HONDA HRX217TDA User Manual

Owner’s Manual

Rotary Mower

HRX217TDA

See page 57 for instructions on setting up your Lawn Mower.

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 69) and Emission Control System Warranty (page 70) 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.

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

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 .................................................................... 11

ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED? ...............................................11

IS YOUR LAWN MOWER READY TO GO? ..........................................11

CHECK YOUR WORK AREA ................................................................12

GET THE MOWER READY ...................................................................13

OPERATION .................................................................................... 19

MOWING PRECAUTIONS ....................................................................19

STARTING THE ENGINE ......................................................................19

OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING ....................................21

STOPPING THE ENGINE .....................................................................23

SAFE MOWING PRACTICES ...............................................................24

MOWING TIPS .......................................................................................26

SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER ................................................ 29

THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE ..............................................29

MAINTENANCE SAFETY ......................................................................30

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE .................................................................31

BLADES .................................................................................................32

GRASS BAG CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT ..................................35

ENGINE MAINTENANCE ......................................................................36

CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENTS ......................................................42

THROTTLE CABLE INSPECTION .........................................................45

FUEL SYSTEM ......................................................................................46

STORAGE ........................................................................................ 48

STORAGE PREPARATION ...................................................................48

PLACING IN STORAGE ........................................................................53

REMOVING FROM STORAGE .............................................................53

TRANSPORTING ............................................................................. 54

BEFORE LOADING .............................................................................54

LOADING AND UNLOADING.................................................................54

TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS ............................ 55

ENGINE PROBLEMS ............................................................................55

VIBRATION PROBLEMS .......................................................................56

MOWING AND BAGGING PROBLEMS ................................................56

SET-UP.............................................................................................. 57

BEFORE OPERATION ..........................................................................58

TECHNICAL & CONSUMER INFORMATION ................................. 59

TECHNICAL INFORMATION .................................................................59

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM ...........................................................62

SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................65

CONSUMER INFORMATION.................................................................67

INDEX................................................................................................ 74

QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION ................. inside back cover

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.

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 youngster 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 youngster operates this equipment.

The first question you’ll need to ask is whether your youngster is capable of operating this mower safely. Remember, young people vary widely, and AGE IS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR.

Physically, a youngster must be LARGE ENOUGH AND STRONG ENOUGH to easily start the mower and control its direction. The youngster also needs enough size, strength, and coordination to comfortably reach and operate the controls.

Another, tougher question you need to ask is if your youngster 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 youngster. Make sure you both understand all instructions and safety information. Also, be sure your youngster wears sturdy shoes and other protective clothing when operating or handling the mower.

SUPERVISION is also very important. Walk with your youngster during the first few minutes of mowing. Even after the youngster has become confident with the mower, do not let the young person use the mower without good adult supervision. An adult should also be present during refueling and maintenance. In fact, it’s up to parents to make sure that the mower is properly maintained and kept in safe operating condition.

By always placing safety first, your youngster will acquire useful skills and a sense of accomplishment. And you’ll both get the best results from your lawn mower.

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.

CAUTION

UNDER NORMAL USAGE, THIS BAG MATERIAL IS SUBJECT TO DETERIORATION AND WEAR, AND SHOULD BE CHECKED FREQUENTLY FOR BAG REPLACEMENT. THIS BAG CONFORMS TO A.N.S.I. STANDARD B71.1, ANY REPLACEMENT MUST MEET THIS STANDARD.

WARNING

Objects thrown by blade can cause serious injury.

Inspect area and remove debris before mowing. Keep children and others away. Wear eye protection. Follow all instructions in your Owner's Manual.

DO NOT OPERATE UNLESS GUARD

IS CLOSED OR BAG IS IN PLACE

DANGER

KEEP HANDS and FEET AWAY

CAUTION

HOT MUFFLER CAN BURN YOU.

Stay away if engine has been running.

CONTROLS & FEATURES

COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATIONS

HANDLEBAR

SHIFT LEVER

THROTTLE LEVER

DISCHARGE GUARD

FUEL TANK CAP

GRASS BAG

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

FLYWHEEL

BRAKE LEVER

OIL FILLER CAP

SPARK PLUG CAP

CARBURETOR

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVERS

MUFFLER

RECOIL STARTER GRIP

FUEL VALVE

AIR CLEANER

DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

HANDLEBAR

LOCKING

KNOB (2)

CLIP

DIRECTOR™

KNOB

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 switch. The engine will not start unless this lever is pushed forward.

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

Drive Clutch Lever

The drive clutch lever engages and disengages the transmission that drives the rear wheels.

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

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.

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.

1 (SLOW)

2 (MEDIUM)

3 (FAST)

SHIFT LEVER

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)

Clip Director Knob

Bagging, mulching, and rear discharge are controlled by this knob. The knob has ten adjustment positions.

ADJUSTMENT LEVER

CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB

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 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 33). Check that the blade bolts are tight (page 34).

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

Check the Engine

• Check the air cleaner (page 38) and oil level (page 36).

• Check the fuel level (page 46). 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 blade 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 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

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)

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 and disconnect the spark plug cap 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.

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)

(MULCH position)

KNOB

BEFORE OPERATION

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 though the rear discharge guard.

CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB

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 35.

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.

BEFORE OPERATION

Cutting Height

Move all four adjustment levers to the same position.

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

OPERATION

MOWING PRECAUTIONS

Before operating the mower for the first time, please review

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (page 4) and BEFORE OPERATION (page 11). 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

CHOKE

FAST

OPERATION

3. Release the drive clutch lever. If the drive clutch lever is engaged, the mower will move forward when you operate the starter.

4. Push forward on the flywheel brake lever and hold it against the handlebar.

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

Keep you hands and feet away from the mower deck at all times when starting and running the engine.

Continue to hold the flywheel brake lever against the handlebar; the engine will stop if you release the lever.

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

STARTER GRIP

6. 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.

THROTTLE LEVER

FAST

CHOKE

OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING