Kohler 18-26, CH18, CH20, CH22, CH25 Owner's Manual

...

OMMAND

ORIZONTAL

18-26

RANKSHAFT

WNER'S

ANUAL

Safety Precautions

To insure safe operations please read the following statements and understand their meaning. Also refer to your equipment owner's manual for other important safety information. This manual contains safety precautions which are explained below. Please read carefully.

WARNING

Warning is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that death, or substantial property damage if the warning is ignored.

CAUTION

Caution is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that or property damage if the warning is ignored.

NOTE

Note is used to notify people of installation, operation, or maintenance information that is important but not hazard-related.

For Your Safety!

These precautions should be followed at all times. Failure to follow these precautions could result in injury to yourself and others.

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personal injury

WARNING

Explosive Fuel can cause fires and severe burns.

Stop engine before filling fuel tank.

Explosive Fuel!

Gasoline is extremely flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited. Store gasoline only in approved containers, in well ventilated, unoccupied buildings, away from sparks or flames. Do not fill the fuel tank while the engine is hot or running, since spilled fuel could ignite if it comes in contact with hot parts or sparks from ignition. Do not start the engine near spilled fuel. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent.

WARNING

Rotating Parts can cause severe injury.

Stay away while engine is in operation.

Rotating Parts!

Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from all moving parts to prevent injury. Never operate the engine with covers, shrouds, or guards removed.

CAUTION

Electrical Shock can cause injury.

Do not touch wires while engine is running.

WARNING

Hot Parts can cause severe burns.

Do not touch engine while operating or just after stopping.

Hot Parts!

Engine components can get extremely hot from operation. To prevent severe burns, do not touch these areas while the engine is running–or immediately after it is turned off. Never operate the engine with heat shields or guards removed.

California

Proposition 65 Warning

Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Electrical Shock!

Never touch electrical wires or components while the engine is running. They can be sources of electrical shock.

Safety Precautions (Cont.)

WARNING

Accidental Starts can cause severe injury or death.

Disconnect and ground spark plug leads before servicing.

Accidental Starts!

Disabling engine. Accidental starting can cause severe injury or death. Before working on the engine

or equipment, disable the engine as follows: 1) Disconnect the spark plug lead(s). 2) Disconnect negative (-) battery cable from battery .

WARNING WARNING

Carbon Monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting or death.

Do not operate engine in closed or confined area.

Lethal Exhaust Gases!

Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and can cause death if inhaled. Avoid inhaling exhaust fumes, and never run the engine in a closed building or confined area.

Explosive Gas can cause fires and severe acid burns.

Charge battery only in a well ventilated area. Keep sources of ignition away.

Explosive Gas!

Batteries produce explosive hydrogen gas while being charged. T o prevent a fire or explosion, charge batteries only in well ventilated areas. Keep sparks, open flames, and other sources of ignition away from the battery at all times. Keep batteries out of the reach of children. Remove all jewelry when servicing batteries.

Before disconnecting the negative (–) ground cable, make sure all switches are OFF. If ON, a spark will occur at the ground cable terminal which could cause an explosion if hydrogen gas or gasoline vapors are present.

Congratulations – You have selected a fine four-cycle, twin cylinder, air-cooled engine. Kohler designs long life strength and on-the-job durability into each engine...making a Kohler engine dependable...dependability you can count on. Here are some reasons why:

• Efficient overhead valve design and full pressure lubrication provide maximum power , torque, and reliability under all operating conditions.

• Dependable, maintenance free electronic ignition ensures fast, easy starts time after time.

• Kohler engines are easy to service. All routine service areas like the dipstick, oil fill, air cleaner, and spark plugs are easily and quickly accessible.

• Parts subject to the most wear and tear (like the cylinder liner* and camshaft) are made from precision formulated cast iron. Because the cylinder liner* can be rebored, these engines can last even longer.

*CH25/26 engines have POWER-BORE™ Cylinders. These cylinders are plated with nickel-silicon to give increased power, virtually permanent cylinder life, superior oil control, and reduced exhaust emissions. These cylinders cannot be rebored.

• Every Kohler engine is backed by a worldwide network of over 10,000 distributors and dealers. Service support is just a phone call away . Call 1-800-544-2444 (U.S. & Canada) for Sales & Service assistance.

To keep your engine in top operating condition, follow the maintenance procedures in this manual.

Dipstick

Oil Fill

Fuel Pump

Oil Filter

Electric Starter

Oil Cooler

Rectifier-Regulator

Side Oil Drain Plugs

Figure 1. Typical Command Horizontal Shaft Engine (CH18-25).

Air Cleaner

Ignition Coil

Oil Filter

Throttle Body Intake Manifold

Ignition Coil

Fuel Injectors

Oil Cooler

Rectifier-Regulator

Figure 2. CH26 Command Horizontal Shaft Engine.

Oil Recommendations

Using the proper type and weight of oil in the crankcase is extremely important. So is checking oil daily and changing oil regularly. Failure to use the correct oil, or using dirty oil, causes premature engine wear and failure.

Oil Type

Use high quality detergent oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SG, SH, SJ or higher. Select the viscosity based on the air

temperature at the time of operation as shown in the following table.

Fuel Recommendations

WARNING: Exp losive Fuel!

General Recommendations

Purchase gasoline in small quantities and store in clean, approved containers. A container with a capacity of 2 gallons or less with a pouring spout is recommended. Such a container is easier to handle and helps eliminate spillage during refueling.

Do not use gasoline left over from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in fuel system and to insure easy starting.

*Use of synthetic oil having 5W-20 or 5W-30 rating is acceptable, up to 40°F. **Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold (below -10°F).

Figure 3. Viscosity Grades Table.

NOTE: Using other than service class SG, SH, SJ or

higher oil or extending oil change intervals longer than recommended can cause engine damage.

A logo or symbol on oil containers identifies the API service class and SAE viscosity grade. See Figure 4.

Figure 4. Oil Container Logo.

Do not add oil to the gasoline. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Leave room for the fuel to

expand.

Fuel Type

For best results use only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher . In countries using the Research method, it should be 90 octane minimum.

Unleaded gasoline is recommended as it leaves less combustion chamber deposits and reduces harmful exhaust emissions. Leaded gasoline is not recommended and must not be used on CH26 engines.

Gasoline/Alcohol blends

Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by volume) is approved as a fuel for Kohler engines. Other gasoline/alcohol blends are not approved.

Gasoline/Ether blends

Methyl T ertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gasoline blends (up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved as a fuel for Kohler engines. Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved.

Refer to “Maintenance Instructions” beginning on page 8 for detailed oil check, oil change, and oil filter change procedures.

Engine Identification Numbers

When ordering parts, or in any communication involving an engine, always give the Model, Specification, and Serial Numbers of the engine.

The engine identification numbers appear on a decal (or decals) affixed to the engine shrouding. Include letter suffixes, if there are any .

Operating Instructions

Also read the operating instructions of the equipment this engine powers.

Pre-Start Checklist

• Check oil level. Add oil if low . Do not overfill.

• Check fuel level. Add fuel if low.

Record your engine identification numbers on the identification label below (Figure 5) for future reference.

MODEL NO. SPEC. NO. DISPL (CC) SERIAL NO.

REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR SAFETY , MAINTENANCE SPECS AND ADJUSTMENTS. FOR SALES AND SERVICE IN US/CANADA CALL:

1-800-544-2444

KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WI USA

IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMA TION THIS ENGINE MEETS U.S. EPA PHASE 1 AND 1995-1999 CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL

REGULATIONS FOR SORE*

FAMIL Y MODEL NO. SPEC. NO. DISPL (CC) SERIAL NO.

REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR SAFETY , MAINTENANCE SPECS AND ADJUSTMENTS. FOR SALES AND SERVICE IN US/CANADA CALL:

1-800-544-2444

KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WI USA

• Check cooling air intake areas and external surfaces of engine. Make sure they are clean and unobstructed.

• Check that the air cleaner components and all shrouds, equipment covers, and guards are in place and securely fastened.

• Check that any clutches or transmissions are disengaged or placed in neutral. This is especially important on equipment with hydrostatic drive. The shift lever must be exactly in neutral to prevent resistance which could keep the engine from starting.

WARNING: Lethal Exhaust Gases!

Cold Weather Starting Hints

1. Be sure to use the proper oil for the temperature expected. See Figure 3 on page 5.

2. Disengage all possible external loads.

3. Set speed control at part throttle position.

4. Be sure the battery is in good condition. A warm battery has much more starting capacity than a cold battery.

If your engine has this identification label, it is certified to meet EP A/CARB standards.

*Small Off-Road Engines

Figure 5. Engine Identification Labels.

5. Use fresh winter grade fuel. NOTE: Winter grade gasoline has a higher volatility to improve starting. Do not use gasoline left over from summer .

Starting

CH18-26 Engines:

1. Place the throttle control midway between the ‘‘slow’’ and ‘‘fast’’ positions. Place the choke

control (CH18-25 engines only) into the ‘‘on’’ position. See Figure 6.

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