Preparing The Engine - Craftsman 247.288881 Operator's Manual

Neverstorelawntractorwith fuelin tank indoorsor in poorly
ventilatedareaswherefuel fumesmay reachan openflame,spark,
or pilot lightas on a furnace,water heater,clothesdryer,or gas
appliance,
PREPARING THE ENGINE
IMPORTANT:Fuelleft in the fueltank duringwarm weatherdeterio-
ratesand will cause seriousstartingproblems.
Topreventgum depositsfrom forminginsidetheengine'scarburetor
and causingpossiblemalfunction of the engine,the fuel systemmust
be eithercompletelyemptied,or thegasolinemustbe treatedwith a
stabilizerto preventdeterioration.
If usinga fuel stabilizer:
a. Readthe productmanufacturer's instructionsand recom-
mendations.
b. Add to clean,fresh gasolinethe correctamountof stabilizer
for thecapacityof the fuel system.
c. Fill thefuel tank with treatedfueland run theenginefor 2-3
minutesto get stabilizedfuel intothe carburetor.
If emptyingthefuel system:
a. Do notdrain fuel whentheengine is hot. Allowtheengine
adequatetime to cool. Drainfuel intoan approvedcontainer
outdoors,awayfromopen flame.
b. Drainany largevolumeof fuelfrom the tank by disconnect-
ing the fuel linefrom the in-line fuelfilter near theengine.
See ToDrainthe Fuelon page 26.
Gasolineis extremelyflammableand can be explosiveundercertain
conditions.Draingasolinebeforestoringtheequipmentfor extended
periods.Drainfuelonly intoan approvedcontaineroutdoors,away
from an open flame.Allowengine to cool. Extinguishcigarettes,
cigars,pipes,and other sourcesof ignitionprior to drainingfuel.
Storegasolinein an approvedcontainerin safe location.
c. Reconnectthe fuelline and run theengine untilit startsto
falter,then usethe choketo keepthe engine runninguntilall
fuelin the carburetorhasbeen exhausted.
d. Disconnectthe fuel line and drainany remaininggasoline
from the system.
PREPARING THE LAWN TRACTOR
• Cleanand lubricatetractorthoroughlyas describedin the
lubricationinstructions.
• Do notuse a pressurewasheror gardenhoseto cleanyour
unit.
• Storemowerin a dry, cleanarea.Do not storenext to
corrosivematerials,suchas fertilizer.
Gasolineis a toxicsubstance.Disposeof gasolineproperly.Contact
yourlocal authoritiesfor approveddisposal methods.
Removethespark plug and pour one (1)ounceof engine oil through
the sparkplug hole intothe cylinder.Crankthe engineseveraltimesto
distributetheoil. Replacethe sparkplug.
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