Storage; Cleaning; Term Inals; Replacement - Craftsman 536.25587 Owner's Manual

STORAGE
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Immediately prepare your unit for storage at the end of the
Season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more..
DANGER
Never store the engine with fuel indoors or in a poorly
ventilated enclosure, where fuel fumes may reach an
open flame, spark or pilot light as on a furnace, water
heater, clothes dryer, etc.
Handle the gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable and
careless use could result in serious fire damage to your
person and/or property.
Drain the fuel into an approved container outdoors away
from an open flame.
TRACTOR
Remove mower deck from tractor for winter storage When
mower deck is to be stored for a period of time, clean it thor-
oughly, remove all dirt, grease, ieaves, etc Give blades and
underside of mower deck housing a good coat of grease or
rust preventative Store in a clean, dry area
e Clean entire tractor (See CLEANING in CUSTOMER
RESPONSIBILITIES section of this manual).
® Inspect and replace belts, if necessary (See belt
replacement instructions in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this manuat).
• Lubricate (see CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
section of this manual).
e Be sure all nuts, botts and screws are securely fastened.
Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear..
Reprace if necessary,.
e Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surface; sand
lightly before painting_
BATTERY
o
o
Fufly charge battery for storage..
After a period of time in storage, battery may require
recharging,
e To hetp prevent corrosion and power teakage a'uring
long periods of storage, battery cables should be
disconnected and battery cleaned thoroughly (see TO
CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS in CUSTOMER
RESPONSIBILITIES section of this manual)._
• After cleaning, leave cabEes disconnected and ptace
cables where they cannot come in contact with battery
terminals.
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM
DEPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSEN-
TIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS
THE CARBURETOR, FUEL FILTER, FUEL
HOSE, OR TANK DUR,ING 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 ACIDS DURING STOR-
AGE. ACIDIC GAS CAN DAMAGE THE
FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN
STORAGE.
• Drain fuel ta_ko
• Start engine and let it run until the fuel lines and
carburetor are empty
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur,
e Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer (such as STA-BIL) is an acceptable
alternative in minimizing formation of fuel gum deposits during
storage. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage
container Alwaysfol_ow mix ratiofound in stabilizer container..
Run engine as least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow
stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do not drain gas tank and
carburetor if using stabitizer:
ENGINE OIL.
Drain oil ('with engine Warm) and replace with clean engine oil.
(See ENGINE IN CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES section
of this manual).
CYLINDERS
• Remove spark plugs._
• Pour one ounce of oil through spark plug holes into
cylinders_
• Turn ignitionkey to START position for a few secondsto
distribute oil
• Replace with new spark plugs,.
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season to another.
• Replace your gasotine can if your can starts to rusL
Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline witl cause problems..
• If possible, store your tractor indoors and cover it to give
protection from dust and dirt.
o
Cover tractor with a suitabte protective cover that does
not retain moisture, Do not use plastic,, Plastic cannot
breathe which allows condensation to form and will
cause your tractor to rust.
IMPORTANT: NEVER COVER TRACTOR WHILE
ENGINE AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE
STILL WARM.
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