Use and Care Manual

9Section 5 — operation
Engines With Electric
Starters
If you have a manual recoil starter,
see Engines with Recoil Starters
later in this section.
WARNING!
DO NOT pull the recoil starter handle while the
engine is running.
WARNING!
The electric starter is equipped with a 120V A.C.
Power Plug designed to operated with a grounded
extension cord and on 120V A.C. household
current. It must be properly grounded at all times
to avoid the possibility of injury or death from
electrical shock.
a. Determine if your house wiring has a Ground
Fault Interrupted (G.F.I.) Three-Wire Grounded
System; if you are not sure, ask a Licensed
Electrician.
b. If your house wiring does not have a G.F.I.
Three-Wire Grounded System, DO NOT USE
THIS ELECTRIC STARTER UNDER ANY CONDITION.
c. If your house wiring is grounded and a G.F.I.
three-Prong Wall Receptacle is not available
at the location where your starter will be
used, one must be installed by a Licensed
Electrician BEFORE USING THE ELECTRIC
STARTER!
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning,
be sure engine is outdoors in a well-
ventilated area.
2. Be sure fuel valve, if present (see
equipment Operator’s Manual
instructions) is open and all switches are
on.
3. Plug an extension cord into the electric
starter inlet located on the engine’s
surface. Plug the other end of extension
cord into a three-prong 120-volt,
grounded, AC outlet in a well-ventilated
area.
CAUTION
The extension cord can be any length, but must be
rated for 15 amps at 125 volts, grounded and rated
for outdoor use.
IMPORTANT: When connecting the
power cord, always connect the power
cord to the electric starter inlet on the
engine first; then into the outlet.
4. Insert on/off key and turn to the ON
position.
IMPORTANT: If the service light remains on
for more than 5 seconds or begins to flash or
both the ready light and service light remain
off disconnect the extension cord from the
engine and charge the battery (see Charging
the Battery in the Maintenance Section of this
manual). After charging the battery repeat
STEPS 1-4. If the service light comes on again
contact your Authorized MTD Service Dealer.
DO NOT attempt to troubleshoot this engine in
any other way.
5. Push the starter button to start the
engine.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT operate an electric
starter for more than 5 seconds during
each attempt.
6. Release the starter button.
7. Disconnect the extension cord form the
outlet.
8. Disconnect the extension cord form the
electric starter inlet on the engine.
IMPORTANT: If engine does not start after
following steps 1 through 8 or the service light
comes on, contact your Authorized MTD Service
Dealer. DO NOT attempt to troubleshoot this
engine in any other way.
9. Move the engine speed control to the
desired speed. See Selecting Engine
Speed/Power.
Engines with Recoil
Starters
If you have an electric starter,
see Engines with Electric
Starters earlier in this section.
WARNING!
DO NOT pull recoil starter rope with engine
running. Doing so may VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning,
be sure engine is outdoors in a well-
ventilated area.
2. Be sure fuel valve, if present (see
equipment Operator’s Manual
instructions) is open and all switches are
on.
3. Insert on/off key and turn to the ON
position.
IMPORTANT: If the service light remains on for
more than 5 seconds or begins to flash or both
the ready light and service light remain off
charge the battery (see Charging the Battery
in the Maintenance Section of this manual).
After charging the battery repeat STEPS 1-3.
If the service light comes on again contact
your Authorized MTD Service Dealer. DO NOT
attempt to troubleshoot this engine in any
other way.
4. Operate equipment control to release
engine brake or clutch, if equipped (see
equipment Operator’s Manual).
WARNING!
When pulling the recoil starter rope, the rope can
unexpectedly jerk back toward the engine causing
serious injury. To avoid this risk, carefully follow
these instructions:
5. Grasp the recoil starter cord handle.
• Pull rope out slowly until you feel
drag.
• Without allowing the rope to
retract, continue pulling the rope
with one rapid full arm stroke.
• Return the rope slowly to the
original position.
NOTE: Following the instructions listed in
the steps above avoids potential damage
to the recoil mechanism.
NOTE: If the recoil starter rope is frozen
and will not operate the engine, proceed
as follows:
• Pull as much rope out of the
starter as possible.
• Release the starer handle and let
it snap back against the starter
to break up ice; these two steps
should only be done when the
starter is frozen.
6. If the engine fails to start after 3 attempts
repeat steps 1 through 5 and try again.
7. Move the engine speed control to the
desired speed. See Selecting Engine
Speed/Power.
8. If engine does not start after following
steps 1 through 6 or the service light
comes on, contact your Authorized
MTD Service Dealer. DO NOT attempt
to troubleshoot this engine in any other
way.