Operating The Controls For Mowing - Honda HRS216PDA Owner's Manual

5. Pull the starter grip lightly
until you feel resistance,
and then pull briskly.
Return the starter grip
gently.
Keep your hands and feet
away from the mower deck
at all time when starting
and running the engine.
Continue to hold the blade
control lever against the
handlebar; the engine stops when the blade control lever is
released.
6. PDA, SDA: If the CHOKE position was used during starting, move
the throttle lever away from the CHOKE position as soon as the
engine warms up enough to run smoothly without using the choke.
Set the throttle lever at FAST to mow or at SLOW to idle.

OPERATING THE CONTROLS FOR MOWING

Throttle Lever
(PDA, SDA)
For best cut quality, always mow
with the throttle lever in the FAST
position. When the blade(s)
rotate at the preset fast speed, it
creates a strong fan action that
lifts and cuts grass more
efficiently.
Do not try to increase the preset
engine speed; the blade(s) could
fracture and come apart.
VKA: This model does not have a throttle lever. The throttle is fixed
and always runs at the FAST setting.
Blade Control Lever
The blade control lever must be
pulled back against the
handlebar to start and run the
engine. The blade(s) start 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(s)
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.
STARTER
GRIP
THROTTLE LEVER
FAST
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
(PDA
SHOWN)
Clutch Lever
(SDA)
Push the clutch lever forward and hold
it against the handlebar to propel the
mower forward.
Release the clutch lever to stop the
mower's forward movement.
Always release the clutch lever before
starting the engine. If the clutch is
engaged, the mower will move
forward when you operate the starter.
Operate the clutch lever with a quick
and complete motion so the clutch is
either fully engaged or fully released. Hold the clutch lever against the
handlebar during self-propelled mowing. This will help to extend the
service life of the clutch mechanism.
Smart Drive Control
(VKA)
The Smart Drive control
can be adjusted up or down
into any one of five
positions (page 6).
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 obtained, applying additional
pressure will not further increase ground speed. Apply only enough
pressure to achieve the desired speed.
Ground speed control sensitivity will vary with such factors as terrain,
grass height, slope, and grass bag weight. For example, achieving a
very slow ground speed on smooth level terrain requires very light
pressure be applied to the Smart Drive control. However, additional
pressure may be required to achieve the same ground speed on
slopes, in tall grass, or on uneven terrain. The Smart Drive control is
designed to allow you to move the control to maintain the desired
ground speed under constantly changing mowing conditions.
Release the Smart Drive control to disengage (stop) the rear wheels.
CLUTCH LEVER (SDA)
™
CONTROL
SMART DRIVE CONTROL
7