Craftsman 247.372900 - Manual (Page 15)

STORAGE
Your mower and engine should be prepared for off­
season storage as follows:
MOWER
• Clean underside of mower housing (See “CLEAN­
ING” in “Customer Responsibilities” section of
manual).
• Inspect and replace/sharpen blade, if required (See
“BLADE CARE” in “Customer Responsibilities”
section of manual).
• Lubricate as shown in “Customer Responsibilities”
section of manual.
HANDLE
• You can fold your mower’s handle for storage as
shown in figure 17. Remove the starter rope from
the rope guide. Loosen the two hand knobs on the
sides of the handle, and let the upper handle fold
down to the rear. Move the hairpin clips to the outer
hole in the weld pins on the handle mounting brack­
ets. Refer to figure 3. Spread the sides of the lower
handle, and push it forward and down.
IMPORTANT: WHEN FOLDING HANDLE FOR
STORAGE OR TRANSPORTATION, BE CAREFUL
NOT TO BEND OR KINK THE CABLES.
FIGURE 17.
• To place the handle in the operating position, refer to
“Assembly” on page 6 of this manual.
ENGINE
A
WARNING: NEVER STORE YOUR LAWN
MOWER INDOORS OR IN AN ENCLOSED,
POORLY
VENTILATED AREA IF GASO­
LINE REMAINS IN THE TANK. FUMES
MAY REACH AN OPEN FLAME, SPARK
OR
PILOT LIGHT FROM A FURNACE,
WATER HEATER, CLOTHES DRYER,
CIGARETTE, ETC.
To prevent engine damage if lawn mower is not used
for more than 30 days, proceed as follows.
IMPORTANT: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT
GUM DEPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL
FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS CARBURETOR,
FUEL FILTER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK DURING
STORAGE. ALSO, FUEL (CALLED GASOHOL OR
USING ETHANOL OR METHANOL) CAN ATTRACT
MOISTURE WHICH LEADS TO SEPARATION AND
FORMATION OF ACID DURING STORAGE. ACIDIC
GAS CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN
ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in
minimizing formation of fuel gum deposits during stor­
age. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank in fuel tank
or storage container. Always follow mix ratio found on
stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes
after adding stabilizer to allow stabilizer to reach the
carburetor. Do not drain gas tank and carburetor if
using stabilizer.
• Drain the fuel tank. Start the engine, and let it run
until fuel lines and carburetor are empty.
• When storing the mower at the end of the season,
change the engine oil. Drain the oil after the engine
has been operated and is still warm, and refill the
crankcase with fresh oil.
• Lubricate the piston/cylinder area by first removing
the spark plug and squirting clean engine oil into
the spark plug hole. Then cover the spark plug hole
with a rag to absorb oil spray. Next, rotate the
engine by pulling the starter two or three times.
Finally, reinstall spark plug and attach spark plug
wire.
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 can cause prob­
lems.
• Do not store your mower under any plastic cover.
Plastic cannot breathe which allows condensation
to form and cause the metal components of your
mower to rust.
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