Honda Automobiles HRA215 User Manual
Thank you for purchasing a Honda rotary mower.
This manual describes operation and maintenance of Honda HRA215 rotary mowers
All information in this publication is based on the latest product information available
at the time of printing. Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc. reserves the right to
make changes at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission.
This manual is a permanent part of the mower and must remain with the mower
if resold.
Honda HRA215 mowers meet CPSC blade safety requirements for walk-behind
rotary mowers.
Honda HRA215 mowers are not factory-equipped with spark arresters. In some
areas, it is illegal to operate an engine without a USDA qualified spark arrester.
Check local laws and regulations before operation. An optional spark arrester is
available from authorized Honda lawn mower dealers.
READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAREFULLY Pay special attention to these
svmbols and any instructions that follow:
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are not followed.
Indicates serious injury or death WILL result if instructions
B
may result if instructions are not followed.
B
structions are not followed.
lMPCRTANT NCTlCE Indicates that equipment or property damage could
result if instructions are not followed.
NOTE: Gives helpful information
Honda rotary mowers are designed to give safe and dependable service if operated
according to instructions. Operating this mower requires special effort on your part
to ensure vour safetv and the safetv of others.
w* ’
damage. Read and understand this owner’s manual before operating the
mower.
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injury or property damage. Use only for mowing (cutting) grass, and for
bagging cut grass when equipped with the standard grass bag or optional
hard-shell grass catcher.
If a problem should arise, or if you have any questions about your mower, see
an authorized Honda lawn mower dealer.
01989
American
Indicates a strong possibility that serious injury or death
Indicates a possibility that minor injury could result if in-
Careless operation or misuse may cause injury or property
Using this product for a purpose not intended may cause
Honda Mot& Co., Inc. - All Rights Reserved
1
CONTENTS
;
1. SAFETY .......................................
Safety Label Locations. ........................
Safety Information ............................
Important Message to Parents ...................
2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION ...................
3. CONTROLS ....................................
Fuel Valve ...................................
Throttle Lever ................................
ROTO-STOP Lever ............................
Drive Clutch Lever IHRA215SXA) ................
Shift Lever fHRA215SXA) ......................
Handlebar Locking Knobs ......................
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers ...............
4. ATTACHMENTS ................................
Grass Bag (standard) ..........................
Hard-Shell Grass Catcher (optional) ...............
Side-Discharge Chute (optional). .................
5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK .........................
Blade..
Grass Bag ...................................
Optional Attachments. .........................
Engine Oil ...................................
Fuel ........................................
Air Cleaner ..................................
Cutting Height ................................
6. OPERATION ...................................
Starting the Engine ............................
Clearing a Flooded Engine ......................
Mower Operation ..............................
Stopping the Engine.
High Altitude Operation ........................
7. MOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ..................
8. TRANSPORTING ...............................
9. MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Schedule .........................
Engine Oil Change ............................
Air Cleaner Service. ...........................
Spark Plug Service ............................
Spark Arrester Maintenance (optional equipment)
ROTO-STOP Cable Adjustment ..................
Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment (HFfA215SXA).
Throttle Cable Adjustment. .....................
Carburetor Adjustment .........................
Grass Bag Cleaning and Replacement
Blade Removal and Installation ..................
10. STORAGE .....................................
Preparation for Storage ........................
Storage .....................................
Removal from Storage .........................
11. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................
12. SPECIFICATIONS ...............................
13. WIRING DIAGRAM ..... : .......................
14. WARRANTY SERVICE ...........................
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2
SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS
Read all safety instructions before operating the mower.
DO NOT START UNLESS REAR DOOR
IS CLOSED OR BAG IS IN PLACE.
8 READ OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING.
. DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG CAP BEFORE CVTTER
DECK AN0 CUTTER BLADE SEFNICING.
. 00 NOT ALLOW ANlONE TO STAND IN FRONT OF MOWER.
I TO PIWENT INJURY FROM THROWN OBJECTS: CLEAR
AREA OF DEBRIS KEEP OTHERS AWAY.
. TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJUR”. DO NOT REACH ,NS,OE
WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING.
I 00 NOT REMOVE GUAROS.
1. SAFETY
1. SAFETY
SAFETY INFORMATION
For your safety and the safety of others, pay special attention to these precautions:
Operator Responsibility
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Know how to stop the engine quickly in case of emergency. Understand the
use of all controls.
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Be sure that anyone who operates the lawn mower receives proper instruction.
Allowing anyone, especially children, to operate the mower without proper
instruction may result in serious injury.
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Wear long pants and protective footwear. Operating the mower while barefoot
or wearing sandals would increase the risk of injury.
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Keep all persons and pets away from the mowing area.
Blade Hazards
The blade is sharp, and it turns at high speed. Accidental contact can cause serious
injury.
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If the mower tilts or overturns, the blade will be exposed; that wil! increase the
risk of injury from blade contact and from thrown objects.
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Keep your hands and feet away from the cutter deck while the engine is running.
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Stop the engine before adjusting cutting height, or performing any inspection
or maintenance.
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Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from the blade when cleaning out
the mower deck, or when inspecting or replacing the blade. Disconnect the
spark plug cap to prevent any possibility of accidental starting.
Thrown Object Hazards
Objects hit by the blade can be thrown with great force. Thrown objects may cause
serious injury or property damage.
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Before mowing, clear the lawn of sticks, stones, dog bones, and other litter and
loose objects Mow only in daylight, so you can see and avoid objects in the grass
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Before starting the mower, be sure that the grass bag, grass catcher, or sidedischarge chute is in place, or that the discharge guard is closed.
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Release the ROTO-STOP lever to stop the blade before reaching areas with gravel,
loose stones, or landscaping material.
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Broken pieces thrown from a worn or damaged blade can cause serious injury.
Always inspect the blade before using the mower.
4
1. SAFETY
Fire and Burn Hazards
Gasoline is extremely flammable, and gasoline vapor can explode. Use extreme
care when handling gasoline. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
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Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Keep flames and sparks
away, and do not smoke in the area.
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Refuel carefully to avoid spilling fuel. Avoid overfilling the fuel tank (there should
be no fuel in the filler neck). After refueling, tighten the filler cap securely. If
any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before starting the engine.
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After use, turn the fuel valve OFF, and store the mower on a level surface. Be
sure the storage area is well-ventilated, and away from appliances, such as water
heaters and clothes dryers.
Dry grass and leaves are flammable.
l
Always empty the grass bag when you’ve finished mowing, even if it’s not full.
Stored lawn clippings are a fire hazard.
l
Honda HRA215 mowers are not factory-equipped with spark arresters It is illegal
in some areas to operate an engine without a USDA qualified spark arrester.
Check local laws and regulations. An optional spark arrester is available from
authorized Honda lawn mower dealers.
The engine and exhaust system become very hot during operation and remain
hot for a while after stopping. Contact with hot engine components can cause
burns and may ignite some materials.
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Avoid touching a hot engine or exhaust system.
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Allow the engine to cool before performing maintenance, transporting the mower,
or storing the mower indoors.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard
Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas.
Breathing exhaust can cause loss of consciousness and may lead to death.
l
If you run the engine in an area that is confined, or even partially enclosed,
the air can become contaminated with a dangerous amount of exhaust gas.
To keep exhaust gas from building up, provide adequate ventilation.
1. 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
it 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 warnings 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.
ROTO-STOP LEVER
ROTO-STOP BUTTON
2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER
HANDLEBAR
/
THROlTLE LEVER
GRASS BAG
, DISCHARGE GUARD
FUEL TANK CAP
FRONT CUlTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT LEVER
OIL FILLER CAP
u \ ‘CUTER DECK
,
I
OIL DRAIN BOLT
HRA215SXA: Manual starting; self-propelled
\ MUFFLER
7
2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION
ROTO-STOP LEVER
HANDLEBAR HANDLEBAR
ROTO-STOP BUlTON
\ I
RECOIL STARTER RECOIL STARTER
CARBURETOR CARBURETOR
DRIVER CLUTCH DRIVER CLUTCH
LEVER LEVER
ENGINE SERIAL
REAR ClJlTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT LEVER
SHIFT LEVER
AIR CLEANER
AIR CLEANER
FUEL VALVE FUEL VALVE
Record the frame and engine serial numbers for your reference. Refer to the serial
numbers when ordering parts, and when making technical or warranty inquiries
(see page 57).
Frame serial number: - - - - - - Engine serial number: GXVl40- - - __ - - - -
3. CONTROLS
FUEL VALVE
The fuel valve opens and closes the connection between the fuel tank and the
carburetor.
The fuel valve must be in the ON position for the engine to run.
When the mower is not in use, turn the fuel valve to the OFF position to prevent
the possibility of carburetor flooding, and to reduce the possibility of fuel leakage.
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explode, causing injury or death. Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position
when the mower is not in use.
THROTTLE LEVER
CHOKE position: For starting
FAST position (
SLOW position (C, 1: For idling
Gasoline is extremely flammable, and gasoline vapor can
THROTTLE LEVER
\
): For mowing
4Y
STOP position: Stops the engine
/\
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3. CONTROLS
ROTO-STOP LEVER
The ROTO-STOP lever operates the blade brakeblutch mechanism. It is used to
start and stop the blade.
lb put the blade into operation, press the button on top of the ROTO-STOP lever,
then push the lever forward and hold it against the handlebar.
Releasing the ROTO-STOP lever will stop the blade.
Operate the ROTO-STOP lever with a quick and complete motion, so the blade
drive 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 ROTO-STOP mechanism.
1 IMPORTANT NoTKE 1 If you move the ROTO-STOP lever slowly or
partially, the blade brake/clutch mechanism will wear out prematurely.
NOTE: Always release the ROTO-STOP lever before starting the engine. If the blade
drive is engaged, extra effort will be required to operate the starter.
10
ROTO-STOP LEVER
/
3. CONTROLS
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER (HRA215SXA)
This lever operates the clutch to drive the rear wheels that propel the mower.
To propel the mower, push the drive clutch lever forward and hold it against the
handlebar. Release the lever to disengage the drive.
To propel the mower and operate the blade at the same time, press the button
on top of the ROTO-STOP lever, push the ROTO-STOP lever forward, then push
the drive clutch lever forward.
NOTE: 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.
‘DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER
(HRA215SXA)
11
3. CONTROLS
SHIFT LEVER
The shift lever selects the drive speed for the mower. Move the shift lever to select
the pace at which you wish to mow.
NOTE:
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The mower will lurch if you shift gears while the drive clutch is engaged. Release
the drive clutch lever before moving the shift lever.
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To avoid incomplete gear engagement, be sure the shift lever is centered in
one of the three detent positions.
Position 1: SLOW; 2.6 ftlsec (0.8 mlsec) maximum speed
Position 2: MEDIUM; 3.9 ftlsec (1.2 mkec) maximum speed
Position 3: FAST;
4.6 ftlsec (1.4 mlsec) maximum speed
HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOBS
The handlebar locking knobs must be
tightened to secure the handlebar in the
mowing position. These knobs can be
loosened to fold the handlebar for
storage or transport convenience (see
page 52).
12
HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOBS
CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVERS
3. CONTROLS
B
serious injury. Stop the engine
before adjusting cutting height.
There are five cutting height settings:
1 in (2.7 cm), l-l 12 in (4.0 cm), 2 in
(5.2 cm), 2-l 12 in (6.4 cm), and 3 in
(7.6 cm). These are approximate figures,
as the actual height of cut grass will vary
with lawn and soil conditions.
To adjust cutting height, pull each
adjusting lever toward the wheel, and
move it into another notch. Set both
adjusting levers to the same cutting
height position.
Select the correct cutting height for your
mowing requirements. Cutting height
settings of l-l 12 in (4.0 cm) or 2 in
(5.2 cm) are appropriate for most lawns
during cool weather. A higher cut may
be needed to protect the lawn during hot
summer months Consult a local nursery
or lawn & garden center for advice about
specific types of grasses and growing
conditions in your area.
The blade can cause
1 in (2.7 cm1
ADJUSTlkG LEVERS
If you are not certain which cutting
height to select, check the appearance
of the lawn after mowing a small area,
then readjust cutting height if necessary.
ADJUSTING LEVER
4. ATTACHMENTS
Honda HRA215 mowers are provided with a grass bag as standard equipment.
You can operate the mower with the grass bag (or optional hard-shell grass catcher)
installed to collect the grass clippings, or with the grass bag removed (or optional
side-discharge chute installed) if you wish to leave the grass clippings on the lawn.
When attachments are removed, the discharge guard automatically closes to protect
the operator from objects that may be thrown by the blade.
NOTE:
l
When mowing without attachments, the closed discharge guard will trap more
grass under the cutter deck, and the cutter deck may clog when mowing grass
that is thick or tall. If clogging occurs, mow more frequently, cut a narrower
swath, and/or select a slower drive speed. You may also need to raise the mower’s
cutting height.
l
If you wish to leave the grass clippings on the lawn, we recommend using the
optional, side discharge chute (see page 15).
GRASS BAG (standard equipment)
Installation
Raise the discharge guard, and hook
1.
the grass bag onto the mower as
shown.
2.
Release the discharge guard.
S BAG LID
I /
Removal
1 . Raise the discharge guard, grab the
handle of the grass bag lid, and
remove the bag.
2. Release the discharge guard.
NOTE: When the 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.
14
DISCHARGE GUARD
4. ATTPCHMENTS
A hard-shell grass catcher, and a side-discharge chute, are available from authorized
Honda lawn mower dealers. They attach to the cutter deck in place of the standard
grass bag.
HARD-SHELL GRASS CATCHER (optional)
SIDE-DISCHARGE CHUTE (optional)
SIDE
DISCHARGE
CHUTE
15
5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK
Check the following items before starting the engine.
BLADE
Turn the fuel valve OFF, and tilt the
mower to the right, so the carburetor
side is up.
NOTE: Hard starting and fuel leakage
may result if the mower is tilted with the
carburetor side down.
Inspect the blade for wear and damage
NORMAL EXCESSIVELY
A dull blade can be sharpened, but a blade that is worn out, bent, cracked, or
otherwise damaged must be replaced. A worn or damaged blade could break,
causing pieces of the blade to be thrown from the mower.
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inspect the blade before using the mower.
When the blade needs sharpening or replacement, take the lawn mower to an
authorized Honda lawn mower dealer. Or, if you have a torque wrench, you can
remove and install the blade yourself (see page 47).
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Blade sharpening: To avoid weakening the blade, or causing imbalance or poor
cutting, the blade should be sharpened by an authorized Honda lawn mower
dealer.
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Blade replacement: Use a genuine Honda replacement blade or its equivalent.
A worn or damaged blade may cause serious injury. Always
WORN
BENT
BLADE BOLTS
CRACKED
i
r
Check that the blade bolts are tight. Be sure the ROTO-STOP lever is released,
so the blade will not move when tightening the bolts Wear heavy gloves to protect
your hands. Blade bolt torque: 36.2-43.4 ft lb (5.0-6.0 kg-m).
16 ,
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