Honda HRX217HZAA, Owner'S Manual

12

Blade Inspection

1. Turn the fuel valve OFF (

page 3

).

2. Disconnect the spark plug cap from the spark plug (

page 14

).

3. Tilt the mower to the right side so that the fuel cap side is up. This 

will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor 

flooding.

4. Inspect the blades for damage, cracks, and excessive rust or 

corrosion.

A dull blade can be sharpened, but a blade that is excessively worn, 

bent, cracked, heavily rusted, or otherwise damaged must be 

replaced.

If a blade is bent, take the lawn mower to an authorized Honda 

servicing dealer for inspection.

Blade Mounting Bolt Inspection

Inspect the blade bolts for any signs of damage 

or looseness. If they are damaged, they must 

be replaced.
If they appear loose, a torque wrench must be 

used to accurately tighten the blade bolts to the 

required torque. If you do not have a torque 

wrench, take your lawn mower to an authorized 

dealer to have the bolts replaced or tightened.
Use only Honda Genuine blade bolts and 

special washers, since they are specifically 

designed for this purpose. Replacement part 

numbers are on 

page 22

.

Blade Replacement

1. Turn the fuel valve OFF (

page 3

).

2. Disconnect the spark plug cap from the spark plug (

page 14

).

3. Tilt the mower to the right side so that the fuel cap side is up. This 

will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor 

flooding.

4. Remove the two blade bolts with a 14 mm (6 point) socket wrench. 

Use a wooden block to prevent the blades from turning when 

removing the bolts. Remove the blades.

5. Clean dirt and grass from around the blade mounting area.
6. Install the sharpened or replacement blades using the two blade 

bolts and special washers as shown below. Be sure to install the 

washers in the direction shown.
Always install both blades as a set.

The blade bolts and washers are specially designed for this 

application. When replacing bolts and washers, use only Honda 

Genuine replacement parts.

7. Tighten the blade bolts with a torque wrench to the specified 

torque. Use a wooden block to prevent the blades from turning 

when tightening the bolts, as shown on 

page 13

.

Blade bolt torque: 

36 ~ 43 ft-lb (49 ~ 59 N·m)

If you do not have a torque wrench, have an authorized Honda 

servicing dealer tighten the blade bolts.



 WARNING

A worn, cracked, or damaged blade can break, and 
pieces of the damaged blade can become dangerous 
projectiles.

Blades thrown from the mower could seriously hurt or 
kill someone.

Inspect the blades regularly, and do not operate the 
mower with worn or damaged blades.

BLADE BOLTS

BLADES

NORMAL

WORN

BENT

CRACKED

NORMAL 

TRAILING EDGE

EXCESSIVELY 

WORN TRAILING 

EDGE

Inspect washers and 

bolt heads for 

looseness and 

damage.



 WARNING

Operating the mower with only one blade will result in 
an improperly seated blade that can become 
dangerous projectiles. 

Blades thrown from the mower could seriously hurt or 

kill someone.

Always install both blades as a set.

UPPER BLADE

LOWER 
BLADE

BLADE BOLT (2)

SPECIAL 
WASHER (2)

BLADE BOLT [2] 

AND WASHER [2]

SPECIAL WASHER 
DIRECTION

UPPER BLADE

LOWER BLADE