Cleaning; Storage - Craftsman 536.252570 Owner's Manual

i
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°
Never store the engine with fuel indoors or in a
poorty 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 higNy flam-
mable and careless use could result in serious
fire damage to your person and/or property
Drain the fuel into an approved container out-
doors away !torn 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, leaves, etc Give blades and
underside of mower deck housing a good coat of grease or
rust preventative. Store in a clean, dry area,
• Clean entire tractor (See CLEANING in CUSTOMER
RESPONSIBILITIES section of this manual)
e Inspect and replace belts, if necessary (See belt
replacement instructions in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this manual).
• Lubricate (see CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
section of this manuaI).
@ Be sure al! nuts, botts and screws are securely fastened
Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear
Replace if necessary.
• Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surface; sand
}fghtly before painting.
BATTERY
• Fully charge battery for storage.
e After a period of time in storage, battery may require
recharging.
• To help prevent corrosion and power leakage during
long periods of storage, battery cables should be
disconnected and battery cleaned thoroughly (see TO
CLEAN BA]-FERY AND TERMINALS in CUSTOMER
RESPONSIBILITIES section of this manual)
• After cleaning, leave cables disconnected and place
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 DURING 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 tank.
@ Start engine and let it run until the rue/ 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-BtL) is an acceptable
alternative in minimizing formation of fuel gum deposits during
storage Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuei tank or storage
container. Always follow mix ratio found in stabiilzer 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 stabilizer
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and repface with clean engine oil
(See ENGINE IN CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES section
of this manual).
CYLINDERS
e Remove spark plugs
e Pour one ounce of oil through spark plug holes into
cylinders,
• Turn ignition key to START position for a few seconds to
distribute oil
• Replace with new spark plugs
OTHER
IMPORTANT:
• Do not store gasoline from one season to another
e Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust
Rust andtor dirt in your gasoline will cause problems
• If possible, store your tractor indoors and cover it to give
protection from dust and dirt.
.e Cover tractor with a suitable protective cover that does
_:_F "nb{'re_ain moisture. Do not use plastic Plastic cannot
breathe which alIows condensation to form and wilt
cause your tractor to rust
NEVER COVER TRACTOR WHILE
ENGINE AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE
STILL WARM
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