Honda F401, F501 Owner's Manual

Thank you for purchasing a Honda tiller. This manual covers operation

tillers. All information in this publication is based on the latest product information available at the time of approval for printing.

Honda motor Co., Ltd. reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission.

This manual should be considered a permanent part of the tiller and remain

with the tiller when sold. Pay special attention to statements preceded by the following words:

Enm

Indicates a strong possibility of severe personal injury or death if in-

and maintenance of F401 and F501

structions are not followed.

CAUTION: Indicates a possibility of personal injury or equipment damage

if instructions are not followed.

NOTE: Gives helpful information. If a problem should arise, or if you have any questions about the tiller;

consult an authorized Honda dealer.

m Honda tillers will give safe and dependable service when operated according to instructions. Read and understand the Owner’s Manual before operating the tiller. Failure to do so could result in personal injury or equipment damage.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This tiller is not equipped with a spark arrester. Operation onforest, brush or grass covered land may be illegal in some states. Check local laws and regulations before operation.

CdNTENTS

1. TILLER SAFETY

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2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

3. PRE-OPERATION CHECK

4. STARTING THE ENGINE

5.TILLER OPERATION

l High altitude operation

6. STOPPING THE ENGINE

7. MAINTENANCE

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8. TRANSPORTING/STORAGE

9. TROUBLESHOOTING

10. SPECIFICATIONS

11. WARRANTY SERVICE

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3 4

14 15 22 23 24 25

1. TILLER SAFETY

To ensure safe operation -

Never permit anyone to operate the tiller without proper instruction.

Know how to stop the tiller quickly and understand the operation of all the

controls - READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAREFULLY.

Keep children and pets at a safe distance when tilling.

Wear suitable clothing and shoes while using the tiller.

Never operate the tiller without the V-belt cover or the recoil starter cover.

Make sure that all fasteners are properly secured.

When tilling on an incline, keep the fuel tank less than half full to minimize fuel spillage.

Always stop the engine before cleaning the tines or making adjustments.

Be very cautious when operating the tiller in REVERSE (A2 type),

especially if attachments are being used.

Keep a firm hold on the handlebars; they may tend to lift during clutch

engagement.

Clear the area to be tilled by picking up any stones, wire, glass, large sticks, metal, etc.

If the tiller strikes an object while tilling, stop the engine and check for

damage.

Stop the engine whenever you leave the tiller. Never allow it to idle unattended.

2. ‘COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE SWITCH

FRONT WHEEL

.UTdH LEVER

FUEL TANK

CAP

HANDLE BAR

SHIFT LEVER (A2 TYPE)

V-BELT COVER

THROTTLE LEVER

SPARK PLUG CAP

AIR CLEANER COVER

HANDLE HEIGHT ADJUSTER

DRAG BAR

-TRANSMISSION OIL FILLER CAP

RECOIL STARTER

3. PRE-OPERATION CHECK

1. Engine oil level

CAUTION:

Engine oil is a major factor affecting engine performance and service life. Non-detergent or vegetable oils are not recommended.

Be sure to check the tiller on a level surface with the engine stopped.

Use Honda 4-stroke oil, or an equivalent high detergent, premium quality motor oil certified to meet or exceed

U.S. automobile manufacturer’s requirements for Service Classification SE or SF. (Motor oils classified SE or SF will show this designation on the container.)

I 0 20 40

SAE low-40 is recommended for Go -io -ic e rb 2’0 jc &oc general, all-temperature use.

1. Remove the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean.

2. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck, but do not screw it in.

3. If the level is low, fill to the top of the oil filler neck with the recommended oil.

60 60 100°F

Ambient temperature

CAUTION: Running the engine with insufficient oil can cause serious engine damage.

OIL FILLER

NECK

2. Transmission gear oil

Place the tiller on g level surface and remove the oil filler cap. The oil should be level with the lower edge of the,oil filler hole. Add high quality engine oil if the level is low.

OIL FliLER

HOLE

Air cleaner

Check cleaner for dirt or obstruction of elements.

6’

AIR CLEANER COVER

ELEMENTS

4. Fuel

Your engine is number (q tane number ;f 91 or higher. Gasoline pumps at service station normally

display the pump octane number. We recommend that you use unleaded fuel because it produces fewer engine and spark plug deposits and extends the life of exhaust system components.

Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oil/gasoline mixture. Avoid getting dirt, dust or water in the fuel tank. Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause persistent “pinging” or heavy “spark knock” (a metallic rapping noise) which, if severe, can lead to engine damage.

designed to use any gasoline that has a pump octane

“) of 86 or higher,

or that has a research oc-

CAUTION: If “spark knock” or “pinging” occurs at a steady engine speed under normal load, change brands of gasoline. If spark knock or pinging persists, consult your authorized Honda dealer. Failure to do so is considered misuse, and damage caused by misuse is not covered by Honda’s Limited Warranty.

Occasionally you may experience light spark knock while operating under heavy loads. This is no cause for concern, it simply means your engine is operating efficiently.

CAUTION: Do not fill over the red level line.

Fuel tank capacity: F401.....1.4 ! (0.37 US Gal)

F501 . . . . . 2.6 l (0.69 US Gal)

Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain conditions.

Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area where the engine is refueled or where

gasoline is stored.

Do not overfill the fuel tank (there should be no fuel in the filler neck). After

refueling, make sure the tank cap is closed properly and securely.

Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling. Spilled fuel or fuel vapor may ignite. If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before starting the engine.

Avoid repeated or prolonged contact with skin or breathing of vapor. KEEP

OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

GASOLINES CONTAINING ALCOHOL

If you decide to use a gasoline containing alcohol (gasohol), be sure it’s octane rating of ‘!‘gasohol”: one containing ethanol, and the other containing methanol. Do not’ use gasohol that contains more than 10% ethanol. Do not use gasoline containing methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that does not also contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol. Never use gasoline contain-

ing ,more than 5% methanol, even if it has cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors. NOTE:

l Before buying fuel from an unfamiliar station, try to find out if the fuel con-

is at least as high as that recommended by Honda. There are two types

l Fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting from the use

of fuels that contain alcohol is not covered under the warranty.

Honda cannot endorse the use of fuels containing methanol since evidence

of their suitability is as yet incomplete. tains alcohol, if it does, confirm the type and percentage of alcohol used. If

you notice any undesirable operating symptoms while using a gasoline that contains alcohol, or one that you think contains alcohol, switch to a gasoline that you know does not contain alcohol.

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