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Hello all,

I have a 19-year old Honda HRB215K2 HXA with a Hydrostatic transmission. I am the original owner and ever since I bought the mower, it has *always* been on the slow side.

Recently, I had to rebuild the rear left side drive and have now replaced both gear pinions. The problem was the left-rear adjusting arm outer bushing (42940-VE2-405) was severely worn. While I was at it, I also replaced the transmission drive belt. So, as best I can tell, the entire rear drive is now good.

The mower works great but it's still on the slow side. I have verified the fast RPM is right at 3300 rpm (specification). Using the procedure to adjust the drive clutch cable (HX) in the Shop Manual, the drive speed over level grass is about 0.6m/s (1.34mph). The specification says it should be 1.6m/s (3.58mph) so it's quite a bit on the slow side.

I read in another forum that someone suggested to adjust the drive clutch cable to nearly the top. I have done that and now it's about 0.89m/s (2.0mph) -- still on the slow side. By adjusting it to this amount, it's difficult for the mower to be pulled backwards unless I move the drive clutch back (slower).

In that other forum, it was mentioned there was a defect with a part on the transmission (not internal) in the original K2 (possibly the Wire Holder or Control Arm?). This would make sense as it has *always* been slow. Can someone advise if there was a service bulletin out on this issue?

It could also be that the defect was on the Level Control on the handle bar.

Are these service bulletins available online?

If needed, the Serial number is: MZBA-6239042

Thanks, Al.

Austin_Al said:

Hello all,

I have a 19-year old Honda HRB215K2 HXA with a Hydrostatic transmission. I am the original owner and ever since I bought the mower, it has *always* been on the slow side.

Recently, I had to rebuild the rear left side drive and have now replaced both gear pinions. The problem was the left-rear adjusting arm outer bushing (42940-VE2-405) was severely worn. While I was at it, I also replaced the transmission drive belt. So, as best I can tell, the entire rear drive is now good.

The mower works great but it's still on the slow side. I have verified the fast RPM is right at 3300 rpm (specification). Using the procedure to adjust the drive clutch cable (HX) in the Shop Manual, the drive speed over level grass is about 0.6m/s (1.34mph). The specification says it should be 1.6m/s (3.58mph) so it's quite a bit on the slow side.

I read in another forum that someone suggested to adjust the drive clutch cable to nearly the top. I have done that and now it's about 0.89m/s (2.0mph) -- still on the slow side. By adjusting it to this amount, it's difficult for the mower to be pulled backwards unless I move the drive clutch back (slower).

In that other forum, it was mentioned there was a defect with a part on the transmission (not internal) in the original K2 (possibly the Wire Holder or Control Arm?). This would make sense as it has *always* been slow. Can someone advise if there was a service bulletin out on this issue?

It could also be that the defect was on the Level Control on the handle bar.

Are these service bulletins available online?

If needed, the Serial number is: MZBA-6239042

Thanks, Al.

Click to expand...

There was a bulletin issued by Honda back in 1999 for a possible worn drive pulley, which may wear rapidly especially in dusty conditions. Symptom may include the belt coming off, or belt slippage due to a worn pulley. Your S/N is in the range of units that COULD have this problem. The fix is a new pulley and drive belt.

Next, another bulletin for "ground speed too slow" and "may not roll backwards" came out 20 years ago, but the affected units were built BEFORE your unit, and it appears your mower got the updated parts (control arm, spring, change cable spring, etc.)

Finally, the shop manual has some basic steps for "Speed is too slow"



Drop me a PM with your email and I'll send you copies to the bulletins.

Full paper shop manuals are available from Honda via eBay and Amazon (free shipping):

Honda Power Equipment Shop Manuals on eBay
Honda Power Equipment Shop Manuals on Amazon

robert@honda said:

There was a bulletin issued by Honda back in 1999 for a possible worn drive pulley, which may wear rapidly especially in dusty conditions. Symptom may include the belt coming off, or belt slippage due to a worn pulley. Your S/N is in the range of units that COULD have this problem. The fix is a new pulley and drive belt.

Next, another bulletin for "ground speed too slow" and "may not roll backwards" came out 20 years ago, but the affected units were built BEFORE your unit, and it appears your mower got the updated parts (control arm, spring, change cable spring, etc.)

Finally, the shop manual has some basic steps for "Speed is too slow"

Drop me a PM with your email and I'll send you copies to the bulletins.

Full paper shop manuals are available from Honda via eBay and Amazon (free shipping):

Honda Power Equipment Shop Manuals on eBay
Honda Power Equipment Shop Manuals on Amazon

Click to expand...

robert@honda, thanks for the information!

For others reading this post, the Service Bulletins address two possible problems: (1) the Drive Pulley (on the engine shaft) needs to be replaced with an improved model (P/N 06751-VE2-L00); and/or (2) the transmission Control Arm Kit needs to be installed (P/N 06225-VE5-305).

When I replaced the transmission drive belt, I seem to recall that I have the original one-piece Drive Pulley which is now replaced by the two-piece Drive Pulley. However, the Drive Pulley Kit is rather expensive and I would hate to replace it if that is not the problem. Is there any way for me to determine if the Drive Pulley I have is actually defective? The Service Bulletin addresses this case for "dusty environments" which really don't apply in my case. My guess is the original pulley may not be at the correct angle for the v-belt and the belt can slip -- especially when dust is present.

I may try the Control Arm Kit mentioned in the other Service Bulletin as it's not very expensive and would be worth trying (<$6, plus shipping). While I'm at it, I may replace the Clutch Drive cable as mine was slightly damaged (the outer covering) as it was rubbing against the Transmission Drive Belt (that is, there was too much slack in housing under the deck).

One more bit of information... I do vividly recall when I bought the mower that the technician told me he could not adjust the speed properly. He said he tried several times and it was not up to specification but he gave it to me "as-is" anyway. At the time, I didn't think much of it as I didn't know how fast it should have been going. It wasn't until recently when I had issues with the rear drive that I started to dig deeper into getting the mower back into shape.

I do have the Shop Manual for my HRB215K2 -- it has been an extremely useful guide and I highly recommend anyone wanting to work on their own mower to get one for their model.

The next problem I wish to attack after I (hopefully) get the speed issue resolved is I would like to have the mower start on the "first-pull" as it did when I bought it. Back in the day Honda had that TV commercial with Clara Johnson doing the final QC-test and it "passed" if the mower would start on the first pull. Now, my mower may take 4 or 5 pulls before it starts.

Is this likely a carburetor issue? I have already replaced the spark plug and the "normal" tune up maintenance. At the beginning of the season I'll usually end up spraying a bit of carb cleaning through the air vent and all is well. I have taken off the fuel bowl and it's very clean.

Thanks for any additional information anyone can provide,
Al.