Kohler CH6 User Manual
COMMAND 6 HP
HORIZONTAL CRANKSHAFT
OWNER'S MANUAL
1
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 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 Your 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.
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.
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Safety Precautions (Cont.)
WARNING
Accidental Starts can cause severe
injury or death.
Disconnect and ground spark plug
lead 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
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.
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 enginemaking a Kohler engine dependabledependability you
can count on. Here are some reasons why:
Efficient overhead valve design and splash 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 oil fill/check plug, air cleaner, spark
plug, and carburetor) are easily and quickly accessible.
Parts subject to the most wear and tear (like the cylinder liner, crankshaft, 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 assistance.
To keep your engine in top operating condition, follow the maintenance procedures in this manual.
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Exhaust Pipe
Cooling Air Outlet
Muffler Shield
Fuel Tank Cap
3 U.S. Quart Capacity
Fuel Tank
Start-Stop
Switch (Optional)
Oil SentryTM Light
Spark Plug
Valve Cover
Choke Lever
Carburetor
Air Cleaner Cover
Oil Drain Plug
Retractable Starter Handle
Figure 1. Location of Controls and Service Points on C6.
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 Shut-Off Valve
Control Panel
Throttle Lever
Cooling Air Intake
Retractable Starter
Housing
Air Cleaner Retaining Knob
Oil Drain & Oil Fill/Check
Plug on Opposite Side
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 3.
**
*
*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 2. Viscosity Grades Table.
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.
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 below (Figure 4) for future reference.
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 your fuel system and to
insure 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 are not
approved.
IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION
THIS ENGINE MEETS U.S. EPA PHASE 1 AND
CALIFORNIA 2006 AND LATER EMISSION
CONTROL REGULATIONS FOR SI SORE*
FAMILY
DISPL. (CC)
MODEL NO.
SPEC. NO.
SERIAL NO.
EMISSION COMPLIANCE PERIOD:
EPA: CARB:
THIS ENGINE IS CERTIFIED TO OPERATE
ON:
REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR SAFETY,
MAINTENANCE SPECS AND ADJUSTMENTS.
FOR SALES/SERVICE IN US/CANADA, CALL:
KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WISCONSIN USA
1-800-544-2444
www.kohlerengines.com
*Small Off-Road Engines
Figure 4. Engine Identification Label.
The Emission Compliance Period referred to on the
Emission Control or Air Index label indicates the
number of operating hours for which the engine has
been shown to meet CARB emission requirements. The
following table provides the Engine Compliance Period
(in hours) associated with the category descriptor found
on the certification label.
Emission Compliance Period (Hours)
CARB
Moderate
125 hours
Intermediate
250 hours
Extended
500 hours
Gasoline/Ether blends
Methyl Tertiary 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 certification label for engine displacement.
Exhaust Emission Control System for model CH6 is EM.
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