Operator’s Manual Model 290000 Vanguard Model 350000 Vanguard Model 300000 Vanguard Model 380000 Vanguard BRIGGSandSTRATTON.com ECopyright Briggs & Stratton Corporation Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201 U.S.A. Form No. 277107-3/07 Printed in U.S.A.
Safety References The safety alert symbol is used to identify safety information about hazards that can result in personal injury. A signal word (DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION) is used with the alert symbol to indicate the likelihood and the potential severity of injury. In addition, a hazard symbol may be used to represent the type of hazard. DANGER indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Features 1. Air Cleaner 9. Rotating Screen 2. Carburetor or LPG / NG Fuel Mixer 10. Emission Label 3. Rewind Starter (if equipped) 5. Oil Filter (if equipped) 11. Engine Identification Model XXXXXX Type XXXXXX Code XXXXXXXX 6. Spark Plug Wire 12. Fuel Pump 7. Oil Drain Plug 13. Exhaust Manifold 8. Oil Fill/Dipstick 14. 12V Electric Starter (if equipped) 4.
Safety WARNING WARNING Gaseous fuels, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas (NG), are extremely flammable and can readily form explosive air-vapor mixtures at moderate temperatures. Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death. WHEN ADDING FUEL • Turn engine OFF and let engine cool at least 2 minutes before removing gas cap. • Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated area. • Do not overfill fuel tank.
WARNING Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result. • When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt, then pull rapidly. • Direct coupled equipment components such as, but not limited to, blades, impellers, pulleys, sprockets, etc., must be securely attached. WARNING Rotating parts can contact or entangle hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories.
Before Starting Oil Oil Capacity Checking and Adding Oil Engine holds approximately 1-1/2 quarts (48 ounces or 1.4 liters) when changing oil and filter. Oil Recommendation • Check oil level before starting the engine. • Keep oil level at FULL. Do not overfill. • Check level daily, or after every eight (8) hours. • Use a high quality detergent oil classified “For Service SF, SG, SH, SJ” or higher. Briggs & Stratton strongly recommends the use of synthetic oil.
Before Starting Fuel Gasoline Powered Engines • Use clean, fresh, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 85 octane. Fresh fuel prevents gum from forming in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. Purchase fuel in quantity that can be used within 30 days. • For engine protection use Briggs & Stratton Gasoline Additive available from your Authorized Briggs & Stratton Dealer. • Do not use gasoline which contains Methanol. • Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Starting Oil Pressure Switch If engine is equipped with oil pressure switch, the switch will either activate a warning device or stop the engine when the engine runs low on oil. (Read the operating instructions supplied by equipment manufacturer to determine how your engine is equipped.) Before Starting - Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) / Natural Gas (NG) Engines The LPG/NG mixer is equipped with solenoid, fuel inlet, 12 volt connector, and equipped for a fuel lock-off valve.
Stopping 1. REWIND (MANUAL) STARTER: Move throttle control (if equipped) to SLOW and then STOP position. 2. ELECTRIC (KEY) STARTER: Move throttle lever (if equipped) to SLOW. WARNING • Do not stop engine by moving choke control to CHOKE. Backfire, fire or engine damage could occur. 3. ELECTRIC (KEY) STARTER: Turn key to OFF. Remove key and store out of reach of children. 4. Push rocker switch (if equipped) to STOP. STOP RUN 5. Close fuel shut-off valve (if equipped).
Troubleshooting Starter Handle will Not Pull • Place equipment on flat level surface. • Remove all external equipment/engine loads before starting engine. • Direct coupled equipment components such as, but not limited to, blades, impellers, pulleys, sprockets, etc., must be securely attached. WARNING Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
WARNING Maintenance Unintentional sparking can result in fire or electric shock. Regular maintenance will improve the performance and extend the life of the engine. See any Authorized Briggs & Stratton Dealer for service. Use only genuine Briggs & Stratton parts. Other parts may not perform as well, may damage the engine, and may result in injury. In addition, use of other parts may void your warranty. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
Changing Oil WARNING Change oil after first 5 to 8 hours of use, then every 100 hours. Change oil every 50 hours when operating the engine under heavy load or in high temperatures. • Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from spark plug. Changing Oil Filter (if equipped) 1. Place engine level. Change oil filter after every 100 hours or every season. 2. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from spark plug. Disconnect battery (if equipped with electric starter) at negative terminal. 3.
Air Cleaner Pre-cleaner All engines have a round air cleaner cartridge. In addition, some engines have a pre-cleaner. To clean pre-cleaner (if equipped), separate it from cartridge and wash in liquid detergent and water. Squeeze dry in a clean cloth. Dual element air cleaner BODY ÎÎÎÎ ÎÎÎÎ PLATE KNOB CARTRIDGE FOAM PRE-CLEANER COVER FASTENERS Removing and Installing Air Cleaner 1. Unhook clips on both sides of cover and remove cover. 2. Remove knob and plate.
Cleaning Debris Daily or before every use, clean accumulated debris from engine. Keep linkage, springs and controls clean. Keep area behind and around muffler free of any combustible debris. Rotating Screen CLEAN Î Finger Guard WARNING • Engine parts should be kept clean to reduce the risk of overheating and ignition of accumulated debris. Linkage, Springs and Controls ÎÎ Î ÎÎ Muffler and Spark Arrester CLEAN CLEAN SPARK ARRESTER CAUTION Do not use water to clean engine parts.
Specifications We recommend that you use an authorized Briggs & Stratton Service Dealer for all maintenance and service of the engine and engine parts. Use only genuine Briggs & Stratton parts. In the state of California, Model 290000, 300000, 350000 and 380000 engines are certified by the California Air Resources Board to meet emissions standards for 250 hours.
Storage 1. Engines stored over 30 days need to be protected or drained of fuel to prevent gum from forming in fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. • If fuel tank contains oxygenated or reformulated gasoline (gasoline blended with an alcohol or an ether), run engine until it stops from lack of fuel. • If fuel tank contains gasoline, either run engine until it stops from lack of fuel, or add a gasoline additive to the gas in tank. 2. While engine is still warm, change oil. 3.
Warranty Information Briggs & Stratton Corporation (B&S), the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Emissions Control System Warranty Statement (Owner’s Defect Warranty Rights and Obligations) The California Air Resources Board (CARB), U.S. EPA and B&S are pleased to explain the Emissions Control System Warranty on your small off-road engine (SORE).
ABOUT YOUR ENGINE WARRANTY Briggs & Stratton welcomes warranty repair and apologizes to you for being inconvenienced. Any Authorized Service Dealer may perform warranty repairs. Most warranty repairs are handled routinely, but sometimes requests for warranty service may not be appropriate. For example, warranty would not apply if engine damage occurred because of misuse, lack of routine maintenance, shipping, handling, warehousing or improper installation.
BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE OWNER WARRANTY POLICY Effective 12/06 LIMITED WARRANTY Briggs & Stratton Corporation will repair or replace, free of charge, any part(s) of the engine that is defective in material or workmanship or both. Transportation charges on parts submitted for repair or replacement under this warranty must be borne by purchaser. This warranty is effective for and is subject to the time periods and conditions stated below.
