Spring is upon us once again. As property owners and professional landscapers resume using their Honda outdoor power equipment, not all are performing proper inspections on their equipment. Honda’s are known for reliability, but complex machines require periodic maintenance and inspection regardless of how well-constructed they are. Certain parts are wear items, designed to be replaced at specific intervals; other times, machines will simply require repair.
Before pulling the mower out of storage after a snow-laden winter or dusting it off for another trek across the lawn, Honda mower owners should inspect their machines. Identifying parts in need of replacement is important to maintaining a mower over the long term.
Safety Precautions
Before inspecting a Honda mower, ensure that the machine is not running. Activate the fuel shutoff valve, if your model is so equipped, and remove the spark plug wire. This will deprive the engine of fuel and spark, thus ensuring that it does not attempt to start at a particularly hazardous time. Place the mower on a clear and level surface that provides secure footing with ample room in which to manipulate the machine. The mower should also be reasonably clean prior to inspection, as cleanliness allows owners to identify unusual marks or wear on their equipment.
Purchasing Replacement Parts
Before performing maintenance on their Honda mowers, owners should obtain fresh oil of a weight consistent with the Honda’s manual, a new spark plug and a new air filter. All three parts are wear items with a limited life. Owners who typically do not inspect their machines should replace all three, even if the items appear to be fine when inspected; none of these parts are very expensive, and damage is not always obvious. Hondalawnparts.com has a full selection of new OEM parts and corresponding diagrams to help owners locate parts for their specific machines.
Replacing Wear Items
Replacing the oil should be a part of any mower’s maintenance schedule. It costs little, ensures that the machine is adequately lubricated, and provides a good bellwether for the motor’s health. Changing the oil allows the owner to inspect the oil itself for signs of metal shavings or any other signs of a serious impending issue.
To replace the oil on a Honda mower, simply drain the used oil into a secured container, replace the drain plug, and refill the mower with new 10w-30 oil. Ensure that the area around the filler cap is clean. If using a funnel, clean the funnel before using it. The small engines on mowers require only small amounts of oil. Consult your owner’s manual for the fill requirements for your specific mower. Alternatively, the dipstick should indicate the proper oil level.
The spark plug is another important wear item. To replace the spark plug on a Honda mower, pull the plug wire off the top off the spark plug if you have not already done so and remove the plug with a socket wrench. Set the gap on the new plug to be within .028 and .031 and thread the new plug into the hole.
The air filter should also be replaced. A fouled air filter will deprive the engine of oxygen, leading to reduced power. Fortunately, replacing it is simple. Disengage the cover’s retaining tabs, pull off the cover, remove the air filter, and install the new air filter.
Inspecting a Honda Lawn Mower
If the owner performs regular maintenance and if the operator has not experienced any type of problem during use, it is likely that the mower is in fine mechanical health. However, additional inspections require very little time and effort and can identify significant issues before they arise. Owners should take a few extra moments to inspect their mowers.
Blades are critical to a mower’s productivity. Over time, these blades will become dull; if the blades strike hard objects such as terrain or rocks, the blades can become physically damaged. Damaged or dull blades will result in an uneven or inconsistent cut. Owners should flip the machine over and inspect the blades. The edges of the blades should be sharp and undamaged. If not, it may be necessary to remove the blades and either replace them or sharpen the manually.
Bolts are another common source of malfunctions. Owners should tug on and attempt to wiggle all bolts and fasteners on the machine. This will help the owner identify when a part is becoming loose before it does so. Any loose fasteners should be tightened down. In addition to risking damage to the machine if it comes loose, the bolt could fall under the machine during operation and become a projectile, causing damage to the mower’s blades and deck.
Unexpected play in the wheels, controls, and any mounting system should also be investigated further. A loose bolt or damaged bracket may be the culprit. As a final inspection, any visible location with metal-to-metal contact should be inspected for any gouging, unusual resistance, or abnormal markings.
Insuring that yard maintenance equipment is in good working order, is an important part of the annual summer season. Take a few minutes to ensure that your equipments to ensure that the equipment is functioning properly and you can enjoy a whole summer with a beautiful yard, with no concerns about broken equipment.
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