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A hazard that could result in death, serious injury, or substantial property damage.
A hazard that could result in minor personal injury or property damage.
NOTE: is used to notify people of important installation, operation, or maintenance information.
Explosive Fuel can cause fires and severe burns.
Do not fill fuel tank while engine is hot or running.
Gasoline is extremely flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited. Store gasoline only in approved containers, in well ventilated, unoccupied buildings, away from sparks or flames. Spilled fuel could ignite if it comes in contact with hot parts or sparks from ignition. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent.
Carbon Monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting or death.
Avoid inhaling exhaust fumes.
Never run engine indoors or in enclosed spaces.
Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and can cause death if inhaled.
Accidental Starts can cause severe injury or death.
Disconnect and ground spark plug lead(s) before servicing.
Before working on engine or equipment, disable engine as follows:
Rotating Parts can cause severe injury.
Stay away while engine is in operation.
Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from all moving parts to prevent injury. Never operate engine with covers, shrouds, or guards removed.
Electrical Shock can cause injury.
Do not touch wires while engine is running.
Hot Parts can cause severe burns.
Do not touch engine while operating or just after stopping.
Never operate engine with heat shields or guards removed.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
California Proposition 65 Warning
This product contains chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
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Fuel | Off | On | Choke | Fast | Slow |
A | Air Cleaner Base | B | Paper Element | C | Air Cleaner Cover | D | Wing Nut |
E | Precleaner | F | Dual-Element Air Cleaner | G | Low-Profile Air Cleaner | H | Foam Element |
I | Screw | J | Muffler Shield | K | Spark Plug | L | Oil Drain Plug |
M | Oil Fill Plug | N | Dipstick | O | On/Off Switch (if equipped) | P | Retractable Starter |
Q | Debris Screen | R | Starter Handle | S | Fuel Shut-Off | T | Choke Control |
U | Throttle Control | V | Fuel Cap | W | Fuel Tank |
Carbon Monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting or death.
Avoid inhaling exhaust fumes.
Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and can cause death if inhaled.
Rotating Parts can cause severe injury.
Stay away while engine is in operation.
Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from all moving parts to prevent injury. Never operate engine with covers, shrouds, or guards removed.
NOTE: Choke position for starting may vary depending upon temperature and other factors. Once engine is running and warm, turn choke to OFF position.
NOTE: Extend starter cord periodically to check its condition. If cord is frayed have it replaced immediately by a Kohler authorized dealer.
NOTE: Do not crank engine continuously for more than 10 seconds. Allow a 60 second cool down period between starting attempts. Failure to follow these guidelines can burn out starter motor.
NOTE: If engine develops sufficient speed to disengage starter but does not keep running (a false start), engine rotation must be allowed to come to a complete stop before attempting to restart engine. If starter is engaged while flywheel is rotating, starter pinion and flywheel ring gear may clash, resulting in damage to starter.
Refer to operating instructions of equipment this engine powers. Do not operate this engine exceeding maximum angle of operation; see specification table. Engine damage could result from insufficient lubrication.
NOTE: Do not tamper with governor setting to increase maximum engine speed. Overspeed is hazardous and will void warranty.
If this engine is operated at an altitude of 4000 ft. (1219 meters) or above, a high altitude carburetor kit is required. To obtain high altitude carburetor kit information or to find a Kohler authorized dealer, visit KohlerEngines.com or call 1-800-544-2444 (U.S. and Canada).
This engine should be operated in its original configuration below 4000 ft. (1219 meters).
Operating this engine with the wrong engine configuration at a given altitude may increase its emissions, decrease fuel efficiency and performance, and result in damage to the engine.
Accidental Starts can cause severe injury or death.
Disconnect and ground spark plug lead(s) before servicing.
Before working on engine or equipment, disable engine as follows:
Normal maintenance, replacement or repair of emission control devices and systems may be performed by any repair establishment or individual; however, warranty repairs must be performed by a Kohler authorized dealer found at KohlerEngines.com or 1-800-544-2444 (U.S. and Canada).
After first 5 Hours
Every 50 Hours or Annually
Every 100 Hours or Annually
Every 100 Hours
Every 125 Hours or Annually
Every 200 Hours
Every 300 Hours
1 Perform these procedures more frequently under severe, dusty, dirty conditions.
2 Have a Kohler authorized dealer perform this service.
We recommend use of Kohler oils for best performance. Other high-quality detergent oils (including synthetic) of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SJ or higher are acceptable. Select viscosity based on air temperature at time of operation as shown in table above.
NOTE: To prevent extensive engine wear or damage, never run engine with oil level below or above operating range indicator on dipstick.
Ensure engine is cool. Clean oil fill/dipstick areas of any debris.
Change oil while engine is warm.
(if equipped)
This switch is designed to prevent engine from starting in a low oil or no oil condition. Oil Sentry may not shut down a running engine before damage occurs. In some applications this switch may activate a warning signal. Read your equipment manuals for more information.
Explosive Fuel can cause fires and severe burns.
Do not fill fuel tank while engine is hot or running.
Gasoline is extremely flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited. Store gasoline only in approved containers, in well ventilated, unoccupied buildings, away from sparks or flames. Spilled fuel could ignite if it comes in contact with hot parts or sparks from ignition. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent.
NOTE: E15, E20 and E85 are NOT approved and should NOT be used; effects of old, stale or contaminated fuel are not warrantable.
Fuel must meet these requirements:
Explosive Fuel can cause fires and severe burns.
Do not fill fuel tank while engine is hot or running.
Gasoline is extremely flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited. Store gasoline only in approved containers, in well ventilated, unoccupied buildings, away from sparks or flames. Spilled fuel could ignite if it comes in contact with hot parts or sparks from ignition. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent.
Ensure engine is cool.
Low permeation fuel line must be installed on carbureted Kohler Co. engines to maintain EPA and CARB regulatory compliance.
Electrical Shock can cause injury.
Do not touch wires while engine is running
Clean out spark plug recess. Remove plug and replace.
NOTE: Operating engine with loose or damaged air cleaner components could cause premature wear and failure. Replace all bent or damaged components.
NOTE: Paper element cannot be blown out with compressed air.
Dual-Element
Remove wing nut and air cleaner cover.
Precleaner:
Paper Element:
Reinstall air cleaner cover and secure with wing nut.
Low-Profile
Ensure both ends of breather tube are properly connected.
Hot Parts can cause severe burns.
Do not touch engine while operating or just after stopping.
Never operate engine with heat shields or guards removed.
Proper cooling is essential. To prevent over heating, clean screens, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of engine. Avoid spraying water at wiring harness or any electrical components. See Maintenance Schedule.
We recommend that you use a Kohler authorized dealer for all maintenance, service, and replacement parts for engine. To find a Kohler authorized dealer visit KohlerEngines.com or call 1-800-544-2444 (U.S. and Canada).
If engine will be out of service for 2 months or more follow procedure below.
Do not attempt to service or replace major engine components, or any items that require special timing or adjustment procedures. This work should be performed by a Kohler authorized dealer.
Possible Cause | |||||||||||||||
Problem | No Fuel | Improper Fuel | Dirt In Fuel Line | Dirty Debris Screen | Incorrect Oil Level | Engine Overloaded | Dirty Air Cleaner | Faulty Spark Plug | |||||||
Will Not Start | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||
Hard Starting | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
Stops Suddenly | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||
Lacks Power | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||
Operates Erratically | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
Knocks or Pings | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||||
Skips or Misfires | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||||
Backfires | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||||
Overheats | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
High Fuel Consumption | ● | ● | ● |
Model | Bore | Stroke | Displacement Oil Capacity | (Refill) | Spark Plug Gap | Maximum Angle of Operation (@ full oil level)* |
SH255 | 2.7 in. (68 mm) | 2.1 in. (54 mm) | 12 cu. in. (196 cc) | 0.63 qt. (0.60 L) | 0.03 in. (0.76 mm) | 25° |
SH265 |
*Exceeding maximum angle of operation may cause engine damage from insufficient lubrication.
Exhaust Emission Control System for models SH255, SH265 is EM for U.S. EPA, California, and Europe.
Any and all horsepower (hp) references by Kohler are Certified Power Ratings and per SAE J1940 & J1995 hp standards. Details on Certified Power Ratings can be found at KohlerEngines.com.
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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