This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential
personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that
follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.
Addresses practices not related to personal injury.
SAFETYOPERATIONMAINTENANCESETUP
SymbolProperty or Statement
RPM
HP
Revolutions Per Minute
Horsepower
WARNING marking concerning
Risk of Eye Injury. Wear ANSI-approved
safety goggles with side shields.
Read the manual before
set-up and/or use.
WARNING marking concerning
Risk of Hearing Loss.
Wear hearing protection.
Safety Warnings
WARNING! Read all instructions.
Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in fire, serious injury and/or DEATH.
The warnings and precautions discussed in this manual cannot cover all possible conditions and
situations that may occur. It must be understood by the operator that common sense and caution
are factors which cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.
SymbolProperty or Statement
WARNING marking concerning
Risk of Respiratory Injury.
Operate engine OUTSIDE and far away
from windows, doors, and vents.
WARNING marking concerning
Risk of Fire while handling fuel.
Do not smoke while handling fuel.
WARNING marking concerning
Risk of Fire.
Do not refuel while operating.
Keep flammable objects
away from engine.
1. Gasoline fuel and fumes are flammable, and
potentially explosive. Use proper fuel storage
and handling procedures. Do not store fuel
SAFETYOPERATIONMAINTENANCESETUP
or other flammable materials nearby.
2. Have multiple ABC class fire extinguishers nearby.
3. Operation of this equipment may create sparks
that can start fires around dry vegetation. A spark
arrestor may be required. The operator should
contact local fire agencies for laws or regulations
relating to fire prevention requirements.
Operating Precautions
1. CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD
Using an engine indoors CAN KILL
YOU IN MINUTES.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide. This is a poison you cannot
see or smell.
NEVER use inside a home or garage,
EVEN IF doors and windows are open.
Only use OUTSIDE and far away from windows,
doors, and vents.
2. Keep children away from the equipment,
especially while it is operating.
3. Keep all spectators at least six feet
from the Engine during operation.
4. Fire Hazard! Do not fill gas tank while engine is
running. Do not operate if gasoline has been spilled.
Clean spilled gasoline before starting engine.
Do not operate near pilot light or open flame.
5. Do not touch engine during use. Let
engine cool down after use.
6. Never store fuel or other flammable
materials near the engine.
7. Only use a suitable means of transport and
lifting devices with sufficient weight bearing
capacity when transporting the Engine.
8. Secure the Engine on transport vehicles to
prevent the tool from rolling, slipping, and tilting.
9. Industrial applications must follow
OSHA requirements.
4. Set up and use only on a flat, level,
well-ventilated surface.
5. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles, heavy-duty
work gloves, and dust mask/respirator during set up.
6. Use only lubricants and fuel recommended
in the Specifications chart of this manual.
10. Do not leave the equipment unattended when it is
running. Turn off the equipment (and remove safety
keys, if available) before leaving the work area.
11. Engine can produce high noise levels.
Prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85
dBA is hazardous to hearing. Always wear
ear protection when operating or working
around the gas engine while it is operating.
12. Wear ANSI-approved safety glasses, hearing
protection, and NIOSH-approved dust mask/
respirator under a full face shield along
with steel-toed work boots during use.
13. People with pacemakers should consult their
physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic fields in
close proximity to a heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure.
Caution is necessary when near the
engine’s magneto or recoil starter.
14. Use only accessories that are recommended
by Harbor Freight Tools for your model.
Accessories that may be suitable for one
piece of equipment may become hazardous
when used on another piece of equipment.
15. Do not operate in explosive atmospheres,
such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases, or dust. Gasoline-powered
engines may ignite the dust or fumes.
16. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and
use common sense when operating this
piece of equipment. Do not use this piece
of equipment while tired or under the
influence of drugs, alcohol or medication.
17. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and
balance at all times. This enables better control
of the equipment in unexpected situations.
18. Use this equipment with both hands
only. Using equipment with only one hand
can easily result in loss of control.
19. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or
jewelry. Keep hair, clothing and gloves away
from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or
long hair can be caught in moving parts.
20. Parts, especially exhaust system components,
get very hot during use. Stay clear of hot parts.
21. Do not cover the engine or
equipment during operation.
22. Keep the equipment, engine, and
surrounding area clean at all times.
23. Use the equipment, accessories, etc., in
accordance with these instructions and in the
manner intended for the particular type of
equipment, taking into account the working
conditions and the work to be performed. Use of
the equipment for operations different from those
intended could result in a hazardous situation.
24. Do not operate the equipment with known
leaks in the engine’s fuel system.
25. This product contains or, when used, produces a
chemical known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
(California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
Service Precautions
1. Before service, maintenance, or cleaning:
a. Turn the engine switch to its “OFF” position.
b. Allow the engine to completely cool.
c. Then, remove the spark plug
cap from the spark plug.
2. Keep all safety guards in place and in
proper working order. Safety guards include
muffler, air cleaner, mechanical guards,
and heat shields, among other guards.
3. Do not alter or adjust any part of the
equipment or its engine that is sealed by the
manufacturer or distributor. Only a qualified
service technician may adjust parts that may
increase or decrease governed engine speed.
4. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles,
heavy-duty work gloves, and dust
mask/respirator during service.
5. Maintain labels and nameplates on the equipment.
These carry important information.
If unreadable or missing, contact
Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.
26. When spills of fuel or oil occur, they must be
cleaned up immediately. Dispose of fluids and
cleaning materials as per any local, state, or
federal codes and regulations. Store oil rags in
a bottom-ventilated, covered, metal container.
27. Keep hands and feet away from moving parts. Do
not reach over or across equipment while operating.
28. Before use, check for misalignment or binding of
moving parts, breakage of parts, and any other
condition that may affect the equipment’s operation.
If damaged, have the equipment serviced
before using. Many accidents are caused
by poorly maintained equipment.
29. Use the correct equipment for the application.
Do not modify the equipment and do not use the
equipment for a purpose for which it is not intended.
6. Have the equipment serviced by a qualified repair
person using only identical replacement parts.
This will ensure that the safety of the equipment
is maintained. Do not attempt any service or
maintenance procedures not explained in this
manual or any procedures that you are uncertain
about your ability to perform safely or correctly.
7. Store equipment out of the reach of children.
8. Follow scheduled engine and
equipment maintenance.
Refueling:
1. Do not smoke, or allow sparks, flames,
or other sources of ignition around the
equipment, especially when refuelling.
2. Do not refill the fuel tank while the
engine is running or hot.
3. Do not fill fuel tank to the top. Leave a little
room for the fuel to expand as needed.
4. Refuel in a well-ventilated area only.
5. Wipe up any spilled fuel and allow excess
to evaporate before starting engine.
To prevent FIRE, do not start the engine
while the smell of fuel hangs in the air.
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual
including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.
SAFETYOPERATIONMAINTENANCESETUP
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:
Operate only with proper spark arrestor installed.
Operation of this equipment may create sparks that can start fires around dry vegetation.
A spark arrestor may be required.
The operator should contact local fire agencies for laws or
regulations relating to fire prevention requirements.
The emission control system for this Generator’s Engine is warranted for standards set by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and by the California Air Resources Board (also
known as CARB). For warranty information, refer to the last pages of this manual.
At high altitudes, the engine’s carburetor, governor (if so equipped), and any other parts that control
the fuel-air ratio will need to be adjusted by a qualified mechanic to allow efficient high-altitude
use and to prevent damage to the engine and any other devices used with this product.
The fuel system on this engine may be influenced by operation at higher altitudes.
Proper operation can be ensured by installing an altitude kit at altitudes higher than 3000 ft. above sea level.
At elevations above 8000 ft, the engine may experience decreased performance, even with the proper main jet.
Operating this engine without the proper altitude kit installed may increase the engine’s emissions and
decrease fuel economy and performance. The kit should be installed by a qualified mechanic.
WARNING!TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM FIRE:
Follow kit procedures in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources.
If the engine is hot from use, shut the engine off and wait for it to cool before proceeding. Do not smoke.
NOTICE Warranty void if necessary adjustments are not made for high altitude use.
High Altitude Kit Installation Instructions
SAFETYOPERATIONMAINTENANCESETUP
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Close the fuel valve.
3. Place a bowl under the fuel cup to catch any spilled fuel.
4. Unthread the bolt holding the fuel cup.
CAUTION! Carburetor bowl may have gas in it
which will leak upon removing the bolt.
5. Remove the bolt, bolt seal, fuel cup, fuel cup seal and main jet
from the body of the carburetor assembly. A carburetor screwdriver
(not included) is needed to remove and install the Main Jet.
Note: The mixing tube is held in place by the main jet and
might fall out when it is removed. If it falls out, replace it in
the same orientation before replacing the main jet.
6. Replace the main jet with the replacement jet
needed for your altitude range (part 1 or 2).
Note: The Fuel cup seal and bolt seal may be damaged during
removal and should be replaced with the new ones from the kit.
7. Replace the Fuel Cup Seal
(4), fuel cup, Bolt Seal (3) and bolt. Tighten in place.
CAUTION: Do not cross thread Bolt when tightening. Finger tighten first and
then use a wrench to make sure the Bolt is properly threaded.
8. Wipe up any spilled fuel and allow excess to evaporate before starting engine.
To prevent FIRE, do not start the engine while the smell of fuel hangs in the air.
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual
including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.
SAFETYOPERATIONMAINTENANCESETUP
Pre-Start Checks
Inspect engine and equipment looking for damaged, loose, and missing parts before set up
and starting. If any problems are found, do not use equipment until fixed properly.
Checking and Filling Engine Oil
NOTICE: Your Warranty is VOID if the engine’s
crankcase is not properly filled with oil before
each use. Before each use, check the oil level.
Do not run the engine with low or no engine oil.
Running the engine with no or low engine oil
WILL permanently damage the engine.
1. Make sure the engine is stopped and is level.
2. Close the Fuel Valve.
3. Clean the top of the Dipstick and the
area around it. Remove the Dipstick
by threading it counterclockwise, and
wipe it off with a clean lint free rag.
Full level
4.
Reinsert the Dipstick without threading it in and
remove it to check the oil level. The oil level
should be up to the full level as shown above.
5. If the oil level is at or below the low mark add the
appropriate type of oil until the oil level is at the
proper level. SAE 10W-30 oil is recommended
for general use. (The SAE Viscosity Grade chart
on page 13 in the Service section shows other
viscosities to use in different average temperatures.)
6. Thread the dipstick back in clockwise.
NOTICE: Do not run the engine with too little oil.
The engine will be permanently damaged.