Honda’s lawn mowers are widely regarded as some of the most durable and long-lasting in the industry, and the company’s HRC model is specifically touted as one of the best for large home lawns and commercial landscaping businesses. Even so, Honda’s lawn mowers occasional exhibit brief signs of trouble or difficulty that can be frustrating for any equipment operator. Often, these problems are very easy to fix and involve only a slight adjustment to the mower’s settings, gauges, or fluids. Before getting in touch with a local service department, be sure to confront each of the HRC mower’s most common issues with a few tests and fixes that will most likely get the mower back in operating condition.

If the Engine Won’t Start, Here’s What to Consider

One of the most common problems with the HRC mower is that it simply won’t start. While that might sound like a pretty big issue, it’s almost always caused by a brief operator oversight. Accordingly, this is one of the easiest issues to fix, with the mower being back up in operating condition in just a few minutes.

First and foremost, be sure that the fuel valve is not set in the “off” position. The engine will only start if it’s placed in the “on” position, so check that first. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then proceed with a few more diagnostic tests and adjustments:

•  Check the throttle lever’s position and ensure that it’s set to “choke” unless the engine has already been warmed up.

• Check the mower’s fuel to ensure that it has the proper amount needed for operation, and be sure that the fuel is not bad, watered down, or past its useful life.

• Check the spark plug to determine whether it’s improperly installed, damaged, or covered with fuel.

• Check the fuel filter for clogs or damage, and replace or clean it if either of these issues present themselves.

By following through with each of these small checks and procedures, the engine will almost always find new life and start with ease. As always, be sure to pay attention to small details, especially things like filter clogs and outdated fuel.

Mid-Task Loss of Power is Also Easy to Diagnose and Fix

Even if the engine starts without a single problem, many operator find that their HRC mower can stop operating mid-task if a major problem presents itself. Most of these problems are exceedingly easy to fix as long as operators perform a few checks of the equipment after it has cooled down a bit. Perhaps the most important of these is simply double-checking fuel levels to ensure that the mower hasn’t emptied its fuel tank. A lack of fuel, of course, will stop any and all mowing until the tank is filled up.

In addition to an absence of fuel, the fuel tank itself might be clogged or the fuel filter may be too dirty or damaged. Check both of these options before assuming the worst, calling a mechanic, or throwing in the towel for the day’s mowing.

Finally, remember that very tall grass can both clog the mower deck and cause the mower to stall. If the HRC is handling very tall grass, it might be a good idea to use a weed trimmer in advance of the mower to make things a bit easier on the engine. As always, check the mower deck and blades for any clogs, damage, or other problems that might affect engine operation as well.

Excessive Vibrations Have a Few Common Causes

As with any lawn mower, the Honda HRC can be expected to vibrate at least minimally during regular operation. Even so, excessive vibrations and fatigue are not normal, and they should be cause for concern. If the mower begins vibrating a great deal, stop the task at hand, allow the equipment to cool off a bit, and then address the three common causes for such a problem:

– Check the mower deck for clogs
– Check the HRC’s blades for damage and warping
– Check for a bent crankshaft or other mechanical faults

If the three things mentioned here are not the causes for excessive vibrations, then it might be a good idea to have the mower checked and serviced by someone with extensive knowledge of Honda mowers and parts.

Mowing and Bagging: Common Problems and Pitfalls

If the act of merely mowing the lawn is presenting problems, especially with engine performance, mulching, or routine bagging, there are a few things that need to be checked right away. The most important of these is simply that the clipping bag is not clogged or excessively full. The mower deck should also be checked, ensuring it isn’t clogged or suffering from blade defects.

Another solution to common mowing and bagging problems is the speed of the mower itself, which can be adjusted using the throttle lever. Be sure the lever is in the “fast” position for quick mowing, and remember to have all height settings set uniformly.

With attention to these details, mowing and bagging will be a breeze. For any problems that are more serious in nature, be sure to contact HondaLawnParts.com. The site is full of troubleshooting guides, OEM parts, and parts lookup tools that can make it easy to find the right replacements for any mower model.