Craftsman 358794251 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

I (RRFTSMRN'I

25cc/1.5 cu. in. 2-Cycle

17 Inch Cutting Path / 0.080 In. Line

GASOLINE WEEDWACKER ®

Model No.

358.794251

For Occasional Use Only

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Operating

WARNING:

Instructions before first use of this product.

For answers to your questions about this product:

Call 7 am-7 pm, Mon.-Sat., or 10 am-7 pm, Sun.

• 1-800-235-5878 (.ou_ listed are CentraI Time)

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

530086411 4/9/01

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 11 Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Chart 12

Assembl_; 4 Emissions Statement 13 Operation 5 Parts Ust 15

Maintenance 9 Spanish 18

Service & Adjustments 10 Parts and Ordering BackCover

FULL ONE YEAI_ WARRANTY ON WEEDWACKER _' UNE TRIMMER

For one year from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Gas Powered Weedwacker Line Tdmmer is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to

the operating and maintenance instructions in the Operator's Manual, Sears will repair, free of charge, any defect in materials or workmanship. This warranty excludes nylon line, spar plug, and air filter, which are expendable parts and become worn during normal use.

If this Weedwacker line tdmmer is used for commercial purposes, this warranty ap- plies for only 90 days from the date of purchase. If this Weedwacker line trimmer is used for rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 30 clays from the date of pur-

chase. This warranty applies only while this product is in use in the United States. WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLEBY RETURNING THE WEEDWACKER LINE TRIMMER 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: When using gar-

dening appliances, basic safety pre- cautions must always be followed to reduce the risk of fire and serious

injury. Read and follow all instructions.

Thispower unit can be dangerous! Op-

erator is responsible for following

• instructions and warnings on unit and in

manual. Read entire Operator's Manual before using unit! Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of

the unit. Restrict the use of this unit to persons who have read, understand,

and will follow the instructions and warnings on the unit and in the manual.

Never allow children to operate this unit.

OPERATORS SAFETY INFORMATION MANUAL . ON THE UNIT

DANGER: Never use blades or

flailing devices. This unit is designed for line trimmer use only. Use of any

other accessories or attachments will increase the risk of injury.

@@G

,_ WARNING: Trimmer line throws objects violently. You and others can be

blinded/injured. Wear eye and leg protection. Keep body parts clear of ro- tating line.

Eye Protection /_

Keep children, bystanders, and animals 50 feet (15 meters) away. Stop unit im- mediately if approached.

If situations occur which are not cov- ered in this manual, use care and good judgment. If you need assis- tance, contact your Sears Service

Center or call 1-800-235-5878.

OPERATORSAFETY

• Dress propedy. Always wear safety glasses or similar eye protection when operating, or performing main- tenance, on your unit (safety

.91asses ere available). Eye protec- tion should be marked Z87.

• Always wear face or dust mask if op- eration is dusty.

• Always wear heavy, long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves. Wear-

ing safety leg guards is recom- mended.

• Always wear foot protection. Do not go barefoot or wear sandals. Stay

• clear of spinning line. Secure hair above shoulder length.

Secure or remove loose clothing 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 this unit when you are tired, ill, upset or un-

der the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. Watch what you are

• doing; use common sense. Wear hearing protection.

• Never start or run inside a closed room or building. Breathing exhaust

fumes can kill.

• Keep handles free of oil and fuel.

UNIT / MAINTENANCE SAFETY

• Disconnect the spark plug before _erforming maintenance except car-

uretor adjustments.

• Look for and replace damaged or

loose parts before each use. Look

for and repair fuel leaks before use.

Keep in good working condition.

• Replace trimmer head parts that are chipped, cracked, broken, or dam-

aged in any other way before using

the unit.

• Maintain unit according to recom-

mended procedures. Keep cutting line at proper length.

• Use only 0.080 in.(2 mm) diameter

Craftsman® brand line. Never use

• wire, rope, string, etc.

Install required shield propedy be- fore using the unit. Use only speci- fied tdmmer head; make sure it is properly installed and securely fas-

tened.

• Make sure unit is assembled cor- rectly as shown in this manual.

• Make carburetor adjustments with lower end supported to prevent line from contacting any object.

• Keep others away when making car- buretor adjustments.

• Use only recommended Craftsman accessories and replacement parts.

• Have all maintenance and service not explained inthis manual per-

formed by a Sears Service Center.

FUEL SAFELY

• Mix and pour fuel outdoors.

Use a container approved for fuel.

i Keep away from sparks or flames.

Do not smoke or allow smoking near fuel or the unit.

• Avoid spilling fuel or oil. Wipe up all

fuel spills.

• Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from fueling site before start- ing engine.

• Stop engine and allow to cool before removing fuel cap.

• Always store gasoline in a container approved for flammable liquids.

CU'II"ING SAFETY

_WARNING: Inspect the area be- fore each use. Remove objects

(rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, etc.) which can be thrown by or become

entangled in line. Hard objects can damage the trimmer head and be

thrown causing serious injury.

ing and sweeping. Do not use for edg-

i Use only for tdmming, scalping, mow-

ing, pruning or hedge tdmming. Keep firm footing and balance. Do

not overreach.

• Keep all parts of your body away from muffler and spinning line. Keep

engine below waist level. A hot mut- fief can cause serious bums.

• Cut from your right to your left. Cut- ting on left side of the shield will throw debris away from the operator.

• Use only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Use only for jobs explained in this manual.

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

• Allow engine to cool; secure unit be- fore storing or transporting in ve-

hicle.

• Empty the fuel tank before storing or transporting the unit. Use up fuel left

in the carburetor by starting the en- gine and letting it run until it stops.

• Store unit and fuel in area where

fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or

open flames from water heaters, electric motors or switches, fur-

naces, etc.

• Store unitso line limiter blade can- not accidentally cause injury.The

unitcan be hung by the tube.

• Store unit out of reach of children.

SAFETY NOTICE: Exposure to vibra- t!onsthrough prolonged use ofgaso-

hne powered hand tools could cause bloodvessel or nerve damage in the

fingers, hands, and joints of people

prone to circulation disorders or ab- normal swellings. Prolonged usein coldweather has been linkedto blood

vessel damage inotherwise healthy people. If symptoms occursuch as

numbness, pare, lossof strength,

change in skin color or texture, or loss

offeeling in the fingers, hands, or

joints, discontinuethe use of this tool and seek medical attention. An anti-

vibration system does notguarantee the avoidance of these problems. Us-

ers who operate power tools on a con- tinual and regular basis must monitor closely their physical conditionand

the condition of this tool.

SPECIAL NOTICE: This unit is equipped with a temperature limiting

muffler and spark arresting screen which meets the requirements of Cali-

fornia Codes 4442 and 4443. All U.S. forest land and the states of California,

Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey,

Oregon, and Washington require by lawthat many intemal combustion en-

gines be equipped with a spark arrest- ing screen. If you operate in a locale

where such regulationsexist, you are legally responsible for maintaining the

operating conditionofthese parts. Failure to do so is a violation of the

law. For normal homeowner use, the muffler and spark arresting screen will

not require any service. After 50 hours of use, we recommend that your

muffler be serviced or replaced by your Sears Service Center.

CARTON CONTENTS Check carton contents against the fol-

lowing list. Model 358.794251

• Trimmer

• Shield

• Wing Nut (screwed onto shield)

• Assist Handle (with bolt and knob)

* Container of Oil

• Replacement Spool

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. It is normal for the fuel filter to rattle in

the empty fuel tank.

Finding fuel or oil residue on muffler is normal due to carburetor adjustments

and testing done by the manufacturer.

ASSEMBLY

dli WARNING: If received as- sembled, repeat all steps to ensure

your unit is properly assembled and all fasteners are secure.

Be sure to attach the assist handle to

the unit before you attach the shield.

ATTACHING THE HANDLE

(some units are already assembled)

1. Assemble handle to the unit as

shown; make sure bottom of handle

is seated in the groove in the trigger housing.

NOTE: Knob must be assembled on

the right hand side of the unit as shown in the illustration.

2. Make sure the bolt is seated in the hex-shaped hole in the handle.

3. Pivot the handle to a comfortable position.

4. "13ghtenknob securely.

ATTACHING SHIELD

_IL WARNING: The shield must be properly installed. The shield provides

partial protection from the risk of thrown

objects to the operator and others and is equipped with a line limiter blade

which cuts excess line to the proper

length. The line limiter blade (on under-

side of shield) is sharp and can cut you.

For proper orientation of shield, see KNOW YOUR TRIMMER illustration in OP-

ERATION section.

1. Remove wing nut from shield.

2. Insert bracket into slot as shown.

3. Pivot shield until bolt passes through hole in bracket.

4. Securely tighten wing nut onto bolt.

KNOW YOUR TRIMMER READ THIS OPERATOR'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR UNIT. Compare the illustrations with your unit to familiarize yourself with the location

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

Assist Hanclle

Muffler "_

ON/OFF Tdgger Tdmmer Switch \ __ Spark Plug Head

Shield

Line Umiter Blade _/l_g

Tube

Slot

Bracket

..g

Starter /F_,_/f_ "t'_ Edge

Choke Lever Shi i

'_11_'_// Pdmer Bulb

-- _ Fuel Mix LJmiter _ILJ_ Fill Cap Blade

ON/OFF SWITCH The ON/OFF switch is used to stop en-

gine. Move switch to the OFF position to stop engine.

PRIMER BULB The PRIMER BULB removes air from

the carburetor and fuel lines and fills them with fuel. This allows you to start the engine with fewer pulls on the

starter rope. Activate the primer bulb by pressing it and allowing it to return

to its original form.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

WARNING: Be sure to read

the fuel information in the safety rules before you begin. If you do not

understand the safety rules, do not attempt to fuel your unit. Call

1-800-235-5878.

Quide

CHOKE The CHOKE helps to supply fuel to the

engine to aid in cold starting. Activate the choke by moving the choke lever to

the FULL CHOKE posiUon. After the en- _ne attempts to start, move the choke

lever to the HALF CHOKE position. Once

engine has started, move the choke le- ver to the OFF CHOKE position.

EDGE GUIDE

The EDGE GUIDE protects the unit from contacting the ground during edging.

FUELING ENGINE

_k, WARNING: Remove fuel cap slowly when refueling.

This engine is certified to operate on

unleaded gasoline. Before operation,

gasoline must be mixed with a good quality synthetic 2-cycle air-cooled

engine oil. We recommend Craftsman

brandsyntheticoil.Mixgasolineand oilataratioof40:1(,6,40:1ratiois

obtainedbymixing3.2ouncesofoil with1gallonof unleaded_.asoline).

DO NOT USE automotive od or boat oil. These oils will cause engine damage.

When mixingfuel, followinstructions printed on container.

Once oil is added to gasoline, shake container momentarily to assure that

the fuel is thoroughly m=xed.Always

read and follow the safety rules relatingto fuel before fueling your unit.

IMPORTANT

Experience indicates that alcohol

blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract mois-

ture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel sys-

tem of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, empty the

fuel systembefore storage for 30 days

or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season.

Never use engine or carburetor clean- er products in the fuel tank or perma- nent damage may occur.

See the STORAGE section for addition- al information.

HOW TO STOP YOUR UNIT

• To stop the engine, move the ON/ OFF switch to the OFF position.

• If engine does not stop, move choke to the FULL CHOKE position.

E . Choke Lever A

nglne ._

ON/OFF _ _

HOW TO START YOUR UNIT

_WARNING: The trimmer head willtum while starting the engine.

Avoid any contact with the muffler.A hot mufflercan cause serious burns.

STARTING A COLD ENGINE (or a warm engine after running out of

fuel)

1. Set unit on a flat surface.

2. Move ON/OFF switch to the ON position.

3. Slowly press the primer bulb 6 times.

4. Move choke lever to FULL CHOKE position.

5. Squeeze the throttle tdgger fully and

hold through all remaining steps.

/_AL_/,Ch°ke

Lever

_Pri%er "_ Bulb

6. Pull starter rope handle sharply until engine sounds as it if is trying to start, but do not pull rope more

than 6 times.

7. As soon as engine sounds as if it is trying to start, move choke lever to the HALF CHOKE position.

8. Pull starter rope sharply until engine

runs, but no more than 6 pulls. NOTE: If the engine doesn't start

after 6 pulls (at the HALF CHOKE

position), move the choke lever to

the FULL CHOKE position and press the primer bulb 6 times. Squeeze

and hold the throttle tdg.ger and pull the starter rope 2 more times. Move the choke lever to the HALF CHOKE

position and pull the starter rope un- til the engine runs, but no more than 6 pulls. If the engine still doesn't

start, it is probably flooded. Proceed to STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE.

9. Once the engine starts, allow it to run 10 seconds, then move the

choke lever to the OFF CHOKE

position. Allow the unit to run for 30 more seconds at OFF CHOKE

before releasing the throttle trigger. NOTE: If engine dies with the

choke lever in the OFF CHOKE position, move the choke lever to

the HALF CHOKE position and pull the rope until engine runs, but no

more than 6 pulls.

STARTING A WARM ENGINE

1. Move ON/OFF switCh to the ON posi- tion.

2. Move the choke lever to the HALF CHOKE position.

3. Squeeze and hold the throttle trig- ger. Keep throttle trigger fully

squeezed until the engine runs smoothly.

4. Pull starter rope sharply until engine runs, but no more than 5 pulls.

5. Allow engine to run 15 seconds,

then move the choke lever to the OFF CHOKE position.

NOTE: If engine has not started, pull starter rope 5 more pulls. If engine still

does not run, it is probably flooded. STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE

Flooded engines can be started by placing the choke lever in the OFF

CHOKE position; then, pull the rope to

clear the engine of excess fuel. This could require pulling the starter handle

many times depending on how badly

the unit is flooded.

If the unit still doesn't start, refer to

TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE or call

1-800-235-5878.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

It is recommended that the engine not be operated for longer than 1

minute at full throttle. OPERATING PosmoN

ALWAYS WEAR:

Eye Protection

Long Pants

Heavy Shoes

Cut from your right to yourleff.

Always release the throttle trigger and

allow the engine to return to idle

speed when notcutting. To stopengine:

• Release thethrottletrigger.

Move the ON/OFFswi[c_ to the OFF position.

TWIST AND EDGE The Twist and Edge feature allows for

easy edging of sidewalks, patios, driveways, etc.

1. Pull the tab toward the engine.

2. Twistthe tube to the edgingposi- tion; release tab.

TRIMMER LINE ADVANCE

The trimmer line will advance approxi- mately 2 In. (5 cm) each time the bot- tom of the trimmer head istapped on

the groundwith the engine running at full throttle.The most efficient line

length isthe maximum length allowed by the line,miter.

Always keepthe shield in place when the tool isbeing operated.

To advance line:

• Operate the engine at fullthrottle.

Holdthe trimmerhead parallelto and

above the grassyarea.

• Tap the bottomof thetrimmerhead

lightlyon the groundone time. Ap- proximately21n. (5 cm) of linewill be advancedwitheaChtap.

Toadvanceline,tapbottomof trimmer

headon groundonetime.

Line limitercutsline 1 properlength.

_IL WARNING: Always wear eye protection. Never lean over the trim-

mer head. Rocks or debris can rico- chet or be thrown into eyes and face

and cause blindness or other serious injury.

Do not run the engine at a higher

speed than necessary. The cutting line will cut efficiently when the engine

is run at less than full throttle. At lower speeds, there is less engine noise and

vibration. The cutting line will last longer and will be less likely to '_Neld"

onto the spool.

Always tap the trimmer head on a grassy area. Tapping on surfaces such

as concrete or asphalt can cause ex- cessive wear to the trimmer head.

If the line is worn down to 2 in. (5 cm) or less, more than one tap will be required

to obtain the most efficient line length. _,WARNING: Use only 0.080"

(2 mm) diameter line. Other sizes of line will not advance properly and can cause serious injury. Do not use other

materials such as wire, string, rope,

etc. Wire can break offduring cutting and become a dangerous missile that

can cause seriousinjury.

CU'I'rlNG METHODS

Use minimum speed and do not crowd the hne when cutting around

hard objects (rock, gravel, fence posts, etc.), which can damage the

trimmer head, become entangled in the line, or be thrown causing a seri-

ous hazard.

• The tip of the line does the cutting.

You will achieve the best performance

and minimum line wear by not crowd- ing the line into the cutting area. The right and wrong ways are shown be-

low.

"Rpof the Line Line Crowded Into Does The Cutting

I Work Area the ground as this can scalp the

,flli_ _K ground and damage the tool.

SCALPING - The scalping technique removes unwanted vegetation down

to the ground. Hold the bottom of the trimmer head about 3 in. (8 cm) above the ground and at an angle. Allow the tip of the line to strike the ground

around trees, posts, monuments, etc. This technique increases line wear.

MOWING - Your trimmer is ideal for mowing in places conventional lawn

mowers cannot reach. In the mowing position, keep the line parallel to the ground. Avoid pressing the head into

Mowing I_

• The line will easily remove grass and ._,_L_ f.

weeds from around walls, fences, trees and flower beds, but it also can cut the tender bark of trees or shrubs

and scar fences. To help avoid dam- age especially to delicate vegetation

or trees with tender bark, shorten line

to4-5 in. (10-13 cm) and use at less than full throttle.

• For trimming or scalping, use less than full throttle to increase line life

and decrease head wear, espsclally:

During light duty cutting. Near objects around which the line

can wrap such as small posts, trees or fence wire.

• For mowing or sweeping, use full throttle for a good clean job.

TRIMMING - Hold the bottom of the trimmer head about 3 in. (8 cm) above

the ground and at an angle. Allow only the tip of the line to make contact. Do not force trimmer line into work area.

SWEEPING - The fanning action of the rotating line can be used for a

quick and easy clean up. Keep the line parallel to and above the surfaces

being swept and move the tool from side to side.

EDGING - Adjust trimmer to the edg- ing position (see TWIST AND EDGE

section). Allow only the tip of the line to make contact. Do not force trimmer

line into work area.

i_Edging /

I i

3 in. (8 Above Ground _ " '_'_3:

,lll_l 7.

MAINTENANCESCHEDULE

_i WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug

except for carburetor adjustments.

CARE & MAINTENANCE TASK Check for loose fasteners and parts

Check for damaged or worn parts

Inspect and clean unit and labels

Clean air filter

Inspect muffler and spark arresting screen

Replace spark plug

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this unit does not cover items that have been subjected

to operator abuse or negligence. To

receive full value from the warranty,

the operator must maintain unit as

instructed in this manual. Various ad-

jedustmentswill need to be made peri-

ically to properly maintain your unit.

CHECK FOR LOOSE

FASTENERS AND PARTS

• Spark Plug Boot

• Air Filter

_ Housing _r_

Assist Handle Screws

• Debris Shield

CHECK FOR DAMAGED OR WORN PARTS

Contact Sears Service Center for re- placement of damaged or worn pads.

• ON/OFF Switch - Ensure ON/OFF

switch functions properly by moving the switch to the OFF position. Make

sure engine stops; then, restart en- gine and continue.

• Fuel Tank - Discontinue use of unit if fuel tank shows signs of damage or

leaks.

• Debris Shield - Discontinue use of

unit if debris shield is damaged.

INSPECT AND CLEAN UNIT AND LABELS

• After each use, inspect complete unit for Ioo6e or damaged pads. Clean

the unit and labels using a damp cloth with a mild detergent.

• Wipe off unit with a clean dry cloth.

CLEAN AIR RLTER A dirty air filter decreases engine per-

formance and increases fuel consump- tion and harmful emissions. Always

clean after every 5 hours of operation.

_ around it to keep dirtfrom falling

before performing maintenance

WHEN TO PERFORM

Before each use Before each use After each use

Every 5 hours ofoperation Every 50 hoursof operation

Yearly

1. Clean the cover and the area intothe carburetor chamberwhen

the cover is removed.

2. Remove parts as illustrated. NOTE: Toavoid creating a fire hazard

or producing harmful evaporative emissions, do not clean filter in gaso-

line or other flammable solvent.

3. Wash the filter in soap and water.

4. Allow filter to dry.

5. Add afew drops of oilto the filter; squeeze the filter to distributeoil.

6. Replace pads.

_S Filter

crews

Cover

INSPECT MUFFLER AND SPARK

ARRESTING SCREEN IIWARNING: The muffler on this

product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer.

_,WARNING: 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.

As your unit is used, carbon deposits build up on the muffler and spark ar-

restincj screen and must be removed to avoid creating a fire hazard or af-

fecting engine performance.

For normal homeowner use, the muf- fler and spark arrestingscreen will not

require any service. After 50 hours of use, we recommend that your muffler

be serviced or replaced by your Sears Service Center.

REPLACESPARKPLUG Replacethesparkplugeach.yearto

ensuretheenginestartseasierand runsbetter.Set sparkpluggapat

0.025in. Ignitiontimingisfixed and nonadjustable.

1. Twist, then pull off spark plug boot.

2. Remove spark plug from cylinder and discard.

3. Replace with Champion RCJ-TY

spark plug and tighten with a 3/4

in. socket wrench (10-12 ft.-Ibs).

4. Reinstall the spark plug boot.

REPLACING THE LINE

1. Remove spool by firmly pulling on

tap button.

2. Clean entire surface of hub and spool.

3. Replace with pre-wound spool, or cut a length of 20 feet of 0.08(7' (2

ram) diameter Craftsman® brand

line. Never use wire, rope, string, etc., which can break off and be-

come a dangerous missile.

4. Insert one end of line about 1/2 inch (1 cm) into the small hole on

the inside of the spool.

5. Wind line evenly and tightly onto spool. Wind in the direction of the

arrow on the spool

Small

Hole'--_,t///_(_l.,_.." Spool

Line inNotch

Hub

Line exit hole

6. Push the line into the notch, leav- ing 3 to 5 inches ( 7 - 12 cm) un-

wound.

7. Insert the line into the exit hole in

the hub as shown in the illustration.

8. Align the notch with the line exit hole.

9. Push spool into hub until it snaps

into place.

t0. Pull the line extending outside of

the hub to release it from the

notch.

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT

_;_ WARNING: The trimmer head will be spinning during most of this

procedure. Wear your protective

equipment and observe all safety pre-

cautions. After making mixture adjust- ments, recheck idle speed.

Carburetor adjustment is critical and if done improperly can permanently damage the engine as well as the car- buretor. If you require further assis-

tance or are unsure about performing this procedure, call our customer as- sistance help line at 1-800-235-5878.

Old fuel, a dirty air filter, a dirty fuel fil- ter, or flooding may give the impres- sion of an improperly adjusted carbu-

retor. Check these conditions before adjusting the carburetor.

The carburetor has been carefully set

at the factory. Adjustments may be necessary if you notice any of the fol- lowing conditions:

• Engine will not idle. See IDLE SPEED

under adjusting procedure.

• Engine dies or hesitates instead of

accelerating. See ACCELERATION CHECK under adjusting procedure.

• Loss of cutting power. See MIXTURE

ADJUSTMENT (L or H) under adjusting procedure.

There are three adjustment screws on the carburetor. The low speed adjust-

ment screw is marked with the letter L, and the high speed adjustment screw

is marked with the letter H. The third

screw is the idle adjustment screw.

Adjustment (_djustment (L)

Idle Screw Adjustment

ADJUSTING PROCEDURE CAUTION: Do not force plastic limiter

caps on screws beyond the built-in stops or damage will occur. Be sure

trimmer line is extended to the maxi- mum length allowed by the line limiter

blade. Initial Settings:

1. Turn beth mixture screws (L and

H) counterclockwise until they

stop.

2. Turn the idle speed screw clock- wise until it stops. Now turn coun-

terclockwise 4 1/2 turns.

3. Start engine, cut grass for 3 min-

utes, then proceed to adjust

screws according to the instruc- tions below. If engine perfor-

mance at initial settings is accept-

able, no further adjustments are

necessary. If engine does not

start, refer to TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE. If still unable to remedy sit-

uation, call 1-800-235-5878.

Idle Speed Allow engine to idle. Adjust speed until engine runs without stalling.

• Tum idle speed screw clockwise to increase engine speed if engine

stalls or dies.

• Turn idle speed screw counterclock- wise to decrease engine speed.

No further adjustments are necessary if performance is satisfactory.

Low Speed Mixture Adjustment - L

1. Allow the engine to idle.

2. Turn low speed mixture screw (L) slowly clockwise until the speed

begins to drop.

3. Turn the low speed mixture screw (L) counterclockwise untilthe

speed increases and then starts to drop again.

4. Set the low speed mixture screw (L) at the midpoint between the two positions.

Readjust the idle speed (See IDLE

SPEED). High Speed Mixture Adjustment - H CAUTION: Do not operate engine at

full throttle for prolonged periods while making adjustments as damage to the

engine can occur. Adjust the mixture screw 1/16 of a rum at a time. A 1/16

turn is about the width of the slot in the top of the screw.

1. Allow the engine to idle.

2. Squeeze the throttle trigger fully.

Turn the high speed mixture screw

(H) counterclockwise until it stops.

3. Turn the high speed mixture screw (H) 1/16 of a turn clockwise at a

time until the engine runs smoothly.

After completing adjustments, check for acceleration. Reset if necessary.

Acceleration Check

If engine dies or hesitates instead of accelerating, turn the low speed mix-

ture screw (L) counterclockwise until you have smooth acceleration.

4BbWARNING: Perform the follow-

ing steps after each use:

• Allow engine to cool, and secure the

unit before stodng or transporting.

• Store unit and fuel in a well ventilated area where fuel vapors cannot reach

sparks or open flames from water

heaters, electric motors or switches, fumaces, etc.

• Store unit with all guards in place.

Position unit so that any sha.rp object

cannot accidentally cause injury.

• Store unit and fuel well out of the

reach of children.

SEASONAL STORAGE

Prepare unit for storage at end of sea-

son or if it will not be used for 30 days or more.

If your unit is to be stored for a period

of time:

• Clean the entire unit before lengthy

storage.

• Store in a clean dry area.

• Lightly oil external metal surfaces.

FUEL SYSTEM

Under FUELING ENGINE in the OPERA-

TION section of this manual, see mas-

sage labeled IMPORTANT regarding the use of gasohol in your engine. Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alter- native in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage. Add stabilizer to the gasoline in the fuel tank or fuel storage container. Follow

the mix instructions found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 5 min-

utes after adding stabilizer. Craftsman 40:1, 2-cycle engine oil (air cooled) is already blended with fuel stabilizer. If you do not use this Sears oil, you can add a fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank.

INTERNAL ENGINE

• Remove spark plug and pour 1 tea- spoon of 40:1, 2-cycle engine oil (air cooled) through the spark plug open-

ing. Slowly pull the starter rope 8 to 10 times to distribute oil.

• Replace spark plug with new one of recommended type and heat range.

• Clean air filter.

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