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5

GET THE MOWER READY

Handlebar Height Adjustment

Adjust handlebar height for a comfortable operating position (page 3).

Smart Drive™ Control 

The Smart Drive control can be 
adjusted up or down into any 
one of five positions.

Do not attempt to adjust the 
position of the Smart Drive 
control while the mower is in 
motion.

Slide the multi-position adjuster 
to the left to unlock the control, 
move the Smart Drive control 
up or down into the most comfortable position, and then release the 
multi-position adjuster and allow it to engage.

Clip Director® 

Adjust the Clip Director knob in any one of the ten positions to achieve 
the desired mowing results.

To adjust the Clip Director knob, pull the knob downward and towards 
the rear of the mower. The knob adjusts a sliding door from the fully 
open BAG position to the fully closed MULCH position. 

Some grass accumulation in the discharge opening is normal when 
the Clip Director is fully closed. To remove this grass, close the 
discharge guard, fully open the Clip Director, engage the blade control 
lever, and start the engine.

If a high resistance is noticed when moving the Clip Director knob 
from side-to-side, excessive grass may have built up on top of the 
sliding door.  

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION

Always release the blade control lever and disconnect the spark plug 
cap (page 12) before lifting the discharge guard to view or clean 
around the sliding door. This will prevent contact with the rotating 
blades and prevent objects from being thrown into the discharge area.

Sliding Door Position   

The sliding door can be positioned to produce different mowing 
results. If the preferred sliding door position is unknown, install the 
grass bag and begin mowing with the Clip Director knob all the way to 
the BAG position. Check the appearance of the lawn. As the knob is 
moved towards the MULCH position, more grass will be recycled back 
into the lawn. Adjust the Clip Director knob until the desired result is 
achieved.  

Rear Discharge   

To discharge clippings to the rear, remove the grass bag and position 
the Clip Director knob in the BAG range. Maximum rear discharge will 
occur when the Clip Director knob is all the way to the left (BAG) 
position. As the Clip Director knob is moved toward the right (MULCH) 
position, less grass will be discharged through the rear discharge 
guard. 

Fallen Leaves

Use the Clip Director to shred and collect fallen leaves for disposal. 
Set the front wheels so they are one or two settings higher than the 
rear. Set the Clip Director in position #9 (not quite full mulching), and 
adjust the setting from this point for best results.

CONTROL

MULTI-
POSITION 
ADJUSTER

SMART DRIVE 
CONTROL

CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB

SLIDING DOOR
(fully closed)

DISCHARGE
GUARD

BAGGING OR REAR DISCHARGE
AND SOME MULCHING

SLIDING DOOR
(50% open)

CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB

FULL BAGGING OR
REAR DISCHARGE

FULL MULCHING

KNOB (MULCH POSITION)

KNOB (BAG POSITION)

SLIDING DOOR
(fully open)

SLIDING DOOR
(fully closed)

Summary of Contents for HRX217VKA

Page 1: ...y and safely Safety Messages preceded by a safety alert A symbol and one of three signal words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION These signal words mean Each message tells you what the hazard is what can happen and what you can do to avoid or reduce injury Damage Prevention Messages You will also see other important messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE This word means CONTENTS For more informatio...

Page 2: ...IMPORTANT to Honda That s why we urge you to read this message before letting your child operate this lawn mower Lawn mowers are tools not toys As with any equipment bad judgments can result in serious injuries You can help prevent injuries or property damage by making good decisions about if when and how your child operates this equipment The first question you ll need to ask is whether your chil...

Page 3: ...e category SJ or later oil to bring the oil level between the upper and lower limit marks on the dipstick as shown Do not overfill the engine with oil If the engine is overfilled the excess oil may get transferred to the air cleaner housing and air filter After filling the engine with oil remove the hang tag near the recoil starter grip that says The engine has no oil A container of oil is in the ...

Page 4: ...Check the fuel level page 13 Starting with a full tank will help eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling CHECK YOUR MOWING AREA For your safety and the safety of others always inspect the area before operating the lawn mower Objects Anything that can be picked up by the blades and thrown is a potential hazard to you and others Look for things like stones sticks nails and wire and...

Page 5: ... view or clean around the sliding door This will prevent contact with the rotating blades and prevent objects from being thrown into the discharge area Sliding Door Position The sliding door can be positioned to produce different mowing results If the preferred sliding door position is unknown install the grass bag and begin mowing with the Clip Director knob all the way to the BAG position Check ...

Page 6: ...replacement is explained on page 10 Installation 1 Raise the discharge guard and hook the grass bag onto the mower deck as shown 2 Release the discharge guard to secure the grass bag Removal 1 Raise the discharge guard grasp the grass bag handle and remove the grass bag 2 Release the discharge guard 3 When the grass bag is clear of the discharge guard you can lift it through the handlebar opening ...

Page 7: ...e control lever against the handlebar the engine will stop if you release the lever OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING Smart Drive Control Control position adjustment is described on page 5 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 gro...

Page 8: ... performed by a Honda technician or other qualified mechanic The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions If you operate your mower under severe conditions such as sustained high load or high temperature operation or use in unusually wet or dusty conditions consult your servicing dealer for recommendations applicable to your individual needs and use Remember that an authorized H...

Page 9: ...installation Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands BLADE SHARPENING To avoid weakening the blades or causing imbalance or poor cutting the blades should be sharpened by trained staff at an authorized Honda servicing dealer BLADE REPLACEMENT Use Honda Genuine replacement blades or their equivalent page 18 Interval Item Before each use Inspect the blades page 9 Check the blade bolt torque page 10 ...

Page 10: ...torque 36 43 ft lb 49 59 N m If you do not have a torque wrench have an authorized Honda servicing dealer tighten the blade bolts before you use the mower If the blade bolts are overtightened they could break If the blade bolts are not tightened enough they could loosen or come out In either case it would be possible for the blades to fly off while you are operating the mower GRASS BAG CLEANING AN...

Page 11: ... to drain completely Please dispose of used motor oil and the container in a manner that is compatible with the environment We suggest you take it in a sealed container to your local recycling center or service station for reclamation Do not throw it in the trash pour it on the ground or pour it down a drain 4 Fill with the recommended oil Do not overfill Allow a couple of minutes for the oil to s...

Page 12: ...spark plug Spark Arrester Service optional equipment Your lawn mower engine is not factory equipped with a spark arrester In some areas it is illegal to operate an engine without a spark arrester Check local laws and regulations An optional USDA approved spark arrester is available from an authorized Honda servicing dealer See page 18 for part numbers The spark arrester must be serviced every 100 ...

Page 13: ...uitable loading ramp is not available two people should lift the mower onto and off the transport vehicle while holding the mower level Position the mower so all four wheels are on the bed of the transport vehicle Tie the mower down with rope or straps and block the wheels Keep the tie down rope or straps away from the controls adjustment levers cables and the carburetor The handlebar can be folde...

Page 14: ... problems 1 Add gasoline stabilizer following the manufacturer s instructions When adding a gasoline stabilizer fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline If only partially filled air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration during storage 2 After adding a gasoline stabilizer run the engine outdoors for 10 minutes to be sure that treated gasoline has replaced the untreated gasoline in the fuel syst...

Page 15: ...place the spark plug page 12 Spark plug wet with fuel flooded engine Dry and reinstall the spark plug Fuel filter clogged carburetor malfunction ignition malfunction valves stuck etc Take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair Possible Cause Correction Grass too tall or wet Raise the cutting height page 8 cut a narrower swath use a slower ground speed cut more frequently when...

Page 16: ...ons control systems to reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons Additionally Honda fuel systems utilize components and control technologies to reduce evaporative emissions The U S California Clean Air Act and Environment Canada EPA California and Canadian regulations require all manufacturers to furnish written instructions describing the operation and maintenanc...

Page 17: ...gher page 13 Engine oil SAE 10W 30 API SJ or later page 11 Spark plug type NGK BPR5ES page 12 Maximum governed speed 2 950 3 100 rpm Shop manual Blade bolt torque 36 43 ft lb 49 59 N m page 10 Do not try to increase the engine speed above the maximum governed speed the blades could fracture and come apart Spark plug gap 0 028 0 031 in 0 7 0 8 mm page 12 Valve clearance cold Intake 0 15 0 04 mm Exh...

Page 18: ...intaining and repairing your lawn mower Shop Manual This manual covers complete maintenance and overhaul procedures It is intended to be used by a skilled technician Available through your Honda dealer or through Helm Inc at 888 292 5395 or visit www hondapowerequipment com products manuals Parts Catalog This manual provides complete illustrated parts lists and is available through your Honda deal...

Page 19: ...mited to the duration of this written limited warranty Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above exclusions and limitations may not apply to you This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state ACCESSORIE...

Page 20: ...da Inc will be referred to as Honda Your Warranty Rights and Obligations California The California Air Resources Board and Honda are pleased to explain the emission control system warranty on your Honda Power Equipment engine In California new utility and lawn and garden equipment engines must be designed built and equipped to meet the State s stringent anti smog standards Other States U S Territo...

Page 21: ... However if you require further assistance write or call the Power Equipment Customer Relations Department of American Honda Motor Co Inc Refer to page 18 for contact information Exclusions Failures other than those resulting from defects in material or workmanship are not covered by this warranty This warranty does not extend to emission control systems or parts which are affected or damaged by o...

Page 22: ...22 Notes ...

Page 23: ...23 Notes ...

Page 24: ...Printed on Recycled Paper ...

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