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Part 2: Operating the Engine
Safety Precautions
⚠
WARNING
Warning
Symbol
Description
Rapid retraction of the starter cord (kickback) can jerk your hands toward the
engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises, or sprains
could result.
When starting the engine, pull the cord slowly until resistance is felt, then pull
rapidly.
Components such as blades, impellers, pulleys, sprockets, etc., must be securely
attached.
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.
Engines give off carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas.
Start and run the engine outdoors.
Do not start or run the engine in enclosed areas, even if doors or windows are
open.
Running engines produce heat. Engine parts, especially mufflers, become
extremely hot. Severe thermal burns can occur on contact. Combustible debris,
like leaves, grass, and brush, can catch fire.
Allow the muffler, the engine cylinder, and the fins to cool before touching.
Remove accumulated debris from the muffler and cylinder areas.
Install and maintain in working order a spark arrester before using equipment on
forest-covered, grass-covered, brush-covered unimproved land. The state of
California requires this. Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on
federal land.
Starting an engine creates sparks. Sparking can ignite nearby flammable gases.
Explosion and fire could result.
If there is natural or an LP gas leakage in the area, do not start the engine.
Do not use pressurized starting fluids because vapors are flammable.