Operation
Fuel Recommendations
Fuel must meet these requirements:
• Clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline.
• A minimum of 87 octane/87 AKI (91 RON). High
altitude use, see below.
• Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasahol) is
acceptable.
NOTICE: Do not use unapproved gasolines, such as
E15 and E85. Do not mix oil in gasoline or modify the
engine to run on alternate fuels. Use of unapproved
fuels will damage the engine components and void
the engine warranty.
To protect the fuel system from gum formation, mix a
fuel stabilizer into the fuel. See Storage. All fuel is not
the same. If starting or performance problems occur,
change fuel providers or change brands. This engine is
certified to operate on gasoline. The emissions control
system for this engine is EM (Engine Modifications).
High Altitude
At altitudes over 5,000 feet (1524 meters), a minimum
85 octane/85 AKI (89 RON) gasoline is acceptable.
To remain emissions compliant, high altitude adjust-
ment is required. Operation without this adjustment will
cause decreased performance, increased fuel con-
sumption, and increased emissions. See an authorized
Briggs & Stratton Dealer for high altitude adjustment
information.
Operation of the engine at altitudes below 2,500 feet
(762 meters) with the high altitude adjustment is not
recommended.
Starting the Mower
WARNING
POISONOUS GAS HAZARD. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, a poisonous gas that could kill you in minutes. You
CANNOT see it, smell it, or taste it. Even if you do not smell
exhaust fumes, you could still be exposed to carbon monox-
ide gas. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using this
product, shut it off and get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. See a
doctor. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Operate this product ONLY outside far away from windows, doors and
vents to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide gas from accumulating and
potentially being drawn towards occupied spaces.
• Install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms or plug-in carbon
monoxide alarms with battery back-up according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Smoke alarms cannot detect carbon monoxide gas.
• DO NOT run this product inside homes, garages, basements, crawlspac-
es, sheds, or other partially-enclosed spaces even if using fans or open-
ing doors and windows for ventilation. Carbon monoxide can quickly
build up in these spaces and can linger for hours, even after this product
has shut off.
• ALWAYS place this product downwind and point the engine exhaust
away from occupied spaces.
12
The engine on your mower is equipped with the Briggs
& Stratton Ready Start
TM
temperature-controlled automatic choke. No additional
steps are required to start a cold engine.
1. Move the engine speed control (A, Figure 3, if
equipped) to the fast ('Rabbit') position.
2. Squeeze the blade control (B) against the handle.
3. Start the mower:
Manual Start Models: Pull the rope start handle
(C) to crank the engine.
Electric Start Models: Insert the key (D) into the
electric start switch. Turn the key to crank the
engine. Use short starting cycles, five seconds
maximum, and wait 1 minute between starting
cycles.
4. To stop the engine (and blade), release the blade
control.
5. After the engine starts, allow a brief warm-up until
the engine runs smooth before beginning mower
operation.
A
C
Figure 3: Starting the mower
Propelling the Mower
1. Start the mower.
2. Move the ground speed control (A, Figure 4) to
the desired speed position.
3. Squeeze the wheel drive control (B) against the
handle to engage the wheel drive and propel the
mower forward. Forward speed can be adjusted
while the mower is moving by changing the posi-
tion of the ground speed control.
System. This features a
D
www.snapper.com
B