Honda HRX217VLA Owner's Manual
OWNER’S MANUAL
HRX217VLA
LAWN MOWER
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.
Click to Save As
QUICK FIND
Air Filter............................... ... ................12
Battery ...................................................14
Blades....................................................11
Contact Honda....................................... 20
Cutting Height..........................................6
CONTENTS
FOR YOUR SAFETY.............................. 2
PARTS AND CONTROLS...................... 3
INITIAL MOWER SETUP..................... ... 3
Adjust the Handlebar........................... 3
Assemble the Grass Bag..................... 4
BEFORE EACH OPERATION
Check Your Mower.............................. 4
Check Your Mowing Area.................... 4
Clip Director®...................................... 5
Cutting Height Adjustment................... 6
Check the Oil Level............................. 6
Add Fuel.............................................. 7
OPERATION
Safe Mowing Practices........................ 7
Operating the Controls........................ 8
Starting the Engine.............................. 9
Stopping the Engine............................ 9
SERVICING YOUR MOWER
Maintenance Safety............................. 9
Find a Dealer..........................................20
Fuel ..........................................................7
Fuel System Maintenance......................19
Maintenance Schedule...........................10
Maintenance Schedule...................... 10
Blade Inspection................................ 11
Blade Replacement........................... 11
Oil Change ........................................ 12
Air Filter............................................. 12
Spark Plug......................................... 13
Spark Arrester (optional part)............ 13
Blade Control Check ......................... 13
Smart Drive Cable Check/Adjustment 14
Charging the Battery ......................... 14
TRANSPORTING ................................. 15
STORAGE
Fuel ................................................... 15
Oil...................................................... 15
Cleaning............................................ 15
Storage Location............................... 15
Handlebar.......................................... 16
Removing From Storage................... 16
TROUBLESHOOTING
Engine Will Not Start......................... 16
Oil Change..............................................12
Oil Level Check.........................................6
Spark Plug..............................................13
Warranty Coverage.................................21
Loss of Power....................................... 16
Vibration............................................... 16
Mowing and Bagging Problems............ 16
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Serial Number Locations...................... 17
High Altitude Operation........................ 17
Emission Control System..................... 17
Air Index............................................... 18
Specifications....................................... 18
FUEL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE............. 19
CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Parts, Accessories, and Service Items. 20
Dealer Locator Information................... 20
How to Contact Honda......................... 20
Honda Publications .............................. 20
DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY. 21
EMISSION SYSTEM WARRANTY.......... 22
PRODUCT REGISTRATION................... 23
00X31VH7 A030
QUESTIONS?
Contact your Honda dealer.
There is a dealer locator at
http://powerequipment.honda.com
© 2013 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
WELCOME
NOTICE
(Battery danger
label on battery)
IN U.S.A., Global Engineered Products,Inc.
SERVICED BY : Brookeld,WI 53005
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
an authorized Honda servicing dealer is specially trained in servicing
Honda mowers and is supported by the parts and service divisions of
American Honda.
Please read the DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY on page 21
and the EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY on page 22 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.
WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects, or 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.
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:
You WILL be KILLED or
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
• Damage Prevention Messages – You will also see other important
messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE. This word
means:
Y our engine or other property can be damaged
if you don’t follow instructions.
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.
2
PARTS AND CONTROLS INITIAL MOWER SETUP
BLADE CONTROL
LEVER
(P. 8)
REAR
DISCHARGE
GUARD
(P. 5)
FUEL TANK
CAP
(P. 7)
MUFFLER
(P. 13)
OIL FILLER CAP
(P. 4)
HANDLEBAR
ADJUST
KNOB (2)
(P. 3)
RECOIL
STARTER
GRIP
(P. 9)
CUTTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
LEVER (4)
(P. 6)
GRASS BAG
(P. 4)
AIR FILTER
(P. 12)
SPARK PLUG
CAP
(P. 13)
CARBURETOR
SMART DRIVE
CONTROL
(P. 8)
BATTERY
BOX
(P. 14)
FUEL VALVE ON FUEL VALVE OFF
CLIP DIRECTOR®
KNOB
(P. 5)
KEY
SWITCH
HANDLEBAR
HANDLEBAR
ADJUST KNOBS
UNLOCKED
LOCKED
BLADE
CONTROL
LEVER
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 frame 1
Grass bag 1
Engine oil, key, and 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 raise the
handlebar into the mowing position .
2. Align the adjust knobs with one of the three holes on each handle
stay. Setting the adjust knobs to 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. Re move all the cardboard from around the handlebar.
3
Add Engine Oil
GRASS BAG HANDLE
EYELETS
FABRIC GRASS BAG
PLASTIC CLIP
SUPPORT LEGS
TOP PLASTIC CLIP
(Route under the
handle and frame)
Before Using Your Lawn Mower
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
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 10)
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.
1. Turn the grass bag right-side out.
2. Pull the frame support legs outward and slide them into the
eyelets as shown.
3. Install the assembled frame into the fabric grass bag, keeping the
grass bag handle exposed.
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
www.powerequipment.honda.com and clicking on Product
Registration.
4
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.
• 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 11).
• Check that all nuts, bolts, and screws are tightened.
• Check the air filter (page 12) 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.
Check the condition of the grass. Adjust your lawn mower ground
speed and mowing swath accordingly.
Clip Director®
CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB
SLIDING DOOR
(fully closed)
DISCHARGE
GUARD
BAGGING OR REAR DISCHARGE
AND SOME MULCHING
SLIDING DOOR
(50% open)
CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB
FULL BAGGING OR
REAR DISCHARGE
FULL MULCHING
KNOB (MULCH POSITION)
KNOB (BAG POSITION)
SLIDING DOOR
(fully open)
SLIDING DOOR
(fully closed)
REAR SHIELD
DISCHARGE GUARD
The Clip Director can be adjusted to any one of the ten positions to
achieve the desired mowing results (bag, bag and mulch, or mulch).
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.
Some grass accumulation in the discharge opening is normal when
the Clip Director is fully closed in the MULCH position. To remove this
grass, close the discharge guard, fully open the Clip Director in the
BAG position, engage the blade control lever, and start the engine.
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.
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.
Important Safety Precaution
Always release the blade control lever 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.
Sliding Door Position
The sliding door can be positioned to produce different mowing
results. If the preferred sliding door position is unknown, install the
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.
Fallen Leaves
With the grass bag installed, shred and collect fallen leaves for
disposal. Shredding the leaves will allow more leaves to fin in the
grass bag before it becomes filled. 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.
5
Grass Bag
NOTICE
GRASS BAG
HANDLE
BAG
DISCHARGE GUARD
ADJUSTMENT LEVERS
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)
1
2
3
4
•
•
•
FORWARD
DIRECTION
THE CUTTING HEIGHT FIGURES ARE APPROXIMATE
FILLER CAP
/DIPSTICK
LOWER
LIMIT
UPPER
LIMIT
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.
To minimize dust and fine particles from passing thru the grass bag
fabric, it is best to mow grass in the morning when the grass is wet.
You can leave the grass bag on the mower during mowing, even
when full mulching is selected.
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.
Replace a worn grass bag to prevent possible injury.
Grass bag replacement is explained on page 12.
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.
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.
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
Each wheel of the mower can be adjusted to one of seve n set ti n gs.
The actual height of cut grass will vary with lawn and soil conditions.
To adjust cutting height,
pull each adjustment lever
toward the wheel, and
move it into another notch.
Move all four adjustment
levers to the same
position, forward for tall
grass and rearward for
short grass.
6
Check the Oil Level
1. Un screw 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 oi l 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
smoke coming from the
muffler when the engine
is running.
Use 10W-30 API Service
category SJ oil for normal
conditions. For additional
oil recommendations,
see page 12.
Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine
damage.
4. Screw in the filler cap/dipstick securely.
Add Fuel
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
MAXIMUM
FUEL LEVEL
RED FUEL
LEVEL
GAUGE
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.
Y ou 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.
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
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 form 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 keep heat, sparks, and flame away.
• Refuel only outdoors.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
If your equipment will be used on an infrequent or intermittent basis,
(more than 4 weeks before next use), refer to “FUEL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE” on page 19 for information regarding fuel
deterioration.
1. Remove the fuel tank cap.
2. Add fuel to the botto m of the red fuel level gauge in the neck of
the fuel tank. Do not overfill. Wipe up spilled fuel before starting
the engine.
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.
You might hear a clicking noise as you push or pull the lawn mower
without engaging the Smart Drive. This is normal; moving the mower
without using the Smart Drive control will not damage the mower.
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.
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.
WARNING
The blades are sharp and spin at high speed. A spinning blade
can 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.
3. 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.
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 21).
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.
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.
7
Refuel With Care
NOTICE
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
SMART
DRIVE
CONTROL
ADJUST
POSITION
BLADE
CONTROL
2
SMART DRIVE CONTROL
To prevent thumb fatigue, hold the
Smart Drive control as shown.
MULTI-POSITION
ADJUSTER
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 the 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.
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.
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.
If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Us e th e
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. 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 ab o ve 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.
Thrown objects can cause serious injury.
Inspect the blades regularly (see page 11), and do not operate
the mower with a worn or damaged blade.
Operating the Controls
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 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
With the engine running
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 position most comfortable, and then
release the multi-position adjuster and allow it to engage.
The DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY (page 21) does not
cover parts damaged by accidental impact collision.
8
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