When it comes to preventing major repairs or service that can take a lawn mower out of commission for a longer period of time, there is perhaps nothing more effective than a policy of attentive, regular maintenance throughout the spring and summer seasons. By following Honda’s recommended maintenance schedule, mower owners can ensure that their equipment is using high-quality parts that aren’t excessively worn or corroded, and they’ll be using fresh gasoline and oil that will keep moving parts in great condition for a longer period of time. Best of all, these maintenance procedures are easy to do and quick to perform, even for those equipment owners who are new to oil changes, blade inspections, and more.
Safety Always Comes First: What to Know Before Beginning
As with all kinds of power equipment, homeowners need to follow strict safety guidelines and procedures before they start working on its moving parts. This will help reduce not only the risk of personal injury, but also the likelihood of mower maintenance damaging other parts of the equipment. For those new to mower maintenance, here’s what to keep in mind:
1. Always perform maintenance in a well-ventilated space so that fumes and carbon monoxide do not present a major danger during oil changes, refueling, and more.
2. Allow the equipment to cool off after use, ensuring that no part of it is more than “warm” when maintenance is being conducted. This will safeguard against burns and similar injuries.
3. Never operate on the mower in a state that could allow it to power on, causing moving parts to spin and inflict major injuries. Whether by removing the spark plug or disconnecting fuel tubes, make sure the mower is fully immobilized.
With these concerns covered, regular maintenance procedures will be as safe as they are easy to conduct. Mower owners can now get started on the most essential maintenance tasks that will prolong their mower’s useful life and reduce its likelihood of needing costlier repairs in the future.
The Maintenance Schedule: A Key Way to Perform Regular Mower Maintenance
When it comes to scheduling regular maintenance, few resources are as helpful as Honda’s official maintenance schedule for the Honda HRS lawn mower. The maintenance schedule makes it obvious when to perform everything from air filter checks to oil changes, and it’s the first thing that homeowners should consult. Generally, Honda recommends the following timeframes for regular maintenance:
– The blades, engine oil level, grass bag, air cleaner, and blade torque should be checked before every use.
– The engine oil should be changed after the first five hours or after the first month of use on new models.
– The air filter should be cleaned every year or after every 25 hours of use
– For older mowers, oil should be fully changed after every 50 hours of use.
– After 100 hours of usage, owners should check the spark plug and spark plug arrester, the throttle cable, the mower’s flywheel brake, and its pinion gears.
– After 150 hours of use, it’s time to adjust the idle speed, clean the fuel tank and the fuel filter, adjust the mower’s clearance and replace its air filter.
– The combustion chamber should be cleaned after 250 hours of use; the fuel line should be checked and changed after 2 years of use if necessary.
Blade Check: A Key Maintenance Procedure for the HRS
The Honda HRS’ blades should be checked before every use. This simple procedure should only be done after turning the fuel valve to the “off” position and disconnecting the spark plug. Simply tilt the mower to the right side and inspect the blade for excessive wear, corrosion, or even dulling of the blade’s edge. Dull blades can always be sharpened, but damaged or corroded blades must be replaced with OEM products from Honda. If the blades do need to be removed, a 14mm socket wrench will effectively loosen the fastening bolts and allow the blades to be easily swapped out.
Engine Maintenance Requirements: Don’t Forget the Oil
Honda recommends an oil change after every 50 hours of use unless the mower is brand new, in which case its oil will need to be changed after just 5 hours of initial use. When changing the mower’s oil, remember always to use a high-detergent oil made for 4-stroke engines. Generally, Honda recommends a 10W30 oil blend for its HRS mower in order to ensure maximum lubrication and longevity.
To drain old oil, simply loosen the oil cap and tilt the mower to the right side so that the oil can drain into an approved container. When the last of the oil is drained, refill the compartment to the recommended fill line and replace the oil cap firmly. The mower is ready to go.
Air Cleaner Replacement Makes the Mower More Efficient
A damaged or absent air filter can cause damage the mower’s engine or cause it to operate inefficiently. To replace this key part of the mower, simply press down on the air filter compartment tabs alongside the engine and release the cover. Pull the air filter out to inspect and clean it. If necessary, replace the air filter with an OEM Honda option to ensure excellent efficiency during mowing.
HondaLawnParts.com Can Help with Maintenance Parts and More
Whether it’s maintenance recommendations or the OEM parts needed for excellent mower maintenance and service, HondaLawnParts.com has an extensive collection of parts for the Honda HRS and many other Honda mowers. Be sure to browse the company’s selection when performing routine maintenance throughout the summer months.
