3- 2
3 Maintenance
Storage
WARNING
Never store a tractor, with gasoline in engine or fuel tank, in a heated shelter or in an enclosed, poorly
ventilated enclosure. Gasoline fumes may reach an open flame, spark or pilot light (such as a furnace,
water heater, clothes dryer, etc.) and cause an explosion.
Handle gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable and careless use could result in serious fire damage to
your person or property.
Drain fuel into an approved container outdoors away from open flame or sparks.
A. STORAGE
Temporary Storage
(30 Days Or Less)
Remember, the fuel tank will still contain some gasoline,
so never store the tractor indoors where fuel vapor could
travel to any ignition source. Fuel vapor is also toxic if
inhaled, so never store the tractor in any structure used
for human or animal habitation.
Here is a checklist of things to do when storing your trac-
tor temporarily or in between uses:
• Do not store the tractor in an area where children
may come into contact with it. If there is any
chance of unauthorized use, remove the ignition
key and keep it in a safe place.
• If the tractor cannot be stored on a reasonably
level surface, block the wheels.
• Clean all grass and dirt from the mower.
NOTE: If storing your tractor between winter snow
removal jobs in a cold area, we suggest that you fill the
fuel tank at the completion of each job to prevent water
condensation in the fuel tank. Wait for the engine to cool
before filling the tank.
Long Term Storage
(Longer Than 30 Days)
Before you store your tractor for the off-season, read the
Maintenance and Storage instructions in the Safety
Rules section, then perform the following steps:
1. Drain crankcase oil and refill with a grade of oil that
will be required when tractor is used again.
2. Prepare the mower deck for storage as follows:
a. Remove mower deck from the tractor. (See
Operators Manual)
b. Clean underside of mower deck.
c. Coat all bare metal surface with paint or light coat
of oil to prevent rusting.
3. Clean external surfaces and engine.
4. Prepare engine for storage. See engine owner’s
manual.
5. Clean any dirt or grass from cylinder head cooling
fins, engine housing and air cleaner element.
6. Cover air cleaner and exhaust outlet tightly with plas-
tic or other waterproof material to keep out moisture,
dirt and insects.
7. Completely grease and oil tractor as outlined in the
Lubrication section.
8. Clean up tractor and apply paint or rust preventative
to any areas where paint is chipped or damaged.
9. Be sure the battery is filled to the proper level with
water and is fully charged. Battery life will be
increased if it is removed, put in a cool, dry place and
fully charged about once a month. Do not allow the
battery to freeze. If the battery is left in the tractor,
disconnect the negative cable.
10. Drain the fuel system completely or add a gasoline
stabilizer to the fuel system. If you have chosen to
use a fuel stabilizer and have not drained the fuel
system, follow all safety instructions and storage pre-
cautions in this manual to prevent the possibility of
fire from the ignition of gasoline fumes. Remember,
gasoline fumes can travel to distant sources of igni-
tion and ignite, causing risk of explosion and fire.
NOTE: Gasoline, if permitted to stand unused for extend-
ed periods (30 days or more), may develop gummy
deposits which can adversely affect the engine carbure-
tor and cause engine malfunction. To avoid this condi-
tion, add a gasoline stabilizer to the fuel tank or drain all
fuel from the system before placing unit in storage.
11. Transport the tractor to a suitable, dry, indoor loca-
tion. If the tractor is to be stored 6 months or longer,
block the tractor up off the wheels to relieve weight
and also to keep the tires off a damp floor. Protect
tires from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
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