33
OFF-SEASON STORAGE
WARNING
Gasoline is a toxic substance. Dispose of gasoline properly. Contact
your local authorities for approved disposal methods.
3. Remove the spark plug and pour one (1) ounce of engine oil
through the spark plug hole into the cylinder. Crank the engine
several times to distribute the oil. Replace the spark plug.
4. Clean debris from around engine, under finger guard, and under,
around and behind muffler. Touch up any damaged paint, and
coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil.
5. Store in a clean, dry and well ventilated area away from any ap-
pliance that operates with a flame or pilot light, such as a furnace,
water heater, or clothes dryer. Also avoid any area with a spark
producing electric motor, or where power tools are operated.
6. If possible, also avoid storage areas with high humidity, because
that promotes rust and corrosion.
7. Keep the engine level in storage. Tilting can cause fuel or oil
leakage.
DRAINING THE FUEL
1. Locate the fuel filter, which is located on the left side of the
engine, and may be attached to the engine with a tie strap.
2. Cut the tie strap, if present, then pinch the in-line clamp on the
fuel filter with a pair of pliers, slide the clamp up the fuel line.
3. Pull the fuel line free from the filter and place the open end of the
line into an approved container to drain the fuel.
PREPARING THE LAWN TRACTOR
1. Clean and lubricate the unit thoroughly as described in the
Lubrication instructions in the Service and Maintenance section.
2. Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.
3. Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive
materials, such as fertilizer.
Removing From Storage
1. Check the oil level as described in the Assembly section of this
manual.
2. If the fuel was drained during storage preparation, fill the tank with
fresh gasoline. If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling,
make certain it contains only fresh fuel. Gasoline oxidizes and
deteriorates over time, causing hard starting.
3. If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine will smoke briefly at startup. This is normal.
WARNING
Never store lawn tractor with fuel in tank indoors or in poorly
ventilated areas where fuel fumes may reach an open flame, spark,
or pilot light as on a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, or gas
appliance.
PREPARING THE ENGINE
IMPORTANT
: Fuel left in the fuel tank during warm weather deterio-
rates and will cause serious starting problems.
CAUTION
Failure to use a fuel stabilizing additive or completely run the engine
until it’s out of fuel before off-season storage may result in damage to
your engine’s carburetor. Subsequent damage would
not
be covered
under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Engines stored between 30 and 90 days need to be treated with a
gasoline stabilizer and engines stored over 90 days need to be drained
of fuel to prevent deterioration and gum from forming in fuel system or
on essential carburetor parts. If the gasoline in your engine deterio-
rates during storage, you may need to have the carburetor, and other
fuel system components, serviced or replaced.
To prevent gum deposits from forming inside the engine’s carburetor
and causing possible malfunction of the engine, the fuel system must
be either completely emptied, or the gasoline must be treated with a
stabilizer to prevent deterioration.
1. If using a fuel stabilizer:
a. Read the product manufacturer’s instructions and recom-
mendations.
b. Add to clean, fresh gasoline the correct amount of stabilizer
for the capacity of the fuel system.
c. Fill the fuel tank with treated fuel and run the engine for 2-3
minutes to get stabilized fuel into the carburetor.
2. If emptying the fuel system:
a. Do not drain fuel when the engine is hot. Allow the engine
adequate time to cool. Drain fuel into an approved container
outdoors, away from open flame.
b. Drain any large volume of fuel from the tank by disconnect-
ing the fuel line from the in-line fuel filter near the engine.
See the complete instructions for Draining The Fuel later in
this section.
WARNING
Gasoline is extremely flammable and can be explosive under certain
conditions. Drain gasoline before storing the equipment for extended
periods. Drain fuel only into an approved container outdoors, away
from an open flame. Allow engine to cool. Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition prior to draining fuel.
Store gasoline in an approved container in safe location.
c. Reconnect the fuel line and run the engine until it starts to
falter, then use the choke to keep the engine running until all
fuel in the carburetor has been exhausted.
d. Disconnect the fuel line and drain any remaining gasoline
from the system.