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181-1215-14 Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled Page 1
I. General Safety Precautions
!
WARNING
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 colorless, odorless, tasteless gas
which may be present even if you DO NOT see or smell
any engine exhaust. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly and 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
poorly-ventilated areas. If you experience 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 fans 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 into a building through openings such
as windows and doors.
B. Avoid Gasoline Fires
Gasoline (fuel) vapors are highly flammable
and can explode. Fuel vapors can spread
and be ignited by a spark or flame many feet
away from engine. To prevent injury or 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 fill 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 fill fuel tank indoors. Fill fuel tank outdoors
in a well-ventilated area.
• DO NOT smoke while refueling tank.
• Use only an approved red GASOLINE container
to store and dispense fuel. TecumsehPower
Company recommends purchasing gasoline in
containers with a capacity of 2.5 gallons or less.
Small containers are easier to handle and help
eliminate spillage during refueling.
• DO NOT pour fuel from engine or siphon fuel by
mouth. To empty the fuel tank, see "I. Draining Fuel"
instructions on page 23.
C. Adult Supervision of Operation, Refueling
and Maintenance
The manufacturer of the equipment may provide
information about 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
responsibly operating, maintaining and/or fueling it.
TecumsehPower Company recommends the following:
• An adult should fuel this engine. NEVER allow
children to refuel this engine. See "C. Filling Fuel
Tank" instructions on page 6.
• An adult should perform maintenance on this
engine. See "VII. Maintenance" instructions on
page 13. Only allow children to perform mainte-
nance if an adult has determined they are
experienced and capable of such operation.
• An adult should start the engine. See "G. Avoid
Accidental Starts" instructions on page 2. Only
allow children to start the engine if an adult has
determined they are experienced and capable of
such operation.
• To avoid unsupervised operation of the engine,
especially by children, NEVER leave it unattended
when it is running. Remove ignition key, if equipped.
D. Stay Away from Rotating Parts
NEVER operate the engine with an unguarded engine shaft
or flywheel. See Figure 1 on page 2.
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
serious injury or death. To avoid
serious injury or death, be sure the
flywheel guard is in place. See Figure
1 on page 2.
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 TecumsehPower Servicing Dealer, call
1-800-558-5402, or go to www.TecumsehPower.com for
additional information.