OWNER'S MANUAL COMMAND SERIES CH18-26, CH730-745 HORIZONTAL CRANKSHAFT
Safety Precautions To ensure safe operations please read the following statements and understand their meaning. Also refer to your equipment owner's manual for other important safety information. This manual contains safety precautions which are explained below. Please read carefully. WARNING Warning is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that can cause severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage if the warning is ignored.
Safety Precautions (Cont.) WARNING WARNING WARNING Accidental Starts can cause severe injury or death. Carbon Monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting or death. Explosive Gas can cause fires and severe acid burns. Disconnect and ground spark plug leads before servicing. Do not operate engine in closed or confined area. Charge battery only in a well ventilated area. Keep sources of ignition away. Accidental Starts! Disabling engine. Accidental starting can cause severe injury or death.
Air Cleaner Dipstick Oil Fill Fuel Pump Oil Filter Oil Cooler Electric Starter Rectifier-Regulator Side Oil Drain Plugs Figure 1. Typical Command Horizontal Shaft Carbureted Engine. Throttle Body Intake Manifold Ignition Coil Fuel Injectors Ignition Coil Oil Filter Oil Cooler Rectifier-Regulator Figure 2. Typical Command Horizontal Shaft EFI Engine.
Oil Recommendations Using the proper type and weight of oil in the crankcase is extremely important. So is checking oil daily and changing oil regularly. Failure to use the correct oil, or using dirty oil, causes premature engine wear and failure. Oil Type Use high quality detergent oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SG, SH, SJ or higher. Select the viscosity based on the air temperature at the time of operation as shown in the following table.
Engine Identification Numbers Model Designation When ordering parts, or in any communication involving an engine, always give the Model, Specification, and Serial Numbers of the engine. Model CH20S for example: C designates Command engine, H designates horizontal crankshaft, and 20 designates horsepower. Some model numbers (CH730) use a numerical designation rather than horsepower.
Starting 1. Place the throttle control midway between the ‘‘slow’’ and ‘‘fast’’ positions. Place the choke control (non-EFI engines only) into the ‘‘on’’ position. See Figure 6. Figure 6. Optional Engine Mounted Throttle and Choke Controls (CH18-25,CH730,740). 2. Start the engine by activating the key switch. Release the switch as soon as the engine starts. EFI Engines Only – Initial Starting or After Running out of Fuel (Dry System) a. Turn the key switch to the “on” position for one minute.
Refer to the operating instructions of the equipment this engine powers. Because of equipment design or application, there may be more stringent restrictions regarding the angle of operation. NOTE: Do not operate this engine continuously at angles exceeding 25° in any direction. Engine damage could result from insufficient lubrication. Cooling NOTE: If debris builds up on the grass screen or other cooling air intake areas, stop the engine immediately and clean.
Change Oil and Filter, Service Oil Cooler Check Oil Level The importance of checking and maintaining the proper oil level in the crankcase cannot be overemphasized. Check oil BEFORE EACH USE as follows: 1. Make sure the engine is stopped, level, and is cool so the oil has had time to drain into the sump. 2. To keep dirt, debris, etc., out of the engine, clean the area around the dipstick before removing it. 3. Remove the dipstick; wipe oil off.
Service Oil Cooler Some engines are equipped with an oil cooler. One style of oil cooler mounts on the engine crankcase and has the oil filter on it (See Figure 8). The other style of oil cooler is mounted on the blower housing (See Figure 9), separate from the oil filter. Inspect and clean the oil cooler every 100 hours of operation (more frequently under severe conditions). Oil cooler must be kept free of debris. Oil Filter Oil Drain Plug Oil Cooler Figure 9.
Check the air cleaner daily or before starting the engine. Check for a buildup of dirt and debris around the air cleaner system. Keep this area clean. Also check for loose or damaged components. Replace all bent or damaged air cleaner components. NOTE: Operating the engine with loose or damaged air cleaner components could allow unfiltered air into the engine causing premature wear and failure.
Main Element Clean Air Intake/Cooling Areas To ensure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times. Inner Element Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing* and other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling shrouds are reinstalled.
3. Check the gap using a wire feeler gauge. Adjust the gap to 0.76 mm (0.030 in.) by carefully bending the ground electrode. See Figure 14. Wire Gauge Fuel Filter Carbureted Engines: Most engines are equipped with an in-line fuel filter. Periodically inspect the filter and replace with a genuine Kohler filter every 200 operating hours. EFI Engines: A special, high volume, high pressure filter with greater filtration capabilities and internal surface area is used. See Figure 15.
2. Low Idle Speed Setting: Place the throttle control into the “idle” or “slow” position. Set the low idle speed to 1200 RPM* (± 75 RPM) by turning the low idle speed adjusting screw in or out. Check the speed using a tachometer. Low Idle Speed Adj. Screw Low Idle Fuel Adj. Needle & Spring Fixed Main Jet (under optional solenoid) Figure 16. Carburetor (CH18-25,CH730,740). *NOTE: The actual low idle speed depends on the application – refer to equipment manufacturers recommendations.
• Make sure the proper fuel filter is being used, and it is clean and unobstructed. Replace filter only with genuine Kohler parts. If adjustment is to be made, the engine must be at operating temperature, air cleaner in place, and check engine light must be off (no fault codes present). • Make sure all connections to sensors, ECU, and fuel injectors are properly secured. 1. Start the engine and run at half throttle for 5 to 10 minutes to warm up.
Storage If the engine will be out of service for two months or more, use the following storage procedure: 1. Clean the exterior surfaces of the engine. On EFI engines, avoid spraying water at the wiring harness or any of the electrical components. 2. Change the oil and filter while the engine is still warm from operation. See “Change Oil and Oil Filter” on page 9. 3. The fuel system must be completely emptied, or the gasoline must be treated with a stabilizer to prevent deterioration.
LIMITED 2 YEAR COMMAND ENGINE WARRANTY Kohler Co. warrants to the original consumer that each new COMMAND engine sold by Kohler Co. will be free from manufacturing defects in materials or workmanship in normal service for a period of two (2) years from date of purchase, provided it is operated and maintained in accordance with Kohler Co.’s instructions and manuals. Our obligation under this warranty is expressly limited, at our option, to the replacement or repair at Kohler Co.
(c) For warranty repairs, the engine must be presented to a Kohler Co. service center as soon as a problem exists. Call 1-800-544-2444 or access our website at: www.kohlerengines.com, for the names of the nearest service centers. The warranty repairs should be completed in a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 30 days. If you have any questions regarding warranty rights and responsibilities, you should contact Kohler Co. at 1-920-457-4441 and ask for an Engine Service representative.
FORM NO.: 24 590 01 ISSUED: 11/04 REVISED: 1/05 MAILED: LITHO IN U.S.A. FOR SALES AND SERVICE INFORMATION IN U.S. AND CANADA, CALL 1-800-544-2444 ENGINE DIVISION, KOHLER CO.
