12
Gasoline and Oil
Recommended Gasoline
Use unleaded regular gasoline suitable for automotive use
(85 pump octane minimum). You may use leaded regular
gasoline if unleaded regular is not available.
Important
Never use methanol, gasoline containing
methanol, or gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol
because the fuel system could be damaged. Do not mix oil
with gasoline.
Danger
In certain conditions, gasoline is extremely
flammable and highly explosive. A fire or
explosion from gasoline can burn you and others
and can damage property.
•
Fill the fuel tank outdoors in an open area when
the engine is cold. Wipe up any gasoline that
spills.
•
Do not fill the fuel tank completely full. Add
gasoline to the fuel tank until the level is 1/4 to
1/2 in. (6 to 13 mm) below the bottom of the
filler neck. This empty space in the tank allows
the gasoline to expand.
•
Never smoke when handling gasoline, and stay
away from an open flame or where a spark may
ignite the gasoline fumes.
•
Store gasoline in an approved container and
keep it out of the reach of children.
•
Never buy more than a 30-day supply of
gasoline.
•
Always place gasoline containers on the ground
away from your vehicle before filling.
•
Do not fill gasoline containers inside a vehicle or
on a truck or trailer bed because interior
carpets or plastic truck bed liners may insulate
the container and slow the loss of any static
charge.
•
When practical, remove gas-powered equipment
from the truck or trailer and refuel the
equipment with its wheels on the ground.
•
If this is not possible, refuel such equipment on
a truck or trailer from a portable container, not
from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
•
If you must use a gasoline dispenser, keep the
nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or
container opening at all times until fueling is
complete.
Using Stabilizer/Conditioner
Use a fuel stabilizer/conditioner in the tractor to provide the
following benefits:
•
It keeps gasoline fresh during storage for up to 90 days.
For longer storage, drain the fuel tank.
•
It cleans the engine while it runs.
•
It eliminates gum-like varnish buildup in the fuel
system, which causes hard starting.
Important
Do not use fuel additives containing
methanol or ethanol.
Add the correct amount of fuel stabilizer/conditioner to the
gasoline.
Note: A fuel stabilizer/conditioner is most effective when it
is mixed with fresh gasoline. To minimize the chance of
varnish deposits in the fuel system, use a fuel
stabilizer/conditioner at all times.
Filling the Fuel Tank
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Clean around the fuel tank cap and remove the cap.
4. Add unleaded regular gasoline to the fuel tank until the
level is 1/4 to 1/2 in. (6 to 13 mm) below the bottom of
the filler neck. Do not fill the fuel tank completely
full.
Note: This space in the tank allows gasoline to expand.
5. Install the fuel tank cap securely.
6. Wipe up any gasoline that spills.
Checking the Engine Oil Level
Before you start the engine and use the tractor, check the oil
level in the engine crankcase; refer to Checking the Oil
Level on page 21.
