Honda HRN216VLA User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

HRN216VLA LAWN MOWER

QUICK FIND

Before operating the mower for the first time, please read this Owner’s Manual. 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.

Air Filter..................................................	13	Charging the Battery .............................	14	Oil Change................................................	13
Battery ...................................................	14	Find a Dealer..........................................	21	Oil Level Check...........................................	6
Blades....................................................	11	Fuel ..........................................................	6	Spark Plug ................................................	14
Contact Honda.......................................	21	Fuel System Maintenance......................	20	Warranty Coverage...................................	22
Cutting Height ..........................................	6	Maintenance Schedule...........................	11

CONTENTS

	.............................................WELCOME	2	................SERVICING YOUR MOWER	10	..............................TROUBLESHOOTING	17
	FOR YOUR SAFETY..............................	2	Maintenance Safety...........................	10	Engine Will Not Start .............................	17
	PARTS AND CONTROLS	3	Maintenance Schedule......................	11	Loss of Power........................................	17
			Blade Inspection	11	Vibration	17
	INITIAL MOWER SETUP	3
			Blade Mounting Bolt Inspection	12	Mowing and Bagging Problems	17
	List of Parts	3
			Blade Replacement	12	TECHNICAL INFORMATION	18
	Adjust the Handlebar	3
			Oil Change	13
	Add Engine Oil	4			Serial Number Locations	18
			Air Filter	13
	Assemble the Grass Bag	4			High Altitude Operation	18
			Spark Plug	14
	Please Register Your Mower	4			Emission Control System	18
			Blade Control Check	14
	Before Using Your Lawn Mower	4			Air Index	19
			Spark Arrester (optional part)	14
	BEFORE EACH OPERATION	4			Specifications	19
			Charging the Battery	14
	Check Your Mower	4			AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS 20
			Optional Battery Charger	15
	Check Your Mowing Area	4
			TRANSPORTING	15	CUSTOMER INFORMATION	21
	Clip Director®	5
					Parts, Accessories, and Service Items.. 21
	Rear Shield	5	STORAGE	16
					Dealer Locator Information	21
	Grass Bag	5	Fuel	16
					How to Contact Honda	21
	Cutting Height Adjustment	6	Oil	16
					Honda Publications	21
	Check the Oil Level	6	Cleaning	16
					DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY.. 22
	Add Fuel..............................................	6	Storage Location ...............................	16
	OPERATION	7	Handlebar..........................................	17	EMISSION SYSTEM WARRANTY ...........	23
			Removing From Storage	17	PRODUCT REGISTRATION	27
	Safe Mowing Practices	7
	Operating the Controls ........................	8
	Starting the Engine..............................	8
	Stopping the Engine............................	9
	Mowing Tips ........................................	9

		QUESTIONS?
		Contact your Honda dealer.
		There is a dealer locator at
00X31VR8 A201		powerequipment.honda.com
	© 2019 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.—All Rights Reserved

WELCOME

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 information on how to do that; please read it carefully.

When your mower needs scheduled maintenance, keep in mind that Honda Power Equipment servicing dealership personnel are specially trained in servicing Honda lawn mowers and are supported by the parts and service divisions of American Honda.

Please read the DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY on page 22 and the EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY on page 23 to fully understand what is covered by warranty and your responsibilities of ownership.

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. We have provided important safety messages in this manual and on the mower. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others. Please read these messages carefully.

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.

Safety Instructions

You will find important safety information in a variety of forms:

•Safety Labels – on the lawn mower.

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

•Safety Messages – preceded by a safety alert symbol and one

of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

Each message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen, and what you can do to avoid or reduce injury.

These signal words mean:

DANGER

WARNING

CAUTION

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.

•Damage Prevention Messages – You will also see other important messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE. This word means:

		Your mower, other property, or the environment can
	NOTICE
		be damaged if you don’t follow instructions.

WARNING:

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Important Message to Parents

The safety of your children is very important to Honda. Lawn mowers are tools, not toys. As with any equipment, bad judgments can result in serious injuries. Your child must be big enough, strong enough, and have the coordination necessary to comfortably reach and operate the controls. Anyone who takes unnecessary risks and doesn’t obey rules should not operate this lawn mower.

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.

(Label on battery)

DANGER

KEEP HANDS and FEET AWAY

2

PARTS AND CONTROLS

INITIAL MOWER SETUP

SMART DRIVE
CONTROL (P. 8)
	BLADE CONTROL
	LEVER (P. 8)
	HANDLEBAR (P. 3)
	FUEL TANK CAP (P. 7)
		FRONT CUTTING
		HEIGHT
		ADJUSTMENT
KEY SWITCH		LEVER (P. 6)
AND BATTERY
BOX (P. 8)
BATTERY CHARGER
CONNECTOR (P. 14)
HANDLEBAR
ADJUST
KNOB (2) (P. 3)		MUFFLER
	OIL FILLER CAP	(P. 14)
	(P. 6)
RECOIL STARTER
GRIP (P. 9)
REAR DISCHARGE
GUARD (P. 5)
SPARK PLUG
CAP (P. 14)		GRASS
		BAG
		(P. 4)
		®
FUEL VALVE ON	FUEL VALVE OFF

List of Parts

With help from an assistant, carefully remove the mower and loose parts from the carton and compare the loose parts against the following list. Contact the authorized Honda dealer from whom you purchased the mower if any of the loose parts shown are not included

with your mower.

Ref. No.		Description	Qty.
	Grass bag		1
	Grass bag frame		1
	Engine oil		1
	Key		1
	Owner’s manual		1

Adjust the Handlebar

1.With the handlebar adjust knobs in the unlocked position, pull the blade control lever against the handlebar, and then carefully raise the handlebar into the mowing position .

BLADE CONTROL
LEVER

HANDLEBAR

ADJUST KNOBS

UNLOCKED LOCKED

2.Align the adjust knobs with one of the two holes on each handle stay. Setting the adjust knobs in the lowest holes raises the handlebar to its highest position.

3.Turn the handlebar adjust knobs 90 degrees into the lock position, making sure both sides are positioned at the same height.

4.Remove all the cardboard from around the handlebar.

3

Add Engine Oil

The mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL in the engine. Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and add the entire contents of the included bottle of oil into the oil filler opening.

All Honda engines are run at the factory prior to packaging. Most of the oil is removed prior to shipment; however, some oil remains in the engine. The

amount of oil left in the engine varies.

If you don’t use the supplied oil, add enough SAE 10W-30 API service category SJ or later oil to bring the oil level between the upper and lower limit marks on the dipstick—without screwing the dipstick in (approximately 12 to 13.5 ounces is required). See page 6.

Do not overfill the engine with oil. If the engine is overfilled, the excess oil may get transferred to the air cleaner housing and air filter. An indication of overfilling is white or blue smoke coming from the muffler when the engine is running.

After filling the engine with oil, screw the filler/cap dipstick in and remove the hang tag near the recoil starter grip that says “The engine has no oil.”

Assemble the Grass Bag

1.Install the assembled frame into the fabric grass bag, keeping the grass bag handle exposed.

2.Secure the seven plastic clips to attach the bag to the frame.

GRASS BAG	GRASS BAG
	HANDLE

PLASTIC CLIP (7)

BAG FRAME

Please Register Your Mower

Please take a few minutes and register your purchase with Honda.

You can register by completing and mailing the registration card on the back cover of this book or going online to powerequipment.honda.com. You can click on the SUPPORT tab, and then Product Registration, or use the Product Registration link located at the bottom of the home page.

Before Using Your Lawn Mower

Before using the lawn mower, all mower operators must read the following sections:

•FOR YOUR SAFETY (page 2)

•BEFORE EACH OPERATION (page 4)

•OPERATION (page 7)

•MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (page 11)

BEFORE EACH OPERATION

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

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.

Check Your Mower

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.

Some malfunctions can seriously hurt or kill you.

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

•Make sure the lawn mower is on a level surface.

•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 11).

•Check that the blade bolts are tight (page 12).

•Check that all nuts, bolts, and screws are tightened.

•Check the air filter (page 13) and oil level (page 6).

•Check the fuel level (page 7). Starting with a full tank will help to eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling.

Check Your Mowing Area

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

Anything that can be picked up by the blades and thrown is a potential hazard to you and others. Look for things like stones, sticks, nails, and wire, and remove them from the lawn area.

People and animals near the lawn 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 pets and people, especially children. Their safety is your responsibility. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child.

Check the height and condition of the grass. Adjust your lawn mower cutting height, ground speed, and mowing swath accordingly. See page 9 for mowing tips and recommendations.

4

Clip Director®

The Clip Director can be adjusted to either the BAG or MULCH position to achieve the desired mowing results.

Adjust the Clip Director lever to either the bag (shutter door fully open) or mulch (shutter door fully closed).

To adjust the Clip Director, release the lock by pulling it away from the mower toward the end of the lever, and then move the lever to the desired position. Release the lock and allow it to snap into the groove.

If the Clip Director is difficult to move or the lever will not lock fully:

Pull to release lock.

•With the engine OFF, lift the discharge guard and remove the grass clippings from around the shutter door.

•With a garden hose and nozzle, spray around and under the Clip Director lever and cover assembly to remove the grass clippings.

See page 16 for additional mower deck cleaning instructions.

Mulching

Release the lock and then move the Clip Director lever into the MULCH position .

To discharge clippings to the rear, remove the grass bag and leave the Clip Director lever in the BAG position.

Rear Shield

During normal use, the rear shield is subject to deterioration and wear. Remove the grass bag and raise the discharge guard to check the rear shield for cracks or tears. If the rear shield is excessively worn, have it replaced by your authorized Honda servicing dealer.

DISCHARGE GUARD

REAR SHIELD

CLIP DIRECTOR LEVER	SHUTTER DOOR
AND COVER ASSEMBLY	(fully closed)

Some grass accumulation in the discharge opening is normal when the Clip Director is in the MULCH position. To remove this grass, close the discharge guard, set the Clip Director to the BAG position, engage the blade control lever, and start the engine.

Bag or Rear Discharge

Release the lock , and then set the Clip Director lever in the BAG position .

CLIP DIRECTOR LEVER	SHUTTER DOOR
AND COVER ASSEMBLY	(fully open)

Grass Bag

A lawn mower works like a vacuum cleaner; it blows air through the bag fabric, which traps the grass clippings. 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.

You can leave the grass bag on the mower during mowing, even when full mulching is selected.

To minimize dust and fine particles from passing through the grass bag fabric, it is best to mow grass in the morning when the grass is damp.

Inspection

During use, the grass bag material is subject to normal wear and tear.

CAUTION

An excessively worn grass bag may allow objects to be thrown toward the operator.

Thrown objects can hurt you.

Replace a worn grass bag to prevent possible injury.

Installing a new grass bag is explained on page 4.

5

Installation
	GRASS BAG	DISCHARGE
1. Raise the		GUARD
	HANDLE
discharge guard
and clean out any	BAG
grass or debris in
the mounting
channels with your
finger.

2.Hook the grass bag onto the mower deck as shown.

3.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 remove it to the rear of the mower below the handlebar.

Cutting Height Adjustment

There are two cutting height adjustment levers found on the left-hand side of the lawn mower. The lever on the left front wheel adjusts the height of both front wheels, and the lever on the left rear wheel adjusts the height for both rear wheels. Both levers can be adjusted to one of seven settings. The actual height of cut grass will vary with lawn and soil conditions.

Be sure the engine is not running when adjusting the cutting height.

Move the front and rear adjustment levers to the same position, forward for tall grass and rearward for short grass.

To adjust the cutting height, move the rear cutting height adjustment lever first. Grasp the handlebar and lift the mower up slightly, and then pull the adjustment lever toward the wheel and move it into the desired height. Adjust the front cutting height adjustment lever to match the rear height setting.

1 in (27 mm)
1-1/2 in (39 mm)
2 in (51 mm)
2-1/2 in (64 mm)
3 in (76 mm)
3-1/2 in (88 mm)
4 in (100 mm) FRONT CUTTING	REAR CUTTING
HEIGHT	HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT	ADJUSTMENT
LEVER	LEVER

THE CUTTING HEIGHT FIGURES ARE APPROXIMATE

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 area. Then readjust the cutting height if necessary. Refer to the “Mowing Tips” on page 9 for additional cutting height recommendations.

Check the Oil Level
1. Unscrew and remove the filler cap/dipstick and wipe it clean.
2. Insert and remove the
dipstick without
screwing it into the
filler neck. Check the oil
level shown on the
dipstick.
3. If the oil level is low, add
oil to reach the upper
limit mark on the dipstick.
Do not overfill. If the
engine is overfilled, the
excess oil may get
transferred to the air
cleaner housing and air
filter. An indication of
overfilling is white or blue	FILLER CAP/
smoke coming from the
muffler when the engine	DIPSTICK
is running.	UPPER
Use 10W-30 API Service	LIMIT
category SJ oil for normal	LOWER
conditions. For additional	LIMIT
oil recommendations,
see page 13.

NOTICE

Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine damage.

4. Screw in the filler cap/dipstick securely.

Add Fuel

This engine is certified to operate on regular gasoline with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher.

Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oil/gasoline mixture. Avoid getting dirt or water in the fuel tank.

You may use regular unleaded gasoline containing no more than 10% ethanol (E10) or 5% methanol by volume. In addition, methanol must contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors.

Use of fuels with content of ethanol or methanol greater than shown above may cause starting and/or performance problems. It may also damage metal, rubber, and plastic parts of the fuel system.

Engine damage or performance problems that result from using a fuel with percentages of ethanol or methanol greater than shown above are not covered under warranty.

WARNING

Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive, and you can be burned or seriously injured when refueling.

•Stop the engine and let cool before refueling.

•Keep heat, sparks, and flame away.

•Refuel only outdoors.

•Wipe up spills immediately.

6

NOTICE

If your equipment will be used on an infrequent or intermittent basis, (more than 4 weeks before next use), refer to “AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS” on page 20 for information regarding fuel deterioration.

1.Turn engine off and let cool before refueling.

2.Remove the fuel tank cap.

3.Add fuel into the neck of the fuel tank to the UPPER LIMIT line (Approx. 2 inches (53 mm) from the top of the fuel filler neck). Do not overfill. Wipe up any spilled fuel before starting the engine.

in mm)

UPPER

LIMIT

4.Tighten the fuel tank cap until it clicks.

Move the mower at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the fueling source and site before starting the engine.

NOTICE

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 by the DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY

(page 22).

OPERATION

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.

WARNING

Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas that can build up to dangerous levels in closed areas.

Breathing carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness or death.

Never run the lawn mower in a closed, or even partially closed area where people may be present.

Safe Mowing Practices

Most injuries and property damage with walk-behind mowers can be prevented if you follow all instructions in this manual and on the mower. The most common hazards are discussed below, along with the best way to protect yourself and others.

General

Do not pull the mower backward unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving backward.

Operate the mower only in daylight or good artificial light. Do not operate the mower after consuming alcohol or drugs.

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 blades.

DANGER

The blades are sharp and spin at high speed. If you come in contact with a spinning blade, it will cut you severely and can amputate fingers and toes.

•Wear protective footwear.

•Keep your hands and feet away from the mower deck while the engine is running.

•Stop the engine before performing any adjustment, inspection, or maintenance.

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.

NOTICE

Striking objects with the spinning blades can cause severe engine damage, which is not covered by the DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY.

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 approved container.

Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling. Remove gas powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

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.

7

MULTI-POSITION ADJUSTER

Stop the Engine When Not Mowing

If you need to leave the mower for any reason, even just to inspect the lawn ahead, always stop the engine by releasing the blade control lever.

Avoid Slopes

Avoid steep slopes of more than 20°.

Mow across slopes, not up and down. 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. Never operate the mower in wet grass.

NOTICE

Mowing on steep slopes can starve

the engine of oil, causing engine damage that is not covered by the

DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY.

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.Do not mow near drop offs, ditches, or embankments. You could lose your footing or balance.

If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the handlebar to control the mower.

Avoid Obstacles

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. Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. The best way to prevent potential injury from thrown objects is to release the blade control lever to stop the blades before reaching areas with gravel, loose stones, or landscaping material.

Be careful when mowing over obstacles that stick up above the surface of the lawn such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging, raised tree roots, etc.

If the blade hits something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, stop the engine immediately, disconnect the spark plug cap, and check for damage (page 11). Striking objects may damage the blades, bend the crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other components. Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.

WARNING

A worn, cracked, or damaged blade can break, and pieces of the damaged blade can become dangerous projectiles.

Blades thrown from the mower could seriously hurt or kill someone.

Inspect the blades regularly (see page 11), and do not operate the mower with a worn or damaged blade.

The DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY (page 22) does not cover parts damaged by accidental impact collision.

	Operating the Controls
	Blade Control Lever
		BLADE CONTROL LEVER
	The blade control lever must be
	pulled back against the
	handlebar to start and run the
	engine. The blades start to
	rotate when the lever is pulled
	back against the handlebar and

the electric starter is operated or the recoil starter grip is pulled.

Continue to hold the lever fully against the handlebar. This will keep the engine and blades rotating smoothly and prevent premature wear to the flywheel brake system.

Release the blade control lever to stop the engine and stop blade rotation whenever you need to leave the mower.

Smart Drive Control
		To prevent thumb fatigue, hold
With the engine running		the Smart Drive control as shown.
and the blades rotating,
slowly push the Smart
Drive control to propel the
mower forward.

Ground speed will increase as more pressure is applied to the Smart Drive control.

After maximum ground speed is obtained, applying additional pressure will not further increase ground speed. Apply only enough pressure to achieve the desired speed.

Release the Smart Drive control to disengage the drive when mowing around trees and other obstacles. Push the mower around obstacles for better directional control.

Ground speed varies with terrain, grass height, slope, and grass bag weight. Moving the Smart Drive control allows you to maintain the desired ground speed under constantly changing mowing conditions.

Release the Smart Drive control to disengage (stop) the rear wheels.

Adjusting the Smart Drive Control

The Smart Drive control can be adjusted up or down into any one of five positions for operator comfort.

Do not attempt to adjust the position of the Smart Drive

control while the mower is in motion.

Slide the multi-position adjuster to the left to unlock

the control, move the Smart

Drive control up or down into the most comfortable position, and then release the multi-position adjuster and allow it to engage.

Starting the Engine

The blades turn when you start the engine. Start the engine in a clear or mowed area where the blades can turn freely.

1.Turn the fuel valve to the ON position (page 3).

2.Pull back on the blade control lever and hold it against the handlebar.

3.Start the engine using the electric starter or the recoil (manual) starter.

8

Electric start:

Turn the starter key switch to

the START position. Let the RUN key return to the RUN position when the engine starts.

The starter should not be

cranked for more than 5 START seconds at a time. If the

engine fails to start, release the switch and wait 10 seconds before operating the starter again.

If the battery does not have sufficient charge to start the engine, possibly due to a long storage period, use the recoil starter to start the engine for at least one mowing session. The battery should have sufficient charge after one mowing session (approximately 1 hr), or an optional accessory battery charger is available from your Honda dealer and can be used to fully charge the battery.

Manual start:

Pull the starter grip lightly until you feel resistance, and then pull briskly. Return the starter grip gently.

To ensure easy restarting and maximum performance from the Auto Choke System, allow the engine to run for at least three minutes after starting a cold engine before stopping the engine. This minimum run time will be longer if the temperature is below 70 °F (21 °C).

Continue to hold the blade control lever against the handlebar; the engine stops when the blade control lever is released.

Stopping the Engine

1.Release the blade control lever to stop the engine.

2.When you finish mowing, turn the fuel valve OFF.

3.If your mower will not be used for 3 to 4 weeks, we recommend running the engine’s carburetor out of fuel. You can do this by leaving the fuel valve OFF, restarting the engine and running it until the engine stops. See “AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS” on page 20 if you don’t plan to use your mower for a month or more.

4.Clean your mower after each mowing; refer to “Cleaning” on page 16.

Mowing Tips

When to Mow

Most grasses should be mowed when they have grown ½ to 1 in (12 ~ 25 mm) above their recommended height. More frequent mowing is required for mulching than for bagging. For best mulching results, you may need to mow the lawn twice a week during the growing season.

Cutting Height

Consult a local nursery or lawn and garden center for cutting height recommendations and advice about specific types of grasses and growing conditions in your area.

Most grass has stems and leaves. If you cut off the leaves, you’ll scalp the lawn. Let the grass recover between mowings. Your mower will work better, and your lawn will look better.

Cutting grass that is too tall or mowing the lawn too quickly can clog the mower deck with grass and may cause the engine to stall. If your grass gets too tall, cut it once at the highest cutting height setting using a slow ground speed, then mow again in 2 or 3 days. Don’t take off more than one third of the total grass height in any one mowing, or

brown patches may develop. Cutting height adjustment is explained on page 6.

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.

Blade Speed

The blades must spin very fast to cut properly. If engine speed drops, it could mean the engine is being overloaded by the blades trying to cut too much grass. Mow a narrower swath, move the mower slower, use the rear discharge chute, 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 blades don’t cut cleanly anymore, have them 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 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

When equipped with the grass bag, 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, adjust the front cutting height adjustment lever so the front of the mower deck is one or two settings higher than the rear.

If you want to mulch fallen leaves into your lawn, don’t let the leaf cover get too deep before you begin. For best results, start mulching while grass still shows through the leaf cover. In places where fallen leaves completely cover the grass, remove the leaves by raking, or install a grass bag, so your mower can pick them up for disposal.

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.

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 provide the best results.

Mulching	MULCHING PATTERN

Use a counterclockwise mowing pattern. If the lawn has an irregular shape, or many obstacles, divide it into sections where you can use counterclockwise patterns.

Bagging

Use a clockwise mowing pattern. This will give the best bagging performance, leaving the least amount of clippings on the lawn.

BAGGING PATTERN

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