Tractor Storage; Gasoline - Craftsman 247.25003 Operator's Manual

TRACTOR STORAGE
If yourtractoris notgoing to be operatedfor an extendedperiodof
time (thirtydays to approximately six months),the tractorshouldbe
preparedfor storage.Storethetractorin a dry and protectedlocation.
If storedoutside,coverthe tractor(includingthe tires)to protectit from
the elements.Theproceduresoutlinedbelowshouldbe performed
wheneverthetractoris placedin storage.
1. Changethe engineoil and filterfollowingthe instructionsprovided
in theServiceand Maintenance sectionof this manual..
Neverstorethe tractorwith fuel in the tank indoorsor in poorly
ventilatedenclosures,wherefuelfumesmay reachan open flame,
sparkor pilotlight as on a furnace,waterheater,clothesdryer,etc.
.
Neverstoregardentractorwith fuel in tank indoorsor in poorly
ventilatedareaswherefuel fumesmay reachan openflame,spark,
or pilot lightas on a furnace,water heater,clothesdryer,or gas
appliance.
4. Cleanthe engineand the entiretractorthoroughly.
NOTE:Use of a pressurewasheror garden hoseis not recommended
to clean yourtractor.They maycause damageto electricalcompo-
nents,spindles,pulleys,bearingsor theengine.The useof waterwill
resultin shortenedlifeand reduceserviceability.
5. Sharpenthe bladesso that the mowerwill be readyto use when
needed.
If storingthetractorfor 30 days or more:
a. Topreventgum depositsfrom forminginsidetheengine's
carburetor and causingpossiblemalfunctiond the engine,
the fuelsystemmust be eithercompletelyemptied,or the
gasolinemustbe treatedwith a stabilizerto preventdeterio-
ration.
6. Protectthe metalsurfaces.Repairscratcheswith the appropriate
touch-upspraypaint. Brusha rust preventiveoil on any unpainted
surfacesincludingthe pulleysand blades.(Be carefulnot to get
any oil on thedrive belts.)
7. Cleanand fully chargethe battery,thendisconnectthe negative
cableat thebatteryto preventpossibledischarge.Rechargethe
batteryperiodicallywhenin storage.
NOTE:Removethebatteryif exposedto prolongedperiodsof sub-
freezingtemperatures. S torein a cool, dry locationwheretemperatures
are abovefreezing.
8. Lubricateall lubricationpoints.
9. Jack the mowerup and storeit on blocksto take the weightoff of
the tires.
9roblems.
.
b. Usingafuel stabilizer:
• Readthe productmanufacturer's instructionsand recom-
mendations.
• Add to clean,fresh gasolinethe correctamountof
stabilizerforthe capacity(approximately 3 gallons)of the
fuel system.
• Fillthe fuel tank with treatedfueland runthe engine for
2-3 minutesto get stabilizedfuel intothe carburetor.
c. Emptyingthefuel system:
• Priorto puttingthe tractorin storage,monitorfuel
consumption with the goal of runningthefuel tank empty.
• Closethe fuel tank shutoffvalve.Disconnectthe fuel line
fromthe fuel filter and put theend intoan approvedfuel
container.
• Openthe fuel tank shutoffvalveand drain thefuel tank
and line intothe approvedcontainer.Reinstallthe fuelline
on the carburetor.
• Start the engineand allowit to runout of fuel. This will
preventgum and varnishdepositsfromforming.Replace
thefuel filter.
Removethespark plugsand pour approximately one ounceof oil
intoeachcylinder.Crankthe engineone or two turns to spread
the oil evenlyon the cylinderwalls.Replacethe sparkplugs.
REMOVING THE TRACTOR FROM STORAGE
1. Checkthe engineoil.
2. Fullychargethe battery,lowertractoroff blocks,and inflatethe
tires to the recommendedpressure.
3. Removethe sparkplugsand wipe themoff. Usingthe starter,
crank the engineto pumpthe excessoil out of the sparkplug
holes.Replacethe spark plugsand the ignitionleads.
4. If drainedbeforestoring,fill the fueltank with clean,fresh
gasoline.
5. Checkthe levelof the engineoil in the crankcaseand the
hydraulicreservoirtank.
6. Startthe engineand allowto idlefor a few minutesto ensure
engine is operatingproperly.
7. Drivethe tractorwithouta loadto makecertainall thetractor
systemsare functioningproperly.
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