Honda H R B 215 Manual

							4. ATTACHMENTS 
A hard-shell grass catcher, and a side-discharge chute, are available from 
authorized Honda lawn mower dealers. They attach to the cutter deck in place 
of the standard grass bag. 
HARD-SHELL GRASS CATCHER (optional) 
GRASS CATCHER 
SIDE-DISCHARGE CHUTE (optional) 
SIDE DISCHARGE 
CHUTE 
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							5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK 
Check the following items before starting the engine 
BLADE 
Turn the fuel valve OFF, and tilt the 
mower to the right, so the carburetor 
side is up. 
NOTE: Hard starting and fuel leakage 
may result if the mower is tilted with 
the carburetor side down. 
Inspect the blade for wear and damage. 
BtiDE 
BOLTS 
NORMAL EXCESSIVELY BENT CRACKED 
WORN 
A dull blade can be sharpened, but a blade that is worn out, bent, cracked, 
or otherwise damaged must be replaced. A worn or damaged blade could break, 
causing pieces of the blade to be thrown from the mower. 
B A worn or damaged blade may cause serious injury. Always 
inspect the blade before using the mower. 
When the 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 blade yourself (see page 54). 
l Blade sharpening: To avoid weakening the blade, or causing imbalance or 
poor cutting, the blade should be sharpened by an authorized Honda lawn 
mower dealer. 
l Blade replacement: Use a genuine Honda replacement blade or its equivalent. 
Check that the blade bolts are tight. Use a wooden block to prevent the blade 
from turning when tightening the bolts. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands. 
Blade bolt torque: 36.2-43.4 h-lb (5-O-6.0 kg-m). 
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							5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK 
GRASS BAG 
Check that the grass bag is in good 
condition and not clogged. 
A clogged grass bag will not collect 
grass efficiently. When the bag needs 
cleaning, wash it with a garden hose, 
and allow it to dry thoroughly before 
use; a wet bag will clog quickly. 
The grass bag wears during normal 
use and will eventually require 
replacement. If you operate the mower 
with a damaged or worn out bag, 
objects picked up by the blade may be 
thrown through the bag material. 
through a worn or bamaged grass bag 
may cause serious injury. Install a new 
grass bag when required. 
OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS 
If you have the hard-shell grass catcher, or the side-discharge chute (page 191, 
check those attachments to be sure they are in good condition. Operating the 
mower with a damaged attachment will increase risk of injury from objects 
thrown by the blade 
B Objects thrown by the blade may cause serious injury. 
Replace damaged attachments before using the mower. 
Check that the screws are tight in the hard-shell grass catcher, and that the 
screen at the back of the unit is not clogged. The screen must be cleaned 
occasionally to maintain grass-bagging efficiency. 
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							5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK 
ENGINE OIL 
Check the engine oil level with the engine stopped and the mower on a level 
surface 
1. Remove the oil filler cap, and wipe the dipstick clean. 
2. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck, but do not screw it in. 
3. Check the oil level shown on the dipstick. If near the lower level, fill to the 
upper level with the recommended oil. Do not overfill. 
r-ii%q Running the engine with a low oil level will cause engine 
damage. 
Use high-detergent, premium quality 4-stroke engine oil, certified to meet or 
exceed U.S. automobile manufacturers’ requirements for API Service Classification 
SG, SF/CC, CD. 
pE?Eq 
Using non-detergent 
oil can shorten the engine’s serwice lie, 
and using 2-stroke oil will damage the 
engine. 
SAE low-30 is recommended for 
general, all-temperature use Other 
viscosities shown in the chart may be - 
used when the average temperature in 
-30 -20 -10 0 10 
20 30 4OC 
your area is within the indicated range 
FILLER CAP/DIPSTICK FILLER 
CAP/DIPSTICK 
UPPER 
OIL LEVEL 
LOWER 
OIL LEVEL 
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							5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK 
FUEL 
Fuel tank capacity: 0.26 US gal (1.0 PI 
Remove the filler cap and check the fuel level. 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. 
bwl Gasoline is extremely flammable, and gasoline vapor can 
explode, causing serious injury or death. Use extreme care when handling 
gasoline. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. 
Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Do not smoke or allow 
flames or sparks in the area where the engine is refueled or where gasoline 
is stored. Avoid repeated or prolonged contact with skin or breathing of vapor. 
After refueling, tighten the fuel tank cap securely. If any fuel was spilled, make 
sure the area is dry before starting the engine 
FUEL TANK CAP 
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							5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK 
Fuel Recommendation 
Pump octane rating: 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. 
f--xEq 
Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging 
can cause engine damage. 
NOTE: Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging is considered 
misuse, and the Distributor’s Limited Warranty does not cover parts damaged 
by misuse 
GASOLINES CONTAINING ALCOHOL 
If you decide to use a gasoline containing alcohol (gasohol), be sure its pump 
octane rating is 86 or higher. There are two types of “gasohol”: one containing 
ethanol, and the other containing methanol. 
(1 
Using gasohol that contains more than 10% ethanol, or gasoline 
containing methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that does not also contain 
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol, can cause serious fuel system 
damage and poor engine performance. 
Never use gasoline containing more than 5% methanol, even if it has cosolvents 
and corrosion inhibitors. 
Honda does not endorse the use of fuels containing methanol, since evidence 
of their suitability is as yet incomplete. 
NOTE: Fuel system damage, or engine performance problems resulting from the 
use of fuels that contain alcohol, is not covered under the warranty. 
Before buying fuel from an unfamiliar station, first determine if the fuel contains 
alcohol; if it does, find out the type and percentage of alcohol used. 
NOTE: If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms while using a gasoline 
that contains alcohol, or one that you think contains alcohol, switch to a gasoline 
that you know does not contain alcohol. 
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							Check that the air filter is clean and in good condition. A dirty air filter will restrict 
air flow to the carburetor, reducing engine performance A damaged air filter 
will allow dirt to enter the engine, causing rapid engine wear. 
1. Remove the cover screws, then remove the air cleaner cover. 
2. Inspect the paper and foam elements of the air filter. Replace the filter if 
either of the filter elements are damaged. Clean or replace the filter if the 
filter elements are dirty. See page 42 for cleaning instructions. 
3. Reinstall the air filter and air cleaner cover. lighten the cover screws securely. 
pEiEq 
Operating the engine with no air filter, or a damaged air filter, 
will cause rapid engine wear. 
AIR FILTER 
PAPER ELEMENT 
AIR CLEANER 
COVER 
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							5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK 
HANDLEBAR HEIGHT 
Check that the handlebar is in a 
comfortable operating positon. If 
necessary, readjust handlebar height. 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. Loosen both left and right height 
adjuster locking bolts with a 12 mm 
wrench. 
Slightly loosen the lower handlebar 
locking knobs. This will allow the 
height adjusters to move more 
easily. 
Adjust the handlebar to a comfor- 
table height. 
Tighten the locking knobs, then 
tighten the locking bolts. 
CUTTING HEIGHT 
Check the cutting height settings, and 
make any necessary adjustments (see 
page 17). 
serious injury. Stop the engine before 
adjusting cutting height. LOCKING BOLT 
HANDLEBAR HEIGHT 
LOCKING KNOB ADJUSTER 
ADJUSTING LEVER 
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							6. OPERATION 
BTAIVING THE ENGINE 
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. 
poisonous carbon monoxide, a 
colorless and odorless gas. Breathing 
exhaust can cause loss of conscious- 
ness and may lead to death. To keep 
exhaust gas from building up, provide 
adequate ventilation. FUEL VALVE 
1. Turn the fuel valve to the ON position. 
2. FOR STARTING A COLD ENGINE: Move the throttle lever to the CHOKE 
position. 
FOR RESTARTING A WARM ENGINE: Move the throttle lever to the FAST 
( * 1 position. 
CH 
THROTTLE LEVER 
(HR215HXA. HR215SXA. 
HR215SMA) 
NOTE: Use the CHOKE position, unless the engine was recently running and 
is still thoroughly warm. If thoroughly warm, the engine will start easier using 
the FAST ( G ) position. 
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							6. OPERATION 
NOTE (HR215SMA): The engine switch 
must be in the ON oosition to use the 
recoil starter. The engine cannot be started 
with the engine switch OFF. 
ELECTRIC STARTING (HR215SMA) 
Turn the engine switch key to the START 
position, and hold it there until the engine 
starts. 
When the engine starts, release the key, 
allowing it to return to the ON position. 
If the engine fails to start within 5 
seconds, release the key, and wait at least 
10 seconds before operating the starter 
again. 
pziE--1 
Using the electric starter 
for more than 5 seconds at a time can 
damage the starter motor.  3. Operate the starter. 
NOTE: 
l 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. 
l Self-propelled models: Always release the drive clutch lever before starting the 
engine. If the drive clutch lever is held forward while starting, the mower will move 
forward before you are ready to guide it. 
MANUAL STARTING (all models): 
Place your foot on the step of the cutter 
deck. Pull the starter grip lightly until you 
feel resistance, then pull briskly. 
When the engine starts, return the starter 
rope gently. 
piFiq 
If you let the starter grip 
snap 
back against the engine, it may 
damage the starter. 
- STEP 
ON 
I-T- 
ENGINE SWITCH 
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