Craftsman 917.3773 manual Storage, Lawn Mower, Handle See Fig, Engine OIL, Cylinder

STORAGE

immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more.

LAWN MOWER

When lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area.

*Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).

Lubricate as shown in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual.

Be sure that all nuts. bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear. Replace if necessary.

,Touch .up a{{ _usted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting,

HANDLE (See Fig. 18)

You can fold your lawn mower handle for storage.

°Squeeze the bottom ends of the lower handle toward each other until the lower handle clears the qandle bracket, then move qandle forward.

Loosen upper handle mounting bolts enough to allow upper handle to be folded back,

IMPORTANT: WHEN FOLDING THE HANDLE FOR

STORAGE OR TRANSPORTATION, BE SURE TO FOLD

THE HANDLE AS SHOWN OR YOU MAY DAMAGE THE

CONTROL CABLES.

°When setting up your handle from the storage position, the lower handle wilt automatically lock into the mowing position.

LOWER HANDLE

HANDLE

BRACKET

SQUEEZE TO

FOLD

HAIRPIN

COTTER

OPERATOR PRESENCE

CONTROLBAR

UPPER HANDLE

FOLD FORWARD

FOR STORAGE

FOLD BACKWARD

MOWING

POSITION

/

LOWER HANDLE

ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM

IMPORTANT: IT iS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM

DEPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL FUEL

SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS CARBURETOR, FUEL FILTER

FUEL HOSE. OR TANK DURING STORAGE. ALSO.

EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL BLENDED FUELS (CALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOL OR METHANOL) CAN ATTRACT MOISTURE WHICH LEADS TO SEPARATION AND FORMATION OF ACIDS DURING

STORAGE AC DtC GAS CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE.

=Drain the fuel tank,

=Start the eng ne and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty.

•Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

-Use fresh fuel next season.

NOTE: Fuel stabilizer _s an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during stor- age. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to al!ow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor, Do

not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuei stabilizer.

ENGINE OIL

Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean engine

oil. (See "ENGINE in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).

CYLINDER

•Remove spark plug.

-Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder.

-Pull starter handle slowly a few times to distribute oil.

-Replace with new spark plug.

OTHER

-Do not store gasoline from one season to another,

-Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems.

-If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt.

=Cover your unit with a suitable protective cover that does not retain moisture. Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe which allows condensation to form and

wilt cause your unit to rust.

IMPORTANT: NEVER COVER MOWER WHILE ENGINE AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE STILL WARM.

.......... _ , =

CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower

i_#_ with gas°line in the tank inside a build"

I _A ing where fumes may reach an open

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	ure.

F_G. 18 17