HONDA HRX217HXA User Manual
Owner’s Manual
Rotary Mower
HRX217HMA
HRX217HXA
See page 62 for instructions on
setting up your Lawn Mower.
© 2003-2006 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.—All Rights Reserved
Keep this owner’s manual handy, so you can refer to it at any time.
This owner’s manual is considered a permanent part of the lawn
mower and should remain with the lawn mower 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. No part of this publication may be
reproduced without written permission.
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.
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 Limited Warranty (page 75) and
Emission Control System Warranty (page 78) 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.
1
INTRODUCTION
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 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 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 Chapter — 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
2
CONTENTS
LAWN MOWER SAFETY.............................................................................................4
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ................................................................4
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS ..............................................................5
SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS ..............................................................................6
CONTROLS & FEATURES ..........................................................................................7
COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATIONS ........................................................... 7
BEFORE OPERATION............................................................................................... 12
ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED? ............................................................ 12
IS YOUR LAWN MOWER READY TO GO? .......................................................12
CHECK YOUR WORK AREA .............................................................................13
GET THE MOWER READY ................................................................................ 14
OPERATION............................................................................................................... 20
MOWING PRECAUTIONS .................................................................................20
STARTING THE ENGINE ................................................................................... 20
OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING ................................................23
STOPPING THE ENGINE ..................................................................................26
SAFE MOWING PRACTICES ............................................................................27
MOWING TIPS ...................................................................................................29
SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER ..........................................................................32
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE ...........................................................32
MAINTENANCE SAFETY ................................................................................... 33
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ............................................................................. 34
BLADES ..............................................................................................................35
GRASS BAG CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT ............................................... 38
ENGINE MAINTENANCE ...................................................................................39
CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENTS ..................................................................45
THROTTLE CABLE INSPECTION ..................................................................... 47
FUEL SYSTEM ...................................................................................................48
CHARGING THE BATTERY (HRX217HMA ONLY) ...........................................50
REPLACING THE FUSE (HRX217HMA ONLY) .................................................52
STORAGE ..................................................................................................................53
STORAGE PREPARATION ................................................................................53
PLACING IN STORAGE ...................................................................................58
REMOVING FROM STORAGE ........................................................................ 58
TRANSPORTING .......................................................................................................59
BEFORE LOADING ............................................................................................59
LOADING AND UNLOADING ............................................................................. 59
TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS ...................................................... 60
ENGINE WILL NOT START ...............................................................................60
LOSS OF POWER .............................................................................................. 60
VIBRATION ........................................................................................................61
MOWING AND BAGGING PROBLEMS .............................................................61
SET-UP ....................................................................................................................62
BEFORE OPERATION .......................................................................................64
TECHNICAL & CONSUMER INFORMATION ...........................................................65
TECHNICAL INFORMATION .............................................................................65
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM ........................................................................68
SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................................71
CONSUMER INFORMATION ............................................................................. 73
INDEX ......................................................................................................................... 81
QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION .............................................. inside back cover
3
LAWN MOWER 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, 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.
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 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.
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.
4
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS
YOUR CHILDREN’S SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT to Honda. That’s
why we urge you to read this message before letting your child 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 child operates this equipment.
The first question you’ll need to ask is whether your child is capable of
operating this mower safely. Remember, young people vary widely,
and AGE IS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR.
Physically, a child must be LARGE ENOUGH AND STRONG
ENOUGH to easily start the mower and control its direction. The child
also needs enough size, strength, and coordination to comfortably
reach and operate the controls.
Another, tougher question you need to ask is if your child has enough
MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY to safely operate this mower.
Does the young person think through 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 child. Make
sure you both understand all instructions and safety information. Also,
be sure your child wears sturdy shoes and other protective clothing
when operating or handling the mower.
SUPERVISION is also very important. Walk with your child during the
first few minutes of mowing. Even after he or she has become
confident with the mower, do not let him or her use the mower without
good adult supervision. An adult should also be present during
refueling and maintenance. In fact, it’s up to the adult owner to make
sure that the mower is properly maintained and kept in safe operating
condition.
By always placing safety first, your child will acquire useful skills and a
sense of accomplishment. And you’ll both get the best results from
your lawn mower.
5
LAWN MOWER 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.
6
CONTROLS & FEATURES
COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATIONS
HANDLEBAR
SHIFT LEVER
THROTTLE LEVER
DISCHARGE GUARD
FUEL TANK CAP
KEY SWITCH
(HMA ONLY)
GRASS
BAG
BLADE
CONTROL
LEVER
BLADE
CONTROL
BUTTON
CUTTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT LEVER
OIL FILLER CAP
SPARK PLUG CAP
CARBURETOR
CUTTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT LEVERS
MUFFLER
RECOIL
STARTER GRIP
BATTERY
(HMA ONLY)
AIR CLEANER
FUEL VALVE
FUEL VALVE
DRIVE
CLUTCH
LEVER
HANDLEBAR
LOCKING
KNOB (2)
CLIP
DIRECTOR®
KNOB
7
CONTROLS & FEATURES
Fuel Valve
The fuel valve opens and closes the fuel passage from the fuel tank to
the carburetor.
OFF
FUEL
VALVE
ON
Throttle Lever
The throttle lever controls engine speed and opens and closes the
choke.
THROTTLE
LEVER
HXA
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.
STOP
To stop the engine. (On the HRX217HMA, turn the
key switch OFF to stop the engine.)
8
HMA
CONTROLS & FEATURES
Blade Control Lever
The blade control lever starts and stops blade rotation.
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
BUTTON
Drive Clutch Lever
The drive clutch lever engages and disengages the transmission that
drives the rear wheels.
BUTTON
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER
9
CONTROLS & FEATURES
THROTTL
E
Shift Lever
The shift lever selects and controls the self-propelled drive speed.
STOP With the shift lever all the
way back and the drive
clutch lever fully engaged,
the mower will move very
slowly or not at all.
SLOW Use a slow speed for
mowing thick grass or
maneuvering in small
areas.
FAST For maximum
self-propelled speed in
large, open areas, and for
transport.
STOP OR SLOW
FAST
Engine Switch (HRX217HMA only)
OFF Stops the engine.
ON Running position (the key
switch must be in the ON
position to use the recoil
starter).
START Operates the electric
starter.
10
KEY
SWITCH
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers
Each wheel of the mower can
be adjusted to one of seven
settings. The cutting height
figures are approximate. The
actual height of cut grass will
vary with lawn and soil
conditions.
ADJUSTMENT
LEVER
Clip Director® Knob
Bagging, mulching, and rear
discharge are controlled by
CLIP DIRECTOR®
KNOB
this knob. The knob has ten
adjustment positions.
CONTROLS & FEATURES
3/4 in (20 mm)
1-1/4 in (32 mm)
2 in (46 mm)
2-1/2 in (62 mm)
3 in (75 mm)
3-1/2 in (88 mm)
4 in (100 mm)
11
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 LAWN MOWER 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 pre-operation inspection
before each operation, and correct any
problem.
Before beginning your pre-operation checks, be sure the lawn mower
is on a level surface.
12
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 36).
Check that the blade bolts are tight (page 37).
• Check that all nuts, bolts, screws are tightened.
Check the Engine
• Check the air cleaner (page 41) and oil level (page 39).
• Check the fuel level (page 48). Starting with a full tank will help to
eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling.
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 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 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 pets and people, especially children. Their
safety is your responsibility.
Work Area
Check the condition of the grass. Adjust your lawn mower ground
speed and mowing swath accordingly.
13
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
LOCKING KNOB
HANDLEBAR
LOW
14
BEFORE OPERATION
Clip Direction
Clip Director Knob Adjustment
Adjust the clip director knob in any one of the ten positions to achieve
the desired mowing results.
To adjust the clip director knob, pull the knob downward and towards
the rear of the mower. The knob adjusts a sliding door from the fully
open BAG position to the fully closed MULCH position (see the
following page).
CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB
DISCHARGE
GUARD
SLIDING DOOR
(fully closed)
Some grass accumulation in the discharge opening is normal when the
clip director is fully closed. To remove this grass, fully open the clip
director, start the engine, and engage the blade control lever several
times.
If a high resistance is noticed when moving the clip director knob from
side-to-side, excessive grass may have built up on top of the sliding
door.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION
Always turn the engine off, remove the key (HRX217HMA only) and
disconnect the spark plug cap (see page 42) before lifting the
discharge guard to view or clean around the sliding door. This will
prevent contact with the rotating blades and prevent objects from being
thrown into the discharge area.
15
BEFORE OPERATION
Sliding Door Position
The sliding door can be positioned to produce different mowing results.
If the preferred sliding door position is unknown, install a grass bag
and begin mowing with the clip director knob all the way to the BAG
position. Check the appearance of the lawn. As the knob is moved
towards the MULCH position, more grass will be recycled back into the
lawn. Adjust the clip director knob until the desired result is achieved.
BAGGING OR REAR DISCHARGE
CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB
AND SOME MULCHING
SLIDING DOOR
(50% open)
FULL BAGGING OR REAR DISCHARGE FULL MULCHING
KNOB
(BAG position)
SLIDING DOOR
(fully open)
SLIDING DOOR
(fully closed)
16
(MULCH position)
KNOB
Rear Discharge
BEFORE OPERATION
To discharge clippings to the
rear, remove the grass bag and
position the clip director knob in
the BAG range.
Maximum rear discharge will occur when the clip director knob is all
the way to the left (BAG) position. As the clip director knob is moved
toward the right (MULCH) position, less grass will be discharged
though the rear discharge guard.
CLIP DIRECTOR
KNOB
17
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 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.
The grass bag can be left on the mower during mowing, then
depending on conditions, certain areas may require full mulching
where as other areas may require bagging. By adjusting the clip
director knob, various mowing conditions can be met.
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 38.
Installation
1. Raise the discharge guard
and 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.
GRASS BAG
HANDLE
BAG
DISCHARGE GUARD
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.
18
Cutting Height
Move all four adjustment levers to the
same position.
BEFORE OPERATION
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 height
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
19
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 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.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting, always release the
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
ON
CHOKE
FAST
20
3. Model HRX217HXA:
Pull the starter grip lightly until
you feel resistance, then pull
briskly. Return the starter grip
gently.
Model HRX217HMA:
Electric start
OPERATION
Turn the key switch to the
START position and hold it
there until the engine starts.
When the engine starts, allow
the key switch to return to the
ON position.
NOTICE
Do not use the starter for
more than 5 seconds or starter motor damage may occur. If the
engine fails to start, release the switch and wait 10 seconds before
operating the starter again.
When the engine starts, release the key switch and allow it to
return to the ON position.
ON
START
21
OPERATION
Model HRX217HMA:
Manual start
Turn the engine switch ON. The
engine switch must be in the ON
position to start the engine with the
recoil starter.
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.
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 using
the choke. Set the throttle
lever at FAST to mow or at
SLOW to idle.
THROTTLE LEVER
FAST
CHOKE
22
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.
Blade Control Lever
To start blade rotation, press the
button on top of the blade control
lever, then push the lever forward
quickly and hold it against the
handlebar.
Release the blade control lever to
stop the blades.
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.
THROTTLE LEVER
FAST
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
BUTTON
Always release the blade control lever before starting the engine to
prevent the blades from turning.
23
OPERATION
R
Drive Clutch Lever
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
Push the drive clutch lever
forward to propel the mower.
Release the drive clutch lever to
stop the mower’s forward
movement.
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVE
You can control the 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 (page 25).
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 prevent damage to the blade control
mechanism. Use the shift lever (page 25) to change the maximum
speed so you can hold the drive clutch lever comfortably against the
handlebar.
For self-propelled mowing, press the button on top of the blade control
lever, push the blade control lever completely 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.
24
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