Starting The Engine; Stopping The Engine; Servicing Your Mower; Maintenance Safety - Honda HRX217HYA Owner's Manual

Shift Lever
Use the shift lever to select the
forward speed at which you wish
to mow.
Do not use the throttle lever to
adjust your forward speed. The
throttle lever must remain in the
FAST position for good mowing
performance.
The position of the shift lever
determines the maximum ground
speed when the drive clutch lever
is fully engaged.
For maximum mowing
performance, use the lower speed range for mowing and the higher
speed range for transporting.
With the shift lever all the way back and the drive clutch lever
engaged, the mower will move slowly or not at all.

Starting the Engine

Before starting, always release the drive clutch lever so that the
mower will not move forward when you operate the starter.
1. Turn the fuel valve to the ON position
2. Move the throttle lever to
the FAST position.
3. Pull the starter grip
lightly until you feel
resistance, then pull
briskly. Return the
starter grip gently.
To ensure easy
restarting and maximum
performance from the Auto Choke System™, allow the engine to
run for at least three minutes after starting a cold engine before
stopping the engine. The minimum run time will need to be longer if
the temperature is below 70°F (21°C).

Stopping the Engine

1. Release the drive clutch and blade control levers.
2. Move the throttle lever to the STOP position.
3. When you finish mowing, turn the fuel valve OFF.
4. If your mower will not be used for 3 to 4 weeks, we recommend
running the engine's carburetor out of fuel. You can do this by
leaving the fuel valve OFF, restarting the engine and running it
until it stops. See "FUEL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE" on
if you don't plan to use your mower for a month or more.
5. Clean your mower after each mowing; refer to "Cleaning" on
page 14.
SHIFT
LEVER
SLOW
(page 3).
FAST
THROTTLE
LEVER

SERVICING YOUR MOWER

Proper maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and
trouble-free operation. It also helps reduce air pollution.
Improper maintenance, or failure to correct a problem before
FAST
operation, can cause a malfunction in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance
recommendations and schedules in this owner's manual.
To help you properly care for your mower, the following pages include
a maintenance schedule, routine inspection procedures, and simple
maintenance procedures using basic hand tools. Other service tasks
that are more difficult or require special tools are best handled by
professionals and are normally 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, high temperature, or unusually wet or dusty conditions,
consult your servicing dealer for recommendations applicable to your
individual needs and use.
Remember that an authorized Honda servicing dealer knows your
mower best and is fully equipped to maintain and repair it. To ensure
the best quality and reliability, use only new, Honda Genuine parts or
their equivalents for repair and replacement.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed by any engine repair
establishment or individual, using parts that are "certified" to
EPA standards.

Maintenance Safety

Some of the most important safety precautions follow. However, we
cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this manual.
page 18
 WARNING

WARNING
9