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Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface. Tilting can cause
fuel or oil leakage.
With the engine and exhaust system cool, cover the mower to keep
out dust. A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt some
materials. Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover. A nonporous
cover will trap moisture around the mower, promoting rust and
corrosion.
Handlebar
Remove the grass bag if installed. You can place it on top of the
engine with the bag opening to the front.
1. Turn the handlebar adjust knobs 90 degrees to unlock the locating
pins
.
2. Fold the handlebar forward
; do not pinch or kink the cables.
Move the blade control lever slightly to allow it to clear the engine
when folding.
Removing From Storage
When unfolding the handlebar, be sure to lock the handlebar adjust
knobs to secure the handlebar in the mowing position.
Check your mower as described in “BEFORE EACH OPERATION” on
.
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine may smoke briefly at startup.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Engine Will Not Start
Loss of Power
Vibration
Mowing and Bagging Problems
Possible Cause
Correction
Blade control not engaged
Hold blade control lever
against the handlebar
).
Fuel valve OFF
Turn the fuel valve ON
).
Out of fuel
Refuel (
).
Bad fuel; mower stored without
treating gasoline, or refueled with
bad gasoline
Refuel with fresh gasoline
).
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or
improperly gapped
Gap or replace the spark plug
Spark plug wet with fuel (flooded
engine)
Dry and reinstall the spark
plug.
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition malfunction,
valves stuck, etc.
Take the mower to an
authorized Honda servicing
dealer for repair.
UNLOCKED
Possible Cause
Correction
Grass is too tall
• Raise the cutting height
• Cut a narrower swath
• Use a slower ground speed
• Cut more frequently
Grass is too wet
Allow the grass to dry
Mower deck is clogged
Clean out the mower deck
Air filter is clogged
Clean or replace the air filter
Bad fuel; mower stored without
treating gasoline, or refueled with
bad gasoline
Refuel with fresh gasoline
).
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition malfunction,
valves stuck, etc.
Take the mower to an
authorized Honda servicing
dealer for repair.
Possible Cause
Correction
Grass and debris lodged under the
mower deck
Clean out the mower deck
Blades loose
Tighten loose blade bolts
Blades bent, damaged, or
unbalanced by improper
sharpening
Take the mower to an
authorized Honda servicing
dealer for repair.
Mechanical damage, such as a
bent crankshaft
Possible Cause
Correction
Mower is moving too fast for lawn
conditions
Adjust the Select Drive knob
toward MIN position (
),
or push the Select Drive lever
less.
Cutting height adjustment levers
set at different positions
Set all levers at the same
cutting height position
).
Grass is too tall
• Raise the cutting height
• Cut a narrower swath
• Use a slower ground speed
• Cut more frequently
Grass is too wet
Allow the grass to dry.
Grass bag clogged
Wash the grass bag
Mower deck is clogged
Clean out the mower deck
Blades dull, worn, or damaged
Sharpen or replace the
blades if necessary
Wrong blades installed
Install correct blades
