Tecumseh Products TM049 Operator Manual - Page 3

I. General Safety Precautions ! WARNING Read equipment manufacturer's manual and this material thoroughly before using this engine. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death. Call Tecumseh Power Company at 1-800-558-5402 or visit www.TecumsehPower.com if you have any questions. 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 cap or add fuel when engine is running. • NEVER start or operate the engine with 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. Tecumseh 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 fuel tank see "I. Draining Fuel" instructions on page 12. C. Adult Supervision of Operation, Refueling and Maintenance The manufacturer of the application 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. Tecumseh recommends the following: • An adult should fuel this engine. NEVER allow children to refuel this engine. See "B. Filling Fuel Tank" instructions on page 5. • An adult should perform maintenance on this engine. See "VII. Maintenance" instructions on page 8. Only allow children to perform maintenance 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. 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 serious injury or death. To avoid serious injury or death, be sure the flywheel guard is in place. 181-1277-14 Two-Cycle Engine • Horizontal/Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled Page 1