Regular Maintenance

Storage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING

Temporary Storage (30 Days Or Less)

 

 

 

Never store the unit, with gasoline in engine or

Remember, the fuel tank will still contain some gasoline, so

 

fuel tank, in a heated shelter or in enclosed, poorly

never store the unit indoors or in any other area where fuel

 

ventilated enclosures. Gasoline fumes may reach an

vapor could travel to any ignition source. Fuel vapor is also

 

open flame, spark or pilot light (such as a furnace,

toxic if inhaled, so never store the unit in any structure used

water heater, clothes dryer, etc.) and cause an

for human or animal habitation.

 

 

 

explosion.

Here is a checklist of things to do when storing your unit

 

Handle gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable and

 

careless use could result in serious fire damage to

temporarily or in between uses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

your person or property.

•

Keep the unit in an area away from where children

 

 

Drain fuel into an approved container outdoors away

 

may come into contact with it. If there’s any chance of

 

 

 

from open flame or sparks.

 

unauthorized use, remove the spark plug (s) and put in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a safe place. Be sure the spark plug opening is protected

10. Drain fuel system completely or add a gasoline stabilizer

 

from foreign objects with a suitable cover.

 

 

 

 

to the fuel system. If you have chosen to use a fuel

•

If the unit can’t be stored on a reasonable level surface,

 

 

 

 

stabilizer and have not drained the fuel system, follow

 

chock the wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

all safety instructions and storage precautions in this

•

Clean all grass and dirt from the mower.

 

 

 

 

manual to prevent the possibility of fire from the ignition

Long Term Storage (Longer Than 30 Days)

 

 

of gasoline fumes. Remember, gasoline fumes can travel

 

 

to distant sources of ignition and ignite, causing risk of

Before you store your unit for the off-season, read the

 

 

 

 

explosion and fire.

Maintenance and Storage instructions in the Safety Rules

 

 

 

NOTE: Gasoline, if permitted to stand unused for

section, then perform the following steps:

 

 

 

 

extended per ds (30 days or more), may develop

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Drain crankcase oil while engine is hot and refill with a

 

gummy depos s wh ch can adversely affect the

 

grade of oil that will be required when unit is used again.

engine arbure or and cause engine malfunction. To

2.

Prepare the mower deck for storage as foll ws:

 

avoid this ondition, add a gasoline stabilizer to the

 

 

 

 

 

for

 

a.

Remove mower deck from the unit.

 

 

f el tank and run the engine a few minutes, or drain

 

 

 

all f el from the unit before placing it in storage.

 

b.

Clean underside of mower deck.

 

 

 

Starting After Long Term Storage

 

c.

Coat all bare metal surfaces with paint or light coat f

 

 

 

Bef

re starting the unit after it has been stored for a long

 

 

oil to prevent rusting.

 

Not

 

 

 

 

 

period of time, perform the following steps.

3. Clean external surfaces and engine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Prepare engine for storage. See engine owner’s

 

1.

Remove any blocks from under the unit.

 

manual.

 

 

 

2.

Install the battery if it was removed.

5.

Clean any dirt or grass from cylinder h ad cooling fins,

 

3.

Unplug the exhaust outlet and air cleaner.

 

engine housing and air cleaner element.

 

4. Fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline. See engine

6.

Cover air cleaner and exhaust outlet tightly with plastic

 

 

 

manual for recommendations.

 

or other waterproof material to keep out moisture, dirt

 

5. See engine owner’s manual and follow all instructions

 

and insects.

Reproduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for preparing engine after storage.

7.Completely grease and oil unit as outlined in the Normal Care section.

8.Clean up unit and apply paint or rust preventative to any areas where paint is chipped or damaged.

9.Be sure the battery is filled to the proper level with water and is fully charged. Battery life will be increased if it

is removed, put in a cool, dry place and fully charged about once a month. If battery is left in unit, disconnect the negative cable.

6.Check crankcase oil level and add proper oil if necessary. If any condensation has developed during storage, drain crankcase oil and refill.

7.Inflate tires to proper pressure. Check fluid levels.

8.Start the engine and let it run slowly. DO NOT run at high speed immediately after starting. Be sure to run engine only outdoors or in well ventilated area.

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