Craftsman 917.376746 Owner's Manual page 18

4. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint
surfaces; sand lightly before painting.
HANDLE
You canfold your mowerhandlefor storage.
1. Squeeze the bottom ends of the lower
handle toward each other until the
lower handle clears the handle bracket,
then move handleforward.
2. Loosen upper handle mountingbolts
enough to allow upper handleto be
folded back.
IMPORTANT: When folding the handle for
storageor transportation, be sure to fold
the handle as shown or you may damage
the control cables.
• When setting up your handlefrom the
storage position, the lower handlewill
automatically lock into mowing position.
gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage.
• Empty the fuel tank by starting the en-
gine and letting it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
• Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable
alternative in minimizing the formation of
fuel gum deposits during storage. Add
stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage
container. Alwaysfollow the mix ratiofound
on stabilizer container. Run engine at least
10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow
the stabilizerto reachthe carburetor. Do not
empty the gas tank and carburetor if using
fuel stabilizer.
SQUEEZE
TO FOLD
Lower handle
Operator MOWING
presence POSITION
control bar
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in
the Maintenance section of this manual).
CYLINDER
1. Remove spark plug,
2. Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through
spark plug hole into cylinder.
3. Pull starter handle slowly a few times
to distribute oil.
4. Replace with new spark plug.
Handle
knob
Lower handle
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent
gum deposits from forming in essential
fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel
filter, fuel hose, or tank during storage,
Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and
formation of acids during storage, Acidic
BATTERY
Disconnect the battery from the engine
connector and charge battery 48 hours,
OTHER
• 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.
• If possible, store your unit indoors and
cover it to protect it from dust and dirt.
• Cover your unit with a suitable protec-
tive cover that does not retain moisture.
Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot
breathe, which allows condensation to
form and will cause your unit to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover mower while
engine and exhaust areas are still warm.
A&CAUTION: Never store the lawn
mower with gasoline in the tank inside a
building where fumes may reach an open
flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool
before storing in any enclosure.
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