Caution, Important, Operation – EarthQuake 12802 User Manual
Page 10

Operator's Manual
MC440 4-Cycle Cultivator
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10
OPERATION
PREPARING ENGINE FOR STARTING
GAS AND OIL
NOTE: Engine is shipped from factory without oil. You must add
engine oil before starting engine. If engine is started without oil,
engine may be damaged beyond repair and will not be covered
by warranty.
Quality
To operate the engine, we recommend using “VIPER” brand
4-cycle oil (13235), included with each new MC440, or an equiv-
alent SAE 30 engine oil to ensure that the engine operates cor-
rectly throughout the life of the engine. Use straight unleaded
premium gasoline, low/no ethanol blends recommended.
Filling Fuel Tank
1. Shut-off engine and allow engine to completely cool before
refilling the fuel tank.
2. Move to a well ventilated area, outdoors, away from flames
and sparks.
3. Clean debris from area around the fuel cap.
4. Loosen fuel cap slowly. Prevent the cap from coming in
contact with dirt or debris.
5. Carefully add fuel without spilling.
6. Do not fill gas tank completely full, allow space for fuel to
expand.
7. Immediately replace fuel cap and tighten. Wipe off spilled
fuel and allow to dry before starting engine.
Checking and Adding Oil
Be sure the engine is located on a level surface before checking or
refilling oil. Proper position for checking oil level or refilling oil is
face down, with the gas tank of the MC440 down on a horizontal
surface. SEE FIGURE 3
1. Clean around oil fill area.
2. Unscrew dipstick and wipe clean with cloth.
3. Reinsert dipstick (must be fully threaded for accurate reading).
4. Unscrew and check dipstick. If no oil shows on the dipstick,
refill to the top thread of the oil fill hole.
5. Change oil if contaminated.
CAUTION
ENGINE IS SHIPPED FROM FACTORY WITHOUT OIL. YOU
MUST ADD ENGINE OIL BEFORE STARTING ENGINE.
IF ENGINE IS STARTED WITHOUT OIL, ENGINE MAY BE
DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND WILL NOT BE COVERED
BY WARRANTY.
NEVER STORE ENGINE WITH FUEL IN THE TANK INDOORS.
FUEL AND FUEL VAPORS ARE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.
AN ADULT ONLY MUST ALWAYS HANDLE AND FILL
THE ENGINE WITH FUEL.
ALWAYS HANDLE GAS IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA,
OUTDOORS, AWAY FROM FLAMES OR SPARKS.
DO NOT START ENGINE IF FUEL IS SPILLED. WIPE OFF
EXCESS FUEL AND ALLOW TO DRY. REMOVE ENGINE
FROM AREA TO AVOID SPARKS.
IMPORTANT
DO NOT SPRAY WATER ON OR NEAR THE ELECTRON-
ICS OF THE CULTIVATOR AS THIS MAY RESULT IN DAM-
AGE TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
oil dipstick
FIGURE 3
oil drain
screw
MC440 Tipped Forward on Level, Horizontal Surface
OPERATION TIPS
1. The clutch will transfer maximum power after about two
hours of normal operation. During this break-in period clutch
slippage may occur. The clutch should be kept free of oil and
other moisture for efficient operation.
2. Cultivate without placing excessive body weight on the unit.
The MC440 operates most efficiently with the weight of the
unit itself.
3. Never run engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are deadly.