Washing under the Machine Housing
Service Interval:
Before each use or daily—Clean under the
machine housing.
1.
Position the machine on a flat concrete or asphalt
surface near a garden hose.
2.
Start the engine.
3.
Hold the running garden hose at handle level and direct
the water to flow on the ground just in front of the
right rear tire (Figure 44).
Figure 44
1.
Right rear wheel
Note:
The blades will draw in water and wash out
clippings. Let the water run until you no longer see
clippings being washed out from under the housing.
4.
Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
5.
Turn off the water.
6.
Start the machine and let it run for a few minutes to dry
out the moisture on the machine and its components.
Scraping under the Machine Housing
If washing does not remove all debris from under the
machine, scrape it clean.
1.
Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
2.
Drain the fuel from the fuel tank; refer to Emptying
the Fuel Tank and Cleaning the Filter (page 19).
WARNING
Tipping the machine may cause the fuel to
leak from the carburetor or the fuel tank.
Gasoline is extremely flammable, highly
explosive, and, under certain conditions, can
cause personal injury or property damage.
Avoid fuel spills by running the engine dry or
by removing the gasoline with a hand pump;
never siphon.
3.
Tip the machine onto its side, with the air filter up in
the air, until the upper handle rests on the ground.
4.
Remove the dirt and grass clippings with a hardwood
scraper; avoid burrs and sharp edges.
5.
Turn the machine upright.
6.
Fill the fuel tank.
7.
Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Storage
Store the machine in a cool, clean, dry place. Cover the
machine to keep it clean and protected.
General Information
Store the machine in a cool, clean, dry place. Cover the
machine to keep it clean and protected.
1.
Perform the recommended annual maintenance
procedures; refer to Maintenance (page 16).
2.
Clean under the machine housing; refer to Cleaning
under the Machine Housing (page 24).
3.
Remove chaff, dirt, and grime from the external parts
of the engine, the shrouding, and the top of the
machine.
4.
Check the condition of the blades; refer to Inspecting
the Blades (page 20).
5.
Service the air filter; refer to Servicing the Air Filter
(page 16).
6.
Tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws.
7.
Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces with
paint available from an Authorized Service Dealer.
Preparing the Fuel System
WARNING
Gasoline can vaporize if you store it over long
periods of time and explode if it comes into contact
with an open flame.
•
Do not store gasoline over long periods of time.
•
Do not store the machine with gasoline in the
fuel tank or the carburetor in an enclosure with
an open flame. (For example, a furnace or a
water heater pilot light.)
•
Allow the engine to cool before storing it in any
enclosure.
On the last refueling of the year, add fuel stabilizer to the fuel
as directed by the engine manufacturer. Empty the fuel tank
when mowing the last time before storing the machine.
1.
Run the machine until the engine stops from running
out of fuel.
2.
Start the engine again.
3.
Allow the engine to run until it stops. When you can
no longer start the engine, it is sufficiently dry.
Preparing the Engine
1.
While the engine is still warm, change the engine oil
and the oil filter; refer to Changing the Engine Oil
(page 17) and Changing the Oil Filter (page 18).
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