17
Storage
WARNING • DANGER
DO NOT STORE IN AN AREA WHERE FUEL FUMES MAY
ACCUMULATE AND REACH A FLAME OR SPARK.
Each fall, or before you store your
MANTIS Tiller for any long period,
be sure to take these measures:
1.
Do not store your Tiller with fuel
still in it. Even under ideal
conditions, stored fuel containing
ethanol or MTBE can start to go
stale in 30 days. And, since stale
fuel has a high gum content, it can
clog the carburetor, this, in turn,
will restrict fuel flow. Therefore,
when you’re ready to store your
Tiller, or will not be using it for
more than 2 weeks, drain the fuel
tank completely.
2.
Next, restart the engine to make
sure no fuel is left in the
carburetor. Then, run the engine
until it stops. This will prevent
gum deposits, forming inside of
the carburetor and possible engine
damage.
3.
Disconnect spark plug wire and
remove the spark plug. Slowly
pull the starter cord once.
4.
Inspect the spark plug, and if
necessary, clean it. If you need to
replace it, buy a NGK-CMR5H.
5.
Install the spark plug, but leave
the spark plug wire disconnected.
6.
Clean the air filter as described in
your MANTIS Classic 4-Cycle
Tiller Engine Manual.
7.
Clean dirt, grass and other
materials from the entire machine.
8.
Wipe the tines with oil or spray
them with WD-40, to prevent
rusting.
9
. Oil the throttle cable and all
visible moving parts. (Do not
remove the engine cover.)
10
. Replace the fuel filter.
11
. Check the grease level in the
worm gear housing as described
on page 15.
12
. Order new MANTIS
®
parts to
replace any that are badly worn
or broken call 1-800-366-6268.
For Honda
®
, engine parts, please
contact your nearest Honda
®
dealer.
13
. Store your Tiller in an upright
position in a clean, dry place. You
can store with the handles in an
extended position or folded down.
14
. To fold the handles, follow these
easy steps: Loosen the handle
knobs (#40) then fold the
handles forward. Tighten knob
securely. Your handles are now
folded and ready to store in a
smaller area.
15
. Do you have fuel left over from
last season? Dispose of it
properly. Buy fresh oil and
gasoline next season.
16
. Remove Tilling Tines or
attachments and lightly oil tine
shaft at least once a year.
You may store your MANTIS Tiller
with the handles upright as in
Picture 1 or with the handles folded
down, as in Picture 2.
Picture 1
Picture 2
!
!
IMPORTANT
It is important to store your 4-Cycle MANTIS
Tiller in an upright position. Laying the Tiller
on its side will cause the oil to leak out of the
engine through the air cleaner case.
IMPORTANT
Avoid any orientation that places the top cover
(engine head) down -this may allow oil from the
crankcase to enter the combustion chamber and
cause hard starting or a locked piston.
!
!
!
!
Contact us at www.mantis.com
