CLIP DIRECTOR KNOB
The Clip Director knob [1]
controls grass catching,
mulching, and rear
discharge. The knob has
ten adjustment positions.
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
ARE YOU READY TO MOW?
Be sure to wear protective clothing. Long pants and eye protection
can lower your risk of injury from thrown objects. Wear footwear that
protects your feet and won't let you slip if you mow on slopes or
uneven ground.
CHECK YOUR LAWN
For your safety and for the safety of others, always inspect the area
before mowing.
Objects
Anything that can be picked up by the cutting means and thrown is a
potential hazard to you and others. Look for things like stones, sticks,
bones, toys, and wire. Remove them from the mowing area.
People and Pets
People and animals near the mowing area can move into your path or
into a position where they could be struck by thrown objects. Clear the
area of people, especially children, and pets. Their safety is your
responsibility.
Lawn
Check the length and condition of the grass, so that you will know
what cutting height and mowing speed to use.
Avoid mowing wet grass. Not only will wet grass clog your mower
deck and collect in clumps on the lawn, it also gives poor traction,
increasing your risk of losing your footing.
CHECK YOUR MOWER
Cutting Means
1. Stop the engine.
HYE: Move the throttle lever
to the STOP position
(page 5).
HZE: Turn the key to the OFF
position (page 5).
2. Move the fuel valve to the
OFF position (page 5).
3. Disconnect the spark plug cap from the spark plug (page 14).
4. Tilt the mower to the right so the fuel cap [1] is up. This will help
prevent fuel leakage, motor oil seeping into the air filter, and hard
starting.
5. Inspect the cutting means [2]
for damage, cracks, and
excessive wear, rust, or
corrosion.
6
[1]
[2]
NORMAL
A worn, cracked, or damaged cutting means can
break, and pieces of the damaged cutting means can
become dangerous projectiles.
Thrown objects can cause serious injury.
Inspect the cutting means regularly, and do not operate
the mower with a worn or damaged cutting means.
A dull cutting means can be sharpened, but a cutting means that is
worn out, bent, cracked, or otherwise damaged must be replaced. A
worn or damaged cutting means can break, causing cutting means
pieces to be thrown from the mower.
When a cutting means needs sharpening or replacement, take the
lawnmower to an authorized Honda dealer. Or, if you have a torque
wrench, you can remove and install the cutting means yourself.
Check that the cutting means bolts are tight (page 16).
Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level with
the engine stopped and the
mower on a level surface.
Use 4-stroke motor oil that
meets or exceeds the
requirements for API service
classification SJ or later.
Always check the API service label on the oil container to be sure it
[1]
includes the letters SJ or later.
SAE 10W-30 is recommended for general use. Other viscosities
shown in the chart may be used when the average temperature in
your area is within the indicated range.
We recommend the use of Honda genuine oil to maintain the
performance of the emission control system.
NOTICE
• Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine damage.
• Using nondetergent oil can shorten the engine's service life, and
using 2-stroke oil can damage the engine.
ENGLISH
WORN
BENT
CRACKED
WARNING
5W-30 • 10W-30
0
20
-20 -10
0
NORMAL
EXCESSIVELY
WORN
30
40
60
80
100°F
10
20
30
40°C