WARNING

Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive.

Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.

WHEN ADDING GASOLINE

•Turn engine OFF and let engine cool at least 2 minutes before refueling engine.

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

•Do not overfill fuel tank. Fill tank to approximately 1-1/2 inches below top of neck to allow for fuel expansion.

•Keep gasoline 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.

WHEN STARTING ENGINE

•Make sure spark plug, muffler, fuel cap and air cleaner are in place.

•Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.

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

•If engine floods, set choke to OPEN/RUN position, place throttle in FAST and crank until engine starts.

WHEN OPERATING EQUIPMENT WITH GASOLINE ENGINE

•Do not tip engine or equipment at angle which causes gasoline to spill.

•Do not choke carburetor to stop engine.

WHEN TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT

•Transport with fuel tank EMPTY or with fuel shut-off valve OFF, and/or fuel tank empty.

WHEN STORING FUEL OR EQUIPMENT

•Store away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters or other appliances that have pilot light or other ignition source because they can ignite gaseous vapors.

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.

•Engine should be kept clean to reduce the risk of overheating and ignition of accumulated debris. Clean engine when it is cold, especially in the muffler and manifold areas.

•Install and maintain in working order a spark arrester before using equipment on forest-cov- ered, grass-covered, brush-covered unimproved land. (The state of California Public Resources Code Section 4442 requires a spark arrester in working order.) Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal land.

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 cord slowly until resistance is felt, then pull rapidly.

•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

Engines give off carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas.

Breathing carbon monoxide can cause nausea, fainting or death.

•Start and run engine outdoors in a well ventilated area.

•Do not start or run engine in enclosed area, even if doors or windows are open.

WARNING

Unintentional sparking can result in fire or electric shock.

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

BEFORE PERFORMING ADJUSTMENTS OR REPAIRS

•Disconnect battery at negative (−) terminal.

•Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from spark plug.

WHEN TESTING FOR SPARK

•Use only Briggs & Stratton Spark Plug Tester.

•DO NOT check for spark with spark plug removed.

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.

•Servicing of products fueled by Natural Gas (NG) or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) may require licensing or permits issued by state, provincial, and/or local governments.

2

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.

OIL RECOMMENDATIONS

Fig. 2

Engine shipped from Briggs & Stratton without oil. Before starting engine, fill with oil. Do not over-fill.

Use a high quality detergent oil classified For Service SF, SG, SH, SJ" or higher such as Briggs & Stratton 30W, Part Number 100005 (20 oz.) or 100028 (48 oz.). Use no special additives with recommended oils. Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Choose the SAE viscosity grade of oil from this chart that matches the starting temperature anticipated before the next oil change.

Note: Synthetic oil meeting ILSAC

GF-2, API certification mark and API ser-

vice symbol (shown at left) with SJ/CF ENERGY CONSERVING" or higher, is an acceptable oil at all temperatures. Use of

synthetic oil does not alter required oil change intervals.

*Air cooled engines run hotter than automotive engines. The use of non-synthetic multi-viscosity

oils (5W-30, 10W-30, etc.) in temperatures above 40° F (4° C) will result in higher than normal oil consumption. When using a multi-vis- cosity oil, check oil level more frequently.

**SAE 30 oil, if used below 40° F (4° C), will result in hard starting and possible engine bore damage due to inadequate lubrication.

Oil Capacity

(Approximate amount when changing oil and filter.)

Model

Liters

Ounces

 

 

 

050000

.4

13.5

 

 

 

085400, 086400

.6

20

 

 

 

117400

.7

24

 

 

 

118400

.7

24

 

 

 

138400

.9

32

 

 

 

184400, 185400, 187400

.9

32

 

 

 

235400, 237400, 245400,

.9

32

246400, 247400

 

 

 

 

 

Place engine level and clean around oil fill Ê. Remove dipstick and wipe with clean cloth. Insert dipstick in oil fill − tighten down if high oil fill Ë, but do not tighten down if low oil fill Ì − remove dipstick to check oil level. Oil should be at FULL mark Í.

If oil is required, add slowly. Do not over-fill. Tighten dipstick firmly before starting engine.