Vanguard 12V000, Operator'S Manual

Page: 9 / 72

Start the Engine
WARNING
POISONOUS GAS HAZARD. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a
poisonous gas that could kill you in minutes. Although you do not smell exhaust
fumes, you could still be exposed to dangerous carbon monoxide gas. If you feel
sick, dizzy, or weak while you use this product, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. See
a doctor. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Carbon monoxide gas can collect in occupied spaces. To reduce the risk of
carbon monoxide gas, ONLY operate this product outdoors and far away from
windows, doors and vents.
• Install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms or plug-in carbon monoxide
alarms with battery back-up as specified by the manufacturer's instructions.
Smoke alarms cannot sense carbon monoxide gas.
• DO NOT operate this product in homes, garages, basements, crawlspaces,
sheds, or other closed spaces, even if you use fans or open doors and windows
for ventilation. After the operation of this product, carbon monoxide can quickly
collect in these spaces and stay for hours.
• ALWAYS put this product downwind and point the engine exhaust away from
occupied spaces.
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion could result in
burns or death.
When you start the engine
• Make sure that the spark plug, muffler, fuel cap and air cleaner (if equipped) are
correctly installed.
• Do not crank the engine with the spark plug removed.
• If the engine is flooded, set the choke (if equipped) to the OPEN or RUN
position. Move the throttle (if equipped) to the FAST position and crank until the
engine starts.
• If there is natural or LP gas leakage in the area, do not start the engine.
• Because vapors are flammable, do not use pressurized starter fluids.
WARNING
Rotating parts can entangle hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories and result
in traumatic amputation or laceration.
• Operate equipment with the guards correctly installed.
• Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.
• Remove jewelry and make sure that long hair is away from all rotating parts.
• Do not wear loose clothes or items that could become caught.
WARNING
Fast retraction of the starter cord (kickback) will pull your hand and arm to the
engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains
could result.
• To prevent kickback when you start the engine, pull the starter cord slowly until
resistance is felt and then pull quickly.
• Before you start the engine, disconnect or remove all external equipment and
engine loads.
• Make sure that direct-coupled equipment components, such as, but not limited
to, blades, impellers, pulleys, and sprockets, are correctly attached.
NOTE: Your equipment could have remote controls. Refer to the equipment manual for
location and operation of remote controls.
1. Check the engine oil. Refer to
Check Oil Level section.
2. Make sure that the equipment drive controls, if equipped, are disengaged.
3. Move the throttle control lever / TransportGuard
®
(A, Figure 18), if equipped, to the
FAST or RUN position. Operate the engine in the FAST or RUN position.
4. Move the choke control (B, Figure 18) to the CLOSED position.
The choke is usually not necessary when you start a warm engine.
5. Rewind Start, if equipped: Tightly hold the starter cord handle (C, Figure 18). Pull
the starter cord handle slowly until resistance is felt, then pull quickly.
WARNING
Fast retraction of the starter cord (kickback) will pull your hand and arm to the
engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains
could result.
• To prevent kickback when you start the engine, pull the starter cord slowly until
resistance is felt and then pull quickly.
• Before you start the engine, disconnect or remove all external equipment and
engine loads.
• Make sure that direct-coupled equipment components, such as, but not limited to,
blades, impellers, pulleys, and sprockets, are correctly attached.
6. Electric Start, if equipped: Turn the electric start switch (D, Figure 18) to the
START position.
NOTICE
To extend the life of the starter, use short start cycles (five seconds maximum). Wait one
minute between start cycles.
7. As the engine warms, move the choke control (B, Figure 18) to the OPEN position.
If the engine does not start after 2 or 3 times, contact your local dealer or go to
vanguardpower.com or call 1-800-999-9333 (in USA).
Stop the Engine
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion could result in
burns or death.
• Do not choke the carburetor (if equipped) to stop the engine.
Throttle Control / TransportGuard
®
: Move the throttle control / TransportGuard
®
(A,
Figure 19) to the OFF or STOP position.
NOTE: When the throttle control / TransportGuard
®
(A, Figure 19) is in the OFF
or STOP position, the fuel valve is in the OFF position. Always move the throttle
control / TransportGuard
®
to the OFF or STOP position during transport of the
equipment.
NOTE: The key (D, Figure 19) does not stop the engine. The key ONLY starts the
engine. Always remove the key (D), and keep it in a safe location out of reach of
children.
Maintenance
Maintenance Information
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion could result in
burns or death.
During maintenance if it is necessary to tilt the unit, make sure that the fuel tank, if
mounted on the engine, is empty and that the spark plug side is up. If the fuel tank is not
empty, leakage can occur and could result in a fire or an explosion. If the engine is tilted
in a different direction, it will not easily start because of oil or fuel contamination of the air
filter or the spark plug.
WARNING
Accidental engine spark can cause an electric shock, fire or explosion and could
result in entanglement, traumatic amputation or laceration.
Before you make adjustments or repairs:
• Disconnect all spark plug wires and keep them away from the spark plugs.
• Disconnect the battery wire from the negative battery terminal (only engines with
electric start).
• Use only the correct tools.
When you check for spark:
• Use an approved spark plug tester.
• Do not check for spark with the spark plug removed.
9
Not for
Reproduction