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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Proper Fall Maintenance Means a Longer Useful Life for Your Outdoor Power Equipment

Alexandria, VA, September, 2001 -- The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) reminds homeowners that the best way to keep great equipment great is through proper maintenance. Those new 70% cleaner running engines will be more likely to stay cleaner, last longer, and operate at their best efficiency if they're treated right. And fall is a busy maintenance time both before and after season. Here are just a few examples:

Walk Behind Mowers and Lawn and Garden Tractor -- Now that the summer mowing season is history, it's time to store those helpful walk behind lawn mowers and lawn and garden tractors. But before putting them away for the winter OPEI recommends taking several steps that will help them store well and perform at their peak next spring.

• Fill fuel tank completely and add a fuel stabilizer or additive for extended storage. A half-full tank can attract condensation, adding harmful water to the fuel.
• Disconnect spark plug wire(s). For walk behinds, remove spark plug, put a small amount of oil directly into cylinder, turn engine over with the pull start a few times, reinstall spark plug.
• For lawn and garden tractors, clean dirt, grass and debris from engine and cutting deck; for walk behinds, clean all dirt and debris from engine and mower.
• Remove battery and fully charge before storage.
• Store tractor/rider or walk behind mower and fuel can in dry, ventilated area and never near a pilot light, stove or heat source of any kind.
• On battery powered mowers, follow manufacturersÕ instructions for charging battery during winter storage.
• Always refer to operator's manual for important details regarding extended storage.

Now, summer may be over, but winter -- and a whole new set of yard chores -- is on the horizon. So, fall is an important time for some pre-season tune-ups.

Snowthrowers -- When winter snows blow in to cover your driveway or sidewalk, the power and convenience of a well-maintained snowthrower can make snow removal quick and easy. Here's what OPEI suggests a snowthrower owner should do in the fall.

• Fill tank with fresh winter-grade fuel before the snow season starts; test run to ensure dependable operation.
• Change spark plug every year.
• Change engine oil before cold weather and use recommended viscosity and grade for easier starting and engine protection.
• Check safety devices to ensure that they are attached and working.

Chainsaws -- For homeowners with lots of trees in their yard and a fireplace in their living room, a chainsaw is a big help in cutting up fallen limbs to use for firewood. Here is what OPEI recommends for fall chain saw maintenance:

• "Winter-blended" fuels are oxygenated for easier starting in cold weather. Saw rpm should be higher with these gases but if excessive, could cause engine failure. Have your carburetor adjusted by a servicing dealer.
• In cold regions, use winter-grade bar oils which pour and flow more easily.

OPEI wants you, the consumer, to be educated on important maintenance steps so you can get the best out of your equipment. These are just a sampling of tips for a small selection of outdoor power equipment. You can find lots more on OPEIÕs home page, CyberLawn, at http://opei.mow.org.

OPEI is a trade association whose membership is primarily composed of U.S. manufacturers of powered lawn and garden maintenance products, components and attachment supplies, as well as industry related services. OPEI's domestic members manufacture in excess of 95% of the U.S. consumer retail market for gas and electric powered lawn and garden maintenance products.

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