13
Operation
STORAGE
Temporary Storage (30 Days Or Less)
Remember, the fuel tank will still contain some gasoline,
so never store the unit indoors or in any other area
where fuel vapor could travel to any ignition source. Fuel
vapor is also toxic if inhaled, so never store the unit in
any structure used for human or animal habitation.
Here is a checklist of things to do when storing your unit
temporarily or in between uses:
• Keep the unit in an area away from where children
may come into contact with it. If there’s any chance
of unauthorized use, remove the spark plug (s) and
put in a safe place. Be sure the spark plug opening is
protected from foreign objects with a suitable cover.
• If the unit can’t be stored on a reasonable level sur-
face, chock the wheels.
• Clean all grass and dirt from the mower.
Long Term Storage (Longer Than 30 Days)
Before you store your unit for the off-season, read the
Maintenance and Storage instructions in the Safety
Rules section, then perform the following steps:
1. Drain crankcase oil while engine is hot and refill with
a grade of oil that will be required when unit is used
again.
2. Prepare the mower deck for storage as follows:
a. Remove mower deck from the unit.
b. Clean underside of mower deck.
c. Coat all bare metal surfaces with paint or light coat
of oil to prevent rusting.
3. Clean external surfaces and engine.
4. Prepare engine for storage. See engine owner’s
manual.
5. Clean any dirt or grass from cylinder head cooling
fins, engine housing and air cleaner element.
6. Cover air cleaner and exhaust outlet tightly with plas-
tic or other waterproof material to keep out moisture,
dirt and insects.
7. Completely grease and oil unit as outlined in the
Normal Care section.
8. Clean up unit and apply paint or rust preventative to
any areas where paint is chipped or damaged.
9. Be sure the battery is filled to the proper level with
water and is fully charged. Battery life will be
increased if it is removed, put in a cool, dry place
and fully charged about once a month. If battery is
left in unit, disconnect the negative cable.
WARNING
Never store the unit, with gasoline in engine or
fuel tank, in a heated shelter or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated enclosures. Gasoline fumes may
reach an open flame, spark or pilot light (such as
a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, etc.) and
cause an explosion.
Handle gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable
and careless use could result in serious fire
damage to your person or property.
Drain fuel into an approved container outdoors
away from open flame or sparks.
10. Drain fuel system completely or add a gasoline stabi-
lizer to the fuel system. If you have chosen to use a
fuel stabilizer and have not drained the fuel system,
follow all safety instructions and storage precautions
in this manual to prevent the possibility of fire from
the ignition of gasoline fumes. Remember, gasoline
fumes can travel to distant sources of ignition and
ignite, causing risk of explosion and fire.
NOTE: Gasoline, if permitted to stand unused for
extended periods (30 days or more), may develop
gummy deposits which can adversely affect the engine
carburetor and cause engine malfunction. To avoid this
condition, add a gasoline stabilizer to the fuel tank and
run the engine a few minutes, or drain all fuel from the
unit before placing it in storage.
STARTING AFTER LONG TERM
STORAGE
Before starting the unit after it has been stored for a long
period of time, perform the following steps.
1. Remove any blocks from under the unit.
2. Install the battery if it was removed.
3. Unplug the exhaust outlet and air cleaner.
4. Fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline. See engine
manual for recommendations.
5. See engine owner’s manual and follow all instruc-
tions for preparing engine after storage.
6. Check crankcase oil level and add proper oil if
necessary. If any condensation has developed during
storage, drain crankcase oil and refill.
7. Inflate tires to proper pressure. Check fluid levels.
8. Start the engine and let it run slowly. DO NOT run at
high speed immediately after starting. Be sure to run
engine only outdoors or in well ventilated area.
