http://powerequipment.honda.com/support/frequently-asked-questions Do I need a spark arrester?

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 US A !United States epartment of Agriculture" appro#ed spark arrester is a#aila$le from an authori%ed &onda ser#icing dealer. Click here to #iew a list of optional spark arresters you can purchase from an authori%ed &onda dealer. Specific page for spark arrester kits is '-(. Click here to find an authori%ed ser#icing &onda lawn mower dealer in your area.

How do I clean the spark arrester?

!Applies to the &)*'+,, &)*'+-, &))'+,, &)S'+,, &).'+,, &)/'+-, and &)0'+, models only" .he spark arrester must $e ser#iced e#ery +11 hours to keep it functioning as designed.

+. '. 2. 3. 5. ,. -.

Allow the engine to cool, and disconnect the spark plug cap to pre#ent accidental starting. )emo#e the three flange $olts and the heat shield. )emo#e the two set screws and the spark arrester from the muffler. Check for car$on deposits on the spark arrester and the e4haust port. *rush car$on deposits away. *e careful to a#oid damaging the spark arrester screen. Installation is the re#erse of remo#al. .ighten all hardware securely. )econnect the spark plug cap.

How do I adjust the Blade Control cable? !Applies to the &)/'+-&/A and &)/'+-&6A models only"

+. 7ush and hold the yellow $utton down on the $lade control le#er and measure the free play at the top of the le#er. 8ree play should $e 29: to (9+, in !+1 to +5 mm". If ad;ustment is necessary< '. =oosen the lock nuts with a +1 mm wrench, and mo#e the ad;uster up or down as required.

2. 3. 5. ,.

.ighten the lock nuts and recheck the free play. Start the engine outdoors. 6o#e the throttle to 8AS.. >perate the $lade control le#er. .he $lades should engage when you push the le#er forward, and the $lades should stop quickly when the le#er is released. If the blades do not start or stop as they should with the correct cable adjustment, take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair.

How do I adjust the Drive Clutch cable?

!Applies to the &)/'+-&/A and &)/'+-&6A models only" +. ?ith the engine stopped, position the control ca$le $ands as shown.

'. 7ull the shift le#er all the way $ack to the neutral position. 2. Start the engine and mo#e the throttle le#er to the 8AS. position. 3. @ngage the dri#e clutch le#er and confirm the following< 6ower does not self-propel. 6ower $egins to self-propel or creeps #ery slowly forward when the shift le#er is mo#ed one notch forward. If the mower operates as outlined a$o#e, no ad;ustment is required. 5. If ad;ustment is required, loosen the top and $ottom dri#e clutch ca$le lock nuts with a +1 mm wrench.

,. 6o#e the ad;uster up or down, as required, until the mower operates as outlined in step 3. -. .ighten the lock nuts. :. If the mower will not operate correctly, take the mower to an authori%ed &onda ser#icing dealer.

How do I adjust the Smart Drive cable on my HRR2 !"#$ lawn mower?
!Applies to the &))'+,A/A model only" +. =oosen the Smart ri#e clutch ca$le =>CB CU..

'. Start the engine. 2. ?ithout engaging the Smart ri#e grip, turn the clutch ca$le A DUS.@) in the 6>A@ direction until the lawn mower ;ust $egins to mo#e forward. 3. .urn the clutch ca$le A DUS.@) + to ' turns in the S.>7 direction. 5. .ighten the clutch ca$le =>CB CU.. ,. Check the operation of the Smart ri#e system.

How do I adjust the throttle cable on my HR#2 %?

!Applies to &)/'+-&/A, &)/'+-&6A, and &)/'+-. A models only" .hrottle ca$le ad;ustment is necessary if the throttle le#er does not operate the choke properly. +. 6o#e the throttle le#er to the 8AS. position.

'. )emo#e the air cleaner co#er.

2. Use a feeler gauge and measure the clearance $etween the control choke arm and the control le#er. .he clearance should $e 1 to 1.131 in !1 to + mm".

3. .o ad;ust the clearance, loosen the lock nuts with a +1 mm wrench.

5. 6o#e the ad;uster up or down as required to o$tain the proper clearance. ,. .ighten the lock nuts. -. Check the engine speed with a tachometer.

How do I know when my &rass needs cuttin&?

6ost grasses should $e mowed when they ha#e grown +9' to + inch a$o#e their recommended height. 6ore frequent mowing is required for mulching than for $agging. 8or $est mulching results, you may need to mow the lawn twice a week during the growing season.

How do I know I have the hei&ht o' the lawn mower set correctly?
If you look closely, youEll see that most grass has stems and lea#es. If you cut off the lea#es, youEll scalp the lawn. =et the grass reco#er $etween mowings. Your mower will work $etter, and your lawn will look $etter.

If your grass gets too tall, cut it once at the highest cutting height setting, then mow again in ' or 2 days. onEt take off more than one third of total grass height in any one mowing, or $rown patches may de#elop. Consult a local nursery or lawn and garden center for cutting height recommendations and ad#ice a$out specific types of grasses and growing conditions in your area. Cutting height ad;ustment is e4plained in the ownerEs manual.

How do I know i' my lawn mower blade needs sharpenin&?

A sharp $lade cuts cleanly. A dull $lade tears the grass, lea#ing shredded ends that turn $rown. ?hen your $lade doesnFt cut cleanly anymore, ha#e it sharpened or replaced.

(hat are the recommendations 'or cuttin& &rass that is very dry or wet?
If the ground is too dry, mowing will stir up a lot of dust. *esides $eing unpleasant to work in, too much dust will clog the air filter. If dust is a pro$lem, water your lawn the day $efore mowing. 6ow when the grass is dry to your touch $ut the soil is still moist. ?et grass is slippery and can make you lose your footing. Also, wet grass clippings will clog the mower deck and collect in clumps on the lawn. Always wait for wet grass to dry $efore mowing.

(hat precautions should be observed when clearin& a clo&&ed mower deck?

*efore clearing a clogged mower deck, stop the engine and turn the fuel #al#e to the >88 position. isconnect the spark plug cap and tilt the mower so the air cleaner side is up. Clear a clogged deck with a stick, not your hands.

Should I adjust the en&ine speed while I mow?

.he $lade must spin #ery fast to cut properly. Always use the 8AS. throttle setting to keep the engine running at ma4imum rpm. If engine speed drops, it could mean the engine is $eing o#erloaded $y the $lade trying to cut too much grass. 6ow a narrower swath, mow at a slower pace, raise the cutting height, or mo#e the Clip irectorG kno$ !&)/'+- only" toward the *AH position.

Does it matter what direction I mow?

8or an e#en lawn finish, o#erlap each mowing swath $y a few inches. If the grass is #ery tall or thick, use more o#erlap and a narrower mowing swath. Your &onda mower will work most efficiently if you use the following mowing patterns as much as possi$le. 6ower deck and equipment design and the direction in which the $lade rotates cause these mowing patterns to gi#e the $est results.

Mulching

Use a counterclockwise mowing pattern when the mulching plug is inserted or the Clip irectorG kno$ is in the full 6U=C& position. If the lawn has an irregular shape or many o$stacles, di#ide it into sections where you can use counterclockwise mowing patterns.

Bagging

Use a clockwise mowing pattern. .his will gi#e the $est $agging performance, lea#ing the least amount of clippings on the lawn.
ear!"ischarge Mowing

)emo#e the grass $ag and close the discharge guard. )emo#e the mulching plug or ad;ust the Clip irector kno$ to the desired setting and $egin mowing in a clockwise mowing pattern. If the lawn has an irregular shape, or many o$stacles, di#ide it into sections.

(hat is the best way to mow 'allen leaves?

Your mower can $e used to pick up fallen lea#es for disposal. If using the mower to $ag large amounts of fallen lea#es and not for mowing, set the cutting height ad;ustment le#ers so the front of the mower deck is one or two settings higher than the rear. If you want to mulch fallen lea#es into your lawn, donFt let the leaf co#er get too deep $efore you

$egin. 8or $est results, start mulching while grass still shows through the leaf co#er. In places where fallen lea#es completely co#er the grass, remo#e the lea#es $y raking or use the grass $ag so your mower can pick them up for disposal. Insert the mulching plug or position the Clip irectorG kno$ in the 6U=C& position. .o $ag lea#es with the &)/'+- mower, position the Clip irector kno$ in the I( position !not quite full mulching" to start. .his setting will allow the lea#es to $e recirculated and recut until the particles are small enough to pass though the sliding door opening and into the grass $ag. epending on the si%e, type, and water content of the lea#es, it may $e necessary to open the Clip irector to allow for $est $agging results. Using the Clip irector correctly will allow $etter grass $ag filling, resulting in less grass $ag emptying. *e sure there are no o$stacles, including rocks, hidden under the lea#es. .o $ag lea#es with rear discharge mowers, install the optional leaf shredder in the discharge opening. .he leaf shredder helps to chop up the lea#es to $etter pack the grass $ag so it wonFt ha#e to $e emptied as often. *e sure there are no o$stacles, including rocks, hidden under the lea#es. Click here for a list of a#aila$le leaf shredders for &onda lawn mowers. Specific page for leaf shredders is '--. Click here to find an authori%ed ser#icing &onda lawn mower dealer in your area.