Owner’s Manual & Safety Instructions Save This Manual Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures. Write the product’s serial number in the back of the manual near the assembly diagram (or month and year of purchase if product has no number). Keep this manual and the receipt in a safe and dry place for future reference. 173cc Vertical Engine Using an engine indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES.
Table of Contents Specifications.............................................. 2 Maintenance............................................... 12 Safety.......................................................... 3 Warranties.................................................. 17 Set Up......................................................... 8 Parts Lists and Diagrams........................... 19 SAFETY Operation.....................................................
WARNING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death. SAFETY Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
Set up Precautions SAFETY 1. Gasoline fuel and fumes are flammable, and potentially explosive. Use proper fuel storage and handling procedures. Do not store fuel or other flammable materials nearby. 4. Set up and use only on a flat, level, well‑ventilated surface. 2. Have multiple ABC class fire extinguishers nearby. 6. Use only lubricants and fuel recommended in the Specifications chart of this manual. 3. Operation of this equipment may create sparks that can start fires around dry vegetation.
14. Use only accessories that are recommended by Harbor Freight Tools for your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one piece of equipment may become hazardous when used on another piece of equipment. 15. Do not operate in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Gasoline-powered engines may ignite the dust or fumes. 16. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating this piece of equipment.
Service Precautions 1. Before service, maintenance, or cleaning: a. Release the brake handle, stopping the engine. b. Allow the engine to completely cool. SAFETY c. Then, remove the spark plug cap from the spark plug. 2. Keep all safety guards in place and in proper working order. Safety guards include muffler, air cleaner, mechanical guards, and heat shields, among other guards. 3. Do not alter or adjust any part of the equipment or its engine that is sealed by the manufacturer or distributor.
Engine Components SAFETY Fuel Cap Starter Handle Dipstick SETUP Priming Bulb Air Filter Brake Arm OPERATION Muffler XXXXXXXXXX MAINTENANCE Throttle Serial Number Location (Write on front cover of manual.) Vertical Engine For technical questions, please call 1-800-520-0882.
Set Up Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product. SAFETY TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY: Operate only with proper spark arrestor installed. Operation of this equipment may create sparks that can start fires around dry vegetation. A spark arrestor may be required. The operator should contact local fire agencies for laws or regulations relating to fire prevention requirements.
Operation Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product. SAFETY Pre-Start Checks Inspect engine and equipment looking for damaged, loose, and missing parts before set up and starting. If any problems are found, do not use equipment until fixed properly.
Starting the Engine Before Starting the Engine: SAFETY a. Follow the Set Up Instructions in the equipment manual to prepare the equipment. b. Inspect the equipment and engine. c. Fill the engine with the proper amount and type of both fuel and oil. d. Read the Equipment Operation section in the equipment manual. e. Move the mower to a location that is flat, level, and free from loose objects (such as rocks or sticks). The mower may be difficult to start on grass. SETUP 1.
Note: Do not let the Starter Handle snap back against the engine. Hold it as it recoils so it doesn't hit the engine. 5. Allow the Engine to run for several seconds. Then, the Mower’s Throttle control can be adjusted as desired for operation. SAFETY 4. Grip the Starter Handle of the Engine loosely and pull it gently until resistance is felt. Allow Cable to retract fully and then pull it quickly. Repeat until the engine starts.
Maintenance WARNING SAFETY TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM ACCIDENTAL STARTING: Release the brake handle, wait for the engine to cool, and disconnect the spark plug cap before performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures. TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM EQUIPMENT FAILURE: Do not use damaged equipment. If abnormal noise, vibration, or excess smoking occurs, have the problem corrected before further use. Follow all service instructions in this manual.
Checking and Filling Fuel SAFETY WARNING! TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM FIRE: Fill the fuel tank in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources. If the engine is hot from use, shut the engine off and wait for it to cool before adding fuel. Do not smoke. 1. Clean the Fuel Cap and the area around it. Full level 3. If needed, fill the Fuel Tank to about 1 inch under the fill neck of the Fuel Tank with 87 octane or higher unleaded gasoline.
3. Inspect the spark plug: If the electrode is oily, clean it using a clean, dry rag. If the electrode has deposits on it, polish it using emery paper. If the white insulator is cracked or chipped, the spark plug needs to be replaced. SAFETY Recommended Spark Plugs Brand NGK® NHSP® / TORCH® DENSO® CHAMPION® Plug BP-6ES/BPR6ES F7TC/F7RTC W16EPR-U/W16EP-U RN9YC4 NOTICE: Using an incorrect spark plug may damage the engine. 5. Install the new spark plug or the cleaned spark plug into the engine.
Troubleshooting MOWER ENGINE SPECIFIC: 1. Make sure brake handle is held down and brake cable is properly adjusted. 2. Start mower atop clear area free of loose objects and grass. FUEL RELATED: 1. No fuel in tank. 2. Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline. 3. Carburetor not primed. FUEL RELATED: 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline. 3. Press priming bulb before starting cold engine. 4. Clean out passageways using fuel additive. Heavy deposits may require further cleaning. 5.
Problem Engine stops suddenly Possible Causes 1. Low oil shutdown. SAFETY 2. Fuel tank empty or full of impure or low quality gasoline. 3. Defective fuel tank cap creating vacuum, preventing proper fuel flow. 4. Faulty magneto. 5. Disconnected or improperly connected spark plug cap. Probable Solutions 1. Fill engine oil to proper level. Check engine oil before EVERY use. 2. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline. 3. Test/replace fuel tank cap. 4.
Warranties To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement.
Manufacturer’s Warranty Coverage 4. Warranty claims shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of the HFT warranty policy explained in the box at the top of the previous page. HFT shall not be liable for any loss of use of the engine, for any alternative usage, for any damage to goods, loss of time, or inconvenience.
Parts Lists and Diagrams Mounting Hole Diagram SAFETY A-A 2:1 Note: Not to scale. A SETUP 0.98 in. / 25mm 3/8 in. x 24 1.1 in. / 28mm 6*Ø0.35 in. / 9mm Ø0.24 in. / 6mm Ø8 in. / 203mm OPERATION 3.27 in. / 83mm A Ø1 in. / 25.4mm Ø0.24 in. / 6mm Ø0.34 in. / 8.7mm 3.94 in. / 100mm 3.85 in. / 97.7mm REV 11f Vertical Engine For technical questions, please call 1-800-520-0882. Page 19 MAINTENANCE Ø0.34 in. / 8.
68122 Parts List SAFETY SETUP OPERATION MAINTENANCE Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 Page 20 Description Cover, Cylinder Head Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Head Asm., Cylinder Gasket, Cylinder Head Bolt Plug, Spark Bolt, Cylinder Head Bracket, Muffler Shield Bolt Stud Pin Crankcase Asm. Shield, Crankcase Side Dipstick Asm.
68122 Assembly Diagram 69 69 SAFETY 69 67 68 70 70 111 10 5 71 66 10 6 110 87 89 88 18 98 97 88 91 90 95 99 96 10 0 10 4 93 10 1 10 2 10 1 10 3 94 92 112 26 49 96 34 28 2930 32 31 45 SETUP 96 34 27 12 46 86 22 23 24 33 25 14 47 87 19 15 17 16 15 13 85 20 20 21 116 113 11 4 8 11 55 6 1 7 5 10 3 5 5 54 72 73 53 74 54 75 76 74 57 56 57 118 119 115 63 65 62 63 43 62 35 59 36 56 78 37 80 39 40 36 82 38 83 84 79 44 77 41 42 42 Vertica
68123 Parts List SAFETY SETUP OPERATION Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 MAINTENANCE 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Page 22 Description Cover, Cylinder Head Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Head Asm., Cylinder Gasket, Cylinder Head Bolt Plug, Spark Bolt, Cylinder Head Bracket, Muffler Shield Bolt Stud Pin Crankcase Asm. Shield, Crankcase Side Dipstick Asm.
SAFETY 68123 Assembly Diagram 67 67 67 65 66 68 68 94 10 0 69 64 95 99 SETUP 98 20 20 21 19 15 16 15 13 86 18 92 45 87 85 43 10 1 10 5 47 87 8 11 53 6 1 7 5 53 10 3 5 54 70 71 51 72 52 73 74 72 55 10 8 10 4 61 63 60 61 41 60 33 57 34 54 76 35 37 38 34 78 80 36 81 82 77 42 75 39 40 40 Vertical Engine 10 7 10 3 56 57 59 51 7 2 52 55 10 6 10 9 49 46 58 47 10 50 62 9 7 7 10 2 48 11 4 5 91 28 29 30 32 31 12 26 5 88 89 90 44 84
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • (800) 520-0882 www.harborfreight.