OWNER'S MANUAL
COMMAND
CH410, CH430, CH15, CH450
HORIZONTAL CRANKSHAFT
1
Safety Precautions
To ensure 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 can cause severe personal injury,
death, or substantial property damage if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
Caution is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that will or can cause minor personal injury
or property damage if the caution is ignored.
NOTE
Note is used to notify people of installation, operation, or maintenance information that is
important but not hazard-related.
For Y our Safety!
These precautions should be followed at all times. Failure to follow these precautions could result
in injury to yourself and others.
WARNING
Explosive Fuel can cause fires and
severe burns.
Do not fill the fuel tank while the
engine is hot or running.
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.
Electrical Shock!
Never touch electrical wires or
components while the engine is
running. They can be sources of
electrical shock.
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.
2
Safety Precautions (Cont.)
WARNING
Accidental Starts can cause severe
injury or death.
Disconnect and ground spark plug
lead before servicing.
Accidental St arts!
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
Carbon Monoxide can cause
severe nausea, fainting or death.
Avoid inhaling exhaust fumes, and
never run the engine in a closed
building 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.
WARNING
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.
To 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, single 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 dip stick and oil fill, oil filter, air cleaner,
spark plug, and carburetor) 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.
• 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 assist ance.
To keep your engine in top operating condition, follow the maintenance procedures in this manual.
3
Air
Cleaner
Choke
Lever
Oil Fill/Dipstick
Oil Fill/Dipstick
Muffler
Oil
Filter
Fuel
Throttle Lever
Oil
Drain
Plug
Figure 1. T ypical Command Horizont al Shaft Engine.
Retractable
Starter
Shut-Off
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 T ype
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
T ank
Electric
Starter
NOTE: Synthetic oils meeting the listed classifications
may be used with oil changes performed at
the recommended intervals. However to allow
piston rings to properly seat, a new or rebuilt
engine should be operated for at least 50
hours using standard petroleum based oil
before switching to synthetic oil.
A logo or symbol on oil cont ainers identifies the API
service class and SAE viscosity grade. See Figure 3.
Oil
Drain
Plug
**
*Use of synthetic oil having 5W-20 or 5W-30 rating is acceptable,
up to 4°C (40°F).
**Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold below
23°C (-10°F).
Figure 2. 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.
4
*
Figure 3. Oil Container Logo.
Refer to Maintenance Instructions beginning on
page 8 for detailed oil check, oil change, and oil
filter change procedures.
Fuel Recommendations
WARNING: 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.
General Recommendations
Purchase gasoline in small quantities and store in
clean, approved containers. A cont ainer 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 your fuel system and to
ensure easy starting.
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. Leaded gasoline may
be used in areas where unleaded is not available and
exhaust emissions are not regulated. Be aware
however, that the cylinder head will require more
frequent service.
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 including E20
and E85 are not to be used and not approved. Any
failures resulting from use of these fuels will not be
warranted.
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.
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
affixed to the engine shrouding. Include letter suffixes, if
there are any .
Record your engine identification numbers on the
identification label (Figure 4) for future reference.
Engines without fuel tank.
IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION
THIS ENGINE MEETS U.S. EPA PH2, EC ST AGE II (SN:4) AND
CA 2008 AND LA TER EXH EMISSION REGS FOR SI SORE
FAMILY
TYPE APP
DISPL. (CC)
MODEL NO.
SPEC. NO.
SERIAL NO.
BUILD DAT E
OEM PROD. NO.
EMISSION COMPLIANCE PERIOD:
EPA: CARB:
CERTIFIED ON:
REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR HP RA TING , SAFETY,
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
1-800-544-2444 kohlerengines.com
KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WISCONSIN USA
N11236
Engines with fuel tank supplied.
IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION
THIS ENGINE MEETS U.S. EP A PH2 AND EC ST AGE II (SN:4)
EMISSION REGS FOR SI SORE. NOT FOR SALE IN
CALIFORNIA UNLESS PREEMPT PER SEC. 209(e)(1) OF CAA
FAMILY
TYPE APP
DISPL. (CC)
MODEL NO.
SPEC. NO.
SERIAL NO.
BUILD DAT E
OEM PROD. NO.
EMISSION COMPLIANCE PERIOD:
EPA: CARB:
CERTIFIED ON:
REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR HP RA TING , SAFETY,
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
1-800-544-2444 kohlerengines.com
KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WISCONSIN USA
IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION
THIS ENGINE MEETS U.S. EPA PH2, EC ST AGE II (SN:4) AND
CA 2008 AND LA TER EXH/EVP EMISSION REGS FOR SI
SORE. EVP COMPLIANCE PER 13 CCR SEC. 2766(b)
FAMILY
TYPE APP
DISPL. (CC)
MODEL NO.
SPEC. NO.
SERIAL NO.
BUILD DAT E
OEM PROD. NO.
EMISSION COMPLIANCE PERIOD:
EPA: CARB:
CERTIFIED ON:
REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR HP RA TING ,
SAFETY , MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
1-800-544-2444 kohlerengines.com
KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WISCONSIN USA
N11236
N11236
Figure 4. Engine Identification Label.
5
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