OPERATOR'S MANUAL - Columbia

Deck Wash (If Equipped)Your mower’s deck may be equipped with a water port on itssurface as part of its deck wash system.Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck’sunderside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals.Complete the following steps AFTER EACH MOWING:1. Push the mower to a level, clear spot on your lawn, nearenough for your garden hose to reach.caution: Make certain the mower’s dischargechute is directed AWAY from your house, garage,parked cars, etc.2. Thread the hose coupler (packaged with your mower’sOperator’s Manual) onto the end of your garden hose.3. Attach the hose coupler to the water port on your deck’ssurface. See Fig. 6-2.Engine Care1. Refer to the separate engine manual for enginemaintenance instructions.2. Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate enginemanual packed with your unit. Read and follow instructionscarefully.3. Under normal conditions service air cleaner as instructed inthe separate engine manual packed with your unit. Cleanevery few hours under extremely dusty conditions. Poorengine performance and flooding usually indicates that theair cleaner should be serviced.4. The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset oncea season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at thestart of each mowing season; check engine manual forcorrect plug type and gap specifications.NOTE: This spark ignition system meets all requirements of theCanadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.5. Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keepthe cooling system (blower housing area) clean topermit proper air circulation which is essential to engineperformance and life. Be certain to remove all grass, dirtand combustible debris from muffler area.6. Engines stored more than 30 days need to be treatedwith a gasoline stabilizer such as STA-BIL® to preventdeterioration and gum from forming in fuel system or onessential carburetor parts. If the gasoline in your enginedeteriorates during storage, you may need to have thecarburetor, and other fuel system components, serviced orreplaced.Figure 6-24. Turn the water on.5. Start the engine as described in the Operation section.6. Run the engine for a minimum of two minutes, allowingthe underside of the cutting deck to thoroughly rinse.7. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.8. Turn the water off and detach the hose coupler from thewater port on your deck’s surface.After cleaning your deck, restart the mower. Keep the engineand blade running for a minimum of two minutes, allowing theunderside of the cutting deck to thoroughly dry.Section 6 — Maintenance & Adjustments17