General Safety Precautions - Tecumseh OV490EA Operator's Manual

I. General Safety Precautions
Read equipment manufacturer's manual and this
material thoroughly before using this engine. Failure to
do so can result in serious injury or death. Consult your
local Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer, call 1-800-
558-5402, or go to www.TecumsehPower.com for
additional information.
A. Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, a deadly
gas. Breathing carbon
monoxide can cause
headaches, dizziness,
drowsiness, nausea, confusion
and eventually death.
Carbon monoxide is a colodess, edodess, tasteless gas
which may be present even if you DO NOT see or smell
any engine exhaust. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidlyand you can quickly be overcome and
unable to save yourself. Also, deadly levels of carbon
monoxide can linger for hours or days in enclosed or
poody-ventUatedareas. If you expedence any symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning, leave the area immediately,
get fresh air, and SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT.
To prevent serious injury or death from carbon monoxide:
NEVER run engine indoors. Even if you try to
ventilate engine exhaust with fens or open windows
and doors, carbon monoxide can rapidly reach
dangerous levels.
• NEVER run engine in poorly-ventilated or partially
enclosed areas such as barns, garages,
basements, carports, under dwellings, or in pits.
• NEVER run engine outdoors where engine exhaust
can be drawn intoa buildingthrough openings such
as windows and doors.
B. Avoid Gasoline Fires
Gasoline (fuel) vapors are highly flammable 4
and can explode. Fuel vapors can spread
and be ignited by a spark or flame many feet
away from engine. To prevent injuryor death
from fuel fires, follow these instructions:
• NEVER store engine with fuel in fuel
tank inside a building with potential
sources of ignition such as hot water and space
heaters, clothes dryers, electric motors, etc.
NEVER remove fuel cap or add fuel when engine is
running.
NEVER start or operate the engine with the fuel fill
cap removed.
• Allow engine to cool before refueling+
• NEVER fillfuel tank indoors. Fill fuel tank outdoors
in a well-ventilated area.
• DO NOT smoke while refuelingtank.
Use only an approved red GASOLINE container to
store and dispense fuel. Tecumseh recommends
purchasing gasoline in containerswith a capacity of
2.5 gallons or less. Small containersare easier to
handle and help eliminate spillageduring refueling.
• DO NOT pour fuel from engine or siphonfuel by
mouth, To empty the fuel tank see "1.Draining Fuel"
instructionson page 14.
C. Adult Supervision of Operation, Refueling
and Maintenance
The manufacturer of the application may provide
informationabout who is allowed to use this engine (see
equipment manufacturer's manual). NOT everyone who is
allowed to use this engine is capable of safely and
responsiblyoperating, maintaining and/or fueling it.
Tecumseh recommends the following:
• An adult shouldfuel this engine. NEVER allow
children to refuel this engine. See "C. Filling Fuel
Tank" instructionson page 5.
An adult should perform maintenance on this
engine. See '_/11. M aintenance" instructionson
page 10. Only allow children to perform
maintenance if an adult has determined they are
experienced and capable of such operation.
An adult shouldstart the engine. See "G Avoid
Accidental Starts"instructionson page 2. Only
allow children to start the engine ifan adult has
determined they are experienced and capable of
such operation.
• To avoid unsupervisedoperation of the engine,
especially by children, NEVER leave it unattended
when it is running.
D. Stay Away from Rotating Parts
NEVER operate the engine with an
unguarded engine shaft.
The equipment manufacturer may
attach a sprocket and chain or pulley
and belt to the engine shaft. If these
parts are NOT properly guarded, or if
you are NOT sure whether they are
properly guarded, DO NOT use your
engine; contact the equipment
manufacturer. Hands, feet, hair,
jewelry, clothing, etc. can become
entangled in rotating parts, leading to
sedous injury or death. To avoid serious injuryor death, be
sure the flywheel guard is in place.
Sea Figure 1, on page 2.
181-887-14 Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled Page 1