Honda H R B 215 Manual

							2. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION 
ROTO-STOP 
LEVER  ROTO-STOP 
BUTTON 
(HR215HXA, 
HR215SXA. 
HR215SMAI 
CUTTING HEIGHT 
ADJUSTMENT 
LEVER TJ&? THROTTLE 
CUTTING HEIGHT 
ADJUSTMENT 
F)jGy 
AIR CLEANER 
SPARK 
PLUG 
CAP FUEL VALVE 
CARBURETOR 
HR215PXA: Manual starting, manually propelled; no transmission 
HR215HXA: Manual starting, self-propelled; hydrostatic transmission 
HR215SXA: Manual starting, self-propelled; mechanical transmission 
HR215SMA: Manual & electric starting, self-propelled; mechanical transmission 
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							3. CONTROLS 
FUEL VALVE 
The fuel valve opens and closes the connection between the fuel tank and the 
carburetor. 
The fuel valve must be in the ON position for the engine to. run. 
When the mower is not in use, turn the fuel valve to the OFF position to prevent 
the possibility of carburetor flooding, and to reduce the possibility of fuel leakage 
B 
Gasoline is extremely flammable, and gasoline vapor can 
explode, causing injury or death. Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position when 
the mower is not in use. 
FUEL VALVE 
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							3. CONTROLS 
THRUITLE LEVER 
CHOKE position: For starting 
FAST position ( * 1: For mowing 
SLOW position (e 1: For idling 
STOP position: Stops the engine 
NOTE: HR215SMA only - turning the 
engine switch to the OFF position 
stops the engine (see page 12). 
THROTTLE LEVER 
(HR215HXA) THROTTLE LEVER 
(HR215PXA) 
THROTTLE LEVER 
(HR215SXA) THROTTLE LEVER 
(HR215SMA) 
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							3. CONTROLS 
ENGINE SWITCH (HR215SMAI 
START position: Operates the electric starter 
ON position: Running position 
NOTE: The engine switch must be in the ON position to use the recoil starter. 
OFF Position: Stops the engine 
ENGINE SWITCH 
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							3. CONTROLS 
ROTO-STOP LEVER 
The ROTO-STOP lever operates the blade brake/clutch mechanism. It is used 
to start and stop the blade 
To put the blade into operation, press the button on top of the ROTO-STOP lever, 
then push the lever forward and hold it against the handlebar. 
Releasing the ROTO-STOP lever will stop the blade 
Operate the ROTO-STOP lever with a quick and complete motion, so the blade 
drive 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 ROTO-STOP mechanism. 
1 NoTlCE 1 If you move the RUlIMl7IP lever slowly or partially, the blade 
brake/clutch mechanism will wear out prematurely. 
NOTE: Always release the ROTO-STOP lever before starting the engine If the 
blade drive is engaged, extra effort will be required to operate the starter. 
ROTO-STOP LEVER BUTTON 
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							3. CONTROLS 
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER (HR215HXA, HR215SXA. HR215SMA) 
This lever operates the clutch to drive the rear wheels that propel the mower. 
lb propel the mower, push the drive clutch lever forward. Release the lever to disengage 
the drive. 
NOTE: 
l The HR215SXA and HR215SMA 
models have a mechanical transmission 
requiring positive gear engagement; 
push the drive clutch lever all the 
way forward, and hold it against the 
handlebar. 
l The HR215HXA model has a 
hydrostatic transmission that propels , RDTD-STDP 
LEVER 
/ 
the mower gradually faster as you push 
the drive clutch lever forward; you can 
control mower speed with the drive 
clutch lever. If you push the lever all the -Pm-&y 
T (HR215 DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER 
lSXA & 
- 
HR215SMAI 
way forward to the handlebar, the 
mower will move at the speed HR215SXA & HR215SMA: For self- 
determined by the shift lever setting propelled use, keep the drive clutch lever 
(see page 151. all the way forward. 
lb propel the mower and operate the blade 
at the same time, press the button on top 
of the ROTO-STOP lever, push the ROTO- 
STOP lever forward, then push the drive 
clutch lever forward. RUID-STDP 
LEVER 
pi%iq 
If the ROTO-STDP ,lever 
is not held all the way forward while 
mowing, the blade brake/clutch mecha- 
nism will wear out prematurely. When 
partially applying the hydrostatic drive 
clutch lever (HR215HXA only), be careful 
to hold the RDlD-STDP lever all the way 
forward. DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER 
(HR215HXA) 
NOTE: Always release the drive clutch lever 
before starting the engine. If the drive HR215HXA: You can move the drive clutch 
clutch lever is held forward while starting, lever to control mower speed, but keep the 
the mower will move forward before you ROTO-STOP lever all the way forward while 
are ready to guide it. mowing. 
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							3. CONTROLS 
SHIFT LEVER (HR215SXA & HR215SMA) 
The shift lever selects the drive speed 
for the mower. Move the shift lever to 
select the pace at which you wish to 
mow. 
NOTE: 
The mower will lurch if you shift 
gears while the drive clutch is 
engaged. Release the drive clutch 
lever before moving the shift lever. 
To avoid incomplete gear engage- 
ment, be sure the shift lever is 
centered in one of the three detent 
positions. 
MAXIMUM SPEED: 
Position 1 (SLOW): 2.6 ft/sec 
(0.8 m/set) 
Position 2 (MEDIUM): 3.9 ft/sec 
(1.2 m/set) 
Position 3 (FAST): 4.6 ft/sec 
(1.4 m/set) 
SHIFT LEVER (HR215HXA) 
The shift lever controls the mower’s 
maximum drive speed. Move the shift 
lever to select the pace at which you 
normally mow in open areas. If you 
wish to momentarily slow the mower 
during operation, partially release the 
drive clutch lever, then resume your 
normal speed by pushing the drive 
clutch lever forward again (see page 
14). It is not necessary to move the 
shift lever for momentary speed 
reduction. 
MAXIMUM SPEED: 
SLOW: 2.0 ft/sec (0.60 mkec ) 
FAST 4.9 ft/sec (1.48 m/set) (HR215SXA & HR215SMA)  
						

							3. CONTROLS 
HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOBS 
The handlebar locking knobs must be 
tightened to secure the handlebar in 
the mowing position. 
These knobs can be loosened to fold 
the handlebar for storage or transport 
convenience 
1. 
2. Remove the grass bag, and place it \~--+=....--& 
 
on top of the engine, with the bag HANDLEBAR LOCKING KNOBS 
opening at the front of the mower. 
Loosen the handlebar locking knobs, 
spread the lower ends of the 
handlebar as shown. When folding, 
be careful to avoid kinking or 
pinching the control cables. HANDLEBAR 
LOCKING 
KNOBS 
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							3. CONTROLS 
CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVERS 
serious injury. Stop the engine before 
adjusting cutting height. 
There are six cutting height settings: 
3/4 in (2.0 cm), l-1/4 in (3.3 cm), 
l-3/4 in (4.5 cm), 2-l/4 in (5.6 cm), 
2-5/8 in (6.7 cm), and 3 in (7.7 cm). 
These are approximate figures, as the 
actual height of cut grass will vary with 
lawn and soil conditions. 
To adjust cutting height, pull each 
adjusting lever toward the wheel, and 
move it into another notch. Set all four 
adjusting levers to the same cutting 
height position. 
314 in. 
(2.0 cm) 
l-1/4 in. 
(3.3 cm) 
l-314 in. 
(4.5 cm) 
2-114 in. 
(5.6 cm1 
2-516 in. 
(6.7 cm) 
3 in. 
(7.7 cm) 
ADJUSTING LEVERS 
ADJUSTWiG LEVER 
Select the correct cutting height for your mowing requirements. Cutting height 
settings of l-l /4 in (3.3 cm) to 2- l/4 in (5.6 cm) are appropriate for most lawns 
during cool weather. A higher cut may be needed to protect the lawn during 
hot summer months. Consult a local nursery or lawn & garden center for advice 
about specific types of grasses and growing conditions in your area. 
If you are not certain which cutting height to select, check the appearance 
of the lawn after mowing a small area, then readjust cutting height if necessary. 
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							4. ATTACHMENTS 
Honda HR215 mowers are provided with a grass bag as standard equipment. 
You can operate the mower with the grass bag (or optional hard-shell grass 
catcher) installed to collect the grass clippings, or with the grass bag removed 
(or optional side-discharge chute installed) if you wish to leave the grass clippings 
on the lawn. When attachments are removed, the discharge guard automatically 
closes to protect the operator from objects that may be thrown by the blade 
NOTE: 
l When mowing without attachments, the closed discharge guard will trap 
more grass under the cutter deck, and the cutter deck may clog when 
mowing grass that is thick or tall. If clogging occurs, mow more frequently, 
cut a narrower swath, and/or select a slower drive speed. You may also need 
to raise the mower’s cutting height. 
l If you wish to leave the grass clippings on the lawn, we recommend using 
the optional, side discharge chute (see page 19). 
GRASS BAG (standard equipment) 
Installation 
1. 
2. Raise the discharge guard, and 
hook the grass bag onto the 
mower as shown. GRASS SAG LID 
Release the discharge guard. 
Removal 
1. Raise the discharge guard, grab the 
handle of the grass bag lid, and 
remove the bag. 
2. Release the discharge guard. 
NOTE: When the 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. 
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