Honda H R B 215 Manual

							Thank you for purchasing a Honda lawn mower. 
This manual describes operation and maintenance of Honda HR215 rotary 
mowers. All information in this publication is based on the latest product 
information available at the time of printing. Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc. 
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 a permanent part of the mower, and it must stay with the mower 
if resold. 
Honda HR215 mowers meet CPSC blade safety requirements for walk-behind 
rotary mowers. 
Honda HR215 mowers are not factory-equipped with spark arresters. In some 
areas, it is illegal to operate an engine without a USDA qualified spark arrester. 
Check local laws and regulations before operating. An optional spark arrester 
is available from authorized Honda lawn mower dealers. 
READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAREFULLY. Pay special attention to these 
symbols and any instructions that follow: 
m Indicates serious injury or death WILL result if instructions 
are not followed. 
w 
Indicates a strong possibility that serious personal injury or 
death mav result if instructions are not followed. 
B 
Indicates a possibility that minor injury could result if 
instructions are not followed. 
1 RCTlCE 
1 Indicates that equipment or property damage could result if 
instructions are not followed. 
NOTE: Gives helpful information. 
Honda rotary mowers are designed to give safe and dependable service if 
operated according to instructions. Operating this mower requires special effort 
on your part to ensure your safety and the safety of others. 
B 
Careless operation or misuse may cause injury or property 
damage. Read and understand this owner’s manual before operating the mower. 
B 
Using this product for a purpose not intended may cause 
injury or property damage. Use only for mowing (cutting) grass, and for bagging 
cut grass when equipped with the standard grass bag or optional hard-shell 
grass catcher. 
If a problem should arise, or if you have any questions about your mower, 
see an authorized Honda lawn mower dealer. 
01990 American Honda Motor Co., Inc - All Rights Reserved 
1  
						

							l.SAFETY ........................................... 4 
Safety Label Locations ............................... 4 
Safety Information .................................. 5 
Important Message to Parents .......................... 7 
2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 
3. CONTROLS ...................................... ..lO 
Fuel Valve. ....................................... 10 
Throttle Lever ..................................... 11 
Engine Switch (HR215SMA) ........................... 12 
ROTO-STOPLever..................................13 
Drive Clutch Lever (HR215HXA, HR215SXA, HR215SMA) ..... 14 
Shift Lever (HR215HXA, HR215SXA, HR215SMA) ........... 15 
Handlebar Locking Knobs ............................. 16 
Cutting Height Adjustment Levers ....................... 17 
4.ATTACHMENTS.....................................18 
Grass Bag (standard) ................................ 18 
Hard-Shell Grass Catcher (optional) ...................... 19 
Side-Discharge Chute (optional) .......................... 19 
5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK ............................... 20 
Blade ........................................... 20 
Grass Bag ........................................ 21 
Optional Attachments, ............................... 21 
Engine Oil ........................................ 22 
Fuel ............................................ 23 
Air Cleaner ........................................ 25 
Handlebar Height ................................... 26 
Cutting Height. .................................... 26 
6. OPERATION ........................................ 27 
Starting the Engine ................................. 27 
Clearing a Flooded Engine ............................. 29 
Mower Operation ................................... 30 
Stopping the Engine ................................. 33 
High Altitude Operation .............................. 34 
2  
						

							CONTENTS 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. MOWING RECOMMENDATIONS. ........................ 
35 
TRANSPORTING .................................... 
38 
MAINTENANCE .................................... 39 
Maintenance Schedule .............................. 39 
Engine Oil Change .................................. 40 
Air Cleaner Service ................................ 42 
Spark Plug Service ................................ 44 
Spark Arrester Maintenance (optional equipment) ........... 45 
ROTO-STOP Cable Adjustment ........................ 46 
Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment (HR215SXA & HR215SMA) .... 47 
Drive Clutch Cable Adjustment (HR215HXA). .............. 48 
Throttle Cable Adjustment ........................... 50 
Shift Cable Adjustment (HR215SXA & HR215SMA) .......... 51 
Carburetor Adjustment .............................. 52 
Grass Bag Cleaning and Replacement ................... 53 
Blade Removal and Installation ........................ 54 
Battery Charging (HR215SMA) ........................ 56 
STORAGE ........................................ 
57 
Preparation for Storage. ............................. 57 
Storage 
......................................... 59 
Removal from Storage .............................. 60 
TROUBLESHOOTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 
WIRING DIAGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 
WARRANTY SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 
3  
						

							1. SAFETY 
Read all safety instructions before operating the mower. 
UNDER NORMAL USAGE, THIS BAG MATERIAL 
ISSUBJECT TO DETERlORATlON AND WEAR 
AND SHOULD BE CHECKED FREGUENTLV FOR 
BAG REPLACEMENT. THIS BAG CONFORMS 
TO ANY REPLACEMENT MUST MEET THIS 
STANDARD. DO NOTSTART UtiLESS REAR DOOR 
IS CLOSEDOR BAGISIN PLACE. 
I READ OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING. 
n DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG CAP BEFORE CUTTER 
DECK AND CUTTER BLADE SERVICING. 
n DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO STAND IN FRONT OF MOWER 
I TO PREVfNT INJURY FROM THROWN OBJECTS: CLEAR 
AREA OF DEBRIS KEEP OTHERS AWAY. 
I TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY, DO NOT REACH INSIDE 
WHEN ENGINE is RUNNING. 
I DO NOT REMOVE GUARDS. 
GASOLINE IS FLAMMABLE. 
STOP ENGINE, AVOID HEAT, 
SPARKS, AND OPEN FLAME 
11 KEEP HANDS and FEETAWAY 11 /  
						

							1. SAFETY 
SAFETY INFORMATION 
For your safety and the safety of others, pay special attention to these 
precautions: 
Operator Responsibility 
l Know how to stop the engine quickly in case of emergency. Understand the 
use of all controls. 
l Be sure that anyone who operates the lawn mower receives proper 
instruction. Allowing anyone, especially children, to operate the mower 
without proper instruction may result in serious injury. 
l Wear long pants and protective footwear. Operating the mower while barefoot 
or wearing sandals would increase the risk of injury. 
l Keep all persons and pets away from the mowing area. 
Blade Hazards 
The blade is sharp, and it turns at high speed. Accidental contact can cause 
serious injury. 
l If the mower tilts or overturns, the blade will be exposed; that will increase 
the risk of injury from blade contact and from thrown objects. 
l Keep your hands and feet away from the cutter deck while the engine is 
running. 
l Stop the engine before adjusting cutting height, or performing any inspection 
or maintenance 
l Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from the blade when cleaning out 
the mower deck, or when inspecting or replacing the blade Disconnect the 
spark plug cap to prevent any possibility of accidental starting. 
Thrown Object Hazards 
Objects hit by the blade can be thrown with great force Thrown objects may 
cause serious injury or property damage 
l Before mowing, clear the lawn of sticks, stones, dog bones, and other litter 
and loose objects. Mow only in daylight, so you can see and avoid objects 
in the grass. 
l Before starting the mower, be sure that the grass bag, grass catcher, or side- 
discharge chute is in place, or that the discharge guard is closed. 
l Release the ROTO-STOP lever to stop the blade before reaching areas with 
gravel, loose stones, or landscaping material. 
l Broken pieces thrown from a worn or damaged blade can cause serious injury. 
Always inspect the blade before using the mower. 
5  
						

							1. SAFETY 
Fire and Bum Hazards 
Gasoline is extremely flammable, and gasoline vapor can explode Use extreme 
care when handling gasoline KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. 
l Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Keep flames and 
sparks away, and do not smoke in the area. 
l Refuel carefully to avoid spilling fuel. Avoid overfilling the fuel tank (there 
should be no fuel in the filler neck). After refueling, tighten the filler cap 
securely. If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before starting the 
engine 
l After use, turn the fuel valve OFF, and store the mower on a level surface 
Be sure the storage area is well-ventilated, and away from appliances, such 
as water heaters and clothes dryers. 
Dry grass and leaves are flammable 
l Always empty the grass bag when you’ve finished mowing, even if it’s not 
full. Stored lawn clippings are a fire hazard. 
l Honda HR215 mowers are not factory-equipped with spark arresters. It is 
illegal in some areas to operate an engine without a USDA qualified spark 
arrester. Check local laws and regulations. An optional spark arrester is 
available from authorized Honda lawn mower dealers. 
The engine and exhaust system become very hot during operation and remain 
hot for a while after stopping. Contact with hot engine components can cause 
burns and may ignite some materials. 
l Avoid touching a hot engine or exhaust system. 
l Allow the engine to cool before performing maintenance, transporting the 
mower, or storing the mower 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 enclosed, 
the air can become contaminated with a dangerous amount of exhaust gas. 
To keep exhaust gas from building up, provide adequate ventilation. 
6  
						

							1. 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 it 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 warnings. 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. 
‘7  
						

							2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATOON 
ROTO-STOP ROTO-STOP 
BUTTON 
ENGINE SWITCH 
& BATTERY FOR 
ELECTRIC STARTER 
SCHARGE GUARD 
FUEL TANK CAP 
CUTTING 
LOCKING 
KNOBS 
CUTTING HEIGHT 
ADJUSTMENT 
LEVER 
DECK 
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER 
(on back of engine) 
MUFFLER 
CAP 
DRAIN 
BOLT 
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 67). 
Frame serial number: - ___ - - - - - 
Engine serial number: GXV140- - - - - - - - 
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