Honda Blackmax (sold at sam's)

by Steve
(Detroit MI)

My lawn mower is only 1 year old. It is a BlackMax brand mower with a Honda engine. It was purchased from Sam's Club and has given me no problems to date. Included with the purchase was the four cycle motor oil required in the owners manual.

The mower also came with a bag, a side shoot, and has a mulching option. I have only mulched so far because the mower does a good job with grass up to five inches long.

The bag looks like it would hold at least ten passes across a twenty five foot strip before having to unload. The blade is a twenty-two inch steel blade. The only thing I have had an issue with is the "Easy Start". I usually have to engage the primer two times to get the mower to start.

The gas tank capacity allows me to cut the grass two times before having to refill. My yard is just under one half acre.

The automatic drive feature works well, but I was surprised that the safety shut off bar also controls the drive train. You have to let the bar out a little to disengage the drive, but too far and the engine choke starts to kill the motor.

The drive speed is about perfect. Sometimes however, if you don't lift the mower up and the drive is still engaged, the wheels will rip up the grass as they spin.

The engine was the reason I bought this mower. I have never had an issue with a Honda motor.