To ensure safe operation 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.
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.
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.
2
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.
WARNINGWARNING
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.
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 twin cam, overhead valve design with full pressure lubrication, provides maximum power,
torque, and reliability under all operating conditions.
• Dependable, maintenance free electronic ignition ensures fast, easy starts time after time.
• A reciprocating balance system ensures smooth running and low vibration.
• Kohler engines are easy to service. All routine service areas (like the dipstick and oil fill, air cleaner, and
carburetor) are easily and quickly accessible.
• Parts subject to the most wear and tear (like the cylinder liner) are made from precision formulated cast
iron for longer life.
• 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.
3
Blower Housing
Air Cleaner
Figure 1. Typical COURAGE® Series Vertical Shaft Engine.
Oil Drain Plug
Oil Fill/Dipstick
Main Control
Bracket
Oil Filter
Electric Starter
Blower Housing
Carburetor
Engine Identification Label
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.
**
*
*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.
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 containers identifies the API
service class and SAE viscosity grade. See Figure 3.
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 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
ensure easy starting.
4
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 heads may 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.
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 engine.
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.
IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION
THIS ENGINE MEETS U.S. EPA AND CA 2005
AND LATER AND EC STAGE II (SN:4) EMISSION
REGS FOR SI SMALL OFF–ROAD ENGINES
FAMILY
TYPE APP
DISPL. (CC)
MODEL NO.
N11236
SPEC. NO.
SERIAL NO.
BUILD DATE
OEM PROD. NO.
EMISSION COMPLIANCE PERIOD:
EPA:CARB:
CERTIFIED ON:
REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR HP RATING,
SAFETY, MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
1-800-544-2444 www.kohlerengines.com
KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WISCONSIN USA
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 Federal and 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)
EPA
CARB
Category C
250 Hours
Moderate
125 Hours
Category B
500 Hours
Intermediate
250 Hours
Category A
1000 Hours
Extended
500 Hours
Refer to certification label for engine displacement.
Record your engine identification numbers on the
identification label (Figure 4) for future reference.
Exhaust Emission Control System for models SV470,
SV480, SV530, SV540, SV590, SV600, SV610is EM.