Vanguard BIG BLOCK M540000, Repair Manual, Page: 7 / 168

SAFETY INFORMATION
Safety Alert Symbol and Signal Words
The safety alert symbol identifies safety information
about hazards that could result in personal injury. A signal
word ( DANGER , WARNING , or CAUTION ) is used to
indicate the likelihood and the potential severity of injury. In
addition, a hazard symbol is used to represent the type of
hazard.
DANGER indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, will result
in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE indicates information considered important but not
hazard-related.
Hazard Symbols and Meanings
Safety information
about hazards that can
result in personal injury.
Read and understand
the Operator's Manual
before operating or
servicing the unit.
Fire Hazard Explosion Hazard
Shock Hazard Toxic Fume Hazard
Hot Surface Hazard Kickback Hazard
Amputation Hazard -
Moving Parts
Fuel Level - Maximum
Do Not Overfill
General Safety Messages
Prior to work, read and understand the section(s) of this
manual that pertain to the job. Follow all safety warnings.
• Always use fresh gasoline. Stale fuel can cause gum
deposits in the carburetor and cause leakage, flow
restrictions, or other problems.
• Check fuel lines and fittings frequently for cracks or
leaks and replace if necessary.
WARNING
Failure to read and obey the operator’s manual, all warnings,
and operating instructions could result in death or serious
injury.
WARNING
Briggs & Stratton® Engines are not designed for
and are not to be used to power: fun-karts; go-karts;
children's, recreational, or sport all-terrain vehicles (ATVs);
motorbikes; hovercraft; aircraft products; or vehicles used
in competitive events not sanctioned by Briggs & Stratton.
For information about competitive racing products, see
www.briggsracing.com. For use with utility and side-by-side
ATVs, please contact Briggs & Stratton Power Application
Center, 1-866-927-3349. Incorrect engine use could result in
serious injury or death.
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or
explosion could result in burns or death.
When you add fuel
• Stop the engine. Before you remove the fuel cap, wait
a minimum of two (2) minutes to make sure that the
engine is cool.
• Fill the fuel tank outdoors or in an area that has good
airflow.
• Do not put too much fuel in the tank. 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.
• Frequently examine the fuel lines, fuel tank, fuel cap,
and connections for cracks or leaks. Replace damaged
parts.
• If fuel spills, wait until it dries before you start the
engine.
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.
When you operate the equipment
• Do not tilt the engine or the equipment at an angle which
causes fuel to spill.
• Do not choke the carburetor (if equipped) to stop the
engine.
• Do not start or operate the engine with the air cleaner (if
equipped) or the air filter (if equipped) removed.
When you do maintenance
• If you drain the oil from the top oil fill tube, the fuel
tank must be empty. If it is not empty, fuel leakage can
occur and could result a fire or an explosion.
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