Craftsman 917.258911 owner manual Storage, Fuel System, Engine OIL

STORAGE

Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or

more.

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gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame

or spark. Allow storetheenginetractor cool

i _ CAUTION: Neverwith before storing in any enclosure.

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TRACTOR

Remove mower from tractor for winter storage,, When

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

•Clean entire tractor (See "CLEANING" inthe Customer Responsibilities section of this manual),

•Inspect and replace belts, if necessary (See belt re- placement instructions in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual)_

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

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

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

BATTERY

•Fully charge the battery for storage,

•After a period of time in storage, battery may require recharging_

. To help prevent corrosion and power leakage during long periods of storage, battery cables should be d" sconnected and battery cleaned thoroughly (see _q"O CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS" in the Cus-

tomer Responsibilities section of this manual).

°After cleaning, leave cables disconnected and place cables where they cannot come in contact with battery terminals.

•Be sure battery drain tube is securely attached,

°If battery is removed from tractor for storage, do not store battery directly on concrete or damp surfaces°

ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM

IMPORTANT: IT IS iMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM

DEPOSITS FROM FORMING 1N 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 aIlow 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),

CYLINDERS

°Remove spark plug(s),,

°Pour one ounce of oil through spark plug hole(s) into cylinder(s),

=Turn ignition key to"START" positionfor a few seconds to distribute clio

°Replace with new spark plug(s)_

OTHER

•Do not store gasotine from one season to another,

•Replace your gasoline car] if your can starts to rusL Rust andtor dirt in your gasoline will cause problem&

=If possible, store your tractor indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt,

•Cover your tractor 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 tractor to rusL

IMPORTANT: NEVER COVER TRACTOR WHILE ENGINE

AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE STILL WARM.

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