Honda Power Equipment HRM215PDA User Manual

This owner’s manual is considered a permanent part of the lawn mower and should remain with the mower if resold.

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 Commission (CPSC) blade safety requirements for walk-behind rotary mowers.

Your mower is not equipped with a spark arrester, and it may be illegal to operate the mower in some areas. Check local laws and regulations. An optional spark arrester is available from authorized Honda lawn mower dealers.

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.

Keep this owner’s manual handy, so you can refer to it any time, and make sure the manual stays with the lawn mower if you sell it.

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 your Honda lawn mower 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.

Safety Messages

Your safety and the safety of others is very important. We have provided important safety messages in this manual and on the lawn mower. Please read these messages carefully.

A safety message alerts you to potential hazards that can hurt you and others. Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert

symbol a and one of three words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

These mean:

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.

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: riGiEq

The purpose of these messages is to help prevent damage to YOUI lawn mower, other property, or the environment.

Your lawn mower or other property can be damaged if you don’t follow instructions.

Turn to the beginning of each section for 8 comp/ete /ist of

subjects.

MOWER SAFETY

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 MOWING

How to fuel and check your mower to be sure it is ready. How to prepare your lawn and yourself before you begin mowing.

MOWING

Starting and stopping the engine, safe mowing practices, and mowing tips.

TRANSPORTING

How to load and carry your mower safe/y.

MAINTENANCE & ADJUSTMENTS

When and how to perfom, routine inspection, service, and

adjustments to keep your mower in good operating condition.

TROUBLESHOOTING

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.

INDEX AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Index, additional Honda publications, and how to contact us if you have a question or a warranty repair problem.

MOWER SAFETY

This section explains what you need to know to operate

your mower safely.

Safety Information Important Message to Parents Safety Label Locations

2 4 5

MOWER SAFETY

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 work around the deck to clear grass accumulation, adjust the cutting height, or for any other reason, always shut off the engine. Disconnect the spark plug cap from the spark plug. Wear heavy gloves 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 run the engine over gravel.

MOWER SAFETY

Keep Shields in Place

Guards and shields are designed to protect you from being hit by thrown objects and from touching 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. If the engine has been running, allow it to cool. 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.

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.

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.

MOWER SIADE CAN CUT OFF HANDS OR FEET

n stop th# l ngln baton Opening mar door.

n Alwayskapfntawaylmmmomdmk.

THROWN OBJECTS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, BLINDNESS, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

N lnapa ama and rmnow debrla Mom mowing.

l KOOP chlldmn and othen MY.

Gaaollne Is highly flammabla and explosive and you can ba burned or aerloualy Injured. When refueling:

H Keep heat, aparka, and open flame away.

I Fill fuel tank only outdoore.

n Wipe up rpillr before starting engine.

pE&q

Stay away If engine haa been r&ng.

MOWER SAFETY

CONTROLS

This section shows the locations of controls and other important parts of your mower, and it tells you how the controls work.

Component Identification Controls

Throttle Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Shift Lever (HRM215SDA) . . . . . . . . . .’ .

Flywheel Brake Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7

Drive Clutch Lever (HRM215SDA) . . . . . . 11

Handlebar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Cutting Height Adjustment Levers . . . . . . .

CONTROLS

Component Identification

HANDLEBAR

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

\ DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

RECOIL STARTER GRIP

(HRMPlBSDA only)

FUEL TANK CAP

MOWER-DECK

MUFFLER

HRM215PDA: Manually propelled HRM215SDA: Self-propelled

LEVER

CONTROLS

SPARK

PLUG CAP

ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER

GEAR SHIFT LEVER (HRMPlSSDA only)

I &K ‘AIR CLEANER

dvv

FRONT CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTING LEVER

CARBURETOR

LEVER

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.

Frame serial number: Engine serial number:

CONTROLS

Controls

Throttle Lever

FUEL OFF -

Closes the fuel valve. SLOW FAST -

CHOKE -

For idling the engine.

For restarting a

warm engine and for

mowing.

For starting a cold

engine.

Gear Shift Lever (HRM215SDA)

1 (slow) - For mowing thick grass

or maneuvering in small

areas.

2 (fast) - For maximum

self-propelled speed in

large, open areas.

To avoid incomplete gear engagement, move the gear shift lever all the way forward or all the way back. You can shift gears without

releasing the drive clutch lever, but the transmission may not shift

smoothly if the mower is pulling hard. For smoother operation,

release the drive clutch lever before shifting gears.

CONTROLS

Flywheel Brake Lever

This lever is connected to the engine flywheel brake and the ignition switch. The engine will not start and run unless this lever is pulled back.

To start the engine, pull this lever back, and hold it against the handlebar while operating the

FLYWHEEL BRAKE LEVER

recoil starter. Continue to hold the lever against the handlebar while mowing.

To stop the engine and blade, release the lever.

Drive Clutch Lever (HRM215SDA)

The drive clutch lever engages and disengages the transmission that drives the rear wheels.

To propel the mower, move the drive clutch lever up and hold it anainst the handlebar.

Release the drive clutch lever to

stop the mower. Operate the drive clutch lever

with a quick and complete motion, so the drive clutch is always either fully engaged or released. This will help to extend the service life of the clutch mechanism.

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.

CLUTCH LEVER

Handlebar

The handlebar is adjustable to a high, middle, or low position. Select the height that provides the most comfortable operating

position.

Adjusting Height

1. Loosen the handlebar

locking knobs.

2. Spread the lower ends of the handlebar to release

the locating pins.

3. Move the handlebar up or

down, so the locating pins engage other holes on the handlebar mounting brackets.

4. Tighten the handlebar locking knobs securely.

Folding

The handlebar can be folded for compact storage or transport.

HIGH

1. Loosen the handlebar

locking knobs.

2. Spread the lower ends of the handlebar struts to release the locating pins.

3. Fold the handlebar

forward, over the top of

the mower. When folding the

handlebar, be careful to avoid kinking or pinching the control cables.

LOCKING KNOBS

Cutting Height Adjustment Levers

There are six settings to choose from, as shown in the illustration. The cutting height figures are approximate, as the actual height of cut grass will vary with lawn and soil conditions.

To adjust cutting height, pull each adjustment lever toward the wheel, and move it into another notch. Set all four adiustment levers to the same cutting height position.

The blades spin while the engine is running.

CONTROLS

ADJUSTMENT LEVERS

Spinning blades can cut you severely and can amputate fingers and toes.

Stop the engine before placing your hand near the mower deck.

If you are not sure what cutting height to select, check the

appearance of the lawn after

mowing a small area, then readjust the cutting height if necessary.

CONTROLS

BEFORE MOWING

This section explains how to fuel and check your mower to

be sure it is ready, and it tells you how to prepare your

/awn and yourself before you begin mowing. Check Your Lawn Check Your Mower

Blades . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Fuel. . :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Air Cleaner . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Are YOU Ready to Mow?. . . . . . . . . . . . 22

16 17

BEFORE MOWING

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.

Check Your Mower

With the throttle in the FUEL OFF position and the spark plug cap disconnected, tilt the mower to the right, so the carburetor side is up. This will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting.

Inspect the blades for wear and

damage.

BEFORE MOWING

BLADE BOLl

NORMAL EXCESSIVELY WORN

BENT

CRACKED

Dull blades can be sharpened, but blades that are worn out, bent, cracked, or otherwise damaged must be replaced. Worn or damaged blades 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 lawn mower dealer. Or, if you have a torque wrench, you can remove and install the blades yourself (see pages 51 - 52).

Engine Oil

Check the engine oil level with

the engine stopped and the

mower on a level surface.

1 NOTICE 1

Running the engine with a low oil

level can cause engine damage.

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

2. Insert and remove the dipstick without screwing it into the filler

neck. Check the oil level

shown on the dipstick.

3. If the oil level is low, add oil to

reach the upper limit mark on

the dipstick. Do not overfill.

See pages 40 and 41 for

details.

FILLER CAP/DIPSTICK

FlLLER CAP/

w DIPSTICK

UPPER LlMlT

LOWER LlMlT

BEFORE MOWING

Fuel

Fuel tank capacity: 1 .O / (0.26 US gal)

The engine on this lawnmower is designed to operate on unleaded (or low leaded) gasoline. Unleaded gasoline produces fewer engine and spark plug deposits and extends exhaust system life.

Refuel in a well-ventilated area before starting the engine. If the engine has been running, allow it to cool. Remove the 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 refueling: *Stop the engine and keep heat, sparks and flames away.

l Refuel only outside.

l Wioe UD soills immediatelv.

Never refuel the mower inside a building where fumes may reach flames or sparks. Keep gasoline away from appliance pilot lights, barbecue, electric appliances, power tools, etc.

Spilled fuel is not only a fire hazard, it causes environmental damage. Wipe up spills immediately. Dispose of gasoline property.

@.-FUEL TANK CAP

FUEL FILLER NECK

BEFORE MOWING

Fuel can damage paint and some types of plastic. Be careful not

to spill fuel when filling your fuel tank. Damage caused by spilled

fuel is not covered under warranty.

Fuel Recommendations

Use gasoline with a pump octane rating of 66 or higher.

We recommend unleaded fuel because it produces fewer engine and spark plug deposits and extends exhaust system life.

Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oil/gasoline mixture. Avoid getting dirt or water in the fuel tank.

Occasionally you may hear light “spark knock” or “pinging” (metallic rapping noise) while operating under heavy loads. This is no cause for concern.

If spark knock or pinging occurs at a steady engine speed, under normal load, change brands of gasoline. If spark knock or pinging persists, see an authorized Honda lawn mower dealer.

piq

Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging can cause engine damage.

Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging is misuse, and the Distributor’s Limited Warranty does not cover parts damaged by misuse.

+ 58 hidden pages

Honda Power Equipment HRM215PDA User Manual

CONTENTS

MOWER SAFETY

Safety Information

Important Message to Parents

Safety Label Locations

CONTROLS

Component Identification

CONTROLS

Throttle Lever

Drive Clutch Lever (HRM215SDA)

Handlebar

BEFORE MOWING

Check Your Lawn

Check Your Mower

Engine Oil

Fuel