Honda HRS216VKAA Owner'S Manual Download Page 6

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Wear heavy gloves and disconnect the spark plug cap when you need
to clean the mower deck or handle the blade.

Clear Mowing Area

Mower blade can throw rocks and other objects with enough force to
cause serious injury. Before mowing, carefully inspect the area and
remove all sticks, stones, pieces of wire, and other loose objects.
Never operate the blade over gravel.

NOTICE

Striking objects with the spinning blade can cause severe engine

damage, which is not covered by the

DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED

WARRANTY (

page 19

Keep Shields in Place

Guards and shields are designed to protect you from being hit by
thrown objects and from hot engine parts and moving components.
For your safety and the safety of others, keep all shields in place
when the engine is running.

Refuel With Care

Gasoline is extremely flammable and gasoline vapor can explode.
Refuel only outdoors, in a well-ventilated area, with the engine OFF.
Never smoke near gasoline, and keep other flames and sparks away.
Always store gasoline in an approved container.

Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a
plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your
vehicle before filling. Remove gas powered equipment from the truck
or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel
such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline
dispenser nozzle.

Wear Protective Clothing

Wearing protective clothing will reduce your risk of injury. Long pants
and eye protection reduce the risk of injuries from thrown objects.
Sturdy shoes with aggressive soles will help protect your feet and give
you better traction on slopes or uneven ground.

Stop the Engine When Not Mowing

If you need to leave the mower for any reason, even just to inspect the
lawn ahead, stop the engine by releasing the blade control lever.

Avoid Slopes

Avoid steep slopes of more than 20

°.

Mow across slopes, not up and down. Be careful
when changing direction. Mowing on a slope
when the grass is damp or wet could cause you
to slip, fall, and lose control of the mower. Never
operate the mower in wet grass.

NOTICE

Mowing on steep slopes can starve the engine of oil, causing engine

damage that is not covered by the

DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED

WARRANTY (

page 19

Keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful to avoid losing
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. Do not mow near drop offs, ditches,
or embankments. You could lose your footing or balance.

If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.

Avoid Obstacles

Gravel, loose stones, and landscaping material can be picked up by
the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. Never direct discharged
material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. The best
way to prevent potential injury from thrown objects is to release the
blade control lever to stop the blade before reaching areas with
gravel, loose stones, or landscaping material.
Be careful when mowing over obstacles that stick up above the
surface of the lawn such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging, raised
tree roots, etc.

If the blade hits something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, stop the
engine immediately, disconnect the spark plug cap, and check for
damage (

page 10

). Striking objects may damage the blade, bend the

crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other components.
Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.

The

DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY

(

page 19

) does not

cover parts damaged by accidental impact collision.

Operating the Controls

Blade Control Lever

The blade control lever must be

pulled back against the handlebar

to start and run the engine. The

blade starts to rotate when the

lever is pulled back against the

handlebar and the recoil starter

grip is pulled.
Continue to hold the lever fully

against the handlebar. This will keep the engine and blade rotating

smoothly and prevent premature wear to the flywheel brake system.
Release the blade control lever to stop the engine and stop blade
rotation whenever you need to leave the mower.

Smart Drive Control

With the engine running and the
blades rotating, slowly push the
Smart Drive control to propel
the mower forward.

Ground speed will increase as
more pressure is applied to the
Smart Drive control. After
maximum ground speed is



DANGER

The blade is sharp and spins at high speed. If you

come in contact with a spinning blade, it will cut you

severely and can amputate fingers and toes.

• Wear protective footwear
• Keep you hands and feet away from the mower

deck while the engine is running

• Stop the engine before performing any adjustment,

inspection, or maintenance