Cleaning Under The Machine Housing; Storage; Preparing The Machine For Storage; Folding The Handle - Toro 20897 Operator's Manual

Cleaning under the Machine
Housing
Service Interval: After each use
WARNING
The machine may dislodge material from under the
machine housing.
• Wear eye protection.
• Stay in the operating position (behind the
handle) when the engine is running.
• Do not allow bystanders in the area.
For best results, clean under the machine housing soon after
you have completed mowing.
1. Lower the machine to its lowest cutting-height setting;
refer to Adjusting the Cutting Height (page
2. Move the machine onto a flat paved surface.
3. With the engine running and the blade engaged, spray a
stream of water in front of the right rear wheel (Figure
49).
Figure 49
Note: The water will splash into the path of the blade,
cleaning out the clippings.
4. When no more clippings come out, stop the water and
move the machine to a dry area.
5. Run the engine with the blade engaged for a few
minutes to dry the housing to prevent it from rusting.

Storage

Store the machine in a cool, clean, dry place.
Preparing the Machine for
Storage
WARNING
Gasoline vapors can explode.
• Do not store gasoline more than 30 days.
• Do not store the machine in an enclosure near
an open flame.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing it.
1. On the last refueling of the year, add fuel stabilizer to
the fuel as directed by the engine manufacturer.
2. Dispose of any unused fuel properly. Recycle it
10).
according to local codes, or use it in your automobile.
Note: Old fuel in the fuel tank is the leading cause of
hard starting. Do not store fuel without stabilizer more
than 30 days, and do not store stabilized fuel more than
90 days.
3. Run the machine until the engine stops from running
out of fuel.
4. Start the engine again.
5. Allow the engine to run until it stops. When you can
no longer start the engine, it is sufficiently dry.
6. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
7. Remove the spark plug, add 30 ml (1 oz) of oil through
the spark-plug hole, and pull the starter rope slowly
several times to distribute oil throughout the cylinder
to prevent cylinder corrosion during the off-season.
8. Loosely install the spark plug.
9. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws.

Folding the Handle

Upright Position
1. Step on the foot pedal and hold it down
2. Move the handle to the upright position
21
(Figure
Figure 50
(Figure
50).
51).