Honda Power Equipment HRB217HXA User Manual
Owner's
Manual
Rotary
HRB217HXA
Mower
HONDA
See page
setting
54
for instructions on
up
your Lawn Mower.
Harmony"
0
1997,
2000-2002
American Honda Motor
Co.,
Inc.-All Rights Reserved
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
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.
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
ou
read this manual,
NOTICE
e3
damage to your mower, other property, or the environment.
symbol. That information is intended to help you avoid
you
will find information preceded by a
We suggest you read the
Emission Control System Warranty
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.
Best Wishes,
Power Equipment Division
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Distributor’s Limited Warranty
(page
67)
to fully understand
(page 66) and
01
997,
2000, 2001, 2002 American Honda
Motor
Co.,
Inc.-All
Rights
Reserved
I
INTRODUCTION
A
FEW
WORDS
Your safety, and the safety of others, is 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
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:
Safety Labels - on the lawn mower.
Safety Messages - preceded by a safety alert A symbol and
one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.
These signal words mean:
ABOUT SAFETY
to
potential hazards that could hurt
You WILL be KILLED or 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.
Safety Headings - such
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
Safety Chapter - such as
instructions - how to use this mower correctly and safely.
This entire
read it carefully.
book
is filled with important safety information - please
as
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS
LAWN MOWER SAFETY.
2
or
CONTENTS
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS
CONTROLS & FEATURES
COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATIONS
BEFORE OPERATION
ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED?
IS
YOUR LAWN MOWER READY TO GO?
CHECK YOUR WORK AREA
GET THE MOWER READY
OPERATION
MOWING PRECAUTIONS
STARTING THE ENGINE
OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING
STOPPING THE ENGINE
SAFE MOWING PRACTICES
MOWING TIPS
....................................................................................
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SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER
THE IMPORTANCE
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
BLADES
GRASS BAG CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENTS
THROTTLE CABLE INSPECTION
FUEL SYSTEM
STORAGE
STORAGE PREPARATION
PLACING IN STORAGE
REMOVING FROM STORAGE
TRANSPORTING
BEFORE LOADING
LOADING AND UNLOADING
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OF
MAINTENANCE
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TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS
ENGINE PROBLEMS
VIBRATION PROBLEMS
MOWING AND BAGGING PROBLEMS
SET-U P
.............................................................................................
BEFORE OPERATION
TECHNICAL & CONSUMER INFORMATION
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
SPECIFICATIONS
CONSUMER INFORMATION
INDEX
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QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION
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back
cover
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3
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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.
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.
4
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
Operating Near Roads
Always watch for vehicle traffic when operating the mower near roads
and driveways. Never operate the mower on public roads.
Operator Responsibility
Know how to stop the mower quickly in case of emergency.
Understand the use of all mower controls.
Never permit anyone to operate the mower without proper instruction.
Do
not let children operate the mower. If people or pets suddenly
appear in front of the mower while
release the blade control lever to stop the blades and avoid possible
injury from the rotating blades.
While operating the mower, hold the handlebar firmly, and walk, don’t
run. Wear suitable protective footwear.
it
is
in operation, immediately
5
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS
These labels warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious
injury. Read them carefully.
read, contact an authorized Honda servicing dealer for a
replacement.
UNDER NORMAL USAGE, THIS BAG MATERIAL
IS
SUBJECT TO DETERIORATION AND WEAR,
AND SHOULD BE CHECKED FREQUENTLY FOR
BAG REPLACEMENT. THIS BAG CONFORMS
TO A.N.S.I. STANDARD 871.1, ANY
REPLACEMENT MUST MEET THIS STANDARD.
If
a label comes
off
or becomes hard to
I
Objects thrown by blade can cause serious injury.
I
I
Inspect area and remove debris before mowing
I
Keep children and others away.
wear
-"e
,
I
I I
DO
IS
.
nrntantinn
Follow all instructions in your Owner's Manual.
NOT
OPERATE UNLESS GUARD
CLOSED
OR
BAG
IS
IN
PLACE
6
I
I
Y;%
Y
It
i
/
/
CONTROLS
COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATIONS
&
FEATURES
7
CONTROLS & FEATURES
Fuel Valve
The fuel valve opens and closes the fuel passage from the fuel tank to
the carburetor.
Throttle Lever
The throttle lever controls engine speed and opens
choke.
and closes the
THROTTLE
Ih,I
CHOKE
@
FAST
*
SLOW
6
STOP
8
i
LEVER
Closes the choke; use when starting a cold engine
For restarting
For idling the engine.
To
stop the engine.
a
warm engine and for mowing.
CONTROLS & FEATURES
Blade
The blade control lever starts
and stops blade rotation. To
start blade rotation, the button
must be pressed and held
down before pushing the blade
control lever forward.
Once the blade control lever
has been moved forward, the
button may be released.
Drive
The drive clutch lever engages
and disengages the
transmission. Speed is
selected by the shift lever
(page
The drive clutch lever is used
to adjust the ground speed by
varying the position of the
lever. Fully released, the
transmission is disengaged.
the lever is pushed forward,
power is applied to the rear
wheels based on the position
of
The blade control lever
pushed forward when the drive
clutch lever is engaged, but unless the button is pressed first, the blade
will not rotate.
Control
Clutch
Lever
Lever
10).
the shift lever (page
IO).
is
As
BUTTON
~-
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
/
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER
9
CONTROLS
&
FEATURES
Shift Lever
The shift lever selects and controls the self-propelled drive speed.
STOP
OR SLOW
STOP
With the shift lever all the
way back and the drive
clutch lever fully engaged,
the mower will move very
slowly or not at all.
SLOW
Use a
slow
speed for
mowing thick grass or
maneuvering in small areas.
FAST
FAST
For maximum self-propelled speed in large, open areas, and
for transport.
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers
Each wheel of the mower can be adjusted to one of six settings. The
cutting height figures are approximate. The actual height of cut grass
will vary with lawn and soil conditions.
1
in
(25
mm)
1-1/2
in
(38
mm)
2-1/2
in
(64
(77
mm)
mm)
LEVER
3
in
10
BEFORE
OPERATION
ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED?
Your safety is your responsibility. A little time spent in preparation will
significantly reduce your risk of injury.
Knowledge
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
an emergency.
off
the lawn mower in case of
IS YOUR LAWN MOWER READY
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.
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.
TO
GO?
11
BEFORE
OPERATION
Check the General Condition
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
Check that the blade bolts are tight (page
Check that all nuts, bolts, screws are tightened.
of
the Lawn Mower:
32).
31).
Check the Engine
Check the air cleaner (page
Check the fuel level (page
eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling.
36)
and oil level (page 34).
43).
Starting with a full tank will help to
CHECK YOUR WORK AREA
For your safety and the safety of others, always inspect the area
before operating the lawn mower.
Objects
Anything which can be picked up by the blade 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 people, especially children and pets. Their
safety is your responsibility.
Work Area
Check the condition of the grass. Adjust your lawn mower ground
speed and mowing swath accordingly.
12
BEFORE
OPERATION
GET THE MOWER READY
Handlebar Height Adjustment
1.
Adjust handlebar height for a comfortable operating position.
2.
Loosen the handlebar locking knobs. Spread the lower ends of the
handlebar to release the locating pins.
3.
Move the handlebar up or down,
holes on the handlebar mounting brackets.
4. Tighten the handlebar locking knobs securely.
HANDLEBAR
so
the locating pins engage other
HIGH
LOCKING
KNOB
Mulching Plug
The mulching plug contours the
mower deck for efficient mulching.
You can quickly remove the plug to
install the grass bag or an optional
side-discharge chute.
Raise the discharge guard to remove
or install the mulching plug. When
installing, be sure the plug is fully
inserted, and the discharge guard is
closed.
MULCHING
DISCHARGE GUARD
\
PLUG
13
BEFORE OPERATION
Grass
A
bag, which traps the grass clippings. Always empty the grass bag
before it becomes filled to the limit
performance will diminish after the bag becomes about
Also,
Inspection
Inspect the grass bag for tears, holes, and excessive wear. The grass
bag wears during normal use and will eventually require replacement.
Grass bag replacement is explained on page
Installation
I.
2.
Removal
1.
Bag
lawn mower works like a vacuum cleaner; it blows air through the
of its capacity. Bagging
90%
filled.
the bag is easier to empty when it is not packed full.
33.
DISCHARGE GUARD
Raise the discharge guard,
Remove the mulching plug if
it is installed. Hook the grass
bag onto the mower deck as
shown.
Release the discharge guard
to secure the grass bag.
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.
14
Cutting Height
BaggingBide-Discharge
Move all four adjustment levers to the
same position.
Mulching
Move the front adjustment levers one
position higher than the rear levers.
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 cutting height if necessary.
BEFORE OPERATION
ADJUSTMENT LEVERS
ADJUSTMENT
LEVER
15
OPERATION
MOWING PRECAUTIONS
Before operating the mower for the first time, please review
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
chapter,
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.
BEFORE OPERATION
(page
STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting, always release
drive clutch lever,
not move forward when you
operate the starter.
I.
Turn the fuel valve to the ON
position.
so
the mower will
(page
11).
4)
and the previous
Even if you have operated
2.
Move the throttle lever to the
proper starting position.
COLD ENGINE:
Move the throttle lever to the
CHOKE position.
WARM ENGINE:
Move the throttle lever to the
FAST position.
16
CHOKE
3.
Pull the starter grip lightly until
you feel resistance, then
briskly. Return the starter grip
gently.
4.
If
the CHOKE position was
used during starting, move the
throttle lever away from the
CHOKE position as soon as
up
the engine warms
to run smoothly without use of
the choke. Set the throttle
lever at
SLOW to idle.
FAST
to mow
enough
or
OPERATION
pull
THROTTLE LEVER
at
OPERATION
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, it creates
a strong fan action that lifts and
cuts grass more efficiently.
Do
not
try to increase the preset engine
speed: the blade could fracture
and come apart.
Blade Control Lever
To
start blade rotation, press the
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.
THROTTLE LEVER
F
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
Always release the blade control lever before starting the engine to
prevent the blades from turning.
18
OPERATION
Drive
Push the drive clutch lever
forward to propel the mower.
Release the drive clutch lever
stop the mower's forward
movement.
You can control 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
(page 20).
When moving and using the drive clutch lever to change self-propelled
speed, continue to fully hold the blade control lever against the
handlebar. This will help to extend the service life of the blade control
mechanism. Use the shift lever (page
speed
handlebar.
Clutch
Lever
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
\
to
20) to change the maximum
so you can hold the drive clutch lever comfortably against the
For self-propelled mowing, press the button
lever, push the blade control lever 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
operate the starter.
is
engaged, the mower will move forward when you
on
top of the blade control
I9
OPERATION
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
mowing performance.
Otherwise, cut quality suffers.
The position of the shift lever determines the maximum ground speed
when the drive clutch lever
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.
FAST
position for good
is
fully engaged.
SHIFT
\
LEVER
SLOW
20
STOPPING THE ENGINE
1.
Release the drive clutch and
blade control levers.
2.
Move the throttle lever to
STOP.
BLADE
CONTROL LEVER
OPERATION
\
3.
When the mower
is
use, turn the fuel valve to the
_-
not in
OFF
21
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