Exmark Commercial 21 4500-686 Rev. B - Manual (Page 35)

Storage
Storage
Preparing the Fuel System
To prepare the lawn mower for off season storage,
perform the recommended maintenance procedures.
Store the lawn mower in a cool, clean, dry place.
Cover the lawn mower to keep it clean and protected.
WARNING
Gasoline can vaporize if you store it over long
periods of time. Gasoline vapors can explode if
they come into contact with an open flame.
• Do Not store gasoline over long periods of
time.
• Do Not store the lawn mower with gasoline in
the fuel tank or the carburetor in an enclosure
with an open flame. (For example, a furnace
or a water heater pilot light.)
• Allow the engine to cool before storing it in
any enclosure.
Empty the fuel tank when mowing the last time
before storing the lawn mower.
1. Run the lawn mower until the engine stops from
running out of fuel.
2. Prime the engine and start it again.
3. Allow the engine to run until it stops. When you
can no longer start the engine it is sufficiently dry.
Preparing the Engine
1. While the engine is still warm, change the oil
from the crankcase. Refer to Change Engine
Oil section in Maintenance.
2. Remove the spark plug.
3. Using an oil can, add about one tablespoon of oil
to the crankcase through the spark plug hole.
4. Slowly rotate the engine several times, using the
starter rope, to distribute the oil.
5. Install the spark plug but Do Not connect the
wire to the spark plug.
General Storage Information
1. Clean the lawn mower housing. Refer to
Cleaning the Underside of the Lawn Mower
Housing section in Cleaning.
2. Clean any dirt and chaff from the cylinder,
cylinder head fins, and blower housing.
3. Remove grass clippings, dirt, and grime from the
external parts of the engine, the shrouding, and
the top of the lawn mower housing.
4. Clean the BBC shield. Refer to Cleaning the
Blade Brake Clutch Shield section in Cleaning.
5. Check the condition of the blade. Refer
to Maintaining the Blade section in the
Maintenance.
6. Service the air filter. Refer to Servicing the Air
Filter in Maintenance.
7. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws.
8. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces with
paint available from an Authorized Service Dealer.
Removing the Lawn Mower
from Storage
1. Check and tighten all fasteners.
2. Remove the spark plug and spin the engine rapidly
by pulling the starter rope to blow excess oil from
the cylinder.
3. Clean the spark plug or replace it if it is cracked,
broken, or if the electrodes are worn.
4. Install the spark plug and torque it to 17 ft-lb (23
N-m).
5. Perform any needed maintenance procedures.
6. Fill the fuel in the fuel tank with fresh gasoline.
7. Check the engine oil level.
8. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
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