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 ex-
tremely 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 lac-
eration 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
050000
.4
085400, 086400
.6
117400
.7
118400
.7
138400
.9
184400, 185400, 187400
.9
235400, 237400, 245400,
.9
246400, 247400
Place engine level and clean around oil fill
Remove dipstick and wipe with clean cloth. Insert
dipstick in oil fill − tighten down if high oil fill
Ì
not tighten down if low oil fill
− remove dipstick to
check oil level. Oil should be at FULL mark
If oil is required, add slowly. Do not over-fill. Tighten
dipstick firmly before starting engine.
Ounces
13.5
20
24
24
32
32
32
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.
Ë
, but do
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.