Honda H R B 215 Manual

							6. OPERATION 
4. When the engine warms up, move the throttle lever away from the CHOKE 
position. Set the lever in FAST ( * ) position for mowing, or in SLOW 
(c) 1 position for idling. 
THROTTLE LEVER 
(HR215PXAI THR WLE LEVER 
(HR215HXA, HR215SXA, 
HR215SMA) 
NOTE: If restarting a warm engine in the CHOKE position, move the throttle 
lever away from CHOKE as soon as the engine starts. 
CLEARING A FLOODED ENGINE 
If the engine won’t start, after you have operated the starter several times, the 
engine may be flooded with excess fuel. Use the following procedure to clear 
and start. a flooded engine: 
1. Move the throttle lever to STOP, and turn the fuel valve OFF. 
2. Remove the spark plug, dry it, then reinstall it. 
NOTE: Install the spark plug carefully, by hand, to avoid cross-threading. 
After the spark plug is seated, tighten l/8 to l/4 turn with a spark plug 
wrench to compress the washer. 
3. Turn the fuel valve ON, and move the throttle lever to FAST ( * ). 
4. Operate the starter with the throttle lever in the FAST (* ) position. 
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							6. OPERATION 
MOWER OPERAUION 
To mow, set the throttle lever in the 
FAST ( 61) position, press the button 
on top of the ROTO-STOP lever, then 
move the ROTO-STOP lever forward 
and hold it against the handlebar. The 
blade will turn while the ROTO-STOP 
lever is held forward. 
NOTE: For best grass cutting and 
bagging performance, and to avoid 
stalling the engine, always mow with 
the throttle lever in the FAST (@r ) 
position. 
Release the ROTO-STOP lever to stop 
the blade before reaching areas with 
gravel, loose stones, or landscaping 
material. Objects hit by the blade can 
be thrown with great force 
cause serious injury and property 
damage. Stop the blade before 
reaching any area with loose objects. 
Operate the ROTO-STOP lever with a 
quick and complete motion, so the 
blade is always either fully engaged or 
disengaged. This will help to prevent 
stalling the engine, and it will also 
extend the service life of the ROTO- 
STOP mechanism. 
rGi%Eq 
If you move the RDID- 
STOP lever slowly or partially, the blade 
clutch/brake mechanism will wear out 
prematurely. 
30 
FAST 
HR215SMA) 
ROTO-STOP LEVER BUTTON  
						

							6. OPERATION 
MOWER OPERATION 
To propel the mower (self-propelled models), push the drive clutch lever forward 
(see page 14). Release the drive clutch lever to disengage the drive. 
To select a different drive speed, move the shift lever (see page 15). 
Hold the ROTO-STOP lever forward with the drive clutch lever for self-propelled 
mowing in open areas. 
DRIVE CLUTCH 
LEVER (HR215SXA 
81 HR215SMAI ROTD-STOP 
LEVER 
DRIVE CLUTCH 
LEVER (HR215HXA) 
HR215SXA & HR215SMA: For self- HR215HXA: You can move the drive 
propelled use, keep the drive clutch clutch lever to control mower speed, 
lever all the way forward. 
but keep the ROTO-STOP lever all the 
way forward while mowing. 
When mowing around trees and other obstacles, release the drive clutch lever 
(self-propelled models) while holding the ROTO-STOP lever forward. Push the 
mower for better directional control. 
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							6. OPERATION 
B 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 
and debris. For your safety, keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful 
not to lose your footing and your control of the mower. 
Keep a firm grip on the handlebar, and walk, never run, with the mower. Be 
very careful when mowing uneven or rough ground. Mow across slopes, never 
up and down. Be careful when changing the direction of the mower on a slope 
Do not use the mower on a steep slope of more than 20°. 
Use extra care when mowing over objects imbedded in the lawn, such as 
sprinkler heads, paving, edging, etc. Avoid anything that sticks up above the 
surface of the lawn. Striking objects may damage the blade, bend the crankshaft, 
and/or break the cutter deck or other mower components. 
B 
A damaged blade may break. Broken pieces can be thrown 
by the blade and may cause serious injury. Stop the engine immediately if you 
suspect the blade is damaged. 
If the blade hits something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, follow these steps: 
1. Stop the engine 
2. Inspect the blade and other mower components for damage 
3. Replace any damaged parts before operating the mower. 
NOTE: The Distributor’s Limited Warranty does not cover parts damaged by 
accident or collision. 
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							6. OPERATION 
STOPPING THE ENGINE 
1. Release the drive clutch lever (self- 
propelled models) and ROTO-STOP 
lever (all models). 
2. Move the throttle lever to the STOP 
position. 
3. HR215SMA: Turn the engine 
switch to the OFF position. 
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. ENGINE TWITCH . 
(HR215SMAI 
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.  
						

							6. OPERATION 
HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATION 
At high altitude, the standard carburetor air-fuel mixture will be too rich. 
FMormance will decrease, and fuel consumption will increase A very rich mixture 
may also foul the spark plug and cause hard starting. 
High altitude performance can be improved by installing a smaller diameter main 
fuel jet in the carburetor and readjusting the pilot screw. If you always operate 
the mower at altitudes higher than 6,006 feet above sea level, have an authorized 
Honda lawn mower dealer perform this carburetor modification. 
Even with carburetor modification, engine horsepower will decrease about 3.5% 
for each 1,000 foot increase in altitude The effect of altitude on horsepower 
will be greater than this if no carburetor modification is made. A reduction in 
engine horsepower will reduce mowing performance. 
When the carburetor is modified for good high altitude operation, the air/fuel 
mixture will be too lean at low altitude Performance will decrease, and the engine 
will overheat. 
To avoid an excessively lean air/fuel mixture and engine damage, reinstall the 
standard main fuel jet and readjust the pilot screw for operation at altitudes 
lower than 6,000 feet above sea level. 
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							7. MOWING RECOMMENDATIONS 
A cutting height of l-l /4 in (3.3 cm) to 2-l /4 in (5.6 cm) is 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. 
Most grasses should be mowed when they have grown half an inch to an inch 
above the recommended height. If allowed to grow too tall, and then cut back 
to the stems, the grass may not recover well, and the lawn will have brown 
patches. 
As a general rule, do not cut off more than a third of the total height of the 
grass in one mowing. If tall grass is reduced in height a little at a time, and 
is allowed to recover between mowings, the grass will be healthier, and the 
lawn mower will work better and will leave a better lawn finish. 
For good mowing conditions, the grass should be relatively dry, but the ground 
should not be so dry that the mower stirs up a lot of dust. Too much dust will 
clog the carburetor air filter, reducing engine performance 
If dust is a problem, water your lawn the day before mowing, allowing the grass 
to dry while the soil remains moist. 
Always wait for wet grass to dry. Wet grass may clog the cutter deck, and it 
does not bag well. 
Grass clippings may be left on the lawn, or removed, whichever you prefer. 
Clippings return nutrients to the soil, but they don’t look neat when left on the 
lawn. Heavy clumps of clippings should always be removed; grass must remain 
uncovered to grow properly. 
If you wish to leave the grass clippings on the lawn, we recommend using the 
optional, side-discharge chute (see page 19). 
Mowing without the grass bag or other attachments will leave the grass clippings 
on the lawn, but 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 use a 
slower forward speed. You may also need to raise the mower’s cutting height. 
If you must clean out a clogged cutter deck, turn the fuel valve OFF, and tilt 
the mower so the carburetor side is up Hard starting and fuel leakage may result 
if the mower is tilted with the carburetor side down. 
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							For best results, start at the outer edges 
of the lawn, and work toward the 
center in a clockwise direction. 
If you use the standard grass bag, or 
the optional hard-shell grass catcher, 
a clockwise mowing pattern, starting 
at the outer edges of the lawn, will give 
the best bagging performance, leaving 
the least amount of clippings on the 
lawn. The mower will bag most 
efficiently with this mowing pattern, 
due to cutter deck design and the 
direction in which the blade rotates. 
If you use the optional side-discharge 
chute, use the same clockwise mowing 
pattern. This will prevent clippings from 
piling up in the path of the mower. t 
. 
. 
RECOMMENDED MOWING PATTERN 
36  
						

							7. MOWING RECOMMENDATIONS 
If the grass is not very thick or tall, you can mow a wide swath, and/or you 
can move the shift lever (self-propelled models) to select a fast drive speed. 
Keep the wheels close to the swath line for maximum cutting width. 
If the grass is very thick or tall, cutting a wide swath may slow or stall the engine 
clog the cutter deck, and cause poor bagging performance For thick or tall grass, 
cut a narrower swath, and/or push the mower more slowly or move the shift 
lever (self-propelled models) to select a slower drive speed. If necessary, mow 
twice; first with a high cut, then at final cutting height. 
For best grass cutting and bagging 
performance, the blade must spin very 
fast. Always use the FAST (* 1 
throttle setting when mowing, and 
keep the engine running at or near 
maximum rpm. If you hear engine 
speed decrease that means you should 
mow a narrower swath, and/or use a 
slower forward speed. You may also 
need to raise the mower’s cutting 
height. 
Always empty the grass bag or hard- 
shell grass catcher before it becomes 
filled to the limit of its capacity. Bagging 
performance will diminish after the bag 
or grass catcher becomes about 90% 
filled. Also, the bag or grass catcher is 
easier to empty when it is not packed 
full. 
Always empty the grass bag or hard- 
shell grass catcher when you have 
finished mowing, even if it is not full. 
Stored lawn clippings are a fire hazard. 
A clogged grass bag will not collect 
grass efficiently. If the bag becomes 
clogged with dirt, wash it with a 
garden hose, and allow it to dry 
completely before use; a wet bag will 
clog quickly. 
37  
						

							8. TRANSPORTING 
B The engine and exhaust system become hot during operation 
and remain hot for a while after stopping. Contact with hot engine components 
can cause bums and can ignite some materials. 
Avoid touching the engine or exhaust system for at least 15 minutes after the 
engine has stopped. Allow the engine to cool before transporting the mower. 
Before Loading 
Turn the fuel valve to the OFF 
position. This will prevent the 
possibility of carburetor flooding and 
will 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. 
Remove the grass bag. 
Loading/Unloading 
To reduce the possibility of fuel leakage, keep the mower level while transporting, 
and avoid tilting the mower excessively when loading and unloading. 
l If a suitable loading ramp is not available, two people should lift the mower 
on and off the vehicle, while holding the mower level. 
l Position the mower so all 4 wheels are on the bed of the vehicle Tie the 
mower down with rope or straps, and block the wheels. Keep the tie-down 
rope or straps away from controls, adjustment levers, cables, governor arm, 
carburetor, and the fuel line 
II 
Self -propelled models - If the drive clutch is engaged while 
rolling backward, down the loading ramp, the drive system may become 
damaged. Avoid moving the drive clutch lever while loading and unloading. 
NOTE: The handlebar can be folded by loosening the handlebar locking knobs 
(see page 16). 
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