MTD 440 Thru E459 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
18
SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE
Prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the
season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or
more. Store the mower in a clean, dry area.
Mower
Clean underside of the mower following
instructions in the Maintenance section of this
manual.
We do not recommend the use of pressure
washers or garden hose to clean your unit. They
may cause damage to electric components,
spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use
of water will result in shortened life and reduce
serviceability.
Lubricate the mower as instructed in the
Maintenance section of this manual.
You can fold your mowers handle for convenient
storage: 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 brackets.
Spread the sides of the lower handle, and push it
forward and down.
Inspect and replace/sharpen blade, if required.
Refer to the Service & Adjustments section of this
manual for blade care instructions.
Engine
Follow recommendations in the accompanying
engine manual for off-season storage of the
engine.
Change oil as necessary as stated in the engine
owners manual.
Clean engine and remove any grass clippings, dirt,
and debris from the cooling fins, air intake screen,
levers, linkage and the exterior of the engine.
Storage Of The Battery
The battery must be stored with a full charge. A
discharged battery will freeze.
IMPORTANT:
All batteries discharge during storage.
Recharge battery every two months and before
returning to service. Refer to charging instructions in
OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER section on page
12.
Other
Do not store gasoline from one season to another.
Gasoline that is older than one month old may
significantly contribute to difficulty in starting your
engine.
Replace your gasoline can if it starts to rust. Rust
and/or dirt in the gasoline will cause problems.
Store unit in a clean, dry area. Do not store next to
corrosive materials, such as fertilizer or rocksalt.
NOTE: If storing in an unventilated or metal storage
shed, be certain to rustproof the equipment by coating
with a light oil or silicone.