Briggs & Stratton 4-Cycle Engine; Slope Operation; General Service; Safe Handling Of Gasoline - Craftsman 550 Series Owner's Manual

• Disengage the drive system, if so
equipped, before starting the engine
(motor).
• If the equipment should start to vi brate
abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and
check immediately for the cause. Vibration
is generally a warning of trouble.
• Always wear eye protection when op er at-
ing machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
• When loading or unloading this machine,
do not exceed the maximum recom-
mended operation angle of 15°.
• Wear proper Personal Protective Equip-
ment (PPE) while operating this machine,
including (at a minimum) sturdy footwear,
eye protection, and hearing protection. Do
not mow in shorts or open toed footwear.
Always let someone know you are outside
mowing.
III. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip & fall
accidents, which can result in severe injury.
All slopes require extra caution. If you feel
uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes: nev er up
and down. Exercise extreme caution when
changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps or hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could cause a
slip and fall accident. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. You could lose your foot-
ing or balance.
• Do not mow on wet grass or excessively
steep slopes. Poor footing could cause a
slip and fall accident.
IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property dam-
age, use extreme care in handling gasoline.
Gasoline is extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
other sources of ignition.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with
the engine running.
• Allow engine to cool before refueling.
• Never refuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel container
where there is an open flame, spark or
pilot light such as a water heater or on
other appliances.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on
a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner.
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle before filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the
ground. If this is not possible, then refuel
such equipment with a portable container,
rather than from a gasoline dispenser
nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim
of the fuel tank or container opening at
all times until fueling is complete. Do not
use a nozzle lock-open device.
• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change cloth-
ing immediately.
• Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap
and tighten securely.
V. GENERAL SERVICE
• Never run machine inside a closed area.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with
the engine (motor) running. Dis con nect
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent ac ci den tal
starting.
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check
their proper operation reg u lar ly. Never
do anything to interfere with the intended
function of a safety device or reduce the
protection provided by a safety device.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if nec es sary,
before restarting.
• Never attempt to make wheel height
adjustments while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components are sub ject to
wear, dam age, and de te ri o ra tion, which
could expose moving parts or allow ob-
jects to be thrown. Frequently check com-
po nents and replace with man u fac tur er's
recommended parts, when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and
use extra caution when ser vic ing them.
• Do not change the engine governor setting
or overspeed the engine.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction
labels, as necessary.
4
BRIGGS & STRATTON 4-CYCLE ENGINE
KEY PART
NO. NO. DESCRIPTION
404 690272 Washer (Governor Crank)
455 593960 Cup-Flywheel
493 593330 Bracket-Mounting
(Carburetor)
505 793515 Nut
(Governor Control Lever)
522 590580 Plug-Dipstick/Fill
535 799579 Filter-Air Cleaner Foam
562 793514 Bolt
(Governor Control Lever)
598 593291 Shim-Endplay (Crankshaft)
601 791850 Clamp-Hose (Green)
608 593959 Starter-Rewind
613 590562 Screw (Muffler)
(M5 x 17mm)
615 690340 Retainer-Governor Shaft
616 590516 Crank-Governor
617 270344s Seal-O Ring
(Intake Manifold)
621 692310 Switch-Stop
623 799581 Seal-O Ring
(Carburetor Spacer)
635 692076 Boot-Spark Plug
668 590546 Spacer (Flywheel)
718 690959 Pin-Locating (Cylinder)
724 697478 Retainer-Seal
729 594752 Clip-Wire
741 796210 Gear-Timing
745 691146 Screw, Brake (#10-32 x .8)
745A 690859 Screw, Brake (#10-32 x .5)
770 595355 Kit-Rewind/Blower Housing
830 590536 Stud-Rocker Arm
832 592709 Guard-Muffler
836 690661 Screw (Muffler Guard)
(#8-18 x .5)
850 100106 Sealant-Silicone
868 590534 Seal-Valve
MODEL NUMBER 9P702-0211-F1
KEY PART
NO. NO. DESCRIPTION
875 595663 Base-Air Cleaner
914 591103 Screw (Rocker Cover)
922 692135 Spring-Brake
923 691487 Brake
968 595660 Cover-Air Cleaner
972 596251 Fuel-Tank
975 594632 Bowl-Float
1022 595341 Gasket-Rocker Cover
1023 590513 Cover-Rocker
1026 590515 Rod-Push
(Intake and Exhaust)
1029 590526 Arm-Rocker (Exhaust)
1029A 590527 Arm-Rocker (Intake)
1036 - - - Label-Emissions (Available
From A Briggs & Stratton
Authorized Dealer)
1127 590554 Screw (Float Bowl to
Carburetor Body)
1218 270344s Seal-O Ring (Carburetor)
1238 590562 Screw (Carburetor Spacer)
1263 697124 Reed-Breather
1264 793453 Screw (Breather Reed)
1329 N/A Replacement Engine
1330 N/A Repair Manual
1395 590552 Screw (Air Cleaner Base
to Carburetor)
1472 691876 Seal-O Ring
(Dipstick / Fill Plug)
Carburetor Overhaul Kit – Key Number 121
Engine Gasket Set – Key Number 358
NOTE: All component dimensions given in U.S.
inches. 1 inch = 25.4 mm
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