Sears 917.373981 Storage, Other, Fuel System, Engine OIL, Exhaust Areas are Still Warm

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 securelyfastened. Inspect movingparfsfordamage, breakage and wear. Replace if necessary.

•Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting.

HANDLE (See Fig. 19)

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 handle bracket, then move handle 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 upyour handle from the storage position, the lower handle will automatically lock into the mow- ing position.

LOWER HANDLE

BRACKET

SQUEEZE TO FOLD

HAIRPIN

COTTER

OPERATOR PRESENCE

CONTROL eAR

UPPER HANDLE _ _7/.._//_'_"_

FoRFOLDFORWARDsToRAGE /_,_,.--" _f_

_YJ

_'_"'_'_ h" "_

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

•Drain the fuel tank.

•Start the engine 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 is 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 allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do

not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel 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 will cause your unit to rust.

IMPORTANT: NEVER COVER MOWER WHILE ENGINE

AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE STILL WARM.

CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a build-

ing where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

LOWER HANDLE

FIG. 19 17