The HRA-21 meets CPSC blade safety requirement for walkbehind rotary power mowers. MOWER HRA2 1. This manual covers operation and maintenance of the HONDA ROTARY All information in this publication is based on the latest product information available at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation. Any powered product can be a potential source of danger if misused or improperly maintained.
Thank you for purchasing a Honda Lawn Mower. If any problems occur, or if there are any questions concerning the mower, consult an authorized HONDA dealer. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. The Honda rotary mower is designed to give safe and dependable service if operated according to instructions and intended use: mowing (cutting) grass, and bagging cut grass when equipped with the grass bag. Any other use could be dangerous.
CONTENTS.. ............................... GENERAL SAFETY COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION THECONTROLS.. OPERATION 3 ............................................................ ............................................. ........................................................ ............................................................. TRANSPORTING/STORAGE MAINTENANCE .......................................................... TROUBLESHOOTING SPECIFICATIONS ..........................................
GENERAL SAFETY * Know how to stop the engine quickly and understand operation of aN rhe controls. Never permit anyone to operate the mower without proper instrut tion. * The rear shield is for your protection; keep it in place at all times. * The blade is sharp and dangerous. Never put your hands or feet under the mower. Never tilt the mower to expose the blade while the engine is runFing. If you find it necessary to work on the blade or mower, stop the engine and remove the spark plug cap.
COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION GRASS BAG HANDLE ROTO-STOP LEVER THROTTLE LEVER FUEL TANK CAP RECOIL STARTER 1 AIR CLEANER SPARK PLUG CAP CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTING LEYER GRASS BAG MUFFLER ENGINE OIL DRAIN PLUG SDA Type 5
DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER 1 ~HANDLE GRASS BAG GRIP ,,lSC..
THE CONTROLS THROTTLE CONTROL Throttle (All TYPES) “CHOKE” “HI” “LO” “IDLE” “STOP” ROTO-STOP (All TYPES) To put the cutting blade into operation, press the button on top of the ROTO-STOP lever and push the lever forward, holding it against the handlebar. The blade will stop when the ROTO-STOP lever is released.
I)rive Clutch (SDA and SDAW ,TYPES) For self-propelled operation, push the drive clutch lever forward and hold it against the handlebar. The drive clutch lever holds the ROTO-STOP lever forward during self-propelled operation. The button on top of the ROTO-STOP lever must be pressed before either of these levers can be moved forward the cutting blade must be put into operation whenever the mower is to be self-propelled.
OPERATION The HRA21 may be used with the grass bag or discharge adapter. The following suggestions and rules are intended to help you operate your Honda HRA21 under the safest conditions possible. Be alert and exercise the same care using the mower as you would using any other power tool. * Be especially careful when mowing uneven or rough ground. The mower may tilt, exposing the blade, and hidden objects could be thrown by the blade. Keep all four wheels on the ground.
BEFORE YOU START THE MObVER 1. Check the engine oil level. pY5V-l * Engine oil is a .major factor affecting engine per- formance and service life. Non-detergent or vegetable oils are not recommended. * Running the engine with insufficient oil can cause serious engine damage. Use Honda-&troke, or an equivalent high detergent, premium quality motor oil certified to meet or exceed U.S. automobile manufacturers’ requirements for service classification SE or SF.
2. Check the fuel level. Use regular or unleaded automotive gasoline of 86 pump octane or higher. Never use an oil/gasoline mixture or dirty gasoline. Avoid getting dirt, dust or water in the fuel tank. * Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive under certain conditions. Refuel in a well ventilated area with the engine stopped. * Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area where the mower is refueled or where gasoline is stored. * Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling.
3. Check the grass bag for fraying, tears and clogged mesh. Wash the bag with water if necessary, and let it dry thoroughly. Grass will not chute properly without adequate ventilation through the bag. Make sure the lock lever is latched securely. 4. Check the blade bolts for tightness. Torque: 455.5 kg m ( 32.5-39.8 ft lb) * To be certain that the engine will not start accidentally, remove the spark plug cap before performing this inspection. 5. Check and clean the air cleaner element if it is dirty (p.
STARTING THE ENGINE * Exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide. Never run the mower in an enclosed area. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation. 1. Move the throttle lever to “CHOKE”. NOTE: Do not use “CHOKE” when the engine is warm or the air temperature is high. Move the throttle to “LO” instead. CHOKE HROTTLE 2. Turn the fuel valve “ON”.
3. Place your foot on the “STEP” of the mower housing. 4. Pull the starter rope lightly until you feel compression, then pull briskly. NOTE: Do not allow the rope to snap back; return it by hand. 5. After the engine warms up, move the throttle lever to “HI”. Squeeze the ROTO-STOP to start the blade. SDA and SDAW TYPES: Engage the drive clutch/ ROTO-STOP. Mower will move forward. NOTE: The throttle lever may be moved anywhere between “HI” and “LO” to adjust engine speed during operation.
Flooded Engine If the engine won’t start after several pulls on the starter rope the engine is probably flooded. To clear a flooded engine: 1. Move the throttle lever to “STOP” and turn off the fuel valve. 2. Remove and dry the spark plug. When re-installing the plug, thread it in by hand until it seats. Then tighten it an additional l/8- l/4 turn with the spark plug wrench to compress the washer. 3. Move the throttle to “HI”, turn on the fuel valve and repeat steps 3-5 under “Starting the Engine”.
Cutting Height Adjustment Six settings are available: S/8”, l”, l-1/2”,2”,2-1/2”,3”. To change blade height: 1. Stop the engine. 2. Push the adjusting lever t&ward the wheel and move it up or down to raise or lower the blade height. 3. Release the lever in the appropriate notch. 4. Adjust the other three wheels. Make sure all four wheels are at the same level. * Be careful not to touch the muffler when adjusting the right front wheel height. The muffler wiN stay hot for a while after the engine is stopped.
Grass Bag The bag is subject to wear under normal usage; frequently check for fraying and tears. Replace deteriorated bags only with Honda replacement bags or equivalent. When the bag needs cleaning, wash it with water and make sure it is dry before using it. Clogged mesh will result in poor grass chuting and a wet bag will clog quickly. Removale q Remove the grass bag grip from handle pipe. a Push the door latch down. q Pull the grass bag rear ward while pushing the door latch down.
TRANSPORTING/STORAGE Transporting Turn the fuel valve OFF when transporting Preparation for Storage The following steps should be taken to protect the mower whenever it will be stored for longer than 30 the days. mower. 1. Drain the fuel tank and carburetor into an approved gasoline container: A. Remove the fuel tube and turn the fuel valve ON to empty the fuel tank. * To avoid fuel and oil spillage do not tilt the unit; spilled fuel may ignite.
Loosen the carburetor drain bolt to drain the carburetor. C. Retighten the drain bolt, connect the fuel tube and turn the fuel valve OFF. B. * Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive under certain conditions. Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area. 2. Change the engine oil (p. 23). NOTE : If the mower will be stored for longer than a year, remove the spark plug and pour three tablespoonsful of clean motor oil into the cylinder.
3. Pull the starter rope until resistance is felt. This closes the valves and helps to protect the combustion chamber from corrosion. 4. Remove dirt and debris from the underside of the mower housing. Clean the mower thoroughly. Paint areas that may rust with a rust-resistant paint, or coat with a light film of oil. 5. Cover the mower and store it on a level surface in a dry, dust-free area. Removal From Storage 1. Remove the spark plug; check that it is clean and properly gapped (p. 25).
MAINTENANCE * To prevent accidental start-up, shut off the engine and disconnect the spark plug cap before performing any maintenance. * Use only genuine Honda parts or their equivalent Replacement parts for maintenance or repair. which are not of equivalent quality may damage the mower. Periodic inspection and adjustment of the Honda HRA2 1 are essential it high level performance is to be maintained. Regular maintenance will also help to extend service life.
MAINTENANCESCHEDULE Regular Service Period Perform at every indicated month or operating hour intervals, whichever occurs first. , Each Use First 1 month Every 1 month Every 6 months 20’irs. 20°4rs. 1OCGIrs. Every one year 3OCkS.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE Drain the oil while the engine is still warm to assure rapid and complete draining. 1. Remove the tiller cap/dipstick using a screwdriver as illustrated. 2. Remove the dram bolt, drain the oil, and retighten the bolt securely. 3. Refill to the “Upper” level mark with the recommeded oil (see p. 10). Tighten-the cap securely to prevent leakage.
AIR CLEANER SERVICE A dirty air cleaner will restrict air flow to the carburetor. To prevent carburetor malfunction, service the air cleaner frequently. l.Remove the wing nuts and the air cleaner cover. Remove the elements and separate them. Carefully check both elements for holes or tears and replace if damaged. 2.Foam element: Clean in warm soapy water, rinse and allow to dry thoroughly. Or clean in high flash-point solvent and allow to dry.
SPARKPLUG Standard Plugs: BMR-6A (NGK) or W20MR-U (ND) 1. Disconnect the cap and remove the spark plug. 2. Visually inspect the plug. Discard the plug if it is heavily deposited or if the insulator is cracked or chipped. 3. Measure the plug gap with a wire-type feeler gauge; it should be 0.6-0.7 mm (0.024-0.028 in). If adjustment is necessary, bend the side electrode carefully. 4. Make sure the sealing washer is in good condition, then thread the spark plug in by hand until it seats. 5.
BLADE REMOVAL AND SHARPENING * Wear heavy gloves COprotect your hands. Before tilting the mower, remove the spark plug cap. 1. Tilt the mower so the carburetor side is up. Loosen the blade bolts to remove the blade. * Never tilt the mower so the carburetor side is down. It will result in hard starting. 2. Sharpen the blade cutting edges with a file. File the top side only. Maintain the original bevel for a fine cutting edge. File both ends evenly to maintain blade balance.
THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENT 1. With the throttle lever in the “CHOKE” position, the carburetor control lever should be pulled all the way to the right. Push the control lever with your finger to check whether it is all the way to the right. 2. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the lock nuts and turn them to run the adjuster up or down as required. Tighten the lock nuts and recheck the carburetor control lever position. 3.
ROTO-STOP LEVER FREE PLAY (All TYPES) I 5-10mm (3/15-3/8 in) I 1. Measure free play at the tip of the lever as shown; it should be between 5 - 10 mm (3/ 16 - 3/8 in). 2. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the lock nuts and turn them to run the adjuster up or down as required. Tighten the lock nuts and reckeck free play. 3. Start the engine and operate the ROTO-STOP lever. Check to be sure the blade stops when the lever is released.
DRIVE CLUTCH FREE PLAY (SDA and SDAW TYPES) 7-12 1. Measure free play at the top of the lever as shown; it should be between 7- 12 mm (9132-l 5132 in>. 2. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the lock nuts and turn them to run the adjuster up or down as required. Tighten the lock nuts and recheck free play. 3. Start the engine and check to be sure the drive clutch engages and releases properly.
NOTE: The following adjustments should be performed by an authorized Honda dealer unless the owner has the proper tools and is mechanically proficient. 1. Move the throttle lever to “IDLE” and start the engine. 2. Turn the throttle stop screw either in or out as required until the engine runs at 1,400 rpm.
RASS BAG ASSEMBLY 2. Place the anti-sag rod in the bag as shown and secure its upper sides to the upper frame with two nuts. , 3. Turn the bag upside down. Install the lower frame with the lipped edge forward and secure it with two screws as shown. 4. Insert the lower plate into the bag and secure it to the lower frame with three bolts and washers.
GRA 5. Install the grass bag handle onto the upper frame with two cap nuts as shown. 32 6. Install the grass bag grip by putting its ends in the pivot hole on the rear end of the anti-sag rod.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART Engine will not start I. No fuel. 2. Throttle lever in “STOP” position. 3. Spark plug wire loose or disconnected. 4. Spark plug faulty or improperly gapped (p. 25). 5. Engine flooded (p. 15). 6. Dirty air cleaner. Hard starting or loss of power 1. Dirt in gas tank. 2. Dirty air cleaner. 3. Water in gas tank. 4. Vent in gas cap and/or carburetor clogged. Erratic operation I. Spark plug faulty or improperly gapped (p.25). 2. Dirty air cleaner. Engine overheats 1.
SPECIFICATIONS MODEL .................................. ENGINE .................................. Engine type ............................. Displacement/Bore and stroke ............... Ignition timing ........................... Ignition system ........................... Engine oil capacity ........................ Fuel tank capacity ........................ Spark plug .............................. ROTARY MOWER HRA2 1 GVl50 Side valve, single-cylinder, forced air-cooled four-stroke gasoline engine.
Current customer service contact information: United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands: Honda Power Equipment dealership personnel are trained professionals. They should be able to answer any question you may have. If you encounter a problem that your dealer does not solve to your satisfaction, please discuss it with the dealership's management. The Service Manager or General Manager can help. Almost all problems are solved in this way.