Honda Power Equipment HS621 User Manual

Owner’s

Manual

SNOWTHROWER

HS621

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Thank you for purchasing a Honda snowthrower. We want to help you get the best results from your new snowthrower and to operate it safely. This manual contains the information on how to do that; please read it carefully.

This owner’s manual describes the operation and maintenance of HONDA snowthrower: All information in this publication is based on the latest product information available at the time of 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 should be considered a permanent part of the snowthrower and should remain with it if it is resold.

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

A safety message alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others. Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert symbol

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

These mean

m You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow

instructions.

HS621

follow instructions.

m Each message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen, and what

you can do to avoid or. reduce injury. Damage Prevention Messages

i7T$ also see other Important messages that are preceded by the word

This word means: m Your snowthrower or other property could be damaged if you

don’t follow instructions.

. The purpose of these messages is to help prevent damage to your

snowthrower, other property, or the environment.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t

You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

SAFETY

Safety label locations

Safety Information COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION CONTROLS

Engine switch

A.C. starter button

Fuel valve Choke knob Starter grip Chute guide handle Auger clutch lever

PRE-OPERATION CHECK

Fuel recommendation Engine oil

STARTING THE ENGINE SNOWTHROWER OPERATION

High altitude operation

STOPPING THE ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Maintenance schedule Tool kit Engine oil change Spark plug service Scraper inspection, adjustment and replacement Auger cluch cable inspection and adjustment Drive belt inspection Paddle inspection

STORAGE TROUBLESHOOTING SPECIFICATIONS COSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION INDEX

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7 8 8 8

9”

9 10 10 11 11 13 14 17

E 22

23 24

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31 33

39 40 41 42

SAFETY

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 your Honda snowthrower dealer for a replacement.

ISHUT OFF ENGINE

WHEN REFUELING.

SNEVER REFUEL

Safety information

To ensure safe operation-

* Always make a pre-operation check (pages 11 thru 13 1 before you

start the engine. You may prevent an accident or equipment damage.

Honda snowthrowers are designed to give safe and dependable service if operated according to instructions. Read and understand this Owner’s Manual before operating the snowthrower. Failure to do so could result

in personal injury

Before operating the snowthrower, inspect the area in which you are

equipment damage.

going to clear snow. Remove debris and other obstacles the snowthrower might strike or throw, as that may cause injury or damage to the snowthrower.

. Inspect the snowthrower before operating it. Repair any damage and

correct any malfunction before operation.

If you hit an obstacle while operating the snowthrower, stop the

engine immediately, and check for damage. Damaged equipment may

increase the possibility of injury during operation.

Do not use the snowthrower when visibility is poor. Under conditions of poor visibility, there is a greater risk of striking an obstacle or causing injury.

l Never

use the snowthrower to clear srnow from a gravel

road or

driveway, as rocks may be picked up and ejected. They may cause injury to bystanders.

Adjust the snow discharge chute to avoid hitting the operator, bystanders, windows, and other objects with ejected

snow.

Stay clear

of the snow discharge chute while the engine is running.

.* Children and pets must be kept away from the area of operation to

avoid injury from flying debris and contact with the snowthrower.

To avoid overturning, be careful when changing the direction of the snowthrower while operating it on a slope. Do not use the snowthrower to remove snow from roofs. The snowthrower may overturn on steep slopes if left unattended, causing injury to the operator or bystanders.

Know how to stop the snowthrower quickly, and understand the operation of all controls.

Never permit anyone to operate the snowthrower without proper instruction.

people or pets suddenly appear in front

of the

snowthrower while it is in operation, immediately release the auger and drive clutch levers to stop the snowthrower and avoid possible injury from rotating auger blades.

If the snow discharge chute becomes clogged, stop the engine and use a wooden stick to unclog it. Never put your hand into the snow discharge chute while the engine is running; serious personal injury

could result.

Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain conditions. Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks where the snowthrower is

refueled or where gasoline is stored. Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Do not overfill the fuel tank, and make sure the filler cap is closed securely after refueling.

Never run the engine in an enclosed or conffined area. Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas; exposure can. cause loss of

consciousness and may lead to death.

The muffler becomes very hot during operation, and remains hot for a while after stopping the engine. Be careful not to touch the muffler while it is hot. Let the engine cool before storing the snowthrower indoors.

NOTE: While

operating the snowthrower, hold the handle firmly, and walk, don’t

run. Wear suitable winter boots that resist slipping.

CHUTE GUIDE HANDLE

CHUTE GlJ@E

CHUTE’ \\,

COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

AUG/ER CLUTCH LEVER

. CAP

AUGERPADDLE’

SPARK PLUG COV

ENGINE OIL DRAIN PLUG

/ 7

CENTER PADDLE

ENGIkjE

ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER

FRAME SERIAL NUMBER

’ SCRAPER BLADE

SWITCH

STARTER BUTTON

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 41 1.

Frame serial number: Engine serial number:

CONTROLS

Engine switch Use the engine switch to turn the ignition system ON for starting, and to

STOP the engine.

ENGINE SWITCH

A.C.

starter button

Push the starter button to operate the electric starter.

STARTER SUTTON

Fuel valve

The fuel valve opens and closes the fuel line leading from the fuel tank to the carburetor. Make sure that the valve is positioned exactly at either the ON or OFF position.

(AS type)

Before transporting the snowthrower, be sure to turn the fuel valve to OFF to prevent possible fuel leaks; spilled fuel or fuel vapor may ignite.

Choke knob

Close the choke when the engine is cold or difficult to start.

CHOKE KNOB

Starter grip

Pull this grip to start the engine.

”

,c -’ _.-.-_.-

Chute guide handle The chute guide controls the snow discharge angle and direction.

Auger clutch lever

When the clutch lever is squeezed, the snowthrowing mechanism is put into operation, and the snowthrower moves forward.

OPERATES

AUGER CLUTCH L

NOTE:

Never squeeze the auger clutch on cleared ground; the snowthrower will start suddenly.

PRE-OPERATION CHECK

Fuel recommendation Check the snowthrower on level ground with the engine stopped.

Check the fuel level, and refill the tank if the fuel level is low. Refuel carefully to avoid overfilling or spilling fuel. There should be no fuel in the filler neck.

FUEL TANK CAPACITY:

Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain

1.25 0 (0.330 US gal ,0.275 Imp gal)

conditions.

Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Allow the engine to cool down before refueling. Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area where the engine is refueled or where gasoline is stored.

Do not overfill the fuel tank (there should be no fuel in the filler neck).

After refueling, make sure the tank cap is closed properly and securely.

Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling. Spilled fuel or fuel vapor may ignite. If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before starting the engine.

Avoid repeated or prolonged contact with skin or breathing of vapor.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

FUEL FILLER OPENING

FILLER NECK

Use gasoline with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher We recommend unleaded gasoline because it produces fewer engine and spark plug deposits and extends exhaust system life. Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or 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 snowthrower dealer.

rGi%iE-J 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.

Oxygenated Fuels Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions, If you use an oxygenated fuel, be sure it is unleaded minimum octane rating requirement. Before using an oxygenated fuel, try to confirm the fuel’s contents. Some states/provinces require this information to be posted on the pump.

The following are the EPA-approved percentages of oxygenates:

ETHANOL (ethyl or grain alcohol) You may use gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol by volume. Gasoline containing ethanol may be marketed under the name “Gasohol”.

and meets the

MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) You may use gasoline containing up to 15% MTBE by volume.

METHANOL (methyl or wood alcohol1 You may use gasoline containing up to 5% methanol by volume as long as it also contains cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors to protect the fuel system. Gasoline containing more than 5% methanol by volume may cause starting and/or performance problems. It may also damage metal, rubber, and plastic parts of your fuel system.

lf you notice any undesirable operating symptoms, try another service

station or switch to another brand of gasoline. Fuel system damage or performance problems resulting from the use of an

oxygenated fuel containing more than the percentages of oxygenates

given above are not covered under warranty.

Engine oil Inspection:

With the snowthrower on a level surface, remove the oil filler cap and

wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick into the filler neck, but do not screw it in. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. If the level is low, fill to the top of the oil filler neck with the recommended oil.

OIL FILLER NECK

-xl 0 20 40 WF

-30 -20 -10 0 10-C

011

5w-30

OIL FILLER CAP AND DIPSTICK

UPPER LEVEL

r z-7.::::

- - - . . . . . .

=:2 .r:-

----

m--w

-I

OIL CAPACITY: 0.60 Q (0.63 US qt ,0.63 Imp qt)

Recommended oil:

Use high detergent, premium quality motor oil certified to meet or exceed U.S. automobile manufactures’ requirements for API Service Classification SG, SF/CC, CD (Motor oils classified SG, SF/CC, CD will show this designation on the container.) Select the appropriate oil viscosity for the average temperature in your area, as shown in the chart above. SAE RN-30 is recommended for general,

all-temperature use.

Engine oil is a major factor affecting engine performance and service life. Nondetergent oils and 2-stroke engine oils are not recommended because they have inadequate lubricating properties.

Running the engine with insufficient oil can cause serious engine

damage.

+ 31 hidden pages

Honda Power Equipment HS621 User Manual

CONTENTS

SAFETY

Safety information

COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION

CONTROLS

ENGINE SWITCH

Fuel valve

Choke knob

Starter grip

Auger clutch lever

PRE-OPERATION CHECK