HONDA HRB216TDA User Manual

Owner’s Manual

Rotary Mower

HRB216TDA

BBWARNING:

The engine exhaust from this product

contains chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer, birth

defects or other reproductive harm.

Keep this owner’s manual handy, so you can refer to it any time, and make sure the manual stays with the lawn mower if you sell it.

This owner’s manual is considered a permanent part of the lawn mower lawn mower

and should remain with the if resold.

The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation whatever.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your selection of a Honda lawn mower! We are certain you will be please d with your pur chase of one of t he finest l awn 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.

As 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 Distributor’s Limit ed Warranty (page 64) and Emission Control System Warranty (page 65) to fully understand coverage and your responsibilities of ownership.

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.

1997, 2000–2001 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.All Righ ts Reserved

LAWN MOWER SAFETY

A FEW WORDS ABOUT SAFETY

Your safety, and the safety of others, is 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 ale rts you to potenti al hazards that cou ld 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 a variety of forms including:

• Safety Labels — on the lawn mower.

• Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert ! symbol and one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

These signal words mean:

DANGER

WARNING

CAUTION

• Safety Headings —

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

• Safety Cha pter — such as LAWN MOWER SAFETY.

• Instructions — how to use this mower correctly and safely.

This entire book is filled with important safety information — please read it carefully.

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don't follow instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don't follow instructions.

You CAN be HURT if you don't follow instructions.

such as IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS or

LAWNMOWER SAFETY

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ..................................................4

SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS.............................................. ...................6

CONTROLS & FEATURES

COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATIONS..............................................7

BEFORE OPERATION

ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED?..................................... ...... ....12

IS YOUR LAWNMOWER READY TO GO? ..........................................12

CHECK YOUR WORK AREA................................................................13

GET THE MOWER READY...................................................................14

OPERATION

MOWING PRECAUTIONS .......................................................... ..........17

STARTING THE ENGINE. .............................................. .......................17

OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING .................. ....... ...... .... 19

STOPPING THE ENGINE .......................... ........................................... 21

SAFE MOWING PRACTICES...............................................................22

MOWING TIPS .............................. .............................................. ..........24

...............................................................................................17

SERVICING YOUR HONDA LAWNMOWER

THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE .............................................27

MAINTENANCE SAFETY............................................... ...... .................28

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE................................................................29

BLADES.................................................................................................30

ENGINE MAINTENANCE......................................................................33

FUEL......................................................................................................38

CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENTS.....................................................40

GRASS BAG CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT..................................44

STORAGE

STORAGE PREPARATION ..................................................................45

PLACING IN STORAGE................ ....... ...... ....... ...... ....... ...... ....... ...... .... 5 0

TRANSPORTING

BEFORE LOADING...............................................................................51

...................................................................................................45

.......................................................................................51

TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS

ENGINE PROBLEMS............................................................................52

VIBRATION PROBLEMS ......................................................................53

MOWING AND BAGGING PRO BLEMS................................................53

TECHNICAL & CONSUMER INFORMATION

TECHNICAL INFORMATION ..................... ....... ...... ....... .......................54

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM...........................................................57

SPECIFICATIONS.................................................................................60

CONSUMER INFORMATION................................................................62

INDEX

..........................................................................................................69

QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION

............................................................................4

........................................................................7

.............................................................................12

........................................27

.................................52

.......................................54

................................inside back cover

LAWNMOWER SAFETY

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, al ways shut off the engine. Wear heavy gloves and disconnect the spark plug cap when you need to clean the mower deck or handle the blades.

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 blades 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 compo nents. For your safety and the safety of other s, keep al l sh ields i n pl ace 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 approved 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.

LAWNMOWER SAFETY

Operating Near Roads

Always watch for vehicle traffic when operating the mower near roads and driveways. Never operate the mower on public roads.

Operator Responsibility

Know how to stop the mower quickly in case of emergency. Understand the use of all mower controls.

Never permit anyone to operate the mower without proper instruction. Do not let children operate the mower. If people or pets suddenly appear in front of the mower while it is in operation, immediately release the flywheel brake lever to stop the mower and avoid possible injury from the rotating blade.

While operating the mower, hold the handlebar firmly, and walk, don’t run. Wear suitable protective footwear.

LAWNMOWER SAFETY

SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS

These labels warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious injury. Read them carefully. If a label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact an authorized Honda servicing dealer for a replacement.

CONTROLS & FEATURES

COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATIONS

Use these illustrations to locate and identify the most frequently used controls.

HANDLEBAR

SHIFT LEVER

THROTTLE LEVER

DISCHARGE GUARD

FUEL TANK CAP

RECOIL STARTER GRIP

GRASS BAG

HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOB (2)

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER

OIL FILLER CAP

MUFFLER

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVERS

CONTROLS & FEATURES

DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

SPARK PLUG CAP

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

MODEL NAME AND FRAME SERIAL NUMBER LABEL

CARBURETOR

FUEL VALVE

AIR CLEANER

CONTROLS & FEATURES

Fuel Valve

The fuel valve opens and closes the fuel passage from the fuel tank to the carburetor.

OFF

FUEL VALVE

Throttle Lever

The throttle lever controls engine speed and opens and closes the choke.

THROTTLE LEVER

CHOKE Closes the choke; use when starting a cold engine. FAST For restarting a warm engine and for mowing.

SLOW For idling the engine.

CONTROLS & FEATURES

Flywheel Brake Lever

This lever is connected to the engine flywheel brake and the ignition sw itch. The engine will not start unless this lever is pushed forward.

Drive Clutch Lever

The drive clutch lever engages and disengages the transmission speed selected by the shift lever (page 11).

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

The drive clutch lever operates like a traditional clutch and should always be fully engaged or released in a smooth, even motion.

The flywheel brake lever must be engaged before the drive clutch lever can be used.

DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

CONTROLS & FEATURES

Shift Lever

The shift lever selects and controls the mower’s drive speed. 1 (slow) For mowing thick grass or maneuvering in small areas. 2 (medium) For intermediate self-propelled mowing speed. 3 (fast) For maximum self-propelled transport speed.

1 (SLOW)

2 (MEDIUM)

3 (FAST)

SHIFT LEVER

Cutting Height Adjustment Levers

Each wheel of the mower can be adjusted to one of six settings. The cutting height figures are approximate. The actual height of cut grass will vary with lawn and soil conditions.

ADJUSTMENT LEVER

BEFORE OPERATION

ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED?

Your safety is your responsibility. A little time spent in preparation will significantly reduce your risk of injury.

Knowledge

Read and understand this manual. Know what the controls do and how to operate them.

Familiarize yourself with the lawn mower and its operation before you begin using it. Know how to quickly shut off the lawn mower in case of an emergency.

IS YOUR LAWNMOWER READY TO GO?

For your safety, and to maximize the service life of your lawn mower, it is very important to take a few moments before you operate the lawn mower to check its condition. Be sure to take care of any problem you find, or have your servicing dealer correct it, before you operate the lawn mower.

WARNING

""""

Improperly maintaining this lawn mower, or failing to correct a problem before operation, could cause a malfunction in which you could be seriously injured.

Always perform a preoperation inspection before each operation, and correct any problem.

Before beginning your pre-operation checks, be sure the lawn mower is on a level surface.

BEFORE OPERATION

Check the General Condition of the Lawn Mower:

• Look around and underneath the lawn mower for signs of oil or

gasoline leaks.

• Look for signs of damage.

• Check each control for proper operation.

• Check the blades for wear. Replace as necessary (page 31).

Check that the blade bolts are tight (page 32).

• Check that all nuts, bol ts, screws are tightened.

Check the Engine

• Check the air cleaner (page 35) and oil level (page 34).

• Check the fuel level (page 38). Starting with a full tank will help to

eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for re fueling.

CHECK YOUR WORK AREA

For your safety and the safety of others, always inspect the area before operating the lawn mower.

Objects

Anything which can be picked up by the blade and thro wn is a potential hazard to you and others. Look fo r t hin gs like stones, sticks, na il s, and wire, and remove them from the work area.

People and Pets

People and animals near the work area can move into your lawn mower’s path or into a position where they could be struck by thrown objects. Clear the area of people, especially children and pets. Their safety is your responsibility.

Work Area

Check the condition of the grass. Adjust your lawn mower ground speed and mowing swath accordingly.

BEFORE OPERATION

GET THE MOWER READY

Handlebar Height Adjustment

1. Adjust handlebar height for a comfortable operating position.

2. Loosen the handlebar locking knobs. Spread the lower ends of the handlebar to release the locating pins.

3. Move the handlebar up or down, so the locating pins engage other holes on the handlebar mounting brackets.

4. Tighten the handlebar locking knobs securely.

HIGH

MID

HANDLEBAR

LOCKING KNOB (2)

LOW

Mulching Plug

The mulching plug contours the mower deck for efficient mulching.

You can quickly remove the plug to install the grass bag or an optional side-discharge chute.

Raise the discharge guard to remove or install the mulching plug. When installing, be sure the plug is fully inserted, and the discharge guard is closed.

DISCHARGE GUARD

MULCHING PLUG

BEFORE OPERATION

Grass Bag

A lawn mower works like a vacuum cleaner; it blows air through the bag, which traps the grass clippings. Always empty the grass bag before it becomes filled to the limit of its capac ity. 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 44.

Installation

1. Raise the discharge guard,

Remove the mulching plug if it is installed. Hook the grass bag onto the mower deck as shown.

2. Release the discharge guard

to 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 to the rear of the mower below the handlebar.

DISCHARGE GUARD

GRASS BAG HANDLE

BAG

BEFORE OPERATION

Cutting Height Bagging/Side-Discharge: Move all

four adjustment levers to the same position.

Mulching: Move the front adjustment levers one position higher than the rear levers.

ADJUSTMENT LEVERS

To adjust cutting height, pull each adjustment lever toward the wheel, and move it into another notch.

If you are not sure what cutting hei ght to select, start with a high setting and check the appearance of the lawn after mowing a small area. Then readjust cutting height if necessary.

ADJUSTMENT LEVER

OPERATION

MOWING PRECAUTIONS

Before operating the mower for the first time, please review IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (page 4) and the previous chapter, BEFORE OPERATION (page 12). Even if you have operated other mowers, take time to become familiar with ho w this mower works and practice in a safe area until you build up your skills. For your safety , avoid st arting 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.

STARTING THE ENGINE

Before starting, always release drive clutch lever, so the mower will not move forward when you operate the starter.

1. Turn the fuel valve to the ON

position.

2. Move the throttle lever to the

proper starting position.

COLD ENGINE: Move the throttle lever to the

CHOKE position.

WARM ENGINE: Move the throttle lever to the

FAST position.

FUEL VALVE

CHOKE

FAST

OPERATION

3. Press the flywheel brake lever against the handlebar and hold them together firmly. Pull the starter grip lightly until you feel resistance, then pull briskly. Return the starter grip gently.

4. If the CHOKE position was used during starting, 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.

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

STARTER GRIP

THROTTLE LEVER

FAST

CHOKE

OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING

OPERATION

Throttle Lever

For best cut quality, always mow with the throttle lever in the FAST position. When the blades rotate 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 apart.

Flywheel Brake Lever

The lever must be pushed forward against the handlebar to start the engine. The blade starts to rotate when the lever is pushed forward against the handlebar and the recoil starter grip is pulled.

Continue to hold the lever against the handlebar to keep the engine running and the blade rotating.

THROTTLE LEVER

FAST

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

Release the lever to stop the engine and stop blade rotation.

OPERATION

Drive Clutch Lever

Push the drive clutch lever forward and hold it against the handlebar to propel the mower forward.

Release the drive clutch lever to stop the mower’s forward movement.

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.

Operate the drive clutch lever with a quick and complete motion, so the drive clutch is either fully engaged or released. This will help to extend the service life of the clutch mechanism.

BLADE CONTROL LEVER

DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

Shift Lever

Use the shift lever to select

SHIFT LEVER

SLOW

the forward speed at which you wish to mow.

You can shift gears without releasing the drive clutch lever, but the transmission may not shift smoothly if the mower is pulling hard. For smoother operation,

FAST

release the drive clutch lever before shifting gears.

For maximum mowing performance, use 1st and 2nd gears for mowing and 3rd gear for transporting. Do not use the throttle lever to adjust your mowing speed. The throttle lever must remain in the FAST position for good mowing performance. Otherwise, cut quality suffers.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

1. Move the throttle lever to

SLOW.

2. Release the drive clutch

lever and flywheel brake lever.

OPERATION

THROTTLE LEVER

SLOW

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

3. When the mower is not in use, turn the fuel valve to the OFF

position.

OFF

FUEL VALVE

+ 51 hidden pages

HONDA HRB216TDA User Manual

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

CONTROLS & FEATURES

BEFORE OPERATION

OPERATION