Oil Recommendations; Fuel Recommendations - Briggs & Stratton 120000 Operating & Maintenance Instructions

WARNING
Gasoline and its vapors are extremely
flammable and explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or
death.
WHEN ADDING FUEL
• Turn engine OFF and let engine cool at least 2 minutes
before removing gas cap.
• Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated area.
• Do not overfill fuel tank. Fill tank to approximately
1-1/2 inches below top of neck to allow for fuel
expansion.
• Keep gasoline away from sparks, open flames, pilot
lights, heat, and other ignition sources.
• Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for
cracks or leaks. Replace if necessary.
WHEN STARTING ENGINE
• Make sure spark plug, muffler, fuel cap and air cleaner
are in place.
• Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.
• If fuel spills, wait until it evaporates before starting
engine.
• If engine floods, set choke to OPEN/RUN position,
place throttle in FAST and crank until engine starts.
WHEN OPERATING EQUIPMENT
• Do not tip engine or equipment at angle which causes
gasoline to spill.
• Do not choke carburetor to stop engine.
WHEN TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT
• Transport with fuel tank EMPTY or with fuel shut-off
valve OFF.
WHEN STORING GASOLINE OR EQUIPMENT WITH
FUEL IN TANK
• Store away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters or
other appliances that have pilot light or other ignition
source because they can ignite gasoline vapors.
WARNING
Starting engine creates sparking.
Sparking can ignite nearby flammable gases.
Explosion and fire could result.
• If there is natural or LP gas leakage in area, do not start
engine.
• Do not use pressurized starting fluids because vapors
are flammable.
WARNING
Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will
pull hand and arm toward engine faster than
you can let go.
Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains
could result.
• When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance
is felt, then pull rapidly.
• Remove all external equipment/engine loads before
starting engine.
• Direct coupled equipment components such as, but
not limited to, blades, impellors, pulleys, sprockets,
etc., must be securely attached.
WARNING
Engines give off carbon monoxide, an
odorless, colorless, poison gas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause
nausea, fainting or death.
• Start and run engine outdoors.
• Do not start or run engine in enclosed area, even if
doors or windows are open.
WARNING
Running engines produce heat. Engine
parts, especially muffler, become extreme-
ly hot.
Severe thermal burns can occur on contact.
Combustible debris, such as leaves, grass,
brush, etc. can catch fire.
• Allow muffler, engine cylinder and fins to cool before
touching.
• Remove accumulated combustibles from muffler area
and cylinder area.
• Install and maintain in working order a spark arrester
before using equipment on forest-covered, grass-cov-
ered, brush-covered unimproved land. The state of
California requires this (Section 4442 of the California
Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal land.
WARNING
Rotating parts can contact or entangle
hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories.
Traumatic amputation or severe laceration
can result.
• Operate equipment with guards in place.
• Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.
• Tie up long hair and remove jewelry.
• Do not wear loose-fitting clothing, dangling draw-
strings or items that could become caught.
WARNING
Unintentional sparking can result in fire or
electric shock.
Unintentional start-up can result in en-
tanglement, traumatic amputation, or
laceration.
BEFORE PERFORMING ADJUSTMENTS
REPAIRS
• Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from
spark plug.
• Disconnect battery at negative terminal (only engines
with electric start).
WHEN TESTING FOR SPARK
• Use approved spark plug tester.
• Do not check for spark with spark plug removed.
2

OIL RECOMMENDATIONS

CAUTION:
Engine shipped from Briggs & Stratton without oil. Before
starting engine, fill with oil. Do not over-fill.
Use a high quality detergent oil classified For Service SF, SG,
SH, SJ" or higher such as Briggs & Stratton 30, Part Number
100005. Use no special additives with recommended oils. Do
not mix oil with gasoline.
Fig. 2
Choose the SAE viscosity grade of oil from this chart that
matches the starting temperature anticipated before the next
oil change.
*
Air cooled engines run hotter than automotive engines.
The use of non-synthetic multi-viscosity oils (5W-30,
10W-30, etc.) in temperatures above 40° F (4° C) will
result in higher than normal oil consumption. When using
a multi-viscosity oil, check oil level more frequently.
**
Use of SAE 30 oil below 40° F (4° C) will result in hard
starting and possible engine damage due to inade-
quate lubrication.
Note:
Synthetic oil meeting ILSAC GF-2, API
certification mark and API service symbol (shown
at left) with SJ/CF ENERGY CONSERVING" or
higher, is an acceptable oil at all temperatures.
Use of synthetic oil does not alter required oil
change intervals.
Check oil level.
Oil capacity is about (22 ounces or .65 liter) if engine is not
equipped with oil filter. If engine is equipped with oil filter, add 4
more ounces (.1 liter) when changing oil filter.
Place engine level and clean around oil fill
Remove dipstick, wipe with clean cloth, insert and tighten
down again. Remove dipstick and check oil level. Oil should be
Ë
at FULL mark .
If oil is required, add slowly. Tighten dipstick firmly before
starting engine.

FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Use clean, fresh, lead-free, regular gasoline with a minimum of
85 octane. Leaded gasoline may be used if it is commercially
available and if unleaded is unavailable. Purchase fuel in
quantity that can be used within 30 days. See storage
instructions.
In U.S.A. leaded gasoline may not be used. Some fuels, called
oxygenated or reformulated gasolines, are gasolines blended
with alcohols or ethers. Excessive amounts of these blends
can damage the fuel system or cause performance problems.
If any undesirable operating symptoms occur, use gasoline
with a lower percentage of alcohol or ether.
This engine is certified to operate on gasoline. Exhaust
Emission Control System: EM (Engine Modifications).
Do not use gasoline which contains Methanol. Do not mix oil
with gasoline.
For engine protection, we recommend using Briggs & Stratton
Fuel Stabilizer available from an Authorized Briggs & Stratton
Service Dealer.
OR
ADDING FUEL
WARNING
Clean around fuel fill before removing cap to refuel. Remove
cap. Fill tank to approximately 1-1/2 inches below top of neck
to allow for fuel expansion. Be careful not to overfill.
Note:
Remove and discard blue plug in fuel fill.
Ê
.
Before refueling, allow
engine to cool 2 minutes.