Honda Automobiles HRM195PA User Manual

Owner's Manual
Rotary Mower
© 1996 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved
Keep this owner’s manual handy, so you can refer to it anytime, and make sure the manual stays with the lawn mower if you sell it.
The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Power Equipment
Mfg., Inc. reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation whatever.
Honda lawn mowers meet Consumer Product Safety Commission1
(CPSC) blade safety requirements for walk-behind rotary mowers.
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State
defects
or other reproductive harm.
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
-1 symbol. That information is intended to help you avoid damage to your mower, other property, or the environment.
We suggest you read the warranty policy to fully understand its coverage and your responsibilities of ownership. The warranty policy
is a separate document that should have been given to you by your
dealer. 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.
01996 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. - All Rights Reserved
1
INTRODUCTION
A FEW WORDS ABOUT SAFETY
Your safety, and the safety of others, are 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:
l
Safety Labels - on the lawn mower.
l
Safety Messages
one of three words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. These signal words mean:
- preceded by a safety alert symbol m and
You WILL be KILLED or SERI0USL.Y
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.
l
Safety Headings - such as Important Safety Reminders or
Important Safety Precautions.
l
Safety Chapter - such as MOWER SAFETY.
l
Instructions - how to use this mower correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information - please
read it carefully.
2

CONTENTS

Turn to the beginning of each chapter for a complete list of subjects.
MOWER SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Important information about some specific hazards, and what you can do to prevent injury.
CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification of components and information about how the controls work.
BEFORE OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
How to fuel and check your mower to be sure it is ready. How to prepare your lawn and yourself before you begin mowing.
9
OPERATION.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting and stopping the engine, safe mowing practices, and mowing tips.
TRANSPORTING. . . . . . m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
How to load and carry your mower safely.
MAINTENANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When and how to perform routine inspection, service,
and adjustments to keep your mower in good operating condition.
TROUBLESHOOTING.. . . . . n s . . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . .
What to check if you have a problem with your mower.
STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to protect your mower from rust and corrosion,
and ensure that it will start easily when you want to use
it again.
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions, capacities, and other technical information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional information, Honda publications available to you, and how to contact us if you have a question or a warranty repair problem.
23
37
55
59
67
71
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION . . . inside back cover
77
3
P

MOWER SAFETY

This chapter explains what you need to know to operate your mower safely.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Avoid Rotating Blades Clear Mowing Area.
Keep Shields in Place. Refuel with Care
Wear Protective Clothing
Turn Engine Off When Not Mowing IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS. SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS
...........................
.............................
........................... 6
................................
.........................
......................
............... 6
6 6
6 6
................. 6
...............
7 8
5
MOWER SAFETY
IMPORTANT SAFETY lNFORMATlQN
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 blade. Clear Mowing Area
Mower blades can throw rocks and other objects with enough force to cause serious injury. Before mowing, carefully inspect
remove all sticks, stones, pieces of wire, and other loose objects.
Never operate the blade 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.
the
area
and

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 Clotlning
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.
6
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.
7
MOWER SAFETY

SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS

The labels shown here contain important safety information. Please read them carefully. These labels are considered permanent parts of your mower. So if a label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact your dealer for a replacement.
Objects thmwn by blade can cause serious injury.
n Inspect area and remove debris before mowing. n Keep children and others away. n wear eye protection. n Follow all InstructIons In your Owner’s Manual.
DO NOT OPERATE UNLESS GUARD
IS CLOSED OR BAG IS IN PLACE
.
\
b
8

CONTROLS

This chapter shows the locations of controls and other important parts
of your mower, and it tells you how the controls work.
COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION
DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS
FuelValve ....................................
Throttle Lever
Flywheel Brake Lever.
Cutting Height Adjustment Lever
.................................
..........................
...................
....................
..................
10 12
12 12 12 13
CONTROLS
COMPONENT IDENUIFICATION
HANDLEBAR
FUEL TANK CAP
RECOIL STARTER
ADJUSTMENT LEVER
OIL FILLER
w
/
CAP/DIPSTICK
MUFFLER
Y
/
“‘” WY
Q
MOWER DECK
HRMI 95PA: Manually propelled, mulching blades, and mulching plug.
10
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER (on back of engine) \
SPARK PLUG
FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER
THROlTLE LEVER
FRAME
a--. 1. . . . .-mm
StHlAL NUMB1
CONTROLS
E
HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOB
FUEL VALVE
AIR CLEANER
CARBURETOR
Record the frame and engine serial numbers in the space below. You
will need these serial numbers when ordering parts and when making
technical or warranty inquiries (see page 73).
Frame serial number: MZBV ­Engine serial number: GJAB -
11
CONTROLS

DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS

Fuel Valve

The fuel valve opens and closes the fuel passage from the fuel tank to the carburetor.

Throttle Lever

\
I I 49
CHOKE
FAST ---
- -
For
starting a
cold
For restarting a warm engine and for mowing.
e SLOW - - - For idling the engine.
THROTTLE LEVER
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.
engine.
EEL.
LEVER
12
CONTROLS

Cutting Height Adjustment Lever

There are eleven settings to choose from, as shown in the illustration.
The cutting height figures are approximate. The actual height of cut grass will vary with lawn and soil conditions.
/ / / 27/8in(73mm)’
ADJUSTMENT
\
LE
13

BEFORE OPERATION

This chapter explains how to fuel and check your mower to be sure it
is ready, and it tells you how to prepare your lawn and yourself before
you begin mowing.
ARE YOU READY TO MOW?. CHECK YOUR LAWN
Objects .......................................
People and Pets Lawn
CHECK YOUR MOWER
Air Cleaner Inspection
Cutting Height.
......................................... 16
Blades ........................................
Engine Oil Level
.......................................... 19
Fuel Mulching Plug.
.............................
................................ 16
...........................
................................
........................... 20
................................. 21
................................. 22
......................
16 16
16
17 17 18
15
BEFORE OPERATION
-

ARE YOU READY TO MOW?

Be sure to wear protective clothing. Long pants and eye protection can lower your risk of injury from thrown objects. Wear footwear that protects your feet and won’t let you slip if you mow on slopes or uneven ground.

CHECK YOUR LAWN

For your safety and for the safety of others, always inspect the area
before mowing. Objects
Anything which can be picked up by the blades and thrown is a potential hazard to you and others. Look for things like stones, sticks, bones, and wire. Remove them from the mowing area.

People and Pets

People and animals near the mowing area can move into your path or into a position where they could be struck by thrown objects. Clear the area of people and pets, especially children. Their safety is your
responsibility.
Lawn Check the length and condition of the grass, so you will know what
cutting height and mowing speed to use. Avoid mowing wet grass. Not only will wet grass clog your mower
deck and collect in clumps on the lawn, it also gives poor traction, increasing your risk of losing your footing.
16
BEFORE OPERATION

CHECK YOUR MOWER

Blades

1. Turn the engine OFF and turn the fuel valve to the OFF position (see page 28).
2. Disconnect the spark plug cap from the spark plug (see page 46).
3. Tilt the mower to the right, so the carburetor side is up. This will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting.
BLADE BOLTS
4. Inspect the blades for wear and damage.
1
NORMAL
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 can break, causing blade pieces to be thrown from the mower.
When a blade needs sharpening or replacement, take the lawn
mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer. Or, if you have a torque wrench, you can remove and install a blade yourself (see pages 52 - 53).
Check that the blade bolts are tight (see page 53).
EXCESSIVELY BENT
WORN
CRACKED
17
BEFORE OPERATION
Engine Oil Level Check the engine oil level with the engine stopped and the mower on
a level surface.
1. Remove the oil filler cap, and
wipe the dipstick clean.
2. Inset-t and remove the dipstick without screwing it into the filler neck. Check the oil level shown on the dipstick.
FILLER CAP/DIPSTICK
3. If
the
oil level
recommended oil (see page to reach the upper limit mark on the dipstick. Do not overfill.
is low, add the
44)
FILLER CAP/ DIPSTICK
4.
After checking the engine oil level, screw in the filler cap/dipstick securely.
18
UPPER LIMIT
LOWER LIMIT
BEFORE OPERATION
Fuel Fuel tank capacity: 0.26 US gal (1 .O P)
Refuel in a well-ventilated area before starting the engine. If the engine has been running, allow it to cool. Refer to page 49 for fuel recommendations and page 74 for information about oxygenated fuels.
Remove the fuel tank cap and check the fuel level. Refill the tank if
the fuel level is low. Refuel carefully to avoid spilling fuel. Do not
overfill; there should be no fuel in the filler neck. After refueling, tighten the fuel tank cap securely.
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured when
handling fuel.
l
Stop engine and keep heat, sparks, and flame away.
l
Handle fuel only outdoors.
l
Wipe up spills immediately.
Never refuel the mower inside a building where gasoline fumes may reach flames or sparks. Keep gasoline away from appliance pilot lights, barbecues, electric appliances, power tools, etc.
Spilled fuel is not only a fire hazard, it causes environmental damage. Wipe up spills immediately.
-1 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
under warranty.
FUEL FILLER NECK
FUEL TANK CAP
19
BEFORE OPERATION
Air Cleaner Inspection Check that the air filters are clean and in good condition. Dirty air
filters will restrict air flow to the carburetor, reducing engine performance. Refer to page 45 for air cleaner service.
AIR CLEANER HOUSING
PAPER FILTER
Ill 111 ‘-
COVER KNOB
BEFORE OPERATION
Mulching Plug The mulching plug contours the mower deck for efficient mulching.
You can quickly remove the plug to install an optional grass bag.
Raise the discharge guard and push the latch toward the outside when removing or installing the mulching plug.
DISCHARGE GUARD
MULCHI
When installing, be sure the plug is fully inserted and secured by the latch. The discharge guard must be closed and resting on top of the mulching plug tabs.
PLUG TABS
21
BEFORE OPERATION
Cutting Height To adjust cutting height, pull the adjustment lever toward the wheel,
and move it into another notch.
in
(23
mm)
(54
mm)
3V8
in
(86
mm)
\
ADJUSTMENT LEVER
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.
22

OPERATION

This chapter tells you how to operate the mower safely and effectively.
MOWING PRECAUTIONS STARTING THE ENGINE OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING.
Throttle Lever..
Flywheel Brake Lever. STOPPING THE ENGINE SAFE MOWING PRACTICES
Slopes ........................................
Obstacles .....................................
Gravel and Loose Objects MOWING TIPS.
WhentoMow
Cutting Height.
Cutting Width.
Blade Speed Blade Sharpness.
Dry Grass .....................................
WetGrass .....................................
Fallen Leaves Clogged Mower Deck. Mowing Patterns.
Mulching ....................................
Bagging .....................................
................................
..................................
..................................
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...................................
..................................
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........................... 27
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24 25 27
27
28 29
29 30 30
31 31 31 31 32 32 32 32
32 33
33 33
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