Honda HRX217HYU, Owner'S Manual

10

Clogged Mower Deck 

Before clearing a clogged mower deck, stop the engine and turn the 
fuel valve to the OFF position. With the spark plug cap disconnected, 
tilt the mower so the carburetor side is up.

Clear a clogged deck with a stick, not your hands.

Mowing Patterns 

Your Honda mower will work most efficiently if you use the following 
mowing patterns as much as possible. Mower deck and equipment 
design, and the direction in which the blade rotates, cause these 
mowing patterns to provide the best results.

Mulching

Use a counterclockwise mowing 
pattern. If the lawn has an 
irregular shape, or many 
obstacles, divide it into sections 
where you can use 
counterclockwise patterns.

Bagging

Use a clockwise mowing pattern.
This will give the best bagging
performance, leaving the least
amount of clippings on the lawn.

SERVICING YOUR MOWER

Proper maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and
trouble-free operation. It also helps reduce air pollution.

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 authorised 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 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

 • Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before clearing

blockages, checking, or working on the mower. This will eliminate
several potential hazards:
–

Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.

Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate
the engine.

–

Burns from hot parts.

Let the engine and exhaust system cool before touching.
Replace worn or faulty silencers.

–

Injury from moving parts.

Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so.

 • Read the instructions before you begin, and make sure you have

the tools and skills required.

 • To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when

working around petrol. Use only a nonflammable solvent, not
petrol, to clean parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away
from all fuel-related parts.

MULCHING PATTERN

BAGGING PATTERN



 WARNING

Improper maintenance, or failure to correct a problem 
before 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.



 WARNING

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.