Honda Power Equipment F501 User Manual

Thank you for purchasing a Honda tiller.
This manual covers operation and maintenance of F401 and F501 tillers.

All information in this publication is based on the latest product informa­tion available at the time of approval for printing.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 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 considered a permanent part of the tiller and it must stay

with the tiller if resold.
READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAREFULLY. Pay special attention to

these symbols and any instructions that follow:
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1 IMPORTANT NoT’CE 1 -Indicates that equipment or property damage can

NOTE: Gives helpful information.

Honda tillers are designed to give safe and dependable service if operated
according to instructions. Operating this tiller requires special effort on
your part to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

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or property damage. Read and understand this Owner’s ianual before
operating the tiller.

If a problem should arise, or if you have any questions about your tiller,
consult an authorized Honda tiller dealer.

HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. 1989, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Using this product for a purpose not intended may cause iniurv

-Indicates serious injury or death WILL result if
instructions are not followed.

-Indicates a strong possibility that serious injury or
death could result if instructions are not followed.

-Indicates a possibility that minor injury can result if
instructions are not followed.

result if instructions are not followed.

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CONTENTS

1.

SAFETY INFORMATION

2.

COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

PRE-OPERATION CHECK ......................................................

3.

4.

STARTING THE ENGINE

TILLER OPERATION .............................................................

5.

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

6.

MAINTENANCE ..................................................................

TRANSPORTING/STORAGE

i:

TROUBLESHOOTING ...........................................................

9.

SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................

10.

WARRANTY SERVICE ..........................................................

11.

.......................................................

............................................. 7

....................................................... 13

.................................................. 27

3

8

15
18

20

28
29
30

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1. SAFETY INFORMATION

Read all safety instructions before operating.

KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY FROM TINES WHILE ENGINE IS

IGASOLINE IS FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE.

STOP ENGINE. AVOID HEAT, SPARKS, AND OPEN FLAME WHEN

CONTACT WITH ROTATING t 11

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To ensure safe operation-

For your safety and the safety of others, pay special attention to these

precautions:

Operator Responsibility

l

Keep the tiller in good operating condition. Operating a tiller in poor or
questionable condition could result in serious injury.

l

Be sure all safety devices are in working order and warning labels are in
place. These items are installed for your safety.

.

Be sure the safety covers (V-belt cover, recoil starter cover) are in
place.

l

Know how to stop the engine and tines quickly in case of emergency.

Understand the use of all controls.

l

Be very cautious when operating the tiller in REVERSE (A2 type),
especially if attachments are being used.

l

Keep a firm hold on the handlebars. They may tend to lift during clutch
engagement.

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Allowing anyone to operate this tiller without proper instruction may
result in injury.

l

Wear sturdy, full-coverage footwear. Operating this tiller barefoot or
with open toe shoes or sandals increases your risk of injury.

l

Dress sensibly. Loose clothing may get caught in moving parts, increas­ing your risk of injury.

l

Be alert. Operating this tiller when you are tired, ill or under the in-

fluence of alcohol or drugs may result in serious injury.

.

Keep all persons and pets away from the tilling area.

l

Be sure drag bar is in place and properly adjusted.

Child Safety

l Keep children indoors and supervised at all times when any outdoor

power equipment is being used nearby. Young children move quickly
and are attracted especially to the tiller and the tilling activity.

l Never assume children will remain where you last saw them. Be alert

and turn the tiller off if children enter the area.

l Children should never be allowed to operate the tiller, even under adult

supervision.

Rotating Tines Hazard

The rotating tines are sharp and they turn at high speed. Accidental con­tact can cause serious injury.

l Keep your hands and feet away from the tines while engine is running.
l Stop the engine and disengage the tines clutch before inspection or

maintenance of tines.

l Disconnect the spark plug cap to prevent any possibility of accidental

starting. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from the tines when

cleaning the tines or when inspecting or replacing the tines.

Thrown Object Hazard

Objects hit by the rotating tines can be thrown from the tiller with great
force, and may cause serious injury.

l Before tilling, clear the tilling area of sticks, large stones, wire, glass,

etc. Till only in daylight.

l Always inspect the tiller for damage after striking a foreign object.

Repair or replace any damaged parts before continuing use.

l Pieces thrown from worn or damaged tines can cause serious injury.

Always inspect the tines before using the tiller.

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Fire and Burn Hazard

Gasoline is extremely flammable, and gasoline vapor can explode.
Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Keep gasoline out of reach of
children.

l Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped.
l Allow the engine to co.01 before refueling. Fuel vapor or spilled fuel may

ignite.

l The engine and exhaust system become very hot during operation and

remain hot for a while after stopping. Contact with hot engine com-

ponents can cause burn injuries and can ignite some materials.

l Avoid touching a hot engine or exhaust system.
l Allow the engine to cool before performing maintenance or storing the

tiller 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 enclos-

ed, the air you breathe could contain a dangerous amount of exhaust
gas. To keep exhaust gas from building up, provide adequate venti­lation.

Operation on Slope

l When tilling on slopes, keep the fuel tank less than half full to minimize

fuel spillage.

l Till across the slope (At equally spaced intervals) rather than up and

down it.

l Be very careful when changing the direction of the tiller on a slope.

l Do not use the tiller on a slope of more than 20”.

2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE SWITCH

GAS CAP

*ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER.

FRONT WHEEL

HANDLE HEIGHT
ADJUSTER

, THROTTLE LEVER

&

SHIFT LEVER (A2 TYPE)

*FRAME SERIAL NUMBER

SPARK PLUG CAP

AIR CLEANER COVER

RECOIL STARTER

HANDLE BAR

V-BELT COVER

TRANShSSION OIL

FILLER CAP

* 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 30).

Frame serial number:

Engine serial number:

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3. PRE-OPERATION CHECK .

ENGINE OIL

1 IMPORTANT NOTICE 1

R

unning the engine with low oil level will cause

serious engine damage.

1. Remove the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean.

2. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck, but do not screw it in.

3. If the level is low, fill to the top of the oil filler neck with the recom­mended oil.

Use high-detergent, premium quality 4-stroke engine oil, certified to meet
or exceed U.S. automobile manufacturer’s requirements for API Service
Classification SG, SF/CC, CD.

[ IMPORTANT NOTICE 1

u

sing nondetergent oil or 2-stroke engine oil could

shorten the engine’s service life.

SAE low-30 is recommended for general, all-temperature use. Other
viscosities shown in the following chart may be used when the average

temperature in your area is within the indicated range.

­,

-30 -20 -10

0 10 20 30

Ambient temperature

40°C

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OIL FILLER NECK

UPPER I

LOWER

Transmission gear oil

Place the tiller on a level surface and remove the oil filler cap.
The oil should be level with the lower edge of the oil filler hole.
Add recommended engine oil if the level is low.

OIL FILLER HOLE

Air cleaner

Check cleaner for dirt or obstruction of elements. (See page 22 for clean­ing instructions.)

AIR CLEANER COVER

ELEMENTS

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