get you a little bit more in the power department, but at the expense of safety. Far wiser you would be to purchase a more powerful machine.

I still fail to understand why you refuse to take the damn thing back to the dealer and voice your concerns. Maybe you have already done this, and just didn't like the answer you received?

Woody

[GrassMaster]

Concerning the Honda HRC216 mower...

It's 5.5 bhp at 3,600 rpm's

When we set up the mowers, we adjust the RPM's between 3,200 and 3,600 rpm's in most cases.

Home Owner 3,200 to 3,600 rpm's is OK
Commercial Cutters up to 3,600 rpm's

If the commercial cutter wants it higher than that, he does it at his own risk, off of our property... We do not get involved & we even document it on the work order, that he asked about it? We watch our backs, 7/24/365!

The first thing we do is try to adjust the throttle until it touches the Choke lever, if the desired Maxim rpm's is not met, then we try adjusting the high speed screw in the front of the back inside of Throttle, Choke & Governor bracket assembly on side of engine. If that doesn't get it, which 9 times out of 10 does, then you have to adjust Governor linkages...

If you are not familiar with this, I suggest taking it to someone that does. In your case the Dealer if you've just purchased it, ask him to check the RPM's & that you want it on the Maximum Manufactures setting. Something could have happened since the mower was serviced out. No big deal & should be able to be corrected by a "Qualified Tech" in just a few minutes!

If you or whoever is doing it don't have a tachometer, do not even touch it. Because the guessing game will just cause you problems later on down the road.

Yes, you can over rev one & it will run like a scalded dog, but when it hits heavy grass & demands more power, it will bog down, because it has no reserve left to give it more power.

Also there's an old redneck saying that for every 10% you increase the RPM's above manufactures RPM's you lesson the life of the engine by at least 10% or more.

The engines stock from the factory are not designed to run more than the Manufactures Suggested RPM's, It will cause excessive strain on motor & is also dangerous...

If you ever get involved with hurting some one with a projectile coming from that mower & they check it, finding out that the RPM's are higher than Manufactures RPM's, they will sue you until you hate Lawn mowers & anybody involved with them.

If some DUD convinces you that they can tell by the sound of the Motor what RPM's it's running at, walk or run away from that person as fast as you can. Because that's a sure sign that he does not know what he's doing...

I've dealt with a lot of Circus Freaks & Clowns in my Day! I know what I'm talking about Too! They are not qualified to work on Machinery (You can tell by looking at them), or they would be at the Honda Dealer or Working for Honda Inc.

Legal Disclaimer
This as anything else is done at your own risk, nobody else can be held liable in any shape, form or fashion...

Always consider the source of your information & if it's not coming from a Qualified & Certified Honda Service Center Tech, take it with a Grain of Salt. Because if something goes wrong, nobody will remember anything about anything! A fact!

[Dave]

Whoa hold on there Woody, I never shot down your reply in my previous post personally, I was simply looking for a possible "do it yourself" hint or tip before bringing it into the shop. I also did not say I wanted to rev the thing up as high as possible, just enough to get a better cut.

Take the mower back to the place of purchase, accept whatever paltry sum of money they offer you for it, and buy something else with a larger engine on it.

That's what I found a little surprising because I purchased Honda's top commercial model and couldn't believe how low powered it was when I started her up.

Anyhoo, thanks to everyone for your input and GrassMaster, I'll give some of what you said a try before taking the mower in.

[Mr Beaker]

Yes

First, I would agree with all the caution that grassmaster suggests.

Yes, you can rev a honda hrc216c higher. If new and adjusted right, it should jam. It should be an uncomfotably fast pace to walk behind.

After a year or two, I found the rpms tend to drop off despite adjusting the cables. I found that there is a little spring in the linkage down by the carb that goes through a metal plate with 3 or 4 little holes in it. Try taking the spring out and put it in the next furthest hole. The rpms should be significantly higher or lower.

Personally, I switched to toro because of their finer cut and mulching capability, but I still own a few hrc's - they are the sherman tanks of lawnmowers. The only think that sucks, is that while the rpms can always be made faster, the hydro pumps tend to get worn after a couple of seasons, and even at full boar, it slows down. I think a new hydro tranny for those baby's is 2-300. I'd suggest trading it at that point.

email me if you want, btw, if you go 10% over on rpms and you do indeed lose 10% longevity on the engine (I'd agree with that) The engine would still outlast the deck 2:1 in my opinion...