Thank you for purchasing a Honda snowblower. This manual covers the operation and maintenance of the HS55 snowblower. 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 without notice and without incurring any obligation. at any time No part of this publication permission.
CONTENTS _L 1. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. WARNING LABEL LOCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ENGINE SWITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS To ensure * l l l l l l safe operation- Before operating the snowblower, inspect the area in which you are going to clear snow. Remove debris and other obstacles the snowblower might strike or throw, as that may cause injury or damage to the snowblower. Inspect the snowblower before operating it. Repair any damage and correct any malfunction before operation. If you hit an obstacle while operating the snowblower, stop the engine immediately, and check for damage.
Know how to stop the snowblower quickly, and understand the operation of all controls. Never permit anyone to operate the snowblower without proper instruction. If people or pets suddenly appear in front of the snowblower while it is in operation, immediately release the auger and drive.clutch levers to stop the snowblower and avoid possible injury from rotating auger blades. If the snow discharge chute becomes clogged, stop the engine and use a wooden stick to unclog it.
2. WARNING LABEL LOCATION AWARNING I STAND CLFAR OF AUGER ;/; CHUTE WHILE DISCHARGE INE IS RUNNING. I DO NOT DIRECT DISCHARGE AT BYSTANDERS OR WINDOW. I BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR’S POSITION 1. DISENGAGE THROWER CLUTCH. 2. STOP ENGINE. I STOP ENGINE, WAIT FOR All MOVEMENT TO STOP AND REMOVE SPARK PLUG IG. NITION WIRE BEFORE SERVICING MACHINE. lCHECK STOP FOR SPILLLO ENGINE ICONTRitER RCPANOUE ARAilER FUEL BEFORE GU’!L SUR N’Y FUEL * LEAKS. A NI FUITE NI ESSENCE L’APPAREIL.
3.
-@TRACK TYPE% DRIVE FUEL CAP CHUTE GUIDE CLUTCH LEVER h/ GRIP L-1 #G+d@=J s/ \SHIFT LEVER CHUTE AUGER f 1 ENGINE SWITCH AUGER CLUTCH TRACK LEVER / \ ENGINE OIL FILLER CAP THROTTLE CHOKE LEVER LEVER FUEL VALVE CHUTE CRANK ,SKID HEIGHT ADJUSSMENT PEDAL ENGINE Oli DRAIN PLATE PLUG 7
ENGINE SWITCH Use the engine switch STOP the engine. to turn the ignition ENGINE system ON for starting, and to SWITCH FUEL VALVE The fuel valve opens and closes the fuel line leading from the fuel tank to the carburetor. Make sure that the valve is positioned exactly at either the ON or OFF position. NOTE: Before transporting the snowblower, to OFF to prevent possible fuel leaks.
CHOKE LEVER/ROD Close the choke when the engine is cold or difficult STARTER to start. GRIP Pull this grip to start the engine.
THROTTLE LEVER (ENGINE Use the throttle FAST position. SHIFT SPEED) lever to select engine speed. In normal operation, LEVER Use the shift lever to select drive speed or direction.
AUGER CLUTCH LEVER AND Use these controls drive mechanism. DRIVE CLUTCH to engage the snow LEVER blowing mechanism and/or the DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER Squeeze to engage the drive mechanism. AUGER CLUTCH LEVER Squeeze to engage the snow blowing mechanism. NOTE: When both levers are squeezed, the drive clutch lever locks the auger clutch lever down. Releasing the drive clutch lever then unlocks and releases the auger clutch lever.
CHUTE CRiNK Use the chute crank to turn the snow discharge chute right or left. To throw snow to the right To throw snow to the left CHUTE GUIDE The chute guide controls the snow discharge High and far CHUTE angle.
SKID PLATE Adjust the skid plates for the auger housing ground clearance best suited to your snow removal conditions. AUGER HOUSING GUARD SKID PLATE 1 SNOW REMOVAL CONDITIONS For general use For use on uneven surfaces For use on flat surfaces 1 RECOMMENDED AUGER HOUSING GROUND CLEARANCE 6lo-30 0- 8 mm (0.24-0.31 in) mm (0.39-1.18 in) 5 mm (O-0.20 in) NOTE: Track model only - The position of the height adjustment pedal (p. 14) also affects auger housing ground clearance.
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT PEDAL (Track model only) Use the pedal for adjusting the height and anQle of the machine in relation to the tiacks. 1. Hold the handles and step on the pedal. 2. Raise or lower the machine to the desired position and release the pedal. : Hard snow or fine finish LOW MIDDLE: Normal use HIGH : Deep snow or for transporting the snowblower.
FUEL LEVEL Unscrew the fuel cap. Check the fuel level. Use automotive gasoline with a pump octane number (=) of 86 or higher, or a research octane number of 91 or higher (unle2ded is preferred to minimize combustion chamber deposits). Never use an oil/gasoline water in the fuel tank. mixture or dirty gasoline. Avoid getting dirt, dust or After refueling, be sure to tighten the fuel tank cap firmly. l l l l Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive under certain conditions.
GASOLINES CONTAINING ALCOHOL If you decide to use a gasoline containing alcohol (“gasohol”), be sure its octane rating is at least as high as that recommended by Honda. There are two types of “gasohol”: that containing ethanol, and that containing methanol. Do not use gasohol that contains more than 10% ethanol. Do not use gasoline containing methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that does not also contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL Inspection: With the snowblower on a level surface, remove the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick into the filler neck, but do not screw it in. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. If the level is low, fill to the top of the oil filler neck with the recommended oil. -20 I OIL FILLER NECihh, -30 0 -20 20 -lo 40 ’ !WF 1ooc UPPER LIMIT LOWER OIL FILLER CAP AND OIL CAPACITY: 0.6 0 (0.63 RECOMMENDED OIL: LIMIT DIPSTICK US qt. 0.
5. STARTING THE ENGINE 1. Turn the engine switchxo.the zx 2.Turn 18 ON position. ENGlNj the fuel valve to the ON position.
3. In cold weather CLOSE position. and when the engine is cold, move the choke to the CHOKE 4. Pull the starter grip lightly LEVER until you feel resistance, then pull briskly. / STARTER GRIP CAUTION: Don’t ailow the rope to snap back; return it gently by hand. Otherwise, the starting mechanism might be damaged. While the engine is in operation, don’t pull the starter grip or damage may result.
5. Let the engine warm up for several minutes. If the choke has been turned to the CLOSE position, r&urn it gradually to the OPEN position as the engine warms up.
6. SNOWBLOWER OPERATION 1. Move the throttle lever (p. 10) to the FAST position for normal operation. 2. Move the shift lever (p. 10) to select the desired drive speed. DRIVE SPEED WITH THROTTLE LEVER IN THE FAST POSITION Track type Wheel type 1 0.43 m/s (1.41 ft/s) 0.28 2 0.74 m/s (2.43 ft/s) 0.47 m/s (1.54 ft/s) m/s (0.92 ft/s) 3 1.01 m/s (3.31 ft/s) 1 .lO m/s (3.61 ft/s) R 0.68 m/s (2.23 ft/s) 0.74 m/s (2.43 ft/s) CAUTION: Be sure to set the shift lever into the groove.
Adjust the snow discharge chute to avoid hitting the operator, bystanders, windows, and other objects with thrown snow. Stay clear of the snow discharge chute while the engine is running. If the snow discharge chute becomes clogged, stop the engine and use a wooden stick to unclog it. Never put your hand into the snow discharge chute while the engine is running; serious personal injury could result.
7. STOPPINGi THE ENGINE To stop the engine in an emergency, turn the engine switch OFF immediately. 1. Turn the throttle lever to the SLOW position and turn the engine switch to the OFF position. i 2.Turn l the fuel valve to the OFF positon. High altitude operation At high altitude, the standard carburetor air-fuel mixture will be excessively rich. Performance will decrease, and fuel consumption will increase.
8. MAINTENANCE The purpose of inspection and maintenance is to keep the snowblower the best operating condition. Inspect or service as scheduled in the table below. in mml Shut off the engine before performing inspection and maintenance, and remove the spark plug wire from the-plug so the engine cannot be started. If the engine must be run, make sure the area is well ventilated. The exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
TOOL KIT SPARK PLUG WRENCH WRENCH HANDLE 14 X 10 mm WRENCH 14X \\ 1 0 t 12mmWRENCH TOOL // BAG i 25
ENGINE OIL CHANGE Drain the oil while the engine is still warm to assure rapid and complete draining. 1. Remove the drain plug and filler cap, and drain the oil. Retighten the plug securely. 2. Fill the’crankcase with the recommended oil (see’page 17) and check the level. OIL CAPACITY: 0.6 ! (0.63 US qt. 0.53 DRAIN .r Imp qt) BOLT UPPER, LIMIT LOWER LIMIT CAUTION: Used motor oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly left in contact with the skin for prolonged periods.
SPARK PLUG SERVICE Recommended ;‘ I spark plug: BPR5ES (NGK), WIGEPR-U (ND) To ensure proper engine operation, the spark plug must be properly gapped and free of deposits. 1. Remove the spark plug cap. 2. Use the wrench supplied in the tool kit to remove the spark plug. 3. Visually inspect the spark plug. Discard it if the insulator is cracked or chipped. 4. Measure the plug gap with a feeler gauge. 0.7-0.8 mm (0.027-0.031 in) Correct as necessary by bending the side electrode. 5.
TRACK-ADJUSTMENT (Track model only) Clean and thaw the tracks before adjustment. The tracks cannot be carrectly adjusted if clogged with snow or debris, or coated with ice. Check track deflection midway between the wheels. When correctly adjusted, the track will deflect 19-25 mm (3/4- 1 in) when pressed with a force of 15 Kg (33 lb). 8 Adjustment: 1. Loosen the 8 mm bolt at the center of each rear wheel. 2.
9. STORAGE Before storing the snowblower for an extended period: 1. Be sure the storage area is free of excessive humidity 2. Drain the fuel- mm conditions. and dust. Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive under Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area. certain a. Turn the fuel valve ON. b. Loosen the carburetor drain screw, and drain the gasoline into a suitable container. After draining, retighten the drain screw and turn the fuel valve OFF.
Remove the spark plug and pour three tablespoonsful of clean motor oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly two or three times to distribute the oil. Reinstall the spark plug. Pull the starter grip until resistance is felt. This closes the valves and protects the engine from internal corrosion.
Apply oil to the following parts for lubrication 3 CHUTE ADJUFTING BOLT and rust prevention.
10. TROUBLESHBOTING I I When the engine will not start: 1. Is there enough fuel? 2. Is the fuel valve on? 3. Is gasoline reaching the carburetor? To check, loosen the drain screw with the fuel valve on. Fuel should flow freely. cmm If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before testing the spark plug or starting the engine. Fuel vapor or spilled fuel may ignite. 4. Is the engine switch on? 5. Is there a spark at the spark plug? a. Remove the spark plug cap.
11. SPECIFICATIONS Engine Model: Maximum output: Displacement: Bore x stroke: Starting method: Ignition system: Oil capacity: Fuel tank capacity: Spark plug: HONDA GXI 40 5.5 HP/4200 r.p.m 144 cm3 (8.8 cu. in) 64 X 45 mm (2.5 X 1.8 in) Recoil starter Transistorized magneto 0.6P (0.63 US qt, 0.53 Imp qt) 3.5P (0.92 US gal, 0.77 Imp gal) BPR5ES (NGK), WlGEPR-U (ND) Frame Overall length Wheel type Track type 1310 mm (51.6 in) 1235 mm (48.6 in) Overall width 663 mm (26.1 in) 550 mm (21.
12. WARRANTY Owner 1 SERVICE Satisfaction Your satisfaction and goodwill are ,important to your dealer and to us. All Honda warranty details are explained in the Distributor’s Limited Warranty. Normally, any problems concerning the product will be handled by your dealer’s service department. If you have a warranty problem that has not been handled to your satisfaction, we suggest you take the following action: l l N ‘- Discuss your problem with a member of dealership management.
