Craftsman 917.28001 Operator's Manual page 27

Immediately prepare yourriding mower for
storage a ttheendoftheseason o r ifthe
riding mower willnotbeused for30days
or more.
_I_,WARNING: Neverstorethe riding mower
with gasoline in the tank inside a building
where fumes may reach an open flame or
spark. Allow the engine to cool before stor-
ing in any enclosure.
MOWER
Remove deck from mower for winter storage.
When mower is to be stored for a period of
time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt,
grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area.
1. Clean entire riding mower (See "CLEAN-
ING" in the Maintenance section of this
manual).
2. Inspect and replace belt, if necessary
(See belt replacement instructions in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual).
3. Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
4. Be sure that all nuts, bolts and screws
are securely fastened. Inspect moving
parts for damage, breakage and wear.
Replace if necessary.
5. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint
surfaces; sand lightly before painting.
BATTERY
• Fully charge the battery for storage.
• If battery is removed from riding mower
for storage, do not store battery directly
on concrete or damp surfaces.
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent
gum deposits from forming in essential fuel
system parts such as carburetor, fuel hose,
or tank during storage. Also, alcohol blended
fuels (called gasohot or using ethanol or
methanol) can attract moisture which leads
to separation and formation of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage.
• Empty the fuel tank by starting the engine
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 al-
ternative in minimizing the formation of fuel
gum deposits during storage. Add stabilizer
to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container.
Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer
container. Run engine at least 10 minutes
after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to
reach the carburetor. Do not empty the gas
tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in the
Maintenance section of this manual).
CYLINDER(S)
1. Remove spark plug(s).
2. Pour one ounce of oil through spark plug
hole(s) into cylinder(s).
3. Turn ignition key to "START" position for
a few seconds to distribute oil.
4. Replace with new spark plug(s).
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 riding mower indoors
and cover it to give protection from dust
and dirt.
• Cover your riding mower with a suitable
protective cover that does not retain mois-
ture. Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot
breathe which allows condensation to form
and will cause your riding mower to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover riding mower
while engine and exhaust areas are still
warm.
27