Honda HR215SXA User's Manual
Contents
1. 37 Blade Speed ssi sess i aor 38 Blade 38 ua opas pedes op Ea Pa dco 38 Wet GIaSS 53 3 15 d duum eoe ivan 38 Fallen 38 Clogged Mower 38 MOWING 5 39 den 39 Side Discharge Mowing 39 INIT PP 39 27 OPERATION MOWING PRECAUTIONS Before operating the mower for the first time please review the IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION beginning on page 6 and the previous chapter titled BEFORE OPERATION Even if you have operated other mowers take time to become familiar with how this mower works and practice in a safe area until you build up your skills For your safety avoid starting or operating the engine in an enclosed area such as a garage Your mower s exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas which can collect rapidly in an enclosed area and cause illness or death 28 OPERATION STARTING THE ENGINE Before starting always release the blade control lever and drive clutch lever so the blade will not turn and the mower will not move forward when you operate the starter 1 Turn the fuel valve to the ON position FUEL VALVE 2 Move the throttle lever to the proper starting positi2. 77 5 PLACING IN STORAGE If your mower will be stored with gasoline in the fuel tank and carburetor it is important to reduce the hazard of gasoline vapor ignition Select a well ventilated storage area away from any appliance that operates with a flame such as a furnace water heater or clothes dryer Also avoid any area with a spark producing electric motor or where power tools are operated If possible avoid storage areas with high humidity because that promotes rust and corrosion Unless all fuel has been drained from the fuel tank turn the fuel valve to the OFF position to close the fuel valve and reduce the possibility of fuel leakage Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface Tilting can cause fuel or oil leakage The handlebar can be folded for compact storage see page 77 With the engine and exhaust system cool cover the mower to keep out dust A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt some materials Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover A nonporous cover will trap moisture around the mower promoting rust and corrosion REMOVING FROM STORAGE Check your mower as described in the BEFORE OPERATION chapter of this manual If the fuel was drained during storage preparation fill the tank with fresh gasoline If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling be sure that it contains only fresh gasoline Gasoline oxidizes and deteriorates over time causing hard starting
3. 49 Grass Bag Cleaning amp Replacement 64 Importance 44 45 Schedule 48 Specifications 82 Mower Deck Clogging 38 90 Mowing Around Obstacles Gravel 36 Dry amp Wet Grass 38 Fallen Leaves 38 Patterns 39 SIOPE S m 35 o S 37 When to 37 Oil for engine CHange ieseni iaaea 49 Level 20 Recommendations 50 Operating the Controls for MOWING irato tents 31 P Pre Operation Check LAWD 18 MOWER 19 Publications 84 5 Safety Important Message to Parents Safe Mowing Practices 35 Important Safety Information 6 Safety Label Locations 8 Safety Message Definitions 2 Serial Numbers 11 Shift Lever Cable Adjustment SXA 58 Operation 15 amp 33 Spark Arrester Service optional part 87 INDEX Spark Plug Recommendations W amp Service 52 JUMP AQ Warranty Service Specifications ge Information 85 Capacities 80 S Washing Dimen
4. 59 MAINTENANCE 5 While holding the drive clutch lever all the way forward look through the clutch cable grommet in the mower deck and check the position of the control arm The center of the notch on the control arm should align with the index mark on the transmission case 6 If adjustment is necessary loosen the drive clutch cable lock nuts with a 10 mm wrench and move the adjuster up or down as required Tighten the lock nuts Operate the clutch lever several times and recheck control arm alignment N After the control arm is precisely aligned start the engine and operate the drive clutch lever Check to be sure the drive clutch lever operates properly If the drive clutch lever does not operate properly after the cable is correctly adjusted take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair 60 TRANSMISSION CASE CONTROL ARM NOTCH CLUTCH CABLE R GROMMET NUTS cy ADJUSTER MAINTENANCE THROTTLE CABLE INSPECTION Throttle cable adjustment is necessary if the throttle lever does not operate the choke properly You can inspect choke operation by observing the movement of the choke arm which is located on top of the carburetor 1 Move the throttle lever to the CHOKE position The choke arm should move counterclockwise until it contacts the stop post on the carburetor Push the choke arm with your finger to verify that it has
5. Dry and reinstall spark plug Start engine with throttle lever in FAST position Take mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer or refer to shop manual Fuel filter clogged carburetor malfunction ignition malfunction valves stuck etc Replace or repair faulty components as necessary Loss of Power Possible Cause Correction 1 Check throttle position Throttle not set to FAST Move throttle to FAST 31 2 Check grass height Grass too tall to cut Raise cutting height p 16 cut narrower swath p 37 or cut more frequently Check under mower deck Mower deck clogged Clean out mower deck p 38 Check air filters Air filters clogged Clean or replace air filters p 51 authorized Honda servicing dealer or refer to shop manual carburetor malfunction ignition malfunction valves stuck etc 5 Check fuel Bad fuel mower stored Drain fuel tank and without treating or carburetor p 75 draining gasoline or Refuel with fresh refueled with bad gas gasoline p 21 6 Take mower to an Fuel filter clogged Replace or repair faulty components as necessary 68 TROUBLESHOOTING FUSE REPLACEMENT HR215HMA The electric starter relay circuit and battery charging circuit are protected by a 1 ampere fuse If the fuse burns out the electric starter will not operate The engine can be started manually if the fuse burns ou
6. 5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Most accidents with walk behind mowers can be prevented if you follow all instructions in this manual and on the mower The most common hazards according to accident statistics are discussed below along with the best way to protect yourself and others Avoid Rotating Blades Rotating blades can cause serious cuts and even amputate fingers hands toes or feet Keep away from the mower deck whenever the engine is running If you need to adjust the cutting height or work around the deck for any other reason always shut off the engine Wear heavy gloves and disconnect the spark plug cap when you need to clean the mower deck or handle the blade Clear Mowing Area Mower blades can throw rocks and other objects with enough force to cause serious injury Before mowing carefully inspect the area and remove all sticks stones pieces of wire and other loose objects Never operate the blade over gravel Keep Shields in Place Guards and shields are designed to protect you from being hit by thrown objects and from hot engine parts and moving components For your safety and the safety of others keep all shields in place when the engine is running Refuel with Care Gasoline is extremely flammable and gasoline vapor can explode Refuel only outdoors in a well ventilated area with the engine OFF Never smoke near gasoline and keep other flames and sparks away Always store gasoline in an appr
7. If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation the engine will smoke briefly at startup This is normal 78 SPECIFICATIONS This chapter gives dimensions capacities and other technical information MOWER 5 DIMENSIONS WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES ENGINE DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE TRANSMISSION DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE 2 ee Maa 79 SPECIFICATIONS MOWER MODELS HR215K1HMA Manual amp electric starting self propelled hydrostatic transmission HR215K1HXA Manual starting self propelled hydrostatic transmission HR215K1SXA Manual starting self propelled 3 speed transmission DIMENSIONS WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES Maximum Length handlebar extended Handlebar raised 63 8 in 1 620 mm Handlebar lowered 68 5 in 1 740 mm Minimum Length handlebar folded 35 0 in 90 mm Width at Mower Deck 22 8 in 680 mm Maximum Height handlebar extended and cutting height set at 3 in 77 mm Handlebar raised Handlebar lowered 44 5 in 1 130 mm 38 2 in 970 mm Minimum Height grass bag removed handlebar folded and cutting height set at 34 in 20 mm 20 1 in 510 mm Dry weight including grass bag 111 3 Ib 50 5 kg HXA 102 5 lb 46 5 kg SXA 101 4 Ib 46 0 kg
8. MAINTENANCE GRASS BAG CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT Grass Bag Cleaning Wash the bag with a garden hose and allow it to dry completely before use a wet bag will clog quickly Grass Bag Replacement Replace a worn or damaged bag with a Honda replacement bag or its equivalent Bag Removal 1 Unclip the plastic edges of the bag from the frame BAG 2 Remove the bag from the frame Bag Installation 1 Insert the bag frame into the bag as shown 2 Clip the plastic edges of the bag onto the frame as shown 64 MAINTENANCE BATTERY CHARGING HMA The engine will automatically recharge the battery when the mower is operated A plug in charger is provided for supplemental charging when the mower is not operated frequently enough to keep the battery charged Use the plug in charger to recharge the battery once a month during seasons when you do not mow the lawn This will help to extend the service life of the battery Also use the plug in charger after prolonged storage or anytime you notice a decrease in starter motor speed 1 Disconnect the battery connector which is located under the engine switch housing 2 Connect the battery connector to the charger supplied with the 5 3 Plug the charger into standard ac power outlet and let the battery charge for 24 hours 6 4 After the battery has been charged disconnect the Cm C charger an
9. The U S and California Clean Air Acts EPA and California regulations require all manufacturers to furnish written instructions describing the operation and maintenance of emission control systems The following instructions and procedures must be followed in order to keep the emissions from your Honda engine within the emission standards Tampering and Altering Tampering with or altering the emission control system may increase emissions beyond the legal limit Among those acts that constitute tampering are Removal or alteration of any part of the intake fuel or exhaust systems Altering or defeating the governor linkage or speed adjusting mechanism to cause the engine to operate outside its design parameters Problems That May Affect Emissions If you are aware of any of the following symptoms have your engine inspected and repaired by your servicing dealer e Hard starting or stalling after starting e Rough idle e Misfiring or backfiring under load e Afterburning backfiring e Black exhaust smoke or high fuel consumption 46 MAINTENANCE Air Index An Air Index Information hang tag label is applied to engines certified to an emission durability time period in accordance with the requirements of the California Air Resources Board The bar graph is intended to provide you our customer the ability to compare the emissions performance of available engines The lower the Air Index the less pollution The d
10. 49 Oil Charge 49 Oil 20 Oil Recommendations 50 21 Serial 11 Specifications 79 Staring 29 34 Troubleshooting 67 Engine Switch HR215HMA 13 F Fallen Leaves Bagging 38 Frame Serial Number 11 Fuel Additive to Extend Storage 74 75 Gasoline Recommendations 55 21 Fuse Replacement 215 69 RENE 12 INDEX G Gasoline Recommendations 55 Grass Bag 64 Inspection 24 Removal and Installation 24 Replacement 64 H Handlebar Height Adjustment 23 Handlebar Folding 77 High Altitude Operation 54 Inspection Before Mowing QW i tnde re tarde aane 18 19 Introduction 1 L Lawn Inspection Before Mowing 18 Mowing 37 Safe Mowing Practices 35 Leaves Bagging 38 M Maintenance Blade Removal and Installation 62 Cable Adjustments 56
11. HR215HXA 15 Cutting Height Adjustment Levers 16 CONTROLS COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION HANDLEBAR DISCHARGE GUARD FUEL TANK CAP RECOIL STARTER GRASS BAG MOWER DECK HR215K1HMA Manual amp electric starting self propelled hydrostatic transmission HR215K1HXA Manual starting self propelled hydrostatic transmission HR215K1SXA Manual starting self propelled 3 speed transmission 10 CONTROLS BLADE CONTROL BLADE CONTROL LEVER BUTTON DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER SHIFT LEVER FRAME ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER SERIAL ey NUMBER THROTTLE on back of engine LEVER 02 SPARK PLUG HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOBS CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER FUEL VALVE CUTTING HEIGHT AIR CLEANER ADJUSTMENT LEVERS CARBURETOR Record the frame and engine serial numbers in the space below You will need these serial numbers when ordering parts and when making technical or warranty inquiries see page 85 Frame serial number MZAM Engine serial number GJAB 11 CONTROLS DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS Fuel Valve The fuel valve opens and closes the connection between the fuel tank and the carburetor FUEL VALVE Throttle Lever CHOKE For starting a cold engine amp FAST For restarting a warm engine and for mowing lt lt SLOW For idling the engine STOP stopping the engine HR215HMA turn the engine
12. How to load and carry your mower safely MAINTENANCE 43 When and how to perform routine inspection service and adjustments to keep your mower in good operating condition 5 67 What to check if you have a problem with your mower 2525 52 555 5 545 71 How to protect your mower from rust and corrosion and ensure that it will start easily when you want to use it again SPECIFICATIONS 79 Dimensions capacities and other technical information ADDITIONAL 1 83 Additional information Honda publications available to you and how to contact us if you have a question or a warranty repair problem QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION inside back cover MOWER SAFETY This chapter explains what you need to know to operate your mower safely IMPORTANT SAFETY 6 Avoid Rotating 5 6 Clear Mowing 6 Keep Shields in 6 Ref elwith CARS a uuu i oor wae te x Raus 6 Wear Protective Clothing 6 Turn Engine Off When Not Mowing 6 IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS 7 SAFETY LABEL 8 8
13. area Then readjust cutting height if necessary Are YOU Ready to Mow Be sure to wear protective clothing Long pants and eye protection can lower your risk of injury from thrown objects Wear footwear that protects your feet and won t let you slip if you mow on slopes or uneven ground 25 26 OPERATIO N This chapter tells you how to operate the mower safely and effectively MOWING PRECAUTIONS 28 STARTING THE 29 OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING 31 Throttle 31 Blade Control Lever 31 Drive Clutch Lever 32 2155 32 HR215HMA amp HR215HXA 32 All 15 32 Shift ever eet eda 33 FIR ZL OSKAD Sth oe eae ene a 33 HR215HMA amp HR215HXA 33 STOPPING THE ENGINE 34 SAFE MOWING PRACTICES 35 SIODeS scie OR ha RD 35 Obstacles detach garde Ea 36 Gravel and Loose Objects 36 MOWING 37 When to 37 Cutting Height i eo oues od bk vU RP EMPRESA 37 SUMING Width
14. blow compressed air not exceeding 30 psi 207 kPa through the filter from the inside Never try to brush off dirt brushing will force dirt into the fibers Foam filter Clean in warm soapy water rinse and allow to dry thoroughly Or clean in nonflammable solvent and allow to dry 51 MAINTENANCE 5 Wipe dirt from the inside of the air cleaner housing and cover using a moist rag Be careful to prevent dirt from entering the air duct that leads to the carburetor 6 Reinstall the filters and cover Tighten the cover screw securely Spark Plug Service RECOMMENDED SPARK PLUGS REGULAR RESISTOR NGK BP5ES BPR5ES DENSO W16EP U W16EPR U CHAMPION N12Y RN12Y Resistor spark plugs reduce interference with radio and TV reception NOTICE Incorrect spark plugs can cause engine damage For good performance the spark plug must be properly gapped and free of deposits PLUG ww 1 Disconnect the spark plug cap and remove any dirt from around the spark plug area SPARK PLUG CAP 52 MAINTENANCE Remove the spark plug with a 13 16 in 21 mm spark plug SPARK PLUG WRENCH wrench Inspect the spark plug Replace it if the electrodes are worn or if the insulator is cracked or chipped Clean the spark plug with a wire brush if you are going to reuse it Measure the spark plug electrode gap with a suitable gauge The gap should be 0 028 0 031 in 0 7 0 8 mm Corre
15. engine damage Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging is misuse and the Distributor s Limited Warranty does not cover parts damaged by misuse For oxygenated fuel information refer to page 86 55 MAINTENANCE CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENTS Blade Control Cable Adjustment Measure free play at the top of the lever while holding the button down Free play should be 34 1 in 20 25 If adjustment is necessary 1 Loosen the lock nuts with a 10 mm wrench and move the adjuster up or down as required 2 Tighten the lock nuts and recheck free play 3 Start the engine outdoors and operate the blade control lever Check that the blade starts when you push the lever forward and stops quickly when you release the lever If the blade does not start or stop as it should with correct cable adjustment take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair BLADE CONTROL LEVER 3 4 1 20 25 56 MAINTENANCE Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment SXA Measure free play at the top of the lever as shown Free play should be 346 5 10 mm If adjustment is necessary 1 Loosen the lock nuts with a 10 mm wrench and move the adjuster up or down as required 2 Tighten the lock nuts and recheck free play 3 Start the engine outdoors and operate the drive clutch lever Check that the drive clutch engages and releases properly If the drive clutch does not opera
16. fuel system Gasoline containing more than 596 methanol by volume may cause starting and or performance problems It may also damage metal rubber and plastic parts of your fuel system If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms try another service station or switch to another brand of gasoline Fuel system damage or performance problems resulting from the use of an oxygenated fuel containing more than the percentages of oxygenates mentioned above are not covered under warranty 86 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SPARK ARRESTER SERVICE optional equipment The engine in your lawn mower is not factory equipped with a spark arrester In some areas it is illegal to operate an engine without a spark arrester Check local laws and regulations A spark arrester is available from an authorized Honda servicing dealer The spark arrester must be serviced every 100 hours to keep it functioning as designed 1 Allow the engine to cool then remove the two nuts from the muffler shield using a 10 mm socket wrench 2 Remove the muffler shield identification plate muffler and gasket 3 Remove the spark arrester from the muffler 4 Check for carbon deposits on the spark arrester and the exhaust port Brush carbon deposits away Be careful to avoid damaging the spark arrester screen Inspect the spark arrester screen for breaks or tears and replace if necessary 5 Install the spark arrester in the muffler 6 Install the muffler co
17. p m When you write or call please give us this information e Model and serial numbers see page 11 Name of the dealer who sold the lawn mower to you Name and address of the dealer who services your lawn mower e Date of purchase e Your name address and telephone number A detailed description of the problem 85 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OXYGENATED FUELS Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels To meet clean air standards some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions If you use an oxygenated fuel be sure it is unleaded and meets the minimum octane rating requirement Before using an oxygenated fuel try to confirm the fuel s contents Some states provinces require this information to be posted on the pump The following are the EPA approved percentages of oxygenates ETHANOL ethyl or grain alcohol 10 by volume You may use gasoline containing up to 10 ethanol by volume Gasoline containing ethanol may be marketed under the name Gasohol MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether 15 by volume You may use gasoline containing up to 15 MTBE by volume METHANOL methyl or wood alcohol 596 by volume You may use gasoline containing up to 5 methanol by volume as long as it also contains cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors to protect the
18. switch OFF to stop the engine THROTTLE LEVER 12 CONTROLS Engine Switch HMA START Operates the electric starter ON Running position the engine switch must be in the ON position to use the recoil starter OFF Stops the engine YALYVLIS 2119919 ANOIWLOATA ENGINE SWITCH 13 CONTROLS Blade Control Lever The blade control lever starts and stops blade rotation BUTTON BLADE CONTROL LEVER Drive Clutch Lever The drive clutch lever engages and disengages the transmission that drives the rear wheels BLADE CONTROL LEVER DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER 14 CONTROLS Shift Lever The shift lever selects the drive speed for the mower HR215SXA 1 slow For mowing thick grass or maneuvering in small areas 2 medium For intermediate self propelled speed 3 fast For maximum self propelled speed in large open areas and for transport SHIFT LEVER J 5 HR215HMA 8 HR215HXA SLOW For mowing thick grass or maneuvering in small areas FAST For maximum self propelled speed in large open areas and for transport SHIFT LEVER HMA amp HXA 15 CONTROLS Cutting Height Adjustment Levers There are six settings to choose from as shown in the illustration The cutting height figures are approximate The actual height of c
19. CLOSED OR BAG IS IN PLACE AND SHOULD BE CHECKED FREQUENTLY FOR W READ OWNER S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING W DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG CAP BEFORE BAG REPLACEMENT THIS BAG CONFORMS TO SERVICING THE DECK OR BLADE 5 1 STANDARD B71 1 ANY REPLACEMENT W DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO STAND IN FRONT OF MOWER W TO PREVENT INJURY FROM THROWN OBJECTS CLEAR MUST MEET THIS STANDARD AREA OF DEBRIS KEEP OTHERS AWAY W TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY DO NOT REACH INSIDE WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING W DO NOT REMOVE GUARDS AWARNING Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive and you can be burned or seriously injured When refueling Keep heat sparks and open flame away E Fill fuel tank only outdoors E Wipe up spills before starting engine KEEP HANDS and FEET AWAY A CAUTION HOT MUFFLER CAN BURN YOU Stay away if engine has been running CONTROLS This chapter shows the locations of controls and other important parts of your mower and it tells you how the controls work COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION 10 DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS 12 Fuel 12 Throttle 12 Engine Switch 13 Blade Control Lever 14 Drive Clutch Lever 14 Shift LLGVOF 4i dace qx 1A dea CE c a ens 15 HR215SXA s cou daa ct e and Eo RC 15 HR215HMA amp
20. Click here to save this manual to your computer Owner s Manual Rotary Mower HR215SXA HR21SHXA 215 ARC pt tt 601 TO Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved Keep this owner s manual handy so you can refer to it anytime and make sure the manual stays with the mower if you sell it This owner s manual is considered a permanent part of the lawn mower and should remain with the mower if resold The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing Honda Power Equipment Mfg Inc reserves the right however to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation whatever Honda lawn mowers meet Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC blade safety requirements for walk behind rotary mowers WARNING The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer birth defects or other reproductive harm INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your selection of a Honda lawn mower We are certain you will be pleased with your purchase of one of the finest lawn mowers on the market We want to help you get the best results from your new mower and to operate it safely This manual contains the information on how to do that please read it carefully A
21. Cutting Width 20 9 in 530 mm Cutting Height adjustable 34 in 20 mm 174 in 33 mm 134 in 45 mm 2 in 56 mm 254 in 67 mm in 77 mm Fuel Tank Capacity 0 26 US gal 1 0 Engine Oil Capacity 0 63 US qt 0 6 Transmission Fluid Capacity HMA 11 8 fl oz 350 cc HXA 11 8 fl 2 350 cc 6 8 fl oz 200 cc Grass Bag Capacity 21 9 US gal 2 36 bushels 83 2 80 SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE Engine Model GXV140K1 Engine Type 4 stroke overhead valve single cylinder forced air cooled Displacement 8 2 cu in 135 cc Bore and Stroke 2 52x 1 65 in 64 x 42 mm Compression Ratio 8 1 Ignition System Transistorized magneto Maximum Horsepower 5 0 bhp 3 7 kW at 3 600 rpm Maximum Torque 7 6 ft lb 10 3 at 2 700 rpm TRANSMISSION DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE Transmission Type HMA amp HXA Hydrostatic SXA 3 speed gear type constant mesh Maximum Mower Speed with engine at 3 100 rpm amp SLOW 1 2 1 4 mph 2 0 2 3 km h FAST 3 2 3 4 mph 5 1 5 5 km h SXA 8 mph 2 9 km h 5 mph 4 0 km h 1 mph 5 0 km h 1 1 2 2 3 3 81 SPECIFICATIONS MAINTENANCE Fuel Unleaded gasoline with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher See page 55 Engine Oil SAE 10W 30 API SH or SJ See page 49 Transmis
22. G FROM STORAGE 78 71 STORAGE STORAGE PREPARATION Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your lawn mower trouble free and looking good The following steps will help to keep rust and corrosion from impairing your mower s function and appearance and will make the engine easier to start when you use the mower again Cleaning 1 Wash the mower including the underside of the mower deck Engine Wash the engine by hand and be careful to prevent water from entering the air cleaner e Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force water into the air cleaner Water in the air cleaner will soak the filters and can enter the carburetor or engine cylinder causing damage Water contacting a hot engine can cause damage If the engine has been running allow it to cool for at least half an hour before washing Mower Deck If using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment to clean the mower deck be careful to avoid getting water into controls and cables or anywhere near the engine air cleaner or muffler opening Before washing the underside of the mower deck always turn the engine OFF and turn the fuel valve to the OFF position Rest the mower on its right side so the carburetor side is up This will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor flooding Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from the blade Grass Bag Remove the bag from the mower and
23. NCE SCHEDULE 48 ENGINE 49 Engine Oil 49 Engine Oil 50 Air Cleaner 51 Spark Plug 5 52 Carburetor Adjustment 54 Carburetor Modification for High Altitude Operation 54 Fuel Recommendations 55 CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENTS 56 Blade Control Cable Adjustment 56 Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment 5 57 Shift Cable Adjustment 5 58 Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment HMA HXA 59 THROTTLE CABLE INSPECTION 61 BLADE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION 62 Blade 62 Blade 1 5 63 GRASS BAG CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT 64 BATTERY CHARGING 65 E ult 43 MAINTENANCE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE Good maintenance is essential for safe economical and trouble free operation It will also help reduce air pollution Improper maintenance or failure to correct a problem before operation can cause a malfunction in which you can be seriously hurt or killed Always follow the inspection and maintenance recommendations and sch
24. NDA 84 Shop Mantlal 2a e o b RR 84 Parts Catalog n Rn ER n bade ee 84 WARRANTY SERVICE INFORMATION 85 OXYGENATED 5 86 SPARK ARRESTER SERVICE optional equipment 87 N 83 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION HONDA PUBLICATIONS These publications will give you additional information for maintaining and repairing your mower You may order them from your Honda lawn mower dealer Shop Manual This manual covers complete maintenance and overhaul procedures It is intended to be used by a skilled technician Parts Catalog This manual provides complete illustrated parts lists 84 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WARRANTY SERVICE INFORMATION Honda Power Equipment dealership personnel are trained professionals They should be able to answer any question you may have If you encounter a problem that your dealer does not solve to your satisfaction please discuss it with the dealership s management The Service Manager or General Manager can help Almost all problems are solved in this way If you are dissatisfied with the decision made by the dealership s management contact the Honda Power Equipment Customer Relations Office You can write American Honda Motor Co Inc Honda Power Equipment Division Customer Relations Office 4900 Marconi Drive Alpharetta GA 30005 8847 Or telephone 770 497 6400 M F 8 30 a m 5 00
25. a variety of forms including e Safety Labels on the lawn mower e Safety Messages preceded by a safety alert symbol AN and one of three words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION These signal words mean A DANGER You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don t follow instructions AWARNING You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don t follow instructions CAUTION You CAN be HURT if you don t follow instructions Safety Headings such as Important Safety Reminders Important Safety Precautions Safety Chapter such as MOWER SAFETY e Instructions how to use this mower correctly and safely This entire book is filled with important safety information please read it carefully 5 Turn to the beginning of each chapter for complete list of subjects MOWER 5 Important information about some specific hazards and what you can do to prevent injury CONTROLS OMe ewes 9 Identification of components and information about how the controls work BEFORE 17 How to fuel and check your mower to be sure it is ready How to prepare your lawn and yourself before you begin mowing OPERATION 27 Starting and stopping the engine safe mowing practices and mowing tips TRANSPORTING 41
26. art When you need to empty the grass bag or leave the mower for any reason always turn the engine OFF THROTTLE LEVER Blade Control Lever To start blade rotation press the j BLADE CONTROL button on top of the blade control LEVER lever then push the lever forward and hold it against the handlebar BUTTON Release the blade control lever to stop the blade Operate the blade control lever with a quick and complete motion so the blade control is always either fully engaged or stopped This will help to prevent stalling the engine and it will also extend the service life of the blade control mechanism Always release the blade control lever before starting the engine to prevent the blade from turning 31 Drive Clutch Lever HR215SXA Push the drive clutch lever forward to propel the mower BUTTON Release the drive clutch lever to stop the mower s forward movement HR215HMA amp HR215HXA You can control self propelled speed with the drive clutch lever The mower will move gradually faster as you push the drive clutch lever forward If you push the lever all the way forward to the handlebar the mower will move at the speed determined by the shift lever setting see page 33 DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER When moving and using the drive clutch lever to change self propelled speed continue to fully hold the blade control lever against the handlebar This will help to extend the servi
27. atures accelerate fuel deterioration Fuel deterioration problems may occur within a few months or even less if the gasoline was not fresh when you filled the fuel tank The Distributor s Limited Warranty does not cover fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting from neglected storage preparation You can extend fuel storage life by adding a gasoline stabilizer that is formulated for that purpose or you can avoid fuel deterioration problems by draining the fuel tank and carburetor Adding fuel stabilizer to extend fuel storage life When adding a fuel stabilizer fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline If only partially filled air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration during storage If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling be sure that it contains only fresh gasoline 1 Add fuel stabilizer following manufacturer s instructions 2 After adding a fuel stabilizer run the engine outdoors for 10 minutes to be sure that treated gasoline has replaced the untreated gasoline in the carburetor 3 Turn the engine OFF and turn the fuel valve to the OFF position see page 12 74 STORAGE Draining the Fuel Tank and Carburetor 1 Remove the carburetor drain bolt with a 10 mm wrench and drain the carburetor bowl fuel into an approved container A WARNING Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive You can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel e Stop the engine and keep heat spar
28. can use the recommended mowing pattern Bagging Use a clockwise mowing pattern This will give the best bagging performance leaving the least amount of clippings on the lawn Side Discharge Mowing requires optional side discharge chute Where possible use the same mowing pattern recommended for bagging If the lawn has an irregular shape or many obstacles divide it into sections where clippings will be discharged away from uncut areas This will BAGSING spent prevent clippings from piling up in the path of the mower Mulching 4 N requires optional mulching kit Use counterclockwise mowing pattern The optional mulching kit 77 AAA includes instructions Refer to the instructions for mulching 0 recommendations MULCHING PATTERN 39 40 TRANSPORTING This chapter explains how to load and carry your mower safely BEFORE 42 LOADING AND UNLOADING 42 41 TRANSPORTING BEFORE LOADING If the engine has been running allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes before loading the mower on the transport vehicle A hot engine and exhaust system can burn you and can ignite some materials 1 Remove the grass bag 2 Move the throttle lever to the STOP position and on HR215HMA models turn the engine switch to the OFF postion STOP ENGINE SWITCH HMA 3 T
29. ce life Use 4 stroke automotive detergent oil ems SAE 10W 30 is recommended for 157 30 general use Other viscosities 20 0 20 40 60 80 100 shown the chart be used S30 10 0 107 20 30 CAP when the average temperature in RAENT TENURE your area is within the 522 recommended range The SAE oil viscosity and service classification are in the API label on the oil container Honda recommends that you use API SERVICE category SH or SJ oil with the ILSAC starburst certification mark displayed on the container 50 MAINTENANCE Air Cleaner Service Dirty air filters will restrict air flow to the carburetor reducing engine performance If you operate the mower in very dusty areas clean the air filters more often than specified in the MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Operating the engine without air filters or with damaged filters will allow dirt to enter the engine causing rapid engine wear This type of damage is not covered by the Distributor s Limited Warranty AIR CLEANER HOUSING COVER M A A COVER f SCREW 1 Unscrew and remove the air cleaner housing cover screw then remove the air cleaner housing cover 2 Remove the paper filter from the air cleaner housing Remove the foam filter from the cover 3 Inspect the filters and replace them if they are damaged 4 Clean the filters Paper filter Tap the filter several times on a hard surface to remove dirt or
30. ce life of the blade control mechanism ALL MODELS For self propelled mowing press the button on top of the blade control lever push the blade control lever forward then push the drive clutch lever forward The drive clutch lever can be used to hold the blade control lever against the handlebar Always release the drive clutch lever before starting the engine If the drive clutch is engaged the mower will move forward when you operate the starter 32 OPERATION Shift Lever Use the shift lever to select the forward speed at which you wish to mow Do not use the throttle lever to adjust your forward speed The throttle lever must remain in the FAST position for good mowing performance Otherwise cut quality suffers HR215SXA You can shift gears without SHIFT LEVER releasing the drive clutch lever but the transmission may not shift smoothly if the mower is pulling hard For smoother operation release the drive clutch lever before shifting gears To avoid incomplete gear engagement be sure the shift lever is centered in one of the three detent positions HR215HMA amp HR215HXA Use the lower speed range for mulching or bagging and the higher speed range for transporting If you wish to momentarily slow the mower during operation partially release the drive clutch lever then resume your normal speed by pushing the drive clutch lever forward again It is not necessary to move the shift lever for momentary spee
31. ct the gap if necessary by carefully bending the side 2025 5 0 0531 in 0 7 0 8 mm electrode Install the spark plug carefully by hand to avoid cross threading After the spark plug seats tighten with a 13 16 in 21 mm spark plug wrench to compress the washer If reinstalling the old spark plug tighten 1 8 to 1 4 turn after the spark plug seats If installing a new spark plug tighten 1 2 turn after the spark plug seats to compress the washer A loose spark plug can overheat and damage the engine Overtightening the spark plug can damage the threads in the cylinder head Install the spark plug cap on the spark plug 53 MAINTENANCE Carburetor Adjustment 1 Start the engine outdoors and CN allow it to warm up to normal operating temperature 2 Set the throttle lever in the SLOW position 3 Turn the throttle stop screw to obtain the standard idle speed Standard idle speed 2 100 150 rpm THROTTLE STOP SCREW Carburetor Modification for High Altitude Operation At high altitude the standard carburetor air fuel mixture will be too rich Performance will decrease and fuel consumption will increase A very rich mixture will also foul the spark plug and cause hard starting High altitude performance can be improved by specific modifications to the carburetor If you always operate your mower at altitudes above 6 000 feet 1 800 meters have an authorized Honda servicing dealer pe
32. d reconnect the J battery connectors under the engine switch housing BATTERY CHARGER 65 66 TROUBLESHOOTING This chapter shows what to check if you have a problem with your mower ENGINE 68 Engine will not 5 68 Loss 68 FUSE REPLACEMENT HR215HMA 69 VIBRATION 70 MOWING AND BAGGING PROBLEMS 70 67 TROUBLESHOOTING ENGINE PROBLEMS starting Check battery and fuse Engine Will Not Possible Cause Correction Start 1 HR215HMA electric Battery discharged Recharge battery p 65 Fuse burnt out Replace fuse p 69 Check control positions Fuel valve OFF Turn fuel valve ON p 12 Throttle lever in wrong position Move throttle lever to CHOKE position unless the engine is warm p 29 HR215HMA only engine switch OFF Engine switch must be ON to use recoil starter p 30 spark plug or improperly gapped 3 Check fuel Out of fuel Refuel p 21 Bad fuel mower stored Drain fuel tank and without treating or carburetor p 75 draining gasoline or Refuel with fresh refueled with bad gas gasoline p 21 4 Remove and inspect Spark plug faulty fouled Clean gap or replace spark plug p 53 Spark plug wet with fuel flooded engine
33. d reduction 33 OPERATION STOPPING THE ENGINE 1 Release the drive clutch lever and blade control lever BLADE CONTROL LEVER DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER 2 Move the throttle lever to the STOP position and on HR215HMA models turn the engine switch to the OFF postion STOP 7 THROTTLE ENGINE SWITCH LEVER HMA 3 When the mower is not in use turn the fuel valve to the OFF position 34 OPERATION SAFE MOWING PRACTICES For your safety keep all four wheels on the ground and be careful to avoid losing your footing and your control of the mower Keep a firm grip on the handlebar and walk never run with the mower Be very careful when mowing uneven or rough ground If stuck do not kick or shove the mower with your foot Use the handlebar to control the mower A WARNING The blade is sharp and spins at high speed A spinning blade can cut you severely and can amputate fingers and toes e Wear protective footwear e Keep your hands and feet away from the mower deck while the engine is running e Stop the engine before performing any adjustment inspection or maintenance Slopes Mow across slopes not up and down Avoid steep slopes more than 20 and be careful when changing direction Mowing on a slope when the grass is damp or wet could cause you to slip fall and lose control of the mower 35 OPERATION Obstacles Use the side of the mower to cut close
34. da dealer Or if you have a torque wrench you can remove and install the blade yourself see pages 62 63 Check that the blade bolts are tight see page 63 19 BEFORE OPERATION Engine Oil Level Check the engine oil level with the engine stopped and the mower on a level surface 1 Remove the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean 2 Insert and remove the dipstick without screwing it into the filler neck Check the oil level shown on the dipstick FILLER CAP DIPSTICK 3 If the oil level is low add oil to reach the upper limit mark on the dipstick see page 50 FILLER DIPSTICK 4 After checking the engine oil level screw in the filler cap dipstick securely 17 UPPER LIMIT mA LOWER LIMIT 20 BEFORE OPERATION Fuel Fuel tank capacity 0 26 US gal 1 0 Refuel in a well ventilated area before starting the engine If the engine has been running allow it to cool Refer to page 55 for fuel recommendations and page 86 for information about oxgenated fuels Remove the fuel tank cap and check the fuel level Refill the tank if the fuel level is low Refuel carefully to avoid spilling fuel Do not overfill there should be no fuel in the filler neck After refueling tighten the fuel tank cap securely A WARNING Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive You can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel Stop the engine and keep heat spar
35. e it sharpened or replaced Dry Grass If the ground is too dry mowing will stir up a lot of dust Besides being unpleasant to work in too much dust will clog the carburetor air filter If dust is a problem water your lawn the day before mowing Mow when the grass is dry to your touch but the soil is still moist Wet Grass Wet grass is slippery and can make you lose your footing Also wet grass clippings will clog the mower deck and collect in clumps on the lawn Always wait for wet grass to dry before mowing Fallen Leaves Your mower can be used to pick up fallen leaves for disposal If using the mower to bag large amounts of fallen leaves and not for mowing set the cutting height adjustment levers so the front of the mower deck is one or two settings higher than the rear An optional leaf shredder is available Clogged Mower Deck Before clearing a clogged mower deck stop the engine and turn the fuel valve to the OFF position With the spark plug cap disconnected tilt the mower so the carburetor side is up Clear a clogged deck with a stick not your hands 38 OPERATION Mowing Patterns Your Honda mower will work most efficiently if you use the following mowing patterns as much as possible Mower deck and equipment design and the direction in which the blade rotates cause these mowing patterns to give the best results If the lawn has an irregular shape or many obstacles divide it into sections where you
36. e mowed when they have grown 12 to 1 height Cutting Height Consult a local nursery or lawn and garden center for cutting A height recommendations and advice about specific types of LONG ENOUGH grasses and growing conditions in your area If you look closely you ll see that most grass has stems and leaves If you cut off the leaves you ll scalp the lawn Let the grass IUARVIIL recover between mowings Your TOO SHORT mower will work better and your lawn will look better If your grass gets too tall cut it once at the highest cutting height setting then mow again in 2 or 3 days Don t take off more than one third of total grass height in any one mowing or brown patches may develop Cutting height adjustment is explained on page 16 Cutting Width For an even lawn finish overlap each mowing swath by a few inches If the grass is very tall or thick use more overlap and a narrower mowing swath 37 OPERATION Blade Speed The blade must spin very fast to cut properly Always use the FAST throttle setting and keep the engine running at maximum rpm If engine speed drops it could mean the engine is being overloaded by the blade trying to cut too much grass Mow a narrower swath move the mower slower or raise the cutting height Blade Sharpness A sharp blade cuts cleanly A dull blade tears the grass leaving shredded ends that turn brown When your blade doesn t cut cleanly anymore hav
37. edules in this owner s manual To help you properly care for your mower the following pages include a maintenance schedule routine inspection procedures and simple maintenance procedures using basic hand tools Other service tasks that are more difficult or require special tools are best handled by professionals and are normally performed by a Honda technician or other qualified mechanic The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions If you operate your mower under severe conditions such as sustained high load or high temperature operation or use in unusually wet or dusty conditions consult your servicing dealer for recommendations applicable to your individual needs and use Maintenance replacement or repair of the emission control devices and systems may be performed by any engine repair establishment or individual using parts that are certified to EPA standards 44 MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SAFETY Some of the most important safety precautions follow However we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing maintenance Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task A WARNING Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and precautions can cause you to be seriously hurt or killed Always follow the procedures and precautions in this owner s manual Safety Precautions e Make sure the engine is off before you begi
38. hine will be used for its designed purpose Sustained high load or high temperature operation or use in unusually wet or dusty conditions will require more frequent service 47 MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE REGULAR SERVICE PERIOD Before First Every Every Every Refer 20 50 100 300 to hours hours hours hours page 19 63 Perform at every indicated interval Clean adjust Replace o Blade control cable After every 250 hours 2 Busse tud mex m 190 Replace paper filter only 1 Service more frequently when used in dusty areas 2 These items should be serviced by an authorized Honda servicing dealer unless you have the proper tools and are mechanically proficient Refer to the Honda shop manual for service procedures 3 For commercial use log hours of operation to determine proper maintenance intervals 48 MAINTENANCE ENGINE MAINTENANCE Engine Oil Change Drain the used oil while the engine is warm Warm oil drains quickly and completely 1 Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position to reduce the possibility of fuel leakage see page 34 2 Wipe the oil filler area clean then remove the oil filler cap dipstick Place a suitable container next to the mower to catch the used oil then tilt the mower on its right side The used oil wil
39. ks and flame away Handle fuel only outdoors Wipe up spills immediately 2 In order to allow fuel from the fuel tank to drain through the carburetor bowl turn the fuel valve ON see page 12 DRAIN BOLT 3 Reinstall the drain bolt Engine Oil Change the engine oil see page 49 75 5 Engine Cylinder Remove the spark plug See page 53 Pour a tablespoon 5 10 cc of clean engine oil into the cylinder Pull the starter rope several times to distribute the oil in the cylinder Reinstall the spark plug Pull the starter rope slowly until resistance is felt then return the starter grip gently This will close the valves so moisture can not enter the engine cylinder 76 STORAGE Handlebar Folding The handlebar can be folded for storage or transport by loosening the handlebar locking knobs 1 Remove the grass bag You can place it on top of the engine with the bag opening to the front LOWER LOCKING KNOBS 2 Loosen the lower handlebar locking knobs Spread the handlebar struts to release the locating pins then swing the handlebar forward IT LA 3 Loosen the upper handlebar locking knobs and swing the upper handlebar back over the top of the mower Be careful to avoid kinking or pinching the control cables When unfolding the handlebar be sure to tighten the locking knobs to secure the handlebar in the mowing position
40. ks and flame away Handle fuel only outdoors e Wipe up spills immediately Never refuel the mower inside a building where gasoline fumes may reach flames or sparks Keep gasoline away from appliance pilot lights barbecues electric appliances power tools etc Spilled fuel is not only a fire hazard it causes environmental damage Wipe up spills immediately Fuel can damage paint and plastic Be careful not to spill fuel when filling your fuel tank Damage caused by spilled fuel is not covered under warranty FUEL TANK CAP FUEL FILLER NECK 21 BEFORE OPERATION Air Cleaner Inspection Check that the air filters are clean and in good condition Dirty air filters will restrict air flow to the carburetor reducing engine performance Refer to page 51 for air cleaner service AIR CLEANER HOUSING COVER SCREW 22 BEFORE OPERATION Handlebar Height Adjustment Adjust handlebar height for a comfortable operating position 1 Loosen the lower handlebar locking knobs 2 Loosen both left and right height adjuster locking bolts with a 12 mm wrench 3 Adjust the handlebar to a comfortable height 4 Tighten the height adjuster locking bolts then tighten the locking knobs HEIGHT her ADJUSTER 2 LOCKING BOLT 2 LOWER HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOB 2 23 BEFORE OPERATION Grass Bag A lawn mower works like a vacuum cleaner it blows air through the bag which traps the grass clip
41. l drain through the filler neck Allow the oil to drain completely Please dispose of used motor oil and the containers in a manner that is compatible with the environment We suggest you take it in a sealed container to your local recycling center or service station for reclamation Do not throw it in the trash or pour it on the ground or down a drain Fill with the recommended oil Do not overfill measure the oil level as shown on page 50 Engine oil capacity 0 63 US qt 0 6 2 Using nondetergent oil can shorten the engine s service life and using 2 stroke oil can damage the engine 49 MAINTENANCE After changing the engine oil and before starting the engine check the oil level with the mower on a level surface a Wipe the dipstick clean b Insert and remove the dipstick without screwing it Sa into the filler neck Check the oil level shown on the E bi dipstick c If the oil level is low add oil LR to reach the upper limit mark ll on the dipstick Do not overfill If the engine is overfilled the excess oil may get transferred to the air FILLER CAP cleaner housing and air lt DIPSTICK cleaner filters Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine damage E UPPER LIMIT NM d Screw in the filler cap dipstick LOWER LIMIT securely Engine Oil Recommendations Oil is a major factor affecting 36 performance and servi
42. l hazard to you and others Look for things like stones sticks bones and wire Remove them from the mowing area People and Pets People and animals near the mowing area can move into your path or into a position where they could be struck by thrown objects Clear the area of people and pets especially children Their safety is your responsibility Lawn Check the length and condition of the grass so you will know what cutting height and mowing speed to use Avoid mowing wet grass Not only will wet grass clog your mower deck and collect in clumps on the lawn it also gives poor traction increasing your risk of losing your footing 18 BEFORE OPERATION CHECK YOUR MOWER Blade 1 Move the throttle lever to the STOP postion see page 12 2 HR215HMA turn the key to the OFF position see page 13 3 Move the fuel valve to the OFF position see page 12 4 Disconnect the spark plug cap from the spark plug see page 52 5 Tilt the mower to the right so the carburetor side is up This will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting 6 Inspect the blade for wear and damage NORMAL EXCESSIVELY BENT CRACKED WORN A dull blade can be sharpened but a blade that is worn out bent cracked or otherwise damaged must be replaced A worn or damaged blade can break causing blade pieces to be thrown from the mower When the blade needs sharpening or replacement take the lawn mower to an authorized Hon
43. moved as far as it will go A THROTTLE LEVER 2 Move the throttle lever to the FAST position The choke arm should move clockwise until it CHOKE ARM contacts the stop post on the carburetor Push the choke arm with your finger to verify that it has moved as far as it will go 3 If the choke arm does not move all the way to its stop in either direction take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer Throttle cable adjustment involves related control plate adjustments 61 MAINTENANCE BLADE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION If you remove the blade for sharpening or replacement you will need a torque wrench for installation Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands BLADE SHARPENING To avoid weakening the blade or causing imbalance or poor cutting the blade should be sharpened by trained staff at an authorized Honda servicing dealer BLADE REPLACEMENT Use a genuine Honda replacement blade or its equivalent Blade Removal 1 Always turn the engine OFF and turn the fuel valve to the OFF position Disconnect the spark plug cap then tilt the mower to the right side so the carburetor side is up This will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor flooding 2 Remove the two blade bolts with a 14 mm socket wrench Use a wooden block to prevent the blade from turning when removing the bolts 3 Remove the blade and blade holder from the blade control assembly For correct reinstallatio
44. mponents on the engine and tighten the two nuts securely MUFFLER MUFFLER SHIELD SPARK ARRESTER IDENTIFICATION PLATE SCREEN 87 88 Air Cleaner Inspection 22 Air Cleaner Service 51 B Battery Charging 215 65 Blade Inspection 19 Installation 63 62 Blade Control Lever Cable Adjustment 56 Operation 14 amp 31 C Carburetor Adjustment 54 High Altitude Operation 54 CHOKE 12 amp 29 Clogged Mower Deck 38 Clothing Recommendations 25 Component Identification 10 Contents 3 Control Cable Adjustments Blade Control Cable 56 Drive Clutch Cable SXA 57 Drive Clutch Cable 59 Shift Cable 5 58 Cutting Height Adjustment Levers 16 Recommendations 37 Cutting Width Recommendations 37 INDEX D Description of Controls 12 Drive Clutch Lever Cable Adjustment 5 57 Cable Adjustment 59 Operation 14 amp 32 E Emission Control System Information 46 Engine Fuel Recommendations 55 Maintenance
45. n note that the two holes in the blade holder align with the two raised bosses in the blade control assembly BLADE CONTROL BLADE HOLDER ASSEMBLY HOLES SS BOSSES BLADE CONTROL ASSEMBLY 62 MAINTENANCE Blade Installation 1 Clean dirt and grass from around the blade mounting area 2 Align the two holes in the blade holder with the two raised bosses in the blade control assembly see page 62 Hold the blade holder against the blade control assembly and install the blade using the two blade bolts as shown The blade lift edges must be toward the engine The blade bolts are specially designed for this application When replacing bolts use only genuine Honda replacement bolts Tighten the blade bolts with a torque wrench Use a wooden block to prevent the blade from turning when tightening the bolts Blade bolt torque 36 43 ft lb 49 59 m 5 0 6 0 kg m If you do not have a torque wrench have an authorized Honda servicing dealer tighten the blade bolts before you use the mower If the blade bolts are overtightened they could break If the blade bolts are not tightened enough they could loosen or come out In either case it would be possible for the blade to fly off while you are operating the mower BLADE LIFT EDGES BLADE TOWARD ENGINE HOLDER ENGINE V BLADE BOLTS TORQUE WRENCH BLADE WOODEN BLOCK BLADE BOLTS 63
46. n any maintenance or repairs This will eliminate several potential hazards Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate the engine Burns from hot parts Let the engine and exhaust system cool before touching Injury from moving parts Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so e Read the instructions before you begin and make sure you have the tools and skills required e To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion be careful when working around gasoline Use only a nonflammable solvent not gasoline to clean parts Keep cigarettes sparks and flames away from all fuel related parts Remember that an authorized Honda servicing dealer knows your mower best and is fully equipped to maintain and repair it To ensure the best quality and reliability use only new genuine Honda parts or their equivalents for repair and replacement 45 MAINTENANCE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM INFORMATION Source of Emissions The combustion process produces carbon monoxide oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons Control of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen is very important because under certain conditions they react to form photochemical smog when subjected to sunlight Carbon monoxide does not react in the same way but it is toxic Honda utilizes lean carburetor settings and other systems to reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons
47. on COLD ENGINE Move the throttle lever to the CHOKE position WARM ENGINE Move the throttle lever to the FAST position 29 OPERATION 3 Operate the starter MANUAL STARTING STARTER GRIP all models Place your foot on the mower deck step Pull the starter grip lightly until you feel resistance then pull briskly Return the starter grip gently HR215HMA The engine switch must be in the ON position to start the engine with the recoil starter ELECTRIC STARTING HR215HMA Turn the engine switch to the START position and hold it there until the engine starts If the engine fails to start within 5 seconds release the engine 4 switch and wait at least 10 hae stant W seconds before operating the starter again NTERRUPTEUR D ARRET ENGINE SWITCH When the engine starts release the key allowing it to return to the ON position 4 Move the throttle lever away from the CHOKE position as soon as the engine warms up enough to run smoothly without use of the choke Set the throttle lever at FAST to mow or at SLOW to idle 30 OPERATION OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING Throttle Lever For best cut quality always mow with the throttle lever in the FAST position When the blade rotates at the preset fast speed it creates a strong fan action that lifts and cuts grass more efficiently Do not try to increase the preset engine speed the blade could fracture and come ap
48. oved container Wear Protective Clothing Wearing protective clothing will reduce your risk of injury Long pants and eye protection reduce the risk of injuries from thrown objects Sturdy shoes with aggressive soles will help protect your feet and give you better traction on slopes or uneven ground Turn Engine Off When Not Mowing If you need to leave the mower for any reason even just to inspect the lawn ahead always turn the engine OFF 6 5 IMPORTANT MESSAGE PARENTS YOUR CHILDREN S SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT to Honda That s why we urge you to read this message before letting your youngster operate this lawn mower Lawn mowers are tools not toys As with any equipment bad judgments can result in serious injuries You can help prevent accidents by making good decisions about if when and how your youngster operates this equipment The first question you ll need to ask is whether your youngster is capable of operating this mower safely Remember young people vary widely and AGE IS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR Physically a youngster must be LARGE ENOUGH AND STRONG ENOUGH to easily start the mower and control its direction The youngster also needs enough size strength and coordination to comfortably reach and operate the controls Another tougher question you need to ask is if your youngster has enough MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY to safely operate this mower Does the young person think through
49. pings Always empty the grass bag before it becomes filled to the limit of its capacity Bagging performance will diminish after the bag becomes about 90 filled Also the bag is easier to empty when it is not packed full Inspection Inspect the grass bag for tears holes and excessive wear The grass bag wears during normal use and will eventually require replacement Grass bag replacement is explained on page 64 Installation 1 Raise the discharge guard and hook the grass bag onto the mower deck as shown 2 Release the discharge guard to GRASS BAG HANDLE secure the grass bag Removal 1 Raise the discharge guard grasp the grass bag handle and remove the grass bag 2 Release the discharge guard 3 When the grass bag is clear of the discharge guard you can lift it through the handlebar opening or you can remove it DISCHARGE GUARD to the rear of the mower below the handlebar 24 BEFORE OPERATION Cutting Height Check the mower deck cutting height settings and be sure that all four adjustment levers are set to the same cutting height position ADJUSTMENT LEVERS To adjust cutting height pull each adjustment lever toward the wheel and move it into another notch 3 in 77 mm 25 8 in 67 mm 21 4 in 56 mm 13 4 in 45 mm 11 4 in 33 mm 3 4 in 20 mm If you are not sure what cutting height to select start with a high setting and check the appearance of the lawn after mowing a small
50. problems and come to logical solutions Be honest Anyone who takes unnecessary risks and doesn t obey rules should not operate this lawn mower If you decide that your son or daughter can handle the mower safely CAREFULLY READ THE OWNER S MANUAL with your youngster Make sure you both understand all instructions and safety information Also be sure your youngster wears sturdy shoes and other protective clothing when operating or handling the mower SUPERVISION is also very important Walk with your youngster during the first few minutes of mowing Even after the youngster has become confident with the mower do not let the young person use the mower without good adult supervision An adult should also be present during refueling and maintenance In fact it s up to parents to make sure that the mower is properly maintained and kept in safe operating condition By always placing safety first your youngster will acquire useful skills sense of accomplishment And you ll both get the best results from your lawn mower 5 SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS The labels shown here contain important safety information Please read them carefully These labels are considered permanent parts of your mower So if a label comes off or becomes hard to read contact your dealer for a replacement A CAUTION AWARNING UNDER NORMAL USAGE THIS BAG MATERIAL DO NOT START UNLESS GUARD IS SUBJECT TO DETERIORATION AND WEAR IS
51. rform this carburetor modification Even with carburetor modification engine horsepower will decrease about 3 5 for each 1 000 foot 300 meter increase in altitude The effect of altitude on horsepower will be greater than this if no carburetor modification is made When the carburetor has been modified for high altitude operation the air fuel mixture will be too lean for low altitude use Operation at altitudes below 6 000 feet 1 800 meters with a modified carburetor may cause the engine to overheat and result in serious engine damage For use at low altitudes have an authorized Honda servicing dealer return the carburetor to original factory specifications 54 MAINTENANCE Fuel Recommendations Use unleaded gasoline with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline Unleaded gasoline produces fewer engine and spark plug deposits and extends exhaust system life Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oil gasoline mixture Avoid getting dirt or water in the fuel tank Occasionally you may hear light spark knock or pinging metallic rapping noise while operating under heavy loads This is no cause for concern If spark Knock or pinging occurs at a steady engine speed under normal load change brands of gasoline If spark knock or pinging persists see an authorized Honda servicing dealer Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging can cause
52. rk Plug Gap 0 028 0 031 in 0 7 0 8 mm page 53 Blade bolts Torque 36 43 ft lb 49 59 Nem 5 0 6 0 kg m page 63 Carburetor Idle speed 2 100 150 rpm page 54 Check blade and bolt tightness pages 19 amp 63 Before each Check grass bag pages 24 amp 64 use Check engine oil level page 20 Check air cleaner page 22 Change engine oil page 49 Check blade control mechanism dealer service Adjust blade control cable page 56 Adjust drive clutch cable SXA page 57 Adjust shift cable SXA page 58 Adjust drive clutch cable HMA HXA page 59 Adjust throttle cable dealer service Maintenance First 20 hours Subsequent Refer to maintenance schedule on page 48 POM51852 D P N 31VA3820 M IPC 6000 2001 08 00X31 VA3 8200 Recycled Paper PRINTED IN U S A
53. rward speed Mower is moving too Shift to slow speed FAST for lawn conditions p 33 Check cutting height adjustment levers Adjustment levers set at different positions Set all levers at the same cutting height position p 16 A Check grass bag Grass bag overfilled or clogged Empty the grass bag Wash the grass bag if clogged with dirt p 64 a Check mower deck and blade Mower deck clogged Clean out the mower deck p 38 Blade dull worn or damaged Sharpen or replace blade if necessary p 62 63 Wrong blade installed Install correct blade 70 5 This chapter explains how to protect your mower from rust corrosion and ensure that it will start easily when you want to use it again STORAGE PREPARATION 72 Cleaning 2 hee ae 72 ace 72 Mower Deck 72 Ba 72 se 74 Adding fuel stabilizer to extend fuel storage life 74 Draining the Fuel Tank and Carburetor 75 1 19 ito Sone es ie eed 75 Engine 76 Handlebar Folding qus bento ree 77 PLACING IN STORAGE 78 REMOVIN
54. s you read this manual you will find information preceded by a NOTICE symbol That information is intended to help you avoid damage to your mower other property or the environment We suggest you read the warranty policy to fully understand its coverage and your responsibilities of ownership The warranty policy is a separate document that should have been given to you by your dealer When your mower needs scheduled maintenance keep in mind that an authorized Honda servicing dealer is specially trained in servicing Honda mowers and is supported by the parts and service divisions of American Honda Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer your questions and concerns Best Wishes Power Equipment Division American Honda Motor Co Inc 1996 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved INTRODUCTION A FEW WORDS ABOUT SAFETY Your safety and the safety of others are very important And using this lawn mower safely is an important responsibility To help you make informed decisions about safety we have provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in this manual This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others Of course it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the hazards associated with operating or maintaining a lawn mower You must use your own good judgment You will find important safety information in
55. sion Oil HMA amp HXA Honda hydrostatic fluid SXA Hypoid gear oil SAE 90 See shop manual Spark Plug Type Regular BP5ES DENSO W16EP U CHAMPION N12Y Resistor BPR5ES DENSO W16EPR U CHAMPION RN12Y See page 52 Maximum Governed Speed 3 100 150 rpm See shop manual Blade Control Cable Adjust for 34 1 in 20 25 mm free play at blade control lever See page 56 Drive Clutch Cable SXA Adjust for 346 38 in 5 10 mm See page 57 free play at drive clutch lever pag Shift Cable SXA Adjust for shift lever alignment with numbers beside lever See page 58 Drive Clutch Cable Adjust for transmission arm HMA HXA alignment See page 59 Throttle Cable Adjust for proper choke operation and maximum governed speed See shop manual Blade Bolt Torque 36 43 ft lb 49 59 Nem 5 0 6 0 See page 63 TUNEUP Spark Plug Gap 0 028 0 031 in 0 7 0 8 mm See page 53 idie Speed 2 100 150 rpm See page 54 blade control disengaged Valve Clearance cold Intake 0 15 0 02 mm Exhaust 0 20 0 02 mm See shop manual Other Specifications No other adjustments needed 82 ADDITIONAL INFORMATIO This chapter contains additional information Honda publications available to you and tells you how to contact us if you have a question or a warranty repair problem HO
56. sions 80 Grass 64 amp 72 Engine Design and Mower 72 Performance 81 OWEN Maintenance 82 Transmission Design and 81 TUNEUP 82 121 80 Starting the Engine 29 Stopping the Engine 34 Storage Placing In Storage 78 Preparation 72 Removing From Storage 78 T Throttle Lever Cable Inspection 61 Operation 12 amp 31 Transmission Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment SXA 57 Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment HMA HXA 59 Drive Clutch Lever Operation 14 amp 32 Shift Lever Operation 15 amp 33 Specifications 79 PANS POMING 41 Troubleshooting Engine Problems 68 Mowing and Bagging Problems 70 Vibration Problems 70 Tuneup Specifications 82 91 QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION Unleaded gasoline with pump octane rating of 86 or higher page 55 Fuel Capacity 0 26 US gallons 1 0 Type SAE 10W 30 SH or SJ page 50 Engine Oil Capacity 0 63 US quarts 0 6 2 Regular BP5ES DENSO W16EP U CHAMPION N12Y Resistor BPR5ES DENSO W16EPR U CHAMPION RN12Y Type Spa
57. t but running the engine will not charge the battery LOWER CONTROL 1 Remove the two bolts from the BOX COVER lower control box cover using a 10 mm wrench BOLTS 2 Remove the lower control box cover and check the fuse If it is burnt out install the spare 1 ampere fuse provided with the SPARE FUSE mower Never use a fuse with a rating other than 1 ampere Serious damage to the electrical system or a fire can result If frequent fuse failure occurs it usually indicates a short circuit or an overload in the electrical system Take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair 69 TROUBLESHOOTING VIBRATION PROBLEMS Excessive Vibration Possible Cause Correction 1 Check mower deck and blade Grass and debris lodged under mower deck Clean out mower deck p 38 Blade loose bent damaged or unbalanced by improper sharpening Tighten loose blade bolts Replace damaged blade p 62 63 2 Take mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair Mechanical damage such as a bent crankshaft Replace or repair faulty components as necessary MOWING AND BAGGING PROBLEMS Poor Cut Quality or Poor Mowing Bagging Performance Possible Cause Correction 1 Check that the throttle lever is in the FAST Engine speed is too slow to cut well Move throttle lever to the FAST position position p 31 2 Reduce fo
58. te as it should with correct cable adjustment take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair 3 16 3 8 in 5 10 mm DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER ADJUSTER 57 MAINTENANCE Shift Cable Adjustment SXA Shift cable adjustment is necessary if the shift lever does not operate properly or does not align with the numbers beside the lever With the shift lever in 2nd speed check that the lever throughout its free play range is well centered on the number 2 on the lever cover If adjustment is necessary 1 Loosen the lock nuts with a 19 mm wrench and move the adjuster up or down as required 2 Tighten the lock nuts and recheck free play 3 Start the engine outdoors and operate the shift lever release the drive clutch lever before moving the shift lever Check that the transmission shifts properly and that the lever is aligned with the numbers beside it If the transmission does not shift as it should with correct cable adjustment take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair 58 MAINTENANCE Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment HMA HXA 1 Position the control cable bands as shown 2 Set the rear cutting height adjusters in the lowest cutting height position see page 16 3 Move the shift lever to the slowest position SHIFT LEVER 4 Push the drive clutch lever all the way forward and hold it against the handlebar DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER
59. to large obstacles such as fences or walls Release the drive clutch lever to disengage the drive when mowing around trees and other obstacles Push the mower around obstacles for better directional control Be careful when mowing over obstacles embedded in the lawn such as sprinkler heads paving edging etc Avoid anything that sticks up above the surface of the lawn If the blade hits something or if the mower starts to vibrate stop the engine immediately and check for damage Striking objects may damage the blade bend the crankshaft and or break the mower deck or other components Vibration usually indicates serious trouble A WARNING A worn cracked or damaged blade can break and pieces of the damaged blade can become dangerous projectiles Thrown objects can cause serious injury Inspect the blade regularly and do not operate the mower with a worn or damaged blade The Distributor s Limited Warranty does not cover parts damaged by accident or collision Gravel and Loose Objects Gravel loose stones and landscaping material can be picked up by the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious personal injury and or property damage The best way to prevent potential injury from thrown objects is to release the blade control lever to stop the blade before reaching areas with gravel loose stones or landscaping material 36 OPERATION MOWING TIPS When to Mow Most grasses should b
60. urability description is intended to provide you with information relating the engine s emission durability period The descriptive term indicates the useful life period for the engine s emission control system See your Emission Control System Warranty for additional information Descriptive Term Applicable to Emissions Durability Period Moderate 50 hours 0 65 cc 125 hours greater than 65 cc Intermediate 125 hours 0 65 cc 250 hours greater than 65 cc Extended 300 hours 0 65 cc 500 hours greater than 65 cc Replacement Parts The emission control systems on your new Honda engine were designed built and certified to conform with EPA and California emission regulations We recommend the use genuine Honda parts whenever you have maintenance done These original design replacement parts are manufactured to the same standards as the original parts so you can be confident of their performance The use of replacement parts that are not of the original design and quality may impair the effectiveness of your emission control system A manufacturer of an aftermarket part assumes the responsibility that the part will not adversely affect emission performance The manufacturer or rebuilder of the part must certify that use of the part will not result in a failure of the engine to comply with emission regulations Maintenance Follow the maintenance schedule on page 48 Remember that this schedule is based on the assumption that your mac
61. urn the fuel valve to the OFF position This will prevent carburetor flooding and reduce the possibility of fuel leakage FUEL VALVE LOADING AND UNLOADING If a suitable loading ramp is not available two people should lift the mower on and off the transport vehicle while holding the mower level Position the mower so all four wheels are on the bed of the transport vehicle Tie the mower down with rope or straps and block the wheels Keep the tie down rope or straps away from the controls adjustment levers cables and the carburetor The handlebar can be folded so the mower will take up less space see page 77 42 MAINTENANC This chapter explains when and how to perform routine inspection service and adjustments for do it yourself maintenance More diffic maintenance tasks should be done by your dealer Your dealer is best equipped and staffed to provide the level of service and safety you and your mower deserve THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE 44 MAINTENANCE SAFETY 45 Safety 5 45 EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM INFORMATION 46 Source of 5 0 46 The U S and California Clean Air 46 Tampering and Altering 46 Problems that may Affect Emissions 46 Replacement 47 47 MAINTENA
62. ut grass will vary with lawn and soil conditions ADJUSTMENT 3 4 in 20 mm LEVER 11 4 in 33 mm 13 4 in 45 mm 21 4 in 56 mm 25 g in 67 mm 3 in 77 mm There is an adjustment lever on each wheel ADJUSTMENT LEVERS 16 BEFORE OPERATION This chapter explains how to fuel and check your mower to be sure it is ready and it tells you how to prepare your lawn and yourself before you begin mowing CHECK YOUR LAWN 18 bo 2248 18 People and 18 LAWN spond si Rr RR CREE 18 CHECK YOUR MOWER 19 i r 19 Engine 20 PUG or Beau nec pe 21 Air Cleaner 5 22 Handlebar Height 23 Grass eo 9 24 Inspection 14060 re 24 s seeen heen 45 ee a TIT 24 Removal s srian erara ea 24 Height se danna a iaa a de 25 Are YOU Ready to 25 17 BEFORE OPERATION CHECK YOUR LAWN For your safety and for the safety of others always inspect the area before mowing Objects Anything which can be picked up by the blade and thrown is a potentia
63. wash it with a garden hose or pressure washing equipment Allow the bag to dry completely before storage 2 After washing the mower wipe dry all accessible surfaces 72 STORAGE With the mower in an upright position start the engine outdoors and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature to evaporate any water remaining on the engine While the engine is running operate the blade control lever 4 or 5 times to expel water from the blade control mechanism Allow the blade to spin for several minutes to ensure that no water remains 5 Stop the engine and allow it to cool 6 After the mower is clean and dry touch up any damaged paint and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil Lubricate all control cable cores with a silicone spray lubricant 73 STORAGE Fuel Gasoline will oxidize and deteriorate in storage Old gasoline will cause hard starting and it leaves gum deposits that clog the fuel system If the gasoline in your mower deteriorates during storage you may need to have the carburetor and other fuel system components serviced or replaced The length of time that gasoline can be left in your fuel tank and carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with such factors as gasoline blend your storage temperatures and whether the fuel tank is partially or completely filled The air in a partially filled fuel tank promotes fuel deterioration Very warm storage temper
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