5. Turn the water on.
6. Start the engine and run it until there are no more
clippings that come out from under the machine
housing.
7. Stop the engine.
8. Shut off the water and disconnect the garden hose
from the machine.
9. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes to dry the
housing to prevent it from rusting.
10. Allow the engine to cool before storing the machine
in an enclosed area.
Storage
Store the machine in a cool, clean, dry place.
Preparing the Machine for
Storage
WARNING
Gasoline vapors can explode.
• Do not store gasoline more than 30 days.
• Do not store the machine in an enclosure near
an open flame.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing it.
1. On the last refueling of the year, add fuel stabilizer to
the fuel as directed on the stabilizer labeling.
2. Dispose of any unused fuel properly. Recycle it
according to local codes, or use it in your automobile.
Note: Old fuel in the fuel tank is the leading cause of
hard starting. Do not store fuel without stabilizer more
than 30 days, and do not store stabilized fuel more than
90 days.
3. Run the machine until the engine stops from running
out of fuel.
4. Start the engine again.
5. Allow the engine to run until it stops. When you can
no longer start the engine, it is sufficiently dry.
6. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
7. Remove the spark plug, add 1 oz. (30 ml) of oil through
the spark plug hole, and pull the starter rope slowly
several times to distribute oil throughout the cylinder
to prevent cylinder corrosion during the off-season.
8. Install the spark plug and tighten it with a torque
wrench to 15 ft-lb (20 N-m).
9. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws.
Folding the Handle
WARNING
Folding or unfolding the handle improperly can
damage the cables, causing an unsafe operating
condition.
• Do not damage the cables when folding or
unfolding the handle.
• If a cable is damaged, contact an Authorized
Service Dealer.
1. Remove the ignition key (electric-start models only).
2. Loosen the handle knobs until you can move the upper
handle freely.
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