ENGINEMAINTENANCE
CAUTION
Beforeperforminganyengine
maintenance, stop the en-
gine, wait for all moving
parts to come to a complete
stop, disconnect the spark
plug wire and move it away
fromthe sparkplug. Remove
the ignition key on electric
startmodels.
Failure to follow these in-
structionswill result in seri-
ous personal injury or prop-
ertydamage.
Follow the instructions in the
Engine Owner's Manual to per-
form these procedures, depending
on your Engine Model:
• Check Engine Oil Level
• Add Oil to Engine
• Change Engine Oil
• Inspect the Air Cleaner
• Inspect Spark Arrestor
• Inspect Spark Plug
COMPACTSTORAGE
Fold the handlebars for compact
storage of the mower: See Figure
5-20.
A. Remove the locking square
bail pins from the handlebar
mounting channels on each side of
the unit.
B. Fold the enth'e handlebar as-
sembly forward and downward.
NOTE: Do not pinch cable(s)
while folding handlebars.
StepC
*===ee StepB
II
)l.//"
it
Lil
iii
C. Loosen the upper handlebar
adjustment knobs and fold the
upper section of the handlebars
downward toward the rear of the
mower. (This is the position in
which the mower was shipped and
allows for very compact mower
storage.)
Figure 5-20: Fold handlebars for compact storage.
OFF-SEASONSTORAGE
When storing the mower for ex-
tended periods of time, follow
these procedures to ensure that the
mower will be in good condition
for future use.
• Store mower in a level position.
• Thoroughly inspect the mower
for any loose, broken, or missing
parts. Repair or replace as neces-
sary.
• Remove all fuel from fuel tank
or use a fuel stabilizer additive as
directed in Engine Owner's
Manual.
• Change engine oil.
• Remove spark plug and squirt
1/2 ounce of engine oil into spark
plug hole. Cover hole with a rag.
Slowly pull recoil starter rope to
crank engine and reinstall spark
plug.
• Clean any dirt, grass or chaff
from air cooling system intake
area and other parts of engine.
• Lubricate cutting height adjust-
ment handle by putting a few
drops of motor oil on the adjust-
ment screw (which can be ac-
cessed from under the deck). Turn
adjustment knob through full
range of settings.
• Check all nuts and bolts for
tightness.
• On electric start models remove
key from keyswitch. Charge the
battery for 24 hours before and
after seasonal storage.
• Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug. Prevent wire
from touching spark plug by plac-
ing wire boot on holding tab on
the engine.
DANGER
• Never perform mainte-
nance while engine is run-
ning or when spark plug wire
is connected except where
specifically instructed to do
SO.
• Never store mower with
fuel in fuel tank inside a
building where fumes can
reach an open flame or
spark, or where ignition
sources are present such as
hot water and space heaters,
furnaces, clothes dryers,
stoves, electric motors, etc.
Make sure engine is coolbe-
forestoring.
• Drain gasoline outdoors
intoan approvedcontainer.
• Do not smoke and keep
awayfrom open flame.
Failure to follow these in-
structionswill result in seri-
ous personal injury or prop-
ertydamage.
42
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