Storing Your Equipment
Perform some simple seasonal storage and startup maintenance in the spring, fall or whenever you store your equipment for prolonged periods of time. Use our handy equipment storage checklist to help you store your equipment properly.
Equipment Storage Checklist
Fuel
- Top off the fuel tank before storing.
- Filling the tank helps prevent moisture from condensing in your fuel tank, and stops rust and scale before it starts.
Before you fill up, add Briggs & Stratton's Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer to the fuel.* Then, run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the additive through the carburetor. The fuel stabilizer will help prevent gum from forming in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts.
Oil
- While the engine is still warm, change the oil and the oil filter (if equipped).
- Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle motor oil is available in two sizes, 18 oz and 48 oz, and is available through your local dealer, retailer, or online.
Battery
- Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery terminal on units (if equipped).
- Remove the battery. Your battery should be stored in a cool, dry place.
- Clean the battery terminals using a terminal cleaner, and coat all terminals with a terminal protector. The terminal cleaner and protector can be found at your local Briggs & Stratton dealer, auto parts store, or hardware store.
Cleaning Your Equipment
- Don't store your engine dirty. Clean the engine surface of debris, chaff or grass.
- With the spark plug lead removed from the engine, use a garden hose to wash away any residual grass clippings.
- Once the majority of the grass clippings have been removed, it will be easier to identify a clump of grass that may be interfering with blade motion.
- Using a wooden stick or other implement other than your hands and feet, remove the offending material and wash the deck thoroughly.
* Note: if you choose not to use the Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer, or if the engine is using fuel containing alcohol, such as gasohol, remove all fuel from the tank and run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel.
