17
ENGLISH
STORAGE
Proper storage is essential for keeping your lawnmower troublefree
and looking good. The following steps will help protect the mower
from rust and corrosion, and make the engine easier to start when you
use the lawnmower again.
Cleaning
1. Wash the lawnmower, including the underside of the mower deck.
Engine
Wash the engine by hand, and be careful to prevent water from
entering the air cleaner.
NOTICE
Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force
water into the air cleaner. Water in the air cleaner will soak the
filters and can enter the carburetor or engine cylinder, causing
damage.
Water contacting a hot engine can cause damage. If the engine
has been running, allow it to cool for at least a half hour before
washing.
Mower Deck
If using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment to clean the
mower deck, be careful to avoid getting water into controls and
cables, or anywhere near the engine air cleaner or muffler
opening.
Before washing the underside of the mower deck, be sure the
throttle lever is in the STOP position and the fuel valve is in the
OFF position. Tilt the mower to the right so the fuel cap is up. This
will help to prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor
flooding. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from the cutting
means.
Grass Catcher
Remove the catcher from the mower, and wash it with a garden
hose or pressure washing equipment. Allow the catcher to dry
completely before storage.
2. After washing the lawnmower, wipe dry all accessible surfaces.
3. With the mower in an upright position, start the engine outdoors,
and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature to
evaporate any water remaining on the engine.
4. Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
5. After the lawnmower is clean and dry, touch up any damaged
paint, and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil.
Fuel
NOTICE
Depending on the region where you operate your equipment, fuel
formulations may deteriorate and oxidize rapidly. Fuel deterioration
and oxidation can occur in as little as 30 days and may cause damage
to the carburetor and/or fuel system. Please check with your servicing
dealer for local storage recommendations.
Petrol will oxidize and deteriorate in storage. Old petrol will cause
hard starting, and it leaves gum deposits that clog the fuel system. If
the petrol in your mower deteriorates during storage, you may need to
have the carburetor and other fuel system components serviced or
replaced.
The length of time that petrol can be left in your fuel tank and
carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with such
factors as blend, your storage temperatures, and whether the fuel
tank is partially or completely filled. The air in a partially filled fuel tank
promotes fuel deterioration. Very warm storage temperatures
accelerate fuel deterioration. Fuel deterioration problems may occur
within a few months, or even less if the petrol was not fresh when you
filled the fuel tank.
Short Term Storage (30-90 days)
If your equipment will not be used for 30 to 90 days, we recommend
the following to prevent fuel-related problems:
1. Add fuel stabilizer following the manufacturer’s instructions.
When adding a fuel stabilizer, fill the fuel tank with fresh petrol. If
only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration
during storage. If you keep a container of petrol for refueling, be
sure that it contains only fresh petrol.
If it will take more than 3 months to use the fuel in your storage
container, we suggest adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel when you
fill the container.
2. After adding a fuel stabilizer, run the engine outdoors for
10 minutes to be sure that treated petrol has replaced the
untreated petrol in the carburetor.
3. Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position.
4. Continue to run the engine until it stops from the lack of fuel in the
carburetor fuel bowl. Running time should be less than 3 minutes.
Note:
– All stabilizers have a shelf life and their performance will
deteriorate over time.
– Fuel stabilizers will not reconstitute stale fuel.
Long Term or Seasonal Storage (greater than 90 days)
Start the engine and allow it to run long enough to empty all the petrol
from the entire fuel system (including the fuel tank). Do not allow
petrol to remain in your engine for more than 90 days of inactivity.
Fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting from
neglected storage preparation are not covered under the
Distributor’s
Warranty
.
Engine Oil
Change the engine oil (page 13).
Engine Cylinder
If the mower is to be stored for
more than 3 months, remove the
spark plug (page 14). Pour 5 ~
10 cm³ of clean engine oil into
the cylinder [1]. Pull the starter
rope several times to distribute
the oil in the cylinder. Reinstall
the spark plug.
Pull the starter rope slowly until
resistance is felt, then return the
starter grip gently. This will close
the valves so moisture cannot enter the engine cylinder.
Placing in Storage
Since your mower will be stored with petrol in the fuel tank and
carburetor, it is important to reduce the hazard of petrol vapor ignition.
Select a well-ventilated storage area away from any appliance that
operates with a flame, 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.
If possible, avoid storage areas with high humidity, because that
promotes rust and corrosion.
Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface. Tilting can cause
fuel or oil leakage.
The handlebar can be folded for compact storage (page 16).
With the engine and exhaust system cool, cover the mower to keep
out dust. A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt some
materials. Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover. A nonporous
cover will trap moisture around the mower, promoting rust and
corrosion.
[1]
