Craftsman 358360131 Owner’s Manual

Instruction Manual

2.4 cu.in./40cc 2-Cycle

GASOLINE CHAIN SAW

Model No.

358.360131 - 18 in. Bar

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Parts List

• Espa_ol

For Occasional Use Only

WARNING:

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Operating
Instructions before first use of this product.

For answers to your questions about this product:
Call 7 am-7 pm, Mon-Sat; Sun, 10 am-7 pm

1-800-235-5878 (Hours,istedareCentralTime)

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

530164815 1/14/04

Warranty 2 Storage 18
Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Table 19

Assembly 6 Emissions Statement 20
Operation 7 Parts List 22

Maintenance 13 Spanish 24

Service and Adjustments 16 Parts & Ordering Back Cover

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN _ GAS CHAIN SAW
For one year from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Gas Chain Saw is

maintained, lubricated and tuned up according to the instruction manual, Sears

will repair, free of charge, any defect in material or workmanship.
This warranty excludes the bar, chain, spark plug and air filter, which are

expendable parts, and become worn during normal use.
If this Gas Chain Saw is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty

applies for 30 days from the date of purchase.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THIS CHAIN SAW TO THE

NEAREST SEARS STORE OR SERVICE CENTER IN THE UNITED STATES.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

_WARNING: Always disconnect

spark plug wire when making repairs
except for carburetor adjustments. Be-
cause a chain saw is a high-speed

woodcutting tool, special precautions

must be observed to reduce risk of ac-
cidents. Careless or improper use of

this tool can cause serious injury.

PLAN AHEAD

• Restrict the use of your saw to adult
users who understand and can fol-

low the safety rules, precautions,

and operating instructions found in
this manual.

Hearing _ Safety Hat

Protection _ A Eye

Snug I_1'_ Protection
Fitting _ Heavy Duty

Clothing

Safety _ Safety Chaps
Shoes

• Wear protective geac Always use

steel-toed safety footwear with non-slip
soles; snug-fitting clothing; heavy_luty,

non-slip gloves; eye protection such
as non-fogging, vented goggles or
face screen; an approved safety hard
hat; and sound barriers (ear plugs or

mufflers) to protect your headng. Reg-
ular users should have hearing
checked regularly as chain saw noise
can damage headng.

• Secure hair above shoulder length. Do
not wear loose clothing or jewelry; they

can get caught in moving parts.

• Keep all parts of your body away
from the chain when the engine is
running.

• Keep children, bystanders, and ani-
mals at least 30 feet (10 meters)
away from the work area when start-

ing and using the saw.

• Do not handle or operate a chain saw
when you are fatigued, ill, or upset, or
if you have taken alcohol, drugs, or
medication. You must be in good

physical condition and mentally alert. If
you have any condition that might be
aggravated by strenuous work, check
with doctor before operating.

• Do not start cutting until you have a
clear work area, secure footing, and

especially if you are felling a tree, a
retreat path.

2

OPERATE YOUR SAW SAFELY

• Do not operate with one hand. Seri-
ous injury to the operator, helpers, or

bystanders may result from one-
handed operation. A chain saw is in-

tended for two-handed use.

• Operate the chain saw only in a well-
ventilated outdoor area.

• Do not operate saw from a ladder or

in a tree.

• Make sure the chain will not make
contact with any object while starting

the engine. Never try to start the saw
when the guide bar is in a cut.

• Do not put pressure on the saw, es-

pecially at the end of the cut. Doing
so can cause you to lose control
when the cut is completed.

• Stop engine before setting saw down.

• Hand carry saw only when engine is
stopped. Carry with muffler away
from body; guide bar& chain project-

ing behind you; guide bar preferably

covered with a scabbard.

• Do not operate a chain saw that is
damaged, improperly adjusted, or not
completely and securely assembled.
Always replace bar, chain, hand
guard, chain brake, or other pads im-

mediately if they become damaged,
broken, or are ol_erwise removed.

MAINTAIN YOUR SAW IN GOOD

WORKING ORDER

• Have all chain saw service per-
formed by a qualified service dealer
except the items listed in the MAiNTE-

NANCE section of this manual.

• Make certain the saw chain stops

moving when the throttle trigger is
released. For correction, refer to

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENTS.

• Keep the handles dry, clean, and
free from oil or fuel mixture.

• Keep caps and fasteners securely
tightened.

• Nonconforming replacement compo-

nents or the removal of safety devices
may cause damage to the unit and

possible injury to l_e operator or by-
standers. Use only Craftsman acces-
sories and replacement parts as rec-
ommended. Never modify your saw.

• Maintain chain saw with care.

• Keep unit sharp and clean for better
and safer performance.

• Follow instructions for lubricating and
changing accessories.

• Check for damaged parts. Before fur-
ther use of the chain saw, a guard or
other part that is damaged should be
carefully checked to determine that it
will operate properly and perform its
intended function. Check for alignment
of moving parts, binding of moving

parts, breakage of pads, mounting and
any other conditions that may affect its
operation. A guard or other part that is
damaged should be properly repaired
or replaced by a Sears Service Center

unless otherwise indicated elsewhere
in the instruction manual.

• When not in use, chain saws should
be stored in a dry, high or locked-up

place out of the reach of children.

• When stodng saw, use a scabbard or
carrying case.

HANDLE FUEL WITH CAUTION

• Do not smoke while handling fuel or
while operating the saw.

• Eliminate all sources of sparks or
flame in areas where fuel is mixed or

poured.

• Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area
and use an approved, marked con-
tainer for all fuel purposes. Wipe up
all fuel spills before starting saw.

• Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) from
fueling site before starting.

• Turn the engine off and let saw cool
in a non-combustible area, not on

dry leaves, straw, paper, etc. Slowly
remove fuel cap and refuel unit.

• Store the unit and fuel in a cool, dry
well ventilated space where fuel va-
pors cannot reach sparks or open

flames from water heaters, electric
motors or switches, furnaces, etc.

GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK

Follow all safety rules to help avoid

kickback and other forces which can
result in serious injury.

(SJ"=,c<boo.oo,.

Avoid Obstructions

Clear The Working Area

zt _

41_WARNING: Avoid kickback which

can result in serious injury. Kickback

is the backward, upward or sudden for-
ward motion of the guide bar occurring
when the saw chain near the upper tip
of the guide bar contacts any object

such as a log or branch, or when the
wood closes in and pinches the saw

chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign
object in the wood can also result in

loss of chain saw control.

• Rotational Kickback can occur
when the moving chain contacts an

object at the upper tip of the guide

bar. This contact can cause the

chain to dig into the object, which
stops the chain for an instant. The

result is a lightning fast, reverse
reaction which kicks the guide bar up

and back toward the operator.

• Pinch-Kickback can occur when the
the wood closes in and pinches the

moving saw chain in the cut along the

top of the guide bar and the saw chain

is suddenly stopped. This sudden

stopping of the chain results in a re-
versal of the chain force used to cut

wood and causes the saw to move in
the opposite direction of the chain

rotation. The saw is driven straight
back toward the operator.

• PulHn can occur when the moving
chain contacts a foreign object in the

wood in the cut along the bottom of
the guide bar and the saw chain is
suddenly stopped. This sudden stop-

ping pulls the saw forward and away
from the operator and could easily
cause the operator to lose control of

the saw.

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK

• Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kick-

back, you can reduce the element of
surprise which contributes to acci-
dents.

• Never let the moving chain contact
any object at the tip of the guide bar.

• Keep working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches,

rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate

or avoid any obstruction that your saw
chain could hit while cutting.

• When cutting a branch, do not let the
guide bar contact another branch or
other objects around it.

• Keep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can

increase the chance of kickback. Fol-
low manufacturer's chain sharpening

and maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals, but never

with engine running. Make sure chain
brake nuts are securely tightened.

• Begin and continue cutting at full
speed. Ifthe chain is moving at a
slower speed, there is greater chance
of kickback occurring.

• Use extreme caution when reentering
a cut.

• Do not attempt cuts starting with the
tip of the bar (plunge cuts).

• Watch for shifting logs or other forces
that could close a cut and pinch or fall

into chain.

• Use the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar and Low-Kickback Chain.

Avoid Pinch-Kickback:

• Be extremely aware of situations or
obstructions that can cause material

to pinch the top of or otherwise stop
the chain.

• Do not cut more than one log at a
time.

• Do not twist saw as bar is withdrawn
from an undercut when bucking.

Avoid Pull4n:

• Always begin cutting with the engine
at full speed and the saw housing

against wood.

• Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.

MAINTAIN CONTROL

Stand to the left of the saw

Thumb on

underside

of h_ Elbow

locked

Never reverse hand positions

• A good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands will help you maintain control.
Don't let go. Gdp the rear handle with
your right hand whether you are right
or left handed. Wrap the fingers of

your left hand over and around the
front handlebar, and your left thumb
under the front handlebar. Keep your
left arm straight with the elbow locked.

• Positionyourlefthandonthefront
handlebarsoitisinastraightlinewith

yourrighthandontherearhandle
whenmakingbuckingcuts.Stand
slightlytotheleftsideofthesawto

keepyourbodyfrombeinginadirect
linewiththecuringchain.

•Standwithyourweightevenlybal-

ancedonbothfeet.

• Donotoverreach.Youcouldbedrawn

orthrownoffbalanceandlosecontrol.

• Donotcutaboveshoulderheight.Itis

difficulttomaintaincontrolofsaw
aboveshoulderheight.

KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES

_WARN|NG: The following features

are included on your saw to help reduce
hazard of kickback; however, such fea-

tures will not totally eliminate this danger.

Do not rely only on safety devices. Fol-
low all safety rules to help avoid kick-
back and other forces which can result

_nsenous _njury,

• Front Hand Guard: designed to reduce

the chance of your left hand contact-

ing the chain if your hand slips off the

front handlebar.

• Position of front and rear handlebars:

designed with distance between han-
dles and "inqine" with each other. The

spread and "in-line" position of the

hands provided by this design work

together to give balance and resis-
tance in controlling the pivot of the
saw back toward the operator if kick-

back occurs.

• Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar: de-

signed with a small radius tip which

reduces the size of the kickback dan-

ger zone on the bar tip. This type bar

has been demonstrated to significantly
reduce the number and seriousness of

kickbacks when tested in accordance

with ANSI B175.1.

Tip Guide Bar

_ Small Radius

Large Radius [ "_

Tip Guide Bar

• Low-Kickback Chain: has met kick-
back performance requirements when

tested on a representative sample of
chain saws below 3.8 cubic inch dis-

placement specified in ANSI B175.1.

Low-Kickback Chain

_._ longated Guard Link

CHAIN BRAKE

• Chain Brake: designed to stop the
chain in the event of kickback.

£A _

aWARNIN_: WEDONOTREP_

RESENT AND YOU SHOULD NOT AS*
SUME THAT THE CHAIN BRAKE WILL
PROTECT YOU IN THE EVENT OF A

KICKBACK. Kickback is a lightning fast
action which throws the bar and rotat-

ing chain back and up toward the op-
erator. Kickback can be caused by al-
lowing contact of the bar tip in the
danger zone with any hard object.
Kickback can also be caused by
pinching the saw chain along the top

of the guide bar. This action may push
the guide bar rapidly back toward the
operator. Either of these events may
cause you to lose control of the saw
which could result in serious injury or

even death. DO NOT RELY UPON ANY
OF THE DEVICES BUILT INTO YOUR

SAW. YOU SHOULD USE THE SAW
PROPERLY AND CAREFULLY TO AVOID

KICKBACK. Reduced-kickback guide
bars and low-kickback saw chains re-

duce the chance and magnitude of
kickback and are recommended. Your

saw has a taw kickback chain and bar
as original equipment. Repairs on a

chain brake should be made by an au-
thedzed Sears Service Center. Take

your unit to the place of purchase or to
your nearest Sears Service Center.

• Tip contact in some cases may cause
a lightning fast reverse REACTION,
kicking guide bar up and back toward
operator.

• Pinching the saw chain along the top
of the guide bar may push the guide
bar rapidly back toward the operator.

• Either of these reactions may cause
you to lose control of the saw which
could result in serious injury. De not
rely exclusively upon safety devices
built into your saw.

Contoured Depth Gauge

deflects kickback
force And allows
wood to gradually

ride into Cutter

SAFETY NOTICE: Exposure to vibra-

tions through prolonged use of gasoline

powered hand tools could cause blood

vessel or nerve damage in the fingers,

hands, and joints of people prone to
circulation disorders or abnormal swell-

ing. Prolonged use in cold weather has
been linked to blood vessel damage in

otherwise healthy people. If symptoms
occur such as numbness, pain, loss of

strength, change in skin color or texture,

or loss of feeling in the fingers, hands, or
joints, discontinue the use of this tool

and seek medical attention. An anti-vi-
brafion system does not guarantee the
avoidance of these problems. Users

who operate power tools on a continual

and regular basis must closely monitor

their physical condition and the condition
of this tool.

CHAIN BRAKE: If this saw is to be
used for commercial logging, a chain

brake is required and shall not be re-
moved or otherwise disabled to comply

with Federal OSHA Regulations for

Commercial Logging.

SPARK ARRESTING SCREEN: Your
saw is equipped with a temperature lim-

iting muffler and spark arresting screen
which meets the requirements of Califor-

nia Codes 4442 and 4443. All U.S. for-
est land and the states of California, Ida-

ho, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey,
Oregon, and Washington require by law

that many internal combustion engines
be equipped with a spark arresting
screen. If you operate a chain saw in a
state or locale where such regulations

exist, you are legally responsible for
maintaining the operating condition of
these parts. Failure to do so is a viola-

tion of the law. Refer to Customer Re-
sponsibilities chart in the MAINTENANCE

section.
STANDARDS: This chain saw is listed
by Underwriters Laboratedes, Inc. in ac-

cordance with American National Stan-
dards for Gasoline-Powered Chain

Saws Safety Requirements (ANSI
B175.1-2000).

£A _

I_WARNING: Before using chain

saw, ensure all fasteners are secure.
CARTON CONTENTS

Check carton contents against the fol-
lowing list.

Model 358.360131

• Chain saw (fully assembled)

• Chain adjustment tool (Bar toot)

• 2-cycle engine oil

• Carrying case
Examine parts for damage. Do not use
damaged parts.

If you need assistance or find that parts

are missing or damaged, please call

1-800-235-5878.
NOTE: It is normal to hear the fuel filter
rattle in an empty fuel tank.
Your unit has been factory tested and

the carburetor precisely adjusted. As a
result you may smell gasoline or find a

drop of oil/fuel residue on the muffler
when you unpack the unit.

ASSEMBLY

Your saw is fully assembled; no
assembly is necessary.

KNOW YOUR SAW

READ THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR
CHAIN SAW. Compare the illustrations with your unit to familiarize yourself with

the location of the various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future
reference.

AdjusChmaintTool Front HatedGuard .--=` ,_/ Front HandI_arter Rope

Cha,n Mud,or ;r , er

Bar Oil Fill Cap Housing Fuel Mix Fill Cap

Throttle Chain

Lockout Adjusting Direction

Rear
Handle

Screw of Travel

Throttle
Trigger Choke/ Chain Chain Nuts

ON/STOP SWITCH
The ON/STOP SW_TCHis used to stop

the engine.

THROTTLE TRIGGER

The THRO]qLE TRIGGER controls engine

speed.

THROTTLE LOCKOUT

The THROTiLE LOCKOUT must be

pressed before you can squeeze the
throttle l_gger. This feature prevents you
from accidentally squeezing the tdgger.

CHOKE/FAST IDLE LEVER
The choke and fast idle are set by pull-

ing the CHOKE/FAST iDLE LEVER out to

the full extent for cold stadthg or after

refueling. The choke provides additional

fuet to the engine during cold starting.

PRIMER BULB

The PRIMER BULB circulates fuel to the
carburetor to provide quicker starting,

Fast Idle Brake Catcher
Lever

t

Bar Sprocket
Hole

CHAIN BRAKE

The CHAIN BRAKE iS a device designed
to stop the chain if kickback occurs.

The chain brake activates automatically

in the event of kickback. The chain
brake ac_vates manuatty if the front

hand guard is pushed forward. The
chain brake is disengaged by pulling the

front hand guard back toward the front
handle as far as possiMe.

CHAIN TENSION

It is normal for a new chain to stretch

dudng first 30 minutes of operation, You

should check your chain tension fre-
quently. See CHAIN TENSION under the

SERVICEAND ADJUSTMENTS section,
_WARN|NG: Muffler is very hot

during and after use. Do not touch the
muffler or allow combustible material

such as dry grass or fuel to do so.

7