STORAGE
STORAGE PREPARATION
Proper storage .preparation is essential for keeping your lawn mower
trouble free and looking good. The following steps will help to keep
rust and corrosion from impairing your mower’s function and
appearance, and will make the engine easier to start when you use
the mower again.
Cleaning
Clean all surfaces of the mower, including the underside of the mower
deck. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from the blade and
disconnect the spark plug cap.
Before cleaning the underside of the mower deck, be sure the throttle
lever is in the STOP position to shut off the fuel valve. Rest the
mower on its right side, so the carburetor side is up. This will help to
prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor flooding.
1. If the mower has been running, allow the engine to cool for at least
half an hour before spraying water on it. Never spray water on a
hot engine. Cooling the engine too quickly can cause damage.
2. Wash the mower with a garden hose or other low pressure
equipment.
3. Try to keep water away from controls, cable ends, wheel hubs,
transmission and all other places that are difficult to dry if water
enters as water may promote rust.
4. After washing, set the mower in an upright position again, remove
as much standing water as possible with a dry cloth, start the
engine outdoors, and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature to evaporate any water remaining on the engine.
5. With the engine running, operate the blade control lever 4 or 5 times to
expel water from the blade control mechanism. Allow the blade to spin
for several minutes to ensure that no water remains.
6. Stop the engine, and allow it to cool.
7. If equipped with a grass bag, wash the grass bag with a garden hose
and allow it to dry completely.
8. After the mower is clean and dry, coat metal areas that may rust
with a light film of oil. Lubricate all control cable cores with a
silicone spray lubricant.
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