8

SAFE MOWING PRACTICES

For your safety, keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful to
avoid losing your footing and your control of the mower. Keep a firm
grip on the handlebar, and walk, never run, with the mower. Be very
careful when mowing uneven or rough ground.
If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.

Slopes

Mow across slopes, not up and
down. Avoid steep slopes (more
than 20°), and be careful when
changing direction. Mowing on a
slope when the grass is damp or
wet could cause you to slip, fall,
and lose control of the mower.

Obstacles

Use the side of the mower to cut
close to large obstacles, such as fences or walls.
Release the drive clutch lever to disengage the drive when mowing
around trees and other obstacles. Push the mower around obstacles
for better directional control. Be careful when mowing over obstacles
embedded in the lawn, such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging,
raised tree roots, etc. Avoid anything that sticks up above the surface
of the lawn.
If the blade hits something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, stop the
engine immediately, disconnect the spark plug cap, and check for
damage (page 12). Striking objects may damage the blade(s), bend
the crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other components.
Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.
The Distributor’s Limited Warranty (page 19) does not cover parts
damaged by accident or collision.

Gravel and Loose Objects

Gravel, loose stones, and landscaping material can be picked up by
the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. The best way to prevent
potential injury from thrown objects is to release the blade control
lever to stop the blade(s) before reaching areas with gravel, loose
stones, or landscaping material.
SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Proper maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and
trouble-free operation. It will also help reduce air pollution.
To help you properly care for your mower, the following pages include
a maintenance schedule, routine inspection procedures, and simple
maintenance procedures using basic hand tools. Other service tasks
that are more difficult, or require special tools, are best handled by
professionals and are normally performed by a Honda technician or
other qualified mechanic.
The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions. If
you operate your mower under severe conditions, such as sustained
high-load or high-temperature operation, or use in unusually wet or
dusty conditions, consult your servicing dealer for recommendations
applicable to your individual needs and use.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed by any engine repair
establishment or individual, using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.

MAINTENANCE SAFETY

Some of the most important safety precautions follow. However, we
cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.

Safety Precautions

• Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance or
repairs. This will eliminate several potential hazards:
–Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.
Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate
the engine.
–Burns from hot parts.
Let the engine and exhaust system cool before touching.
–Injury from moving parts.
Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so.
• Read the instructions before you begin, and make sure you have
the tools and skills required.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when
working around gasoline. Use only a nonflammable solvent, not
gasoline, to clean parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away
from all fuel-related parts.
WARNING
The blade(s) are sharp and spin at high speed.
A spinning blade can cut you severely and can
amputate fingers and toes.
• Wear protective footwear.
• Keep your hands and feet away from the mower deck
while the engine is running.
• Stop the engine before performing any adjustment,
inspection, or maintenance.
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 blade(s) regularly, and do not operate the mower
with a worn or damaged blade.
WARNING
Improper maintenance, or failure to correct a problem
before operation, can cause a malfunction in which you
can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance
recommendations and schedules in this owner’s manual.
WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this
owner’s manual.