8
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill.
Use fresh, clean, regular un lead ed gasoline with a
minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will
increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce
valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel
in quan ti ties that can be used within 30 days to assure
fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Do not fill above 1/2 inch of
top of fuel tank to prevent spills and to
allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline is
ac ci den tal ly spilled, move machine away from area
of spill. Avoid creating any source of ignition until
gasoline vapors have disappeared.
Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill
or use gasoline near an open flame.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
IMPORTANT
: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT TO
ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING OIL OR
FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE IN AP PROVED,
CLEAN, COVERED CON TAIN ERS. USE CLEAN FILL FUNNELS.
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
(See Fig. 8)
1. Remove hangtag from engine.
2. The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the fac-
tory, already filled with SAE 30 summer weight oil.
3. With engine level, remove engine oil fill er plug.
4. Engine oil should be at "FULL" line on dipstick. If
low, fill to "FULL" line. For approximate capacity, see
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this
manual.
5. Reinstall engine oil filler plug.
6. Check oil before each use. Add oil if needed.
CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with oil, or it
will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.
• For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the
Main te nance section of this man u al).
• To change engine oil, see the Main te nance section of
this manual.
Fig. 8
TO START ENGINE
(See Fig. 9)
OPERATION
IMPORTANT:
WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW
32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GAS O LINE
TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER START ING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gas o hol
or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture
which leads to sep a ra tion and for ma tion of acids
during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel sys-
tem of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emptied before
stor age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank,
start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and
carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next sea son.
See Storage In struc tions for additional information.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products
in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
MAXIMUM UPPER LEVEL
MINIMUM UPPER LEVEL
OIL FILLER CAP
NOTE
: Due to protective coatings on the engine, a small
amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of
the product and should be considered normal.
1. Make sure spark plug wire is prop er ly connected.
3. Place throttle control in “FAST” position.
4. To start a cold engine, push primer three (3) times
before trying to start. Use a firm push. This step is
not usually nec es sary when starting an engine which
has already run for a few minutes.
5. Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp
tiller handle with other hand. Pull recoil starter handle
quickly. Do not let starter rope snap back.
NOTE
: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat
priming steps. In warmer weather over priming may cause
flooding and engine will not start. If you do flood engine,
wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not
repeat priming steps.
Fig. 9
THROTTLE
CONTROL
SPARK
PLUG
PRIMER
RECOIL
STARTER
HANDLE
CAUTION: KEEP TINE CONTROL IN “OFF”
PO SI TION WHEN STARTING ENGINE.
