General Information; Power Rating; Operator Safety - Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 540000 Operator's Manual

General Information

This manual contains safety information to make you aware of the hazards and risks
associated with engines and how to avoid them. It also contains instructions for the
proper use and care of the engine. Because Briggs & Stratton Corporation does not
necessarily know what equipment this engine will power, it is important that you read and
understand these instructions and the instructions for the equipment. Save these
original instructions for future reference.
For replacement parts or technical assistance, record below the engine model, type, and
code numbers along with the date of purchase. These numbers are located on your
engine (see the Features and Controls page).
Date of purchase:
Engine model:
Model:

Power Rating

The gross power rating for individual gas engine models is labeled in accordance with
SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) code J1940 (Small Engine Power & Torque
Rating Procedure), and rating performance has been obtained and corrected in
accordance with SAE J1995 (Revision 2002--05). Torque values are derived at 3060
RPM; horsepower values are derived at 3600 RPM. The gross power curves can be
viewed at www.BRIGGSandSTRATTON.COM. Net power values are taken with exhaust
and air cleaner installed whereas gross power values are collected without these
attachments. Actual gross engine power will be higher than net engine power and is
affected by, among other things, ambient operating conditions and engine--to--engine
variability. Given the wide array of products on which engines are placed, the gas engine
may not develop the rated gross power when used in a given piece of power equipment.
This difference is due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the variety of
engine components (air cleaner, exhaust, charging, cooling, carburetor, fuel pump, etc.),
application limitations, ambient operating conditions (temperature, humidity, altitude), and
engine--to--engine variability.
Due to manufacturing and capacity limitations, Briggs & Stratton may substitute an
engine of higher rated power for this Series engine.

Operator Safety

SAFETY AND CONTROL SYMBOLS
Fire Moving Parts
Stop
Fast
Choke On Off
Hazardous
Chemical Read Manual
The safety alert symbol is used to identify safety information about hazards that can
result in personal injury. A signal word (DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION) is used with the
alert symbol to indicate the likelihood and the potential severity of injury. In addition, a hazard
symbol may be used to represent the type of hazard.
DANGER
indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING
indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
4
MM/DD/YYYY
Type:
Oil Toxic Fumes
Explosion Shock
Fuel Shutoff Kickback
Hot Surface Frostbite
CAUTION
moderate injury.
NOTICE
WARNING
Certain components in this product and its related accessories contain chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
WARNING
Code:
The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
WARNING
Briggs & Stratton Engines are not designed for and are not to be used to power:
fun-karts; go-karts; children's, recreational, or sport all-terrain vehicles (ATVs);
motorbikes; hovercraft; aircraft products; or vehicles used in competitive events not
sanctioned by Briggs & Stratton. For information about competitive racing products,
see www.briggsracing.com. For use with utility and side-by-side ATVs, please
contact Briggs & Stratton Engine Application Center, 1-866-927-3349. Improper
engine application may result in serious injury or death.
NOTICE: This engine was shipped from Briggs & Stratton without oil. Before you start
the engine, make sure you add oil according to the instructions in this manual. If you
start the engine without oil, it will be damaged beyond repair and will not be covered
under warranty.
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
When Adding Fuel
Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated area.

Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks or leaks.

Slow
Replace if necessary.
When Starting Engine
Ensure that spark plug, muffler, and air cleaner (if equipped) are in place and

secured.
Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.

Fuel
When Operating Equipment
Never start or run the engine with the air cleaner assembly (if equipped) or the

air filter (if equipped) removed.
When Transporting Equipment
Wear Eye
On Natural/Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas engines, transport with fuel cylinder

Protection
empty or valve closed, or fuel tank disconnected.
When Storing Fuel Or Equipment With Fuel In Tank
Store away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters or other appliances that have

pilot lights or other ignition sources because they can ignite fuel 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.

indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in minor or
indicates a situation that could result in damage to the product.
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