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4

BEFORE EACH OPERATION

Your safety is your responsibility. A little time spent in preparation will
significantly reduce your risk of injury.

Read and understand this manual. Know what the controls do and
how to operate them.

Familiarize yourself with the lawn mower and its operation before you
begin using it. Know how to quickly shut off the lawn mower in case of
an emergency.

Check Your Mower

For your safety, and to maximize the service life of your lawn mower, it
is very important to take a few moments before you operate the lawn
mower to check its condition. Be sure to take care of any problem you
find, or have your servicing dealer correct it, before you operate the
lawn mower.

 • Make sure the lawn mower is on a level surface

 • Look around and underneath the lawn mower for signs of oil or

gasoline leaks

 • Look for signs of damage

 • Check each control for proper operation
 • Check the blade for wear. Replace as necessary (

page 10

)

 • Check that the blade bolts are tight (

page 10

)

 • Check that all nuts, bolts, and screws are tightened

 • Check the air filter (

page 11

) and oil level (

page 5

)

 • Check the fuel level (

page 5

). Starting with a full tank will help to

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.

Anything that can be picked up by the blade and thrown is a potential 
hazard to you and others. Look for things like stones, sticks, nails, and 
wire, and remove them from the lawn area.

People and animals near the lawn area can move into your lawn 
mower’s path or into a position where they could be struck by thrown 
objects. Clear the area of pets and people, especially children. Their 
safety is your responsibility. Use extra care when approaching blind 
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view of a 
child.

Check the height and condition of the grass. Adjust your lawn mower

cutting height, ground speed, and mowing swath accordingly. See

page 7

 for mowing tips and recommendations.

Rear Shield

During normal use the rear shield is subject to deterioration and wear.
Check the rear shield for cracks or tears. If the rear shield is
excessively worn, have it replaced by your authorized Honda
servicing dealer.

Cutting Height Adjustment

Each wheel of the mower can be adjusted to one of six settings. The 
actual height of cut grass will vary with lawn and soil conditions.

Be sure the engine is not running when adjusting the cutting height. 

To adjust cutting height, pull each adjustment lever toward the wheel, 
and move it into another notch.

Move all four adjustment levers to the same position, forward for tall 

grass and rearward for short grass.
If you are not sure what cutting height to select, start with a high 

setting and check the appearance of the lawn after mowing a small 

area. Then readjust the cutting height if necessary.

Side Discharge Chute

The mower can be used to mulch or side discharge grass clippings.

To mulch, make 
sure the side 
discharge chute is 
not installed, and 
the side discharge 
guard on the 
mower deck is fully 
closed. 

To discharge 

clippings to the 

side, stop the 

engine, lift the side 

door up, and install 

the side discharge 

chute as shown.

 WARNING

Improperly maintaining this lawn mower, or failing to 

correct a problem before operation, could cause a 

significant malfunction.
Some malfunctions can seriously hurt or kill you.
Always perform a pre-operation inspection before each 

operation, and correct any problem.

REAR SHIELD

1-1/8"  (28 mm)
1-3/4"  (44 mm)
2-1/2"  (60 mm)
3"        (75 mm)
3-1/2"  (90 mm)
4"        (102 mm)

FRONT

ADJUSTMENT

LEVER

RIGHT SIDE SHOWN - 

FORWARD

SIDE 
DISCHARGE 
GUARD

SIDE DISCHARGE CHUTE

Summary of Contents for HRS216VKAA

Page 1: ...rk Arrester optional part 12 Blade Control Check 12 Smart Drive Cable Adjustment 12 TRANSPORTING 13 STORAGE 13 Fuel 13 Cleaning 13 Oil 13 Storage Location 13 Removing From Storage 13 Handlebar 14 TROUBLESHOOTING 14 Engine Will Not Start 14 Loss of Power 14 Vibration 14 Mowing Problems 14 TECHNICAL INFORMATION 15 Serial Number Locations 15 High Altitude Operation 15 Emission Control System 15 Air I...

Page 2: ...r Instructions how to use this mower correctly and safely Safety Messages preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of three signal words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION Each message tells you what the hazard is what can happen and what you can do to avoid or reduce injury These signal words mean Damage Prevention Messages you will also see other important messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE T...

Page 3: ... 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 An indication of overfilling is white or blue smoke coming from the muffler when the engine is running After filling the engine with oil screw the filler cap dipstick in and remove the hang tag near the recoil starter grip that says The engine has no oil Please...

Page 4: ...r responsibility Use extra care when approaching blind corners shrubs trees or other objects that may block your view of a child Check the height and condition of the grass Adjust your lawn mower cutting height ground speed and mowing swath accordingly See page 7 for mowing tips and recommendations Rear Shield During normal use the rear shield is subject to deterioration and wear Check the rear sh...

Page 5: ...uel tank cap until it clicks Move the mower at least 10 feet 3 meters away from the fueling source and site before starting the engine NOTICE Fuel can damage paint and plastic Be careful not to spill fuel when filling your fuel tank Damage caused by spilled fuel is not covered by the DISTRIBUTOR S LIMITED WARRANTY page 19 OPERATION For your safety avoid starting or operating the engine in an enclo...

Page 6: ... 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 obs...

Page 7: ... nursery or lawn and garden center for cutting height recommendations and advice about specific types of grasses and growing conditions in your area Most grass has stems and leaves If you cut off the leaves you ll scalp the lawn Let the grass recover between mowings Your mower will work better and your lawn will look better Cutting grass that is too tall or mowing the lawn too quickly can clog the...

Page 8: ...tenance 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 Safety Precautions Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance or repairs This will eliminate several potential hazards Carbon monoxide poisoning from e...

Page 9: ...on Before each use 5 hours of use or first month First 25 hours of use 50 hours of use or every 6 months 100 hours of use or every year 150 hours of use or every two years See page Rear shield Check O 4 Blade Inspect O 10 Blade mounting bolts Inspect O 10 Engine oil Check O 5 Change O O 2 O O 11 Air filter Check O 11 Clean O 1 O 1 O 1 Replace O Blade control operation Check O O 12 Spark plug Check...

Page 10: ...ooding 4 Remove the two blade bolts with a 14 mm 6 point socket wrench Use a wooden block to prevent the blade from turning when removing the bolts Remove the blade 5 Clean dirt and grass from around the blade mounting area 6 Install the sharpened or replacement blade using the two blade bolts and special washers as shown above Be sure to install the concave side of the washer up toward the engine...

Page 11: ...AE oil viscosity and service category are in the API label on the oil container Honda recommends API service category SJ or later oil Air Filter Clean the air filter after the first 25 hours of use Thereafter clean the filter every 6 months or 50 hours of use Clean the filter more often when used in dusty areas Replace the filter every 2 years or 150 hours of use A properly maintained air filter w...

Page 12: ...er optional part The spark arrester must be serviced every 100 hours to keep it functioning as designed 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 num...

Page 13: ...l to prevent water from entering the air cleaner and exhaust opening NOTICE Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force water into the air filter Water in the air cleaner will soak the paper element and can enter the carburetor or engine cylinder causing damage Water contacting a hot engine can cause damage If the engine has been running allow it to cool before washing Drying After...

Page 14: ...ently Grass is too wet Allow the grass to dry Mower deck is clogged Clean out the mower deck page 13 Air filter is clogged Clean or replace the air filter page 11 Bad fuel mower stored without treating gasoline or refueled with bad gasoline Refuel with fresh gasoline page 5 Fuel filter clogged carburetor malfunction ignition malfunction valves stuck etc Take the mower to an authorized Honda servic...

Page 15: ...ish written instructions describing the operation and maintenance of emissions control systems The following instructions and procedures must be followed in order to keep the emissions from your Honda engine within the emissions standards Tampering and Altering NOTICE Tampering is a violation of federal and California law Tampering with or altering the emissions control system may increase emissio...

Page 16: ...ower deck variable speed flywheel brake side discharge Auto Choke System Length 60 3 in 1 532 mm Width 29 9 in 582 mm Overall height 40 3 in 1 024 mm Dry mass 68 7 lb 31 2 kg Cutting width 21 0 in 530 mm Cutting heights 6 1 1 8 4 in 28 102 mm Model GCV160 Type 4 stroke overhead cam single cylinder air cooled Displacement 9 8 cu in 160 cc Bore and stroke 2 52 x 1 97 in 64 0 x 50 0 mm Compression ra...

Page 17: ... promote fuel deterioration Keep the air filter clean and properly serviced Check it before each use A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the carburetor The small passages inside the carburetor can become blocked 3 to 4 Weeks Before Next Use Reason Keep your lawn mower s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use Turn the fuel valve OFF If the fuel tank is only p...

Page 18: ...the new owner if you resell the lawn mower The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing American Honda Motor Co Inc reserves the right however to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation whatever No part of this publication may be reproduced without written p...

Page 19: ...w 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 Honda Parts Accessories and Apparel This warranty is limited to Honda Power Equipment pa...

Page 20: ...warranty repairs and must be provided without charge to the owner A list of warranted parts is shown in the table below All emission related parts are under warranty for the remainder of the warranty period Normal maintenance items such as spark plugs and filters that are on the warranted parts list are warranted up to their required replacement interval only Honda will also replace other engine c...

Page 21: ...21 NOTES ...

Page 22: ...22 NOTES ...

Page 23: ...will remain confidential It will not be released to any other company or organization Failure to register your lawn mower does not diminish your warranty rights Please complete and mail the postage paid card or register online at powerequipment honda com Print your 7 digit serial number here example commercial rental users check one private homeowner use for hire use Owner s Last Name Company Name...

Page 24: ...d click 6XEPLW It s that simple Power Equipment Division American Honda Motor Co Inc 4900 Marconi Dr Alpharetta GA 30005 9956 NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES Product Registration BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST CLASS MAIL ALPHARETTA GA PERMIT NO 117 POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE 2 Click the SUPPORT link on the homepage HPE 2021 01 PRINTED IN U S A EM5 K7 ...

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