10
BLADES

Inspection

1. Move the fuel valve to the OFF position (page 7) and disconnect
the spark plug cap from the spark plug (page 13).
2. Tilt the mower to
the right so the fuel
cap is up. This will
help prevent fuel
leakage, motor oil
seeping into the air
filter, and hard
starting.
3. Check that the
blade bolts are
tight.
4. Inspect the blades for damage, cracks, and excessive wear, rust,
or corrosion.
A dull blade can be sharpened, but a blade that is excessively
worn, bent, cracked, or otherwise damaged must be replaced. A
worn or damaged blade can break, causing blade pieces to be
thrown from the mower.
If a blade is bent, take the lawn mower to an authorized Honda
servicing dealer for inspection.

Blade Removal and Installation

If you remove the blades for sharpening or replacement, you will need
a torque wrench for installation. Wear heavy gloves to protect your
hands.
BLADE SHARPENING: To avoid weakening the blades or causing
imbalance or poor cutting, the blades should be sharpened by trained
staff at an authorized Honda servicing dealer.
BLADE REPLACEMENT: Use Honda Genuine replacement blades or
their equivalent (page 19).

Blade Removal

1. Turn the fuel valve OFF.
2. Disconnect the spark plug cap (page 13).
3. Tilt the mower to the right side so the air cleaner side is up. This
will help prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor
flooding.
4. Remove the two blade bolts with a 14 mm (6 sided) socket wrench.
Use a wooden block to prevent the blades from turning when
removing the bolts. Remove the blades.

Blade Installation

1. Clean dirt and grass from around the blade mounting area.
2. Install both blades using the two blade bolts and special washers
as shown. Be sure to install the special washers with the concave
side toward the blades and the convex side toward the bolts.
The blade bolts and washers are specially designed for this
application. When replacing bolts and washers, use only Honda
Genuine replacement parts.
3. Finger tighten the blade bolts until both blades are secured on the
blade holder. Make sure that the bolt holes on the upper blade are
fully seated over the locator pins.
If the blades are not fully seated on the locator pins, excessive
vibration will damage your lawn mower. Do not continue to run the
engine if you notice excessive vibration. Re-check the positioning
of the blades.
4. Tighten the blade bolts with a torque wrench. Use a wooden block
to prevent the blades from turning when tightening the bolts.
Blade bolt torque: 36 ~ 43 ft-lb (49 ~ 59 N·m)
B WARNING
A worn, cracked, or damaged blade can break, and pieces
of the damaged blade can become dangerous projectiles.
Thrown objects can cause serious injury.
Inspect the blades regularly, and do not operate the mower
with a worn or damaged blade.
FUEL CAP
BLADE BOLTS BLADES
GOOD BENT
WORN CRACKED
B WARNING
Operating the mower with only one blade will result in an
improperly seated blade that can be thrown from the
mower and seriously hurt or kill someone.
Always install both blades as a set.
UPPER
BLADE
LOWER
BLADE
BLADE
BOLT (2)
SPECIAL
WASHER (2)