Neverstoregardentractorwithfuel intankindoorsor in poorly ventilatedareaswherefuel fumesmayreachan openflame,spark, or pilot lightas ona furnace,waterheater,clothesdryer,or gas appliance.

PREPARING THE ENGINE

IMPORTANT:Fuelleft in the fueltankduringwarmweatherdeterio- ratesandwill causeseriousstartingproblems.

Topreventgum depositsfromforminginsidetheengine'scarburetor andcausingpossiblemalfunctionof the engine,the fuel systemmust beeithercompletelyemptied,or thegasolinemustbetreatedwitha stabilizerto preventdeterioration.

If usingafuel stabilizer:

a.Readthe productmanufacturer'sinstructionsand recom- mendations.

b.Addto clean,freshgasolinethe correctamountof stabilizer for thecapacityof the fuel system.

c.Fill thefuel tankwithtreatedfueland runtheenginefor 2-3 minutesto get stabilizedfuel intothe carburetor.

If emptyingthefuel system:

a.Do notdrainfuel whentheengineis hot. Allowtheengine adequatetimeto cool. Drainfuel intoan approvedcontainer outdoors,awayfromopenflame.

b.Drainany largevolumeof fuelfromthe tankby disconnect- ingthe fuel linefromthe in-linefuelfilterneartheengine. SeeToDrainthe Fuelonpage28.

Gasolineis extremelyflammableandcan beexplosiveundercertain conditions.Draingasolinebeforestoringtheequipmentfor extended periods.Drainfuelonly intoan approvedcontaineroutdoors,away fromanopenflame.Allowengineto cool. Extinguishcigarettes, cigars,pipes,andother sourcesof ignitionpriorto drainingfuel. Storegasolinein anapprovedcontainerin safelocation.

c.Reconnectthe fuellineand runtheengineuntilit startsto

falter,then usethe choketo keepthe enginerunninguntilall fuelin the carburetorhasbeenexhausted.

d.Disconnectthe fuel lineanddrainany remaininggasoline fromthe system.

Gasolineis a toxicsubstance.Disposeof gasolineproperly.Contact yourlocal authoritiesfor approveddisposalmethods.

Removethesparkplugandpourone(1)ounceof engineoilthrough the sparkplugholeintothe cylinder.Crankthe engineseveraltimesto distributetheoil. Replacethe sparkplug.

PREPARING THE GARDEN TRACTOR

Cleanandlubricatetractorthoroughlyas describedin the lubricationinstructions.

Do notuse a pressurewasheror gardenhoseto cleanyour unit.

Storemowerina dry,cleanarea.Do not storenextto corrosivematerials,suchas fertilizer.

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Craftsman PGT9000, 247.28984 manual Preparing the Engine, Preparing the Garden Tractor