TC/TM SERIES 2-Cycle Engines - Small Engine Suppliers

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INFORMATIONI. General Safety Precautions! WARNINGRead the original equipment manufacturer’s manual(s)and this handbook thoroughly before servicingTecumseh engines.Always follow recommended service procedures.Such procedures affect the safe operation of theequipment and the safety of you and/or the operator.Failure to follow the instructions and warnings mayresult in serious injury or death. Call Tecumseh PowerCompany at 1-800-558-5402 or visit www.Tecumseh-Power.com if you have any questions.A. Use Personal Protective EquipmentTo avoid injury, wear protectiveequipment including appropriateclothing, eyewear, safety shoes andear plugs when servicing Tecumsehproducts.B. Stay Away from RotatingPartsRotating parts can cause severeinjury or death. Use special carewhen making service adjustmentswith covers or guards removed.Keep tools, hands, feet, hair, jewelry,and clothing away from all movingparts. Replace covers and guardsbefore operating equipment.C. Stay Away from Hot SurfacesParts of equipment being servicedbecome extremely hot during operationand remain hot after the equipment hasstopped. To avoid severe burns, stayaway from hot surfaces or allow the unitto cool prior to service.D. Avoid Accidental Equipment MovementTo prevent accidental movement of equipment, alwaysset the parking brake. For gear-driven products that donot have a parking brake, leave equipment in gear andchock the wheels. Refer to original equipment operatormanuals for additional information.Pulley bosses that hold the rewind spring inside thekeeper and spring housing may not be secured and canbe easily loosened. Use special care when handling thishousing. Failure to do so could cause spring to “fly out”which could result in minor or moderate injury.Always discard gaskets, O-rings and seals after removal.Use only new gaskets, O-rings and seals for assembly.Failure to do so could result in leakage from engine areasthat use these parts.E. Always Provide Adequate VentilationTo avoid serious injury or death,always ensure that you are working ina properly ventilated facility. Specialprecautions are required to avoid carbonmonoxide poisoning.All engine exhaust contains carbonmonoxide, a deadly gas. Breathingcarbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness,drowsiness, nausea, confusion and eventually death.Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gaswhich may be present even if you do not see or smell anyengine exhaust.Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can collect rapidly andyou can quickly be overcome and unable to save yourself.Also, deadly levels of carbon monoxide can lingerfor hours or days in enclosed or poorly-ventilated areas.If you experience any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning,leave the area immediately, get fresh air, andSEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT.To prevent serious injury or death from carbon monoxide:• ALWAYS direct engine exhaust outdoors.• NEVER run engine outdoors where engineexhaust can be drawn into a building throughopenings such as windows and doors.F. Use Proper Methods When CleaningTo reduce the risk of serious injury ordeath from fires and/or explosions,NEVER use flammable solvents (e.g.,gasoline) to clean serviceable parts. Use awater-based, non-flammable solvent suchas Tecumseh Degreaser Cleaner.G. Compressed Air PrecautionsNever use compressed air to clean debris from yourselfor your clothing. When using compressed air to clean ordry serviceable parts:• Wear appropriate eye protection.• Use only approved air blow nozzles.• Air pressure must not exceed 30psi (206kPa).• Shield yourself and bystanders from flying debris.H. Inspect and Adjust Brake(s)Always inspect and adjust flywheel brake componentswhenever servicing equipment that has a Tecumsehengine. Refer to this Technician’s Handbook and bulletinsfor proper brake adjustment.1