6
BEFORE OPERATION
Your safety is your responsibility. A little time spent in preparation will
significantly reduce your risk of injury.
Read and understand this manual. Know what the controls do and
how to operate them.
Familiarize yourself with the lawn mower and its operation before you
begin using it. Know how to shut off the lawn mower quickly in case of
an emergency.

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.

IS YOUR LAWN MOWER READY TO GO?

For your safety, and to maximize the service life of your lawn mower,
it is very important to take a few moments before you operate the lawn
mower to check its condition. Be sure to take care of any problem you
find or have your servicing dealer correct it before you operate the
lawn mower.
Before beginning your pre-operation checks, be sure the lawn mower
is on a level surface.

Check the General Condition of the Lawn Mower

• Look around and underneath the lawn mower for signs of oil or
gasoline leaks.
• Look for signs of damage.
• Check each control for proper operation.
• Check the blades for wear. Replace as necessary (page 10).
• Check that the blade bolts are tight (page 10).
• Check that all nuts, bolts, and screws are tightened.

Check the Engine

• Check the air cleaner (page 12) and oil level (page 11).
• Check the fuel level (page 14). Starting with a full tank will help
eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling.

CHECK YOUR MOWING AREA

For your safety and the safety of others, always inspect the area
before operating the lawn mower.

Objects

Anything that can be picked up by the blades and thrown is a potential
hazard to you and others. Look for things like stones, sticks, nails, and
wire, and remove them from the work area.

People and Pets

People and animals near the work area can move into your lawn
mower’s path or into a position where they could be struck by thrown
objects. Clear the area of pets and people, especially children. Their
safety is your responsibility.

Work Area

Check the condition of the grass. Adjust your lawn mower ground
speed and mowing swath accordingly.

GET THE MOWER READY

Grass Bag

A lawn mower works like a vacuum cleaner; it blows air through the
bag, which traps the grass clippings. Always empty the grass bag
before it becomes filled to the limit of its capacity. Bagging
performance will diminish after the bag becomes about 90% filled.
Also, the bag is easier to empty when it is not packed full.

Inspection

During normal use, the grass bag material is subject to deterioration
and wear.
NOTICE
Frequently inspect the grass bag for tears, holes, and excessive wear.
Check for necessary replacement. Make sure the new bag meets the
original specifications.
Grass bag replacement is explained on page 11.

Installation

1. Raise the discharge guard and
hook the grass bag onto the
mower deck as shown.
2. Release the discharge guard to
secure the grass bag.

Removal

1. Raise the discharge guard,
grasp the grass bag handle and
remove the grass bag.
2. Release the discharge guard.
3. When the grass bag is clear of
the discharge guard, you can lift
it through the handlebar
opening, or you can remove it to the rear of the mower below the
handlebar.

Rear Shield

During normal use the rear shield is subject to deterioration and wear.
Remove the grass bag and raise the discharge guard to check the
rear shield for cracks or tears. If the rear shield is excessively worn,
have it replaced by your authorized Honda servicing dealer.
B WARNING
Improperly maintaining this lawn mower or failing to correct a
problem before operation could cause a malfunction in which
you could be seriously injured.
Always perform a pre-operation inspection before each
operation and correct any problem.
GRASS
BAG
LID
DISCHARGE
GUARD
REAR SHIELD
DISCHARGE GUARD