Craftsman 358745270 Owner’s Manual

Instruction Manual

4.0 Amp Motor
13 Inch Cutting Path/0.065 In. Line

ELECTRIC WEEDWACKER ®

Model No.

358.745270

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espahol

®

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; 10 am-7 pm, Sun

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

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

530163929 4/4/03

Warranty Statement 2 Parts Available 9
Safety Rules 2 Storage 9
Assembly 5 Troubleshooting Table 10

Operation 6

Maintenance 8 Spanish 11

Service & Adjustments 9 Parts Ordering Back Cover

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN ELECTRIC WEEDWACKER ®
LINE TRIMMER

If this Craftsman Electric Weedwacker _" Line Trimmer fails to perform properly
due to a defect in material or workmanship within (1) one year from the date of
purchase, Sears will replace it free of charge.

This warranty does not cover the nylon line.
WARRANTY SErViCE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN ELECTRIC

WEEDWACKER'- LINE TRIMMER TO THE NEAREST SEARS STORE OR SERVICE CEN-

TER IN THE UNITED STATES.

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

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

z% _

_ILWARNING: When using electric

gardening appliances, basic safety
precautions must always be followed

to reduce the risk of fire, electric

shock, and serious injury. Read and

follow all instructions.

SAFETY INFORMATIONON THE UNIT

@OO

At=

_IbWARNING: Trimmer line throws
objects violenfiy. You and others can

be blinded/injured. Wear safety
glasses, boots, and leg protection.
Keep body parts clear of rotating line.

This power unit can be dangerous!

Operator is responsible for following

the warnings and instructions in this

manual and on the unit. Read entire
instruction manual before using unit!

Be thoroughly familiar with the con-

trois and the proper use of the unit.

Restrict the use of this unit to persons

who read, understand, and follow unit

and manual warnings and instruc-

tions. Never allow children to operate
this unit. Close attention is necesary

when used near children.

z% =_____

4_LDANGER: Never use blades or
flailing devices. Unit is designed for line

trimmer use only. Use of any other ac-

cessories or attachments will increase

the risk of injury.

Keep children, bystanders, and ani-
mals 50 feet (15 meters) away. If ap-

proached stop unit immediately.
If situations occur which are not cov-
ered in this manual, use care and

good judgement. If you need assis-
tance, call 1-800-235-5878.

OPERATOR SAFETY

• Dress properly. Always wear safety
glasses or similar eye protection

when operating, or performing main-
tenance on your unit. (Safety

2

glasses are available.) Always wear
face or dust mask if operation is

dusty. Always wear heavy, long

pants, long sleeves, boots, and

gloves. Do not go barefoot or wear
sandals.

• Secure hair above shoulder length.
Secure or remove loose clothing

and jewelry or clothing with loosely

hanging ties, straps, tassels, etc.

They can be caught in moving parts.

• Being fully covered also helps pro-
tect you from debris and pieces of

toxic plants thrown by spinning line.

• Stay Alert. Do not operate unit when
you are tired, ill, or under influence

of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
Watch what you are doing; use com-

mon sense.

• Avoid unintentional starting of the

unit. Never carry unit with your fin-

ger on the switch. Be sure the
switch is in OFF position when con-

necting extension cord.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

_WARNING: Avoid a dangerous

environment. To reduce the risk of
electrical shock, do not use in rain, in
damp or wet locations, or around

swimming pools, hot tubs, etc. Do not
expose to snow, rain, or water to avoid

the possibility of electrical shock.

• Use a voltage supply as shown on

unit.

• Avoid dangerous situations. Do not

use in the presence of flammable
liquids or gases to avoid creating a

fire or explosion and/or causing
damage to unit.

• To reduce lhe risk of electrical shock,
this equipment has a polarized plug

(one blade is wider than the other)

and will require the use of a polarized
extension cord. The appliance plug

will fit into a polarized extension cord
only one way. If the plug does not fit

fully into the extension cord, reverse
the plug. If the plug still does not fit,
obtain a correct polarized extension

cord. A polarized extension cord will

require the use of a polarized wall out-
let. This plug will fit into the polarized

wall outlet only one way. If plug does

not fit fully into the wall outlet, reverse

the plug. If the plug still does not fit,
contact a qualified electrician to install

the proper wall outlet. Do not change
the equipment plug, extension cord

receptacle, or extension cord plug in

any way.

• To reduce risk of electrical shock,
use extension cords specifically

marked as suitable for outdoor ap-
pliances having electrical rating not

less than the rating of unit. Cord
must be marked with suffix "W-A" (in
Canada "W"). Make sure your exten-

sion cord is in good condition. In-
spect extension cord before use and

replace if damaged. Do not use a

damaged cord. Cord insulation

must be intact with no cracks or de-

terioration. Plug connectors must be

undamaged. An undersized exten-

sion cord will cause a drop in line
voltage resulting in loss of power

and overheating. If in doubt, use the

next heavier gauge. The lower the

gauge number, the heavier the cord

(see SELECT AN EXTENSION CORD
in the OPERATION section).

• Do not use multiple cords.

• Do not abuse cord. Never carry the
unit by the extension cord or yank

extension cord to disconnect unit.

• Use cord retainer to prevent discon-
nection of extension cord from unit

and possible damage to the unit due
to plug movement. See ATTACH THE

EXTENSION CORD TO YOUR TRIM-
MER in the OPERATION section.

• Do not use the unit if the switch

does not turn the unit on and off

properly. Repairs to the switch must
be made by your Sears Service

Center.

• Keep the extension cord clear of op-

erator and obstacles at all times. Do

not expose cords to heat, oil, water,

or sharp edges.

• To avoid the possibility of electric

shock, avoid body contact with any
grounded conductor, such as metal

fences or pipes.

• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCl) protection should be pro-

vided on circuit or outlet to be used.

Receptacles are available having
built-in GFCl protection and may be

used for this measure of safety.

UNIT SAFETY

• Inspect unit before use. Replace

damaged parts. Make sure all han-
dles, guards, and fasteners are in

place and securely fastened. Parts

that are damaged must be repaired
or replaced by a Sears Service Cen-

ter. These include head parts that
are cracked, or chipped, guards,
and any other part that is damaged.

• Do not repair unit yourself.

3

• Use only 0.065" (1.65 mm) diame-
ter recommended trimmer line. (See

SERVtCE AND ADJUSTMENTS). Nev-
er use wire, rope, string etc.

• Use specified trimmer spool. Make
sure spool is properly installed and
all parts are securely fastened.

• Use only recommended replace-

ment parts and accessories.

CUTTING SAFETY

• Inspect area to be cut. Remove ob-
jects (rocks, broken glass, nails,
wire, string, etc.) which can be
thrown or become entangled in cut-

ting head.

• Do not overreach or stand on unsta-

ble support. Keep firm footing and
balance.

• Keep the cutting head below waist

level. Do not raise handles above

your waist. Cutting head can come
dangerously close to your body.

• Keep away from cutting head and
spinning line.

• Use unit properly. Use only for trim-

ming, edging, scalping, and mow-
ing. Do not force unit. It will do the

ob better and with less risk of injury

at the rate for wh ch t was des gned.

• Use only in daylight or in good artifi-
cial light.

MAINTENANCE SAFETY

_WARNING: Disconnect unit
from the power supply before perform-

ing maintenance, or when changing

trimmer line.

• Maintain unit according to recom-

mended procedures. Keep cutting
line at proper length. Follow instruc-

tions for changing trimmer line.

• Have all service and maintenance

not explained in this manual per-

formed by a Sears Service Center to
avoid creating a hazard.

• Never douse or squirt the unit with
wateror any other liquid. Clean unit
and labels with a damp sponge.

Keep handles dry, clean, and free

from oi! and grease.

• Keep the air vents clean and free of
debris to avoid overheating the mo-

tor. Clean aftereach use.

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

• Stop the unit and disconnect the
power source when not in use.

• Carry the unit with motor stopped.

• Store the unit so the line limiter
blade (on underside of shield) can-
not cause injury.

• Store unit indoors in a high, dry
place out of the reach of children.

Store unit unplugged.

• Do not hang unit so that the trigger

switch is depressed.
DOUBLE INSULATION CONSTRUC-
TION

This unit is double insulated to help
protect against electric shock. Double

suIation construction consists of two
separate "layers" of electrical insula-

tion instead of grounding.
Tools built with this insulation system

are not intended to be grounded. No
grounding means is provided on this

unit, nor should a means of grounding
be added to this unit. As a result, the

extension cord used with your unit can
be plugged into any polarized 120 volt

electrical outlet.
Safety precautions must be observed

when operating any electrical tool.
The double insulation system only
provides added protection against in-

jury resulting from an internal electrical

insulation failure.
_kWARNING: All electrical repairs

to this unit, including housing, switch,
motor, etc., must be diagnosed and
repaired by qualified service person-

neL Replacement parts fora double
insulated appliance must be recom-
mended by the manufacturer. A

double insulated appliance is marked
with the words "double insulation" or

"double insulated". The symbol
(square within a square) [] may also

be marked on the appliance. Failure
to have the unit repaired by qualified
service personnel can cause the

double insulation construction to be-
come ineffective and result in serious

injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

4

CARTON CONTENTS
Check carton contents against the fol-

lowing Iist.
Model 358.745278

• Trimmer

• Shield
Examine parts for damage. Do not

use damaged parts.
NOTE: If you need assistance or find
parts missing or damaged, call

1-800-235-5878.

ASSEMBLY

_I_WARNING: If received as-

sembled, review all assembly steps to
ensure your unit is properly as-

sembled and all fasteners are secure.

• Extend the tube until it snaps into
place.

ADJUSTING ASSIST HANDLE

1. Loosen wing nut on handle.

2. Rotate the handte on the tube to

an upright position; place in a
comfortable position and retighten

wing nut.

ATTACHING THE SHIELD

_WARNING: The shield must be
properly installed. The shield provides

partial protection from the risk of
thrown objects to the operator and
others. Your unit is equipped with a
line limiter blade, which cuts excess

line to the proper length while running.
The line limiter blade (on underside of
shield) is sharp and can cut you.

NOTE: Ifshield is not properly
installed, damage to unit (including
motor failure) will result.

1. Align the installation arrow on the
shield with the installation arrow on

the motor housing (see illustration
below).

2. Insert the shield onto the motor
housing. Ensure cutting line re-

mains free to rotate and is not
caught between the shield and the

motor housing.

3. Twist the shield as illustrated until
it snaps securely into place. Make

sure the shield is facing the back
of the unit as shown on the front

cover of this manual.

ALIGN INSTALLATION ARROWS

©

Twist shield in
arrow to assemble

CAUTION: Sharp line Iimiter blade

5

KNOW YOUR TRIMMER

READ THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR
UNIT Compare the illustrations with your unit to familiarize yourself with the loca-

tion of the various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future refer-

ence.

Recessed
Plug

Cord

Trigger

Switch

Assist Handle

Retainer

_, Motor Housing

Air Vents

Semi-automatic
Head with

Tap Button

Line Limiter Blade

RECESSED PLUG

The RECESSED PLUG is where you at-
tach your extension cord to the unit.

TRIGGER SWITCH

The TRIGGER SWITCH is used to turn

on the unit. Squeeze the trigger switch

to operate the unit.

LINE LIMITER

The LINE LIMITER cuts the cutting line
to the proper cutting length.

ASSIST HANDLE

The ASSIST HANDLE is used to help
hold and guide the unit.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC HEAD

The SEMI-AUTOMATIC HEAD holds De
cutting line and rotates during operation.

TAP BUTTON

The TAP BUTTON is used to advance
the cutting line during operation and to

remove the spool during line replace-
ment.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Use only a voltage supply as specified

on your unit.

SELECT AN EXTENSION CORD

Extension Cord Gauge Chart

Length of Cord Gauge

25 Ft. (7.5 m) 18 Gauge
50 Ft. (15 m) 16 Gauge

100 Ft. (30 m) 16 Gauge

Extension cords are available for this
unit at Sears.

Extension Cord

(16 Guage) ............ 71-85708

ATTACH THE EXTENSION

CORD TO YOUR TRIMMER
Loop your extension cord through the

handle and around the hook. insure
the plug and cord are firmly and fully

engaged.

6