Honda HRX217HYA, HRX217HZA Owner's Manual

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.

We suggest you read the DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY (page 21) and EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY

(page 22) 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.

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.

SAFETY MESSAGES

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.

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. 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.

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

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

		Your engine or other property can be
	NOTICE
		damaged if you don’t follow instructions.
© 2003-2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.—All Rights Reserved

31VH7H510	EM5	K3	POM31VH7H510
00X31-VH7-H510			HPE.2012.04
			PRINTED IN U.S.A.

OWNER’S MANUAL

HRX217HZA

HRX217HYA

Click here to save this manual to your

WARNING:

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

CONTENTS*
INTRODUCTION......................................	1
SAFETY MESSAGES ..............................	1
LAWN MOWER SAFETY.........................	2
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO
PARENTS.........................................	2
SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS..........	2
SETTING UP YOUR NEW MOWER........	3
CONTROL LOCATIONS..........................	4
BEFORE OPERATION ............................	4
IS YOUR LAWN MOWER READY
TO GO? ............................................	4
CHECK YOUR MOWING AREA ......	4
GET THE MOWER READY..............	5
OPERATION ............................................	7
SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS7
STARTING THE ENGINE.................	7
OPERATING THE CONTROLS
FOR MOWING..................................	7
STOPPING THE ENGINE ................	8
SAFE MOWING PRACTICES ..........	9
SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER .......	9
MAINTENANCE SAFETY.................	9
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE .........	10
BLADES..........................................	10
GRASS BAG CLEANING AND
REPLACEMENT.............................	11
ENGINE MAINTENANCE...............	12
REFUELING ...................................	13
CHARGING THE BATTERY (HZA
MODEL)..........................................	14

REPLACING THE FUSE (HZA
MODEL)..........................................		15
TRANSPORTING...................................		15
STORAGE..............................................		15
TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED
PROBLEMS ...........................................		17
TECHNICAL INFORMATION.................		18
SERIAL NUMBER LOCATIONS.....		18
CARBURETOR
MODIFICATION FOR HIGH
ALTITUDE OPERATION ................		18
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM ....		18
AIR INDEX......................................		19
SPECIFICATIONS..........................		19
CONSUMER INFORMATION ................		20
REPLACEMENT PARTS,
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT, AND
SERVICE ITEMS ............................		20
DEALER LOCATION
INFORMATION...............................		20
CUSTOMER SERVICE
INFORMATION...............................		20
DISTRIBUTOR'S LIMITED
WARRANTY ...................................		21
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTY ...................................		22
PRODUCT REGISTRATION
CARD .........................................	Last page

* For information regarding cable adjustment and how to mow your lawn, see FAQs at www.hondapowerequipment.com/faq

1

LAWN MOWER SAFETY

Most injuries or 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.

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.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS

THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN 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 injuries 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.

A 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.

2

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.

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.

SETTING UP YOUR

NEW MOWER

Unpacking

Remove all the cardboard from around the handlebar.

Handlebar
Setup
1. With the
	handlebar
	adjust knobs
	in the
	unlocked		HANDLEBAR
	position, raise
	the handlebar
	into the
	mowing
	position.
2.	Align the
	adjust knobs
	with one of the
	three holes on
	the handle	UNLOCKED	LOCKED
	stay.

3.Turn the adjusting knobs 90 degrees into the lock position and the pins will spring into the holes and lock into position.

Battery (HZA)

The mower is shipped with the battery disconnected. The battery is shipped with a partial charge and should be charged for

20 to 24 hours before use. Refer to “CHARGING THE BATTERY (HZA Model)” on page 14. Install the key in the switch.

Grass Bag Assembly

Assemble the grass bag frame by pulling the support legs outward and sliding them into the eyelets as shown. Slide the grass bag frame into the grass bag keeping the bag frame handle exposed.

BAG FRAME HANDLE		GRASS BAG

EYELETS	SUPPORT LEGS

Install the plastic clips over the bag frame as shown.

BAG FRAME

BAG FRAME

HANDLE

PLASTIC CLIP

Lift the discharge guard and install the grass bag.

Engine Oil

The mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL in the engine.

A bottle of oil is included in the box with your mower. Add the entire contents of the oil bottle 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 not using 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 as shown.

FILLER CAP/DIPSTICK (Do not screw in the dipstick when checking the oil level.)

UPPER LIMIT LOWER LIMIT

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.

After filling the engine with oil, remove the hang tag near the recoil starter grip that says “The engine has no oil. A container of oil is in the shipping box.”

Fuel

Refer to page 13.

Before Using Your Lawn Mower

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

•LAWN MOWER SAFETY (page 2)

•CONTROL LOCATIONS (page 4)

•BEFORE OPERATION (page 4)

•OPERATION (page 7)

•MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (page 10)

You can also find additional information on the Honda power equipment web site. Visit www.hondapowerequipment.com/faq

Register Your Lawn Mower

If your dealer did not collect registration information from you, please take a few minutes and register your purchase with Honda. This allows us to contact you with any important updates regarding your mower. Please note registration is not required to obtain warranty service.

You can register by completing and mailing the included registration card, or go online to www.hondapowerequipment.com and click on Product Registration.

3

CONTROL LOCATIONS

HANDLEBAR (p. 3)

SHIFT LEVER (p. 8)

THROTTLE LEVER (p. 7)

DISCHARGE GUARD (p. 5)

FUEL TANK CAP (p. 13)

KEY SWITCH (HZA MODEL)

(p. 7)

	CAP
	CUTTING HEIGHT	MUFFLER
	ADJUSTMENT LEVER (4) (p. 6)

BLADE CONTROL	BLADE CONTROL
LEVER (p. 7)	BUTTON (p. 7)

BATTERY (HZA MODEL)

(p. 14)

	RECOIL STARTER GRIP
	(p. 7)
	SPARK PLUG CAP	DRIVE
		CLUTCH
	(p. 13)
		LEVER
		(p. 8)
		HANDLEBAR
		ADJUST KNOB
		(2) (p. 3)

CLIP DIRECTOR®

KNOB (p. 5)

	FUEL VALVE (p. 7)
CUTTING HEIGHT	AIR CLEANER (p. 12)
ADJUSTMENT
LEVER (4) (p. 6)	CARBURETOR

4

BEFORE 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 shut off the lawn mower quickly 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.

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 10).

•Check that the blade bolts are tight (page 11).

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

Check the Engine

•Check the air cleaner (page 12) and oil level (page 12).

•Check the fuel level (page 13). Starting with a full tank will help 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.

Objects

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 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.

GET THE MOWER READY

Handlebar Height Adjustment

Adjust handlebar height for a comfortable operating position (page 3).

Clip Director®

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.

CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB

SLIDING DOOR	DISCHARGE
(FULLY CLOSED)	GUARD

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION

Always turn the engine off, remove the key (HZA), and disconnect the spark plug cap (page 13) 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.

Some grass accumulation in the discharge opening is normal when the Clip Director is fully closed. To remove this grass, close the discharge guard, 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.

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

SLIDINGDOOR (50% open)

FULL BAGGING OR

FULL MULCHING

REAR DISCHARGE

KNOB (BAG POSITION)

KNOB (MULCH POSITION)

SLIDING DOOR	SLIDING DOOR
(fully open)	(fully closed)

Rear Discharge

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 through the rear discharge guard.

Fallen Leaves

Use the Clip Director to shred and collect fallen leaves for disposal. Set the front wheels so they are one or two settings higher than the rear. Set the Clip Director in position #9 (not quite full mulching) and adjust the setting from this point for best results.

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

5

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

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

NOTICE

Frequently inspect the grass bag for tears, holes, and excessive wear. Check for necessary replacement. Make sure the new bag meets the original specifications.

Grass bag replacement is explained on page 11.

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.

2.Release the discharge guard.

DISCHARGE GUARD

GRASS BAG

HANDLE

BAG

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.

6

Cutting Height Adjustment

Each wheel of the mower	ADJUSTMENT LEVERS
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.
Move all four adjustment
levers to the same position.

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 the cutting height if necessary.

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)

1

3-1/2 in (88 mm)

2

4 in (100 mm)

3

4

OPERATION

SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS

Before operating the mower for the first time, please review LAWN MOWER SAFETY (page 2). 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.

FREQUENCY OF USE

If your equipment will be used on an infrequent or intermittent basis, (more than 4 weeks before next use), please refer to the Fuel section of the STORAGE chapter (page 16) for additional information regarding fuel deterioration.

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.

ON	FUEL
	VALVE

2.Move the throttle lever to the FAST position.

FAST

THROTTLE

LEVER

3. HYA Model:

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

HZA Model: (Electric start)

4. Turn the key switch to the START position and hold it there until the engine starts.

STOP

ON START

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.

5.When the engine starts, release the key switch and allow it to return to the ON position.

HZA Model: (Manual start)

6. Turn the engine switch ON. The engine switch must be in the ON position to start the engine with the recoil starter.

7. Pull the starter grip lightly until you feel resistance, 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 shutting down. This minimum run time will be longer if the temperature is below 70°F (21°C).

OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING

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, they create a strong fan action that lifts and cuts grass more efficiently.

Do not try to increase the preset engine speed; the blades could fracture and come apart.

THROTTLE
LEVER	STOP

STOP

FAST

	Blade Control Lever
	To start blade rotation, hold	BLADE CONTROL LEVER
	down the yellow button on
	top of the blade control lever,
	and then push the lever
	forward quickly and hold it
	against the handlebar.
	Release the yellow button.
	Operate the blade control lever
	with a quick and complete
	motion, so the blade control is	BUTTON
	always either fully engaged or
	released. This will help to
	prevent stalling the engine,

and it will also extend the

service life of the blade control mechanism.

To stop blade rotation, release the blade control lever. The engine will continue to run. Always release the blade control lever before starting the engine to prevent the blades from turning.

7

DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

	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.

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 (below).

When moving and using the drive clutch lever to change the 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 (see below) 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 will 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.

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.

The position of the shift lever determines the maximum ground speed when the drive clutch lever is fully engaged.

SHIFT

LEVER

SLOW

THROTTLE

FAST

For maximum mowing performance, use the lower speed range for mowing and the higher speed range for transporting.

With the shift lever all the way back and the drive clutch lever engaged, the mower will move slowly or not at all.

8

STOPPING THE ENGINE

1.Release the drive clutch and blade control levers.

BLADE CONTROL LEVER

DRIVE

CLUTCH LEVER

2. HYA Model: Move the throttle lever to STOP.

HZA model: turn the key switch to the OFF position.

OFF

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

OFF

FUEL

VALVE

4.If your equipment 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 out of fuel. See “Fuel” on page 16 for periods of inactivity that exceed 4 weeks.