Use and Care Manual

Service Miscellaneous
Using Proper Fuel and Stabilizer
IMPORTANT: Using stale, contaminated or improper fuel can
result in engine and fuel system damage. Repairs caused
by stale, contaminated or improper fuel are not covered by
warranty.
Use regular grade unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 87 octane or
higher. Fuel blends containing up to 10% ethanol or up to 15% MTBE
reformulated fuel are acceptable. Do not use fuel or additives
containing methanol as engine damage can occur.
Always use fresh, clean fuel that is purchased in a quantity that can be
used within approximately 30 days. Fuel stabilizer should always be
added to the fuel each time fuel is purchased. Add stabilizer before
lling the fuel container to insure proper mixing. Such practice helps
prevent engine performance problems and allows fuel storage in the
machine all year without draining.
Store fuel in plastic containers to reduce condensation. Make sure the
cap on the fuel container is tight to reduce fuel contamination and
evaporation. For best fuel storage life, use a self-sealing gas can.
Fuel is blended to give best seasonal performance. To avoid engine
performance problems such as hard starting or vapor lock, use in-
season fuel. Use fuel during warm weather that was purchased during
that season, and use fuel during cold weather that was purchased
during that season.
Fuel can become stale in machines with engines that are used
seasonally or infrequently during a season. Stale fuel can produce
varnish and plug carburetor or EFI components which can affect engine
performance.
Keep fuel storage container tightly covered and in a cool area out of
direct sunlight. Fuel can break down and degrade if not sealed properly
or exposed to sun and heat.
Condensation may collect in the fuel tank because of a variety of
operating or environmental conditions and, over time, may affect your
machine’s operation. Fill machine fuel tank at the end of the day.
Filling Fuel Tank
CAUTION: Fuel vapors are explosive and ammable:
• SShhuutt eennggiinnee ooffff bbeeffoorree lllliinngg ffuueell ttaannkk..
• AAllllooww eennggiinnee ttoo ccooooll bbeeffoorree rreeffuueelliinngg..
• DDoo nnoott ssmmookkee wwhhiillee hhaannddlliinngg ffuueell..
• KKeeeepp ffuueell aawwaayy ffrroomm aammeess oorr ssppaarrkkss..
• FFiillll ffuueell ttaannkk oouuttddoooorrss oorr iinn wweellll vveennttiillaatteedd aarreeaa..
• CClleeaann uupp ssppiilllleedd ffuueell iimmmmeeddiiaatteellyy..
• UUssee cclleeaann aapppprroovveedd nnoonn--mmeettaall ccoonnttaaiinneerr ttoo pprreevveenntt ssttaattiicc
eelleeccttrriicc ddiisscchhaarrggee..
IMPORTANT: Dirt and water in fuel can cause engine damage:
• CClleeaann ddiirrtt aanndd ddeebbrriiss ffrroomm tthhee ffuueell ttaannkk ooppeenniinngg..
• UUssee cclleeaann,, ffrreesshh,, ssttaabbiilliizzeedd ffuueell..
• FFiillll tthhee ffuueell ttaannkk aatt tthhee eenndd ooff eeaacchh ddaayy’’ss ooppeerraattiioonn ttoo
kkeeeepp ccoonnddeennssaattiioonn oouutt ooff tthhee ffuueell ttaannkk..
• UUssee aa nnoonn--mmeettaalllliicc ffuunnnneell wwiitthh aa ppllaassttiicc mmeesshh ssttrraaiinneerr
wwhheenn lllliinngg tthhee ffuueell ttaannkk oorr ccoonnttaaiinneerr..
Fill fuel tank at the end of each day’s operation to prevent condensation
and freezing during cold weather.
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)
2. Allow engine to cool.
3. Remove any trash from area around fuel tank cap.
4. Remove fuel tank cap slowly to allow any pressure built up in tank
to escape.
5. Fill fuel tank only to bottom of ller neck. Do not overll.
6. Install fuel tank cap.
• Gas models: Turn cap until clicks.
Lifting Machine
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)
CAUTION: The machine can fall or slip from an unsafe lifting
device or supports.
• UUssee aa ssaaffee lliiffttiinngg ddeevviiccee rraatteedd ffoorr tthhee llooaadd ttoo bbee lliifftteedd..
• LLoowweerr mmaacchhiinnee oonnttoo jjaacckk ssttaannddss oorr ootthheerr ssttaabbllee ssuuppppoorrttss
aanndd bblloocckk wwhheeeellss bbeeffoorree sseerrvviicciinngg..
GXAL42048—UN—04MAR13
Hydrostatic transmission model shown
2. Safely lift rear of machine at machine frame point (A). Place jack
stands or other stable supports onto transaxle locations (B) where
mounting bolts for frame come through.
3. If only lifting rear of machine, block front wheels remaining on
ground to avoid movement of machine.
PY19194—UN—27JAN14
4. Safely lift front of machine at machine frame point (C). Place jack
stands or other stable supports under frame on each side at
location (B).
5. If only lifting front of machine, block rear wheels remaining on
ground to avoid movement of machine.
6. To lower machine, lift front and/or rear of machine, and remove jack
stands or supports. Lower machine.
Service Miscellaneous
47