In The Interest Of Safety - Briggs & Stratton Twin Cylinder L-Head Repair Manual

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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
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 application 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 en-
gines. 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
engine 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 condi-
tions 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 equipment 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.
4 Prior to work, read and understand the section(s) of this manual that pertain to the job. Follow all safety warnings.
4 PULL starter cord slowly until resistance is felt. Then pull cord rapidly to avoid kickback and prevent hand or arm injury.
4 WEAR 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 equip-
ment. Disconnect 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
may occur unless
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
instructions of the 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 flywheel, use Briggs & Stratton approved tools
and procedures only.)
DO NOT operate engine without a muffler. (Inspect peri-
odically and replace if worn or leaking. If engine is
equipped with muffler deflector, inspect periodically and
replace if necessary. 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
covered, or grass covered unimproved land unless a
spark arrester is installed on muffler. The spark arrest-
er must be maintained in working order by the owner
and/or operator. In the State of California the above is
required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public
Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws.
Federal laws apply on federal lands.
DO NOT touch hot muffler, cylinder, or fins which can
cause burns.
DO NOT start engine with air cleaner or air cleaner cover
removed (or cover over carburetor air intake, if Sno/Gard
engine).
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
equivalent. 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.
and the operating