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 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 outlet
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 switch box on the engine first;
then into the outlet.
4. Move engine speed control, if equipped,
in the “Fast” position.
5. If equipped, set the choke control to
“FULL CHOKE” position.
6. If equipped, Prime 3 - 5 times.
• Make sure you cover the vent hole
with your thumb.
• Hold the primer bulb in for one full
second each time you press it.
NOTE: DO NOT use the primer bulb
to restart a warm engine after a short
shutdown. Doing so will flood the
engine and may result in equipment
malfunction.
NOTE: If restarting a warm engine after a
short shutdown, move the engine speed
control (if equipped) the “FAST” position
and move the choke control to the “NO
CHOKE” position.
7. Push the starter button to start the
engine.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT operate an electric
starter for more than 5 seconds during
each attempt.
8. Release the starter button.
NOTE: If the engine fails to start after 3
attempts, repeat steps 6 through 7.
9. After the engine starts:
• Move the choke control to 1/2
“CHOKE” position until the engine
runs smoothly.
• Next, move the choke control to
the NO CHOKE position.
NOTE: If the engine starts but falters when the
choke control is moved to the “NO CHOKE”
position perform the following:
• Momentarily move choke control
back to “FULL CHOKE” position.
• Next, move the choke control to
“1/2 CHOKE” position until engine
runs smoothly.
• Finally, move the choke control to
the NO CHOKE position.
NOTE: If the engine stops with the choke control
in the “NO CHOKE” position, repeat steps 6-9 to
restart the engine.
NOTE: If the engine fails to start after 3 attempts
in the “NO CHOKE” position, move the choke
control to “FULL CHOKE” position and repeat
steps 6-9 to restart the engine.
10. Disconnect the extension cord form the
outlet.
11. Disconnect the extension cord form the
switch box on the engine.
IMPORTANT: If engine does not start after
following steps 1 through 11, contact your
Authorized MTD Service Dealer. DO NOT
attempt to troubleshoot this engine in any
other way.
Engines with Recoil
Starters
If you have an electric starter,
see Engines with Electric
Starters earlier in this section.
If you have an electric starter, see Engines with
Electric Starters earlier in this section.
WARNING!
DO NOT pull 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. Move the engine speed control, if
equipped, to the “FAST” position.
4. If equipped, set the choke control to
“FULL CHOKE” position.
5. Hold the primer bulb in for one full
second each time you press it.
• Make sure you cover the vent hole
with your thumb.
• Prime 3 - 5 times.
NOTE: DO NOT use the primer bulb
to restart a warm engine after a short
shutdown. Doing so will flood the
engine and may result in equipment
malfunction.
NOTE: If restarting a warm engine after a
short shutdown, move the engine speed
control (if equipped) the “FAST” position
and move the choke control to the “NO
CHOKE” position.
6. Operate equipment control to release
engine brake or clutch, if equipped (see
equipment Operator’s Manual).
WARNING!
When pulling the starter rope, the rope can
unexpectedly jerk back toward the engine causing
serious injury. To avoid this risk, carefully follow
these instructions:
7. Grasp the 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.