Honda H R B 215 Manual

							9. MAINTENANCE 
4. 
5. 
6. While holding the drive clutch lever 
all the way forward, check the 
position of the transmission arm. 
The notch on the transmission arm 
should align with the index mark on 
the transmission case. 
If adjustment is necessary, loosen 
the drive clutch cable lock nuts with 
a 10 mm wrench, and move the 
adjuster up or down as required. 
Tighten the lock nuts, and recheck 
transmission arm alignment. TRANSMISSION 
After the transmission arm is 
precisely aligned, start the engine 
and operate the drive clutch lever. 
Check to be sure the drive clutch 
lever operates properly. If the drive 
clutch lever does not operate 
properly after the cable is correctly 
adjusted, take the mower to an 
authorized Honda lawn mower 
dealer for repair. 
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							9. MAINTENANCE 
THROrrLE CABLE ADJUSTMENT 
1. 
2. 
3. When the throttle lever is moved to 
the CHOKE position, the carburetor 
choke arm should move all the way 
counterclockwise, as far as it will 
go. Push the choke arm with your 
finger to check that it has moved 
as far as it will go. 
If adjustment is necessary, loosen 
the throttle control cable lock nuts 
with a 10 mm wrench, and move 
the adjuster up or down as required. 
Tighten the lock nuts and recheck 
carburetor choke arm movement. 
Start the engine, and check to be 
sure the engine stops when the 
throttle lever is moved to the STOP 
position. Readjust the cable if 
necessary. 
HR215PXA 
50 HR215SXA 81 HR215SMA HR215HXA  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
HR215SXA 81 HR215SMA SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT 
1. With the shift lever in 2nd speed, check that the lever, including its free play, 
is centered on number “2” on the lever cover. 
2. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the lock nuts with a 19 mm wrench, and 
move the adjuster up or down as required. Tighten the lock nuts and recheck 
lever alignment. 
3. Start the engine and operate the shift lever. Check to be sure the transmission 
shifts properly. If the transmission does not shift properly, and the lever is 
correctly positioned, take the mower to an authorized Honda lawn mower 
dealer for repair. 
NOTE: Release the drive clutch lever before moving the shift lever. 
‘ER  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
CARBUREl0R ADJUSTMENT 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. Start the engine outdoors, and allow it to warm up to normal operating 
temperature 
B Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide, a colorless 
and odorless gas. Breathing exhaust can cause loss of consciousness and 
may lead to death. To keep exhaust gas from building up, provide adequate 
ventilation. 
Set the throttle lever in the SLOW ( -1 position. 
Turn the pilot screw in or out to the setting that produces the.highest idle 
rpm. The correct setting will usually be approximately 2 turns out from the 
fully closed position. 
After the pilot screw is correctly adjusted, turn the throttle stop screw to 
obtain the standard idle speed. 
Standard idle speed: 2,000 f 150 rpm 
PILOT SCREW THROlTLE STOP 
SCREW 
52  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
GRASS BAG CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT 
When the bag needs cleaning, wash it 
with a garden hose, and allow it to dry 
completely before use; a wet grass bag 
will clog quickly. 
Replace a frayed, torn, or deteriorated 
bag with a Honda replacement bag or 
its equivalent. 
SAG REMOVAL 
1. Pull off one of the cap nuts, using 
pliers. Or pry off, using two screw- 
drivers, at opposite sides of the cap 
nut flange. 
NOTE: 
l To avoid marring the plastic lid 
while prying off the cap nut, 
place a thick rag, or other 
material, under the screwdrivers. 
l These cap nuts are not reusable 
Discard the cap nut after 
removal. Obtain a new cap nut 
for bag installation. 
2. Remove the rod and the bag lid. 
3. Unclip the plastic edges of the bag, 
and remove the bag from the frame 
RAG INSTALLATION 
1. Insert the bag frame in the bag as 
shown. 
2. Clip the plastic edges of the bag 
onto the frame as shown. 
3. Insert the rod through the lid, frame, 
and bag. 
4. Secure the rod with a new cap nut. 
Hit the cap nut with a hammer to 
drive it onto the rod.  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
BLADE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION 
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. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands. 
l Blade sharpening: To reduce the possibility of weakening the blade, or causing 
imbalance or poor cutting performance, have the blade sharpened by an 
authorized Honda lawn mower dealer. 
l Blade replacement: Use a genuine Honda replacement blade or its equivalent. 
Blade Removal 
1. Turn the fuel valve OFF, and rest the mower on its right side, so the carburetor 
side is up. 
NOTE: Hard starting and fuel leakage may result if the mower is placed with 
the carburetor side down. 
2. Remove the two blade bolts with a 14 mm socket wrench. Use a wooden 
block to prevent the blade from turning when removing the bolts. 
3. Remove the blade and blade holder. 
ROTO-STOP 
ASSEMBLY 
BLADE 
HOLDER 
/ 
BLADE 
BOLTS 
54  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
Blade Installation 
1. Clean dirt and grass from the blade mounting area. 
2. Position the blade and blade holder on the ROTO-STOP assembly, and install 
the blade bolts. 
NOTE: 
l Be sure the blade is positioned right side up (rear edges turn upward; 
center hole rim projects downward). If the blade is installed upside down, 
the edges cannot cut properly, and the center may jam the ROTO-STOP 
l The blade bolts are specially designed for this application and must not 
be replaced with any other bolts. 
3. Tighten the blade bolts with a torque wrench. Use a wooden block to prevent 
the blade from turning when tightening the bolts. If you do not have a torque 
wrench, have an authorized Honda lawn mower dealer tighten the blade bolts. 
Blade bolt torque: 36.2-43.4 ft-lb (5.0-6.0 kg-m) 
TORQUE  TORQUE 
WRENCH  WRENCH 
ROTO-STOP ASSEM  ROTO-STOP ASSEM 
BLADE  BLADE 
HOLDER  HOLDER 
55  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
BATTERY CHARGING (HR215SMA) 
The engine will automatically recharge 
the battery when the mower is 
operated. A plug-in charger is provided 
for supplemental charging when the 
mower is not operated frequently 
enough to keep the battery charged. 
Use the plug-in charger to recharge the 
battery once a month during seasons 
when you do not mow the lawn. This 
will help to extend the service life of 
the battery. Also use the plug-in 
charger after prolonged storage, or 
anytime you notice a decrease in 
starter motor speed. 
2P CONNECTORS 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. Disconnect the battery connector, 
located under the engine switch 
housing. 
Connect the battery connector to 
the charger supplied with the 
mower. 
Plug the charger into a standard AC 
power outlet, and let the battery 
charge for 24 hours. 
After the battery has been charged, 
disconnect the charger, and 
reconnect the battery connectors 
under the engine switch housing. 
BATTERY CHARGER 
56  
						

							IO. STORAGE 
Preparation for Storage 
When the mower will not be used for one month or longer, proper storage 
preparation will help to prevent rust and corrosion, and will make it easier to 
start the engine when the mower is removed from storage 
1. Clean all surfaces of the mower, including the area underneath the cutter 
deck. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands. 
NOTE: Before cleaning under the cutter deck, turn the fuel valve OFF, and 
rest the mower on its right side, so the carburetor side is up. Hard starting 
and fuel leakage may result if the mower is placed with the carburetor side 
down. 
If you use a garden hose to wash the mower, observe the following 
precautions: 
l If the mower has been running, allow the engine to cool for at least half 
an hour before spraying water on it. Never spray water on hot engine. 
l Wash the mower using low water pressure, and keep water away from 
controls, cable ends, wheel hubs, starter motor, and all other places that 
are difficult to dry if water enters. 
l After washing, start the engine outdoors, and let it run until it reaches 
normal operating temperature to evaporate any water remaining on the 
engine. Operate the ROTO-STOP lever 4 or 5 times to expel water from 
the ROTO-STOP mechanism; allow the blade to spin for several minutes 
to ensure that no water remains. 
l Stop the engine, turn the fuel valve OFF, and allow the engine to cool 
before placing the mower in storage. 
2. Wash the grass bag, and allow it to dry completely. 
pEiEq ,Stored lawn clippings are a fire hazard. Always empty the 
grass bag after use. 
3. Coat areas that may rust with a light film of oil. Lubricate all control cable 
cores with a silicone spray lubricant. 
57  
						

							10. STORAGE 
4. For prolonged storage, perform these additional steps: 
For storage of 1 or 2 months: 
For storage of 1 or 2 months, be sure the fuel tank is full. If partially filled, 
air in the tank will promote fuel oxidation and deterioration, resulting in bad 
fuel that may cause hard starting. Deteriorated fuel may also clog carburetor 
passages, requiring carburetor repair or replacement. 
NOTE: The Distributor’s Limited Warranty does not cover fuel system damage 
or engine performance problems resulting from neglected storage preparation. 
a. Fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline, and add a gasoline conditioner, 
such as HONDA FUEL STABILIZER, which is formulated to extend fuel 
storage life. 
b. Run the engine outdoors for 10 minutes to be sure that treated gasoline 
has replaced the untreated gasoline in the carburetor. 
c. Stop the engine, turn the fuel valve OFF, and allow the engine to cool 
before placing the mower in storage 
For storage of more than 2 months: 
a. Change the engine oil (see page 
40). 
b. Remove the spark plug (see page 
44). Pour a tablespoon of clean 
engine oil into the cylinder. Pull the 
starter rope several times to 
distribute the oil in the cylinder. 
Reinstall the spark plug. SPARK PLUG HOLE 
NOTE: While the spark plug is 
removed, inspect the plug, and 
clean, gap, or replace it if necessary. 
c. Pull the starter rope until you feel 
resistance This closes the valves, 
which helps to protect the cylinder 
from corrosion.