STORAGE .... ,,, ,',ran,,, ,, ,,' Immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. LAWN MOWER ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT: IT _S IMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM DEPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS CARBURETOR, FUEL FILTER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK DURING STORAGE. ALSO, EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL. BLENDED FUELS (CALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOL OR METHANOL) CAN ATTRACT MOISTURE WHICH LEADS TO SEPARATION AND FORMATION OF AC!DS DURING STORAGE. ACIDIC GAS CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE !N STORAGE.
When lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean it ttioroughly, remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Give blade and underside of housing a good coat of grease or rust preventative, Store in a c!ean, dry area. o CIean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the Maintenance section of this manual), o Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance section of this manual. . Drain the fuel tank. o Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securetyfastened. Inspect moving partsfor damage, breakage and wear, Replace if necessary, . Start the engine and let it run until the fuel Iines and carburetor are empty. .
Never use engine or carburetor cIeaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur_ Use fresh fuel next season, o Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting. HANDLE (See Fig. 22) You can fold your lawn mower handle for storage. NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during stor- age, Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container, AIways follow the mix ratio found on stabitizer container. Run engine at least t0 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor, Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabiiizer.
o To fold, squeeze the bottom ends of the lower handle toward each other until the lower handle clears the handle bracket, then move handle forward, IMPORTANT: WHEN FOLDING THE HANDLE FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORTATION, BE SURE TO FOLD THE HANDLE AS SHOWN IN FIG. 22. IF YOU FOLD THE UPPER HANDLE SECTION THE WRONG WAY, YOU MAY DAMAGE THE CONTROL CABLES. ENGINE OIL .... _.... j,_ ..... :.......... .,, position, the Lower he.ndie will automaticatIy lock into the mow- ing position, Drain oil (with engine warm) and _'_" re___e with ctean engine oi!. (See "ENGINE" in the Maintenance section of this manual). LOWER HANDLE CYLINDER . Remove spark plug. .
Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark ptug hole into cylinder. HANDLE BRACKET o Pull starter handle slowly a few times to distribute oi!. . Replace with new spark plug. OTHER HAiRPiN COTTER Do not store gasoline from one season to another. Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems. OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLBAR If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt. UPPER HANDLE . Cover your unit with a suitabIe protective cover that does not retain moisture, Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe which aI!ows condensation to form and will cause your unit to rust. IMPORTANT:
NEVER COVER MOWER WHILE ENGINE AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE STILL WARM. FOLD FORWARD FOR STORAGE FOLD BACKWARD MOWING POSiT|ON CAUTION,' Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a bui!d- ing where fumes may reach an open flame or spark, Allowthe engineto coo_ before storing in any encfosureo LOWER HANDLE FiG. 22 18