Briggs & Stratton 540000 manual When Starting Engine, When Operating Equipment, When Changing Oil

WARNING

Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.

When Adding Fuel

Turn engine off and let engine cool at least 2 minutes before removing the fuel cap.

Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated area.

Do not overfill fuel tank. To allow for expansion of the fuel, do not fill above the bottom of the fuel tank neck.

Keep fuel away from sparks, open flames, pilot lights, heat, and other ignition sources.

Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks or leaks. Replace if necessary

If fuel spills, wait until it evaporates before starting engine.

When Starting Engine

Ensure that spark plug, muffler, fuel cap and air cleaner (if equipped) are in place and secured.

Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.

If engine floods, set choke (if equipped) to OPEN/RUN position, move throttle (if equipped) to FAST position and crank until engine starts.

When Operating Equipment

Do not tip engine or equipment at angle which causes fuel to spill.

Do not choke the carburetor to stop engine.

Never start or run the engine with the air cleaner assembly (if equipped) or the air filter (if equipped) removed.

When Changing Oil

When you drain the oil from the top oil fill tube, the fuel tank must be empty or fuel can leak out and result in a fire or explosion.

When Tipping Unit for Maintenance

When performing maintenance that requires the unit to be tipped, the fuel tank must be empty or fuel can leak out and result in a fire or explosion.

When Transporting Equipment

Transport with fuel tank EMPTY or with fuel shut-off valve OFF.

When Storing Fuel Or Equipment With Fuel In Tank

Store away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters or other appliances that have pilot lights or other ignition sources because they can ignite fuel vapors.

WARNING

Starting engine creates sparking.

Sparking can ignite nearby flammable gases.

Explosion and fire could result.

If there is natural or LP gas leakage in area, do not start engine.

Do not use pressurized starting fluids because vapors are flammable.

WARNING

POISONOUS GAS HAZARD. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that could kill you in minutes. You CANNOT see it, smell it, or taste it. Even if you do not smell exhaust fumes, you could still be exposed to carbon monoxide gas. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using this product, shut it off and get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. See a doctor. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.

Operate this product ONLY outside far away from windows, doors and vents to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide gas from accumulating and potentially being drawn towards occupied spaces.

Install battery--operated carbon monoxide alarms or plug--in carbon monoxide alarms with battery back-up according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Smoke alarms cannot detect carbon monoxide gas.

DO NOT run this product inside homes, garages, basements, crawlspaces, sheds, or other partially-enclosed spaces even if using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these spaces and can linger for hours, even after this product has shut off.

ALWAYS place this product downwind and point the engine exhaust away from occupied spaces.

WARNING

Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go.

Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.

When starting engine, pull the starter cord slowly until resistance is felt and then pull rapidly to avoid kickback.

Remove all external equipment/engine loads before starting engine.

Direct-coupled equipment components such as, but not limited to, blades, impellers, pulleys, sprockets, etc., must be securely attached.

WARNING

Rotating parts can contact or entangle hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories.

Traumatic amputation or severe laceration can result.

Operate equipment with guards in place.

Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.

Tie up long hair and remove jewelry.

Do not wear loose-fitting clothing, dangling drawstrings or items that could become caught.

WARNING

Running engines produce heat. Engine parts, especially muffler, become extremely hot.

Severe thermal burns can occur on contact.

Combustible debris, such as leaves, grass, brush, etc. can catch fire.

Allow muffler, engine cylinder and fins to cool before touching.

Remove accumulated debris from muffler area and cylinder area.

It is a violation of California Public Resource Code, Section 4442, to use or operate the engine on any forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless the exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester, as defined in Section 4442, maintained in effective working order. Other states or federal jurisdictions may have similar laws. Contact the original equipment manufacturer, retailer, or dealer to obtain a spark arrester designed for the exhaust system installed on this engine.

WARNING

Unintentional sparking can result in fire or electric shock.

Unintentional start-up can result in entanglement, traumatic amputation, or laceration.

Fire hazard

Before performing adjustments or repairs:

Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away from the spark plug.

Disconnect battery at negative terminal (only engines with electric start.)

Use only correct tools.

Do not tamper with governor spring, links or other parts to increase engine speed.

Replacement parts must be of the same design and installed in the same position as the original parts. Other parts may not perform as well, may damage the unit, and may result in injury.

Do not strike the flywheel with a hammer or hard object because the flywheel may later shatter during operation.

When testing for spark:

Use approved spark plug tester.

Do not check for spark with spark plug removed.

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