OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
196cc 4-Cycle Engine
Check for parts online at
www.getearthquake.com
or call 800-345-6007 M-F 8-5
8
!
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING:
FUEL FILLING PRECAUTIONS
• FUEL AND FUEL VAPORS ARE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.
• NEVER FILL GAS TANK INDOORS OR IN A POORLY VEN-
TILATED AREA.
• TURN ENGINE OFF AND LET COOL BEFORE REMOVING
GAS CAP.
• DO NOT OVERFILL GAS TANK. IF FUEL SPILLAGE OC-
CURS, WIPE AWAY CAREFULLY AND ALLOW FUEL TO
DRY BEFORE STARTING ENGINE.
• PREVENT FIRE AND EXPLOSION CAUSED BY STATIC
ELECTRIC DISCHARGE. USE ONLY NON-METAL, POR-
TABLE FUEL CONTAINERS APPROVED BY THE UNDER-
WRITER’S LABORATORY(U.L.) OR THE AMERICAN SOCI-
ETY FOR TESTING & MATERIALS (ASTM).
• NEVER POUR FUEL OUT OF ENGINE GAS TANK.
• NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO FILL THE GAS TANK.
ADULTS ONLY.
• NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF, OR ANYONE UNDER THE IN-
FLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, TO FILL GAS TANK.
• GAS CAP MUST BE PROPERLY SECURED BEFORE AND
DURING OPERATION.
• REFRAIN FROM SMOKING AND STAY AWAY FROM
OPEN FLAMES AND SPARKS WHEN REFUELING.
!
WARNING:
EXHAUST PRECAUTIONS
• DO NOT INHALE EXHAUST FUMES. THEY GIVE OFF CAR-
BON MONOXIDE, AN ODORLESS, COLORLESS, DEADLY
GAS.
• USE EXTREME CARE WHEN RUNNING ENGINE NEAR
PEOPLE OR ANIMALS. ALWAYS POINT EXHAUST AND
MUFFLER IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
• NEVER RUN ENGINE IN AN ENCLOSED OR PARTIALLY
ENCLOSED AREA. EXAMPLES INCLUDE: BUILDINGS
THAT ARE ENCLOSED ON ONE OR MORE SIDES, CAR
PORTS OR BASEMENTS.
• ALWAYS MAKE SURE EXHAUST PIPE IS FREE OF FOR-
EIGN OBJECTS.
!
WARNING:
FIRE & BURN PROTECTION
• KEEP ALL SPARKS, SMOKING MATERIALS, AND OPEN
FLAMES AWAY FROM ENGINE.
• DO NOT USE ENGINE AROUND DRY BRUSH, CLOTH
RAGS, OR OTHER FLAMMABLE MATERIALS.
• BE CAREFUL OF HOT PARTS. THE MUFFLER GUARD
AND OTHER PARTS BECOME EXTREMELY HOT DUR-
ING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE. HOT PARTS CAN
CAUSE SEVERE BURNS.
• ALWAYS KEEP MATERIALS AND DEBRIS CLEAR OF MUF-
FLER GUARD AND OTHER HOT ENGINE PARTS.
• NEVER OPERATE THE ENGINE WITHOUT THE MUFFLER
GUARD IN PLACE.
WARNING:
OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• STAY AWAY FROM ROTATING PARTS. PLACE PROTEC-
TIVE COVERS OVER ROTATING PARTS.
• DO NOT CARRY OR REMOVE ENGINE WHILE IN OPERA-
TION.
• OPERATE THE ENGINE ONLY ON LEVEL AND STABLE
SURFACES.
!
WARNING:
ENGINE REPAIR PRECAUTIONS
• BEFORE WORKING ON ENGINE, ENGINE SHOULD BE
OFF AND COOL.
• ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM
THE SPARK PLUG.
• SECURE DISCONNECTED SPARK PLUG WIRE AWAY
FROM SPARK PLUG AND ANY METAL OBJECTS TO
AVOID ARCING (HAZARDOUS UNINTENTIONAL CON-
NECTION).
• CHECK ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPAIRED OR REMOVED
TO ENSURE SECURE AND PROPER FIT.
• USE ONLY ORIGINAL VIPER EQUIPMENT AND PARTS.
!
