Storage; Fuel; Preparing The Engine; General - Toro 20040 Operator's Manual

Storage

To prepare the lawn mower for off-season storage,
perform the recommended maintenance procedures. Refer
to the Maintenance section, page 9.
Store the mower in a cool, clean, dry place. Cover the
mower to keep it clean and protected.

Fuel

We recommend Toro Fuel Conditioner to stabilize fuel for
storage. If possible, the last fuel fill of the year should be
treated with Toro Fuel Conditioner.
Run the fuel tank empty when mowing the last time prior
to storage. The smaller the amount of fuel in the tank, the
shorter the time required to run the fuel system dry. Run
the mower until the engine stops from lack of fuel.
Restart it again and run it until it stops. Repeat this until
you can no longer start the engine.
WARNING
POTENTIAL HAZARD
Gasoline can vaporize if stored over long
periods of time.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Vaporized fuel can explode if it comes into
contact with open flame.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not store gasoline (fuel) over long periods of
time.
Do not store mower with fuel in the tank in an
enclosure with an open flame. (Example: a
furnace or water heater pilot light.)
Allow the engine to cool before storing in any
enclosure.

Preparing the Engine

1. While the engine is still warm, drain oil from
crankcase. Refer to Changing Engine Oil, page 11.
2. Remove the spark plug (Fig. 12).
3. Using an oil can, squirt about one tablespoon of oil
through spark plug hole.
4. Slowly rotate the engine several times, using the
starter rope, to distribute the oil.
5. Install spark plug but do not connect the spark plug
wire.

General

1. Clean the mower housing. Refer to Cleaning the
Underside of the Mower Housing, page 15.
2. Clean any dirt and chaff from the cylinder, cylinder
head fins, and blower housing. Also remove grass
clippings, dirt, and grime from external parts of the
engine, shrouding, and top of the mower housing.
3. Check the condition of the blade. Refer to Maintaining
the Blade, page 12.
4. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws.
5. Lubricate the wheels. Refer to Lubricating the
Self–Propel Drive, page 14.
6. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces. Paint is
available from an Authorized Toro Service Dealer.

Folding the Handle

IMPORTANT: Be extremely careful when folding the
handle so that you do not pull, crimp, or in any way
damage the cables.
IMPORTANT: Do not remove or loosen the knobs
securing the the lower handle to the swing bracket. Do
not fold the upper handle backwards.
1. Loosen the knobs that secure the upper handle.
2. Carefully swing the upper handle forward until it rests
on the engine (Fig. 25).

Removing From Storage

1. Carefully unfold the upper handle until it nests with
the lower handle, then tighten the knobs.
IMPORTANT: Be extremely careful when unfolding
the handle so that you do not pull, crimp, or in any way
damage the control cables.
2. Check and tighten all fasteners.
3. Remove the spark plug (Fig. 12) and spin the engine
rapidly using the starter to blow excess oil from the
cylinder.
4. Clean the spark plug or replace it if it is cracked,
broken, or the electrodes are worn.
17
Figure 25
m–4217