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 19) and
Emission Control System Warranty (page 21) 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.
OWNER’S MANUAL
HRX217HMA
HRX217HXA
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
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:
* For information regarding cable
adjustment, spark arrester service,
and how to mow your lawn, see FAQs
at www.hondapowerequipment.com.
1
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
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.
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.
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
YOUR CHILDREN’S SAFETY 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 accidents 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
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 position,
raise the handlebar
into the mowing
position.
2. Align the adjust
knobs with one of
the three holes on
the handle stay.
Setting the adjust
knobs in the lowest
holes raises the
handlebar to its highest position, and setting the adjust knobs in
the highest holes lowers the handlebar to its lowest position.
3. Turn the adjusting knobs 90 degrees into the lock position and the
pins will spring into the holes and lock into position.
UNLOCKED
Battery (HRX217HMA only)
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
(HRX217HMA ONLY)” on page 13.
Install the key in the switch.
Grass Bag Assembly
Slide the grass bag frame into the grass bag and install the clips as
shown.
GRASS BAG
BAG
BAG FRAME
Lift the discharge guard and install the grass bag.
FRAME
PLASTIC CLIP
HANDLEBAR
ADJUST
KNOB (2)
LOCKED
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.
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.”
FILLER CAP/DIPSTICK
(DO NOT SCREW IN THE
DIPSTICK WHEN
CHECKING THE OIL
LEVEL.)
UPPER LIMIT
LOWER LIMIT
Fuel
Refer to page 12.
Before Operation
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 6)
• MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (page 9)
You can also find additional information on the Honda power
equipment web site. Visit www.hondapowerequipment.com/faq.htm.
3
CONTROL LOCATIONSBEFORE OPERATION
Your safety is your responsibility. A little time spent in preparation will
HANDLEBAR (P. 3)
KEY SWITCH
(HMA ONLY)
(P. 7)
GRASS
BAG (P. 6)
OIL FILLER CAP (P. 3)
CUTTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT LEVER (4) (P. 6)
SHIFT LEVER (P. 7)
THROTTLE LEVER (P. 7)
DISCHARGE GUARD (P. 5)
FUEL TANK CAP (P. 12)
MUFFLER
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.
RECOIL
STARTER
GRIP (P. 6)
SPARK PLUG CAP (P. 12)
CARBURETOR
CUTTING HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
LEVER (4) (P. 6)
BATTERY
(HMA ONLY) (P. 13)
FUEL VALVE (P. 6)
AIR CLEANER (P. 12)
BLADE
CONTROL
LEVER (P. 7)
DRIVE
CLUTCH
LEVER (P. 7)
HANDLEBAR
ADJUST
KNOB (2) (P. 3)
CLIP
DIRECTOR®
KNOB (P. 5)
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 10).
• Check that all nuts, bolts, and screws are tightened.
Check the Engine
• Check the air cleaner (page 12) and oil level (page 11).
• Check the fuel level (page 12). 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.
4
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 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)
SLIDING DOOR
(FULLY CLOSED)
DISCHARGE
GUARD
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION
Always turn the engine off, remove the key (HRX217HMA only), and
disconnect the spark plug cap (page 12) 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.
FULL BAGGING OR
REAR DISCHARGE
KNOB (BAG POSITION)
SLIDING DOOR
(fully open)
FULL MULCHING
KNOB (MULCH POSITION)
SLIDING DOOR
(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.
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.
GRASS BAG
HANDLE
BAG
DISCHARGE GUARD
OPERATION
MOWING 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.
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
2. Move the throttle lever to the
proper starting position.
FUEL
VALVE
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
you can 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 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.
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)
COLD ENGINE:
Move the throttle lever to the
CHOKE position.
WARM ENGINE:
Move the throttle lever to the
FAST position.
3. Model HRX217HXA:
Pull the starter grip lightly until
you feel resistance, then pull
briskly. Return the starter grip
gently.
CHOKE
FAST
6
Model HRX217HMA:
R
THROTTLE
(Electric start)
4. Turn the key switch to the
START position and hold it
ON
START
there until the engine starts.
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.
Model HRX217HMA:
(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. Place your foot on the
mower deck step. Pull the
starter grip lightly until you
feel resistance, then pull
briskly. Return the starter
grip gently.
8. If the CHOKE position was
THROTTLE LEVER
used during starting, move
the throttle lever away from
the CHOKE position as
soon as the engine warms
up enough to run smoothly
without using the choke. Set
FAST
the throttle lever at FAST to
mow or at SLOW to idle.
CHOKE
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
FAST
Blade Control Lever
To start blade rotation, press
the yellow button on top of
the blade control lever, then
push the lever forward
quickly and hold it against
the handlebar.
Release the blade control
lever to stop the blades.
Operate the blade control
lever with a quick and
complete motion, so the
blade control 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 blade control mechanism.
Always release the blade control lever before starting the engine to
prevent the blades from turning.
Drive Clutch 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 can be used to 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.
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.
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
BUTTON
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVE
SHIFT
LEVER
SLOW
FAST
7
STOPPING THE ENGINE
1. Release the drive clutch and blade control levers.
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
Slopes
Mow across slopes, not up
and down. Avoid steep slopes
(more than 20
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.
°), and be
DRIVE
CLUTCH LEVER
2. On the HRX217HXA model, move the throttle lever to STOP.
On the HRX217HMA model, turn the key switch to the OFF
position.
OFF
HRX217HMA MODEL
HRX217HXA MODEL
3. When the mower is not in use, turn the fuel valve to the OFF
position.
OFF
Obstacles
Use the side of the mower to
cut close to large obstacles,
such as fences or walls.
Release the drive clutch lever to disengage the drive when mowing
around trees and other obstacles. Push the mower around obstacles
for better directional control. Be careful when mowing over obstacles
embedded in the lawn, such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging,
raised tree roots, etc. Avoid anything that sticks up above the surface
of the lawn.
If a blade hits something or the mower starts to vibrate, stop the
engine immediately, disconnect the spark plug cap, and check for
damage (page 10). Striking objects may damage the blades, bend the
crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other components.
Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.
The Distributor’s Limited Warranty (page 19) does not cover parts
damaged by accident or collision.
Gravel and Loose Objects
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.
FUEL
VALVE
SAFE MOWING PRACTICES
For your safety, 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. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.
WARNING
The blades are sharp and spin at high speed.
Spinning blades 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.
8
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