In The Interest Of Safety - Briggs & Stratton 405777 Series Manual

In the Interest of Safety

This safety alert symbol indicates that this
message involves personal safety. Words
danger, warning and caution indicate degree of
hazard. Death, personal injury and/or property
damage may occur unless instructions are
followed carefully.
The Briggs & Stratton engine is made of the finest material in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Please understand that Briggs &
Stratton sells engines to original equipment manufacturers. It also sells to others in the distribution chain who may sell to the ultimate
consumer, an equipment manufacturer, another distributor or a dealer. As a result, Briggs & Stratton does not necessarily know the ap-
plication on which the engine will be placed. For that reason, carefully read and understand the operating instructions of the equipment
before you repair or operate it.
You should also understand that there are equipment applications for which Briggs & Stratton does not approve the use of its engines. Briggs
& Stratton engines are not to be used on vehicles with less than 4 wheels. They include motor bikes, aircraft products and All Terrain Vehicles.
Moreover, Briggs & Stratton does not approve of its engines being used in competitive events. F0R THAT REASON, BRIGGS & STRATTON
ENGINES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR ANY OF THESE APPLICATIONS. Failure to follow this warning could result in death, serious
injury (including paralysis) or property damage.
DO NOT run engine in an enclosed area.
(Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and deadly poison.)
DO NOT remove fuel tank cap nor fill fuel tank
while engine is hot or running. DO NOT refuel
indoors or in an unventilated area. (Allow en-
gine to cool 2 minutes before refueling.)
DO NOT place hands or feet near moving or rotating parts.
DO NOT store, spill, or use gasoline near an open flame,
nor near an appliance like a stove, furnace, or water heater
that uses a pilot light or can create a spark.
DO NOT refuel indoors or in an unventilated area.
DO NOT operate or tip engine/equipment at such a severe
angle that causes gasoline spillage.
DO NOT operate engine if gasoline is spilled or when smell
of gasoline is present or other explosive conditions exist.
(Move equipment away from spill and avoid any ignition until
gasoline has evaporated.)
DO NOT transport engine with fuel in tank or fuel shut-off
valve open.
DO NOT choke carburetor to stop engine, especially in an
enclosed vehicle. (Whenever possible, gradually reduce
engine speed before stopping.)
DO NOT tamper with governor springs, links or other parts to
increase engine speed. (Run engine at speed set for equip-
ment manufacturer.)
DO NOT check for spark with spark plug removed. (Use an
approved tester.)
DO NOT run engine without blower housing or other safety
shields removed when doing repairs.
4Prior to work, read and understand the section(s) of this manual that pertain to the job. Follow all safety warnings.
4PULL starter cord slowly until resistance is felt. Then pull cord rapidly to avoid kickback and prevent hand or arm injury.
4WEAR suitable eye protection (safety glasses, goggles or face shield when performing repair procedures).
4 PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STARTING by removing spark plug
wire from spark plug when servicing engine or equipment. Dis-
connect negative wire from battery terminal if equipped with
electric starting system.
4 REMOVE blower housing periodically and clean engine. Keep
cylinder fins and governor parts free of dirt, grass and other
debris which can affect engine speed.
4 USE fresh gasoline. Stale fuel can gum carburetor and cause
leakage.
4 CHECK fuel lines and fittings frequently for cracks or leaks.
Replace if necessary.
2
TSM
You are not ready to operate this engine if you
have not read and understood the following
safety items. Read this entire owner's manual
and the operating
equipment this engine powers.
DO NOT crank engine with spark plug removed. (If engine
is flooded, place throttle in FAST and crank until engine
starts.)
DO NOT strike flywheel with a hammer or hard object as this
may cause flywheel to shatter in operation. (To remove fly-
wheel, use Briggs & Stratton approved tools and proceed-
ures only.)
DO NOT operate engine without a muffler. (Inspect periodi-
cally and replace if worn or leaking. If engine is equipped
with muffler deflector, inspect periodically and replace if nec-
essary. Replacement parts must be same as on original
equipment.)
DO NOT operate engine with an accumulation of grass,
leaves or other combustible material in muffler area.
DO NOT use this engine on any forest covered, brush cov-
ered, or grass covered unimproved land unless a spark ar-
rester is installed on muffler. The spark arrester must be
maintained in working order by the owner and/or operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Sec-
tion 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other
states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on feder-
al lands.
DO NOT touch hot muffler, cylinder, or fins which can cause
burns.
DO NOT start engine with air cleaner or air cleaner cover re-
moved (or cover over carburetor air intake, if Sno/Gard en-
gine).
DO NOT attempt to start engine with cutting blade loose or
removed. (Blade must be tight, otherwise a kickback may
occur.)
4 USE ONLY Genuine Briggs & Stratton Parts or their equiva-
lent. The use of replacement parts which are not of equivalent
quality may damage the engine.
WARNING:
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
instructions of the