Craftsman 358794550 Owner’s Manual

Instruction Manual

(RRFTSMR

25cc/1.5 cu.in. 2-Cycle
200 MPH/400 CFM

GASOLINE POWERED

BLOWER/VAC

Model No.

358.794550

• Safety

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., or 10 am-7 pm, Sun.

1-800-235-5878 _HoorsHstedareCentre, Time)

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

530086582 10/1/01

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 12
Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Table 13
Assembly 4 Emissions Statement 13
Operation 6 Parts List 15

Maintenance 9 Spanish 18
Service & Adjustments 11 Parts and Ordering Back

FULL TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN ® GAS BLOWER
For two (2) years from date of purchase, when this Gas Blower is maintained,

Iubricated, and tuned up according to the instructions in the instruction manual,
Sears witi repair, free of charge, any defects in material or workmanship.
This warranty excludes blower tubes, spark plug, and air cleaner, which are ex-
pendable parts and become worn during normal use.

Ifthis blower is used for commercial purposes, this warranty applies for 90 days from

the date of purchase. Ifthis Blower is used for rental purposes, this warranty applies
for 30 days from the date of purchase. This warranty applies only while this product

is in use in the United States.
WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE BLOWER 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/817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

,I_WAEINING: Failure to follow all
Safety Rules and Precautions can re-

sult in serious injury.

KNOW YOUR UNIT

• Head your instruction manuaI care-
fully untit you completely understand

and can folIow aIi warnings and
safety rules before operating the unit.

• Restrict unit to users who under-
stand and wilt follow all warnings and

safety rules in this manual.

,_ WARNING: Inspect area before
starting unit. Remove all debris and

hard objects such as rocks, glass,
wire, etc. that can ricochet, be thrown,

or otherwise cause injury or damage
during operation.

Use your unit as a blower for:

• Sweeping debris or grass clippings
from driveways, sidewalks, patios, etc.

• Blowing grass clippings, straw, or
leaves into piles, around joints, or be-

tween bricks.

Use your unit as a vacuum for:

• Picking up dry material such as
leaves, grass, small twigs, and bits of
paper.

• For best results during vacuum use,
operate your unit at high speed.

• Move slowly back and forth over the

material as you vacuum. Avoid forc-
ing the unit into a pile of debris as

this can ctog the unit.

• Keep the vacuum tube about an inch

above the ground for best resutts.

PLAN AHEAD

• Always wear eye protection when op-

erating, servicing, or performing main-
tenance on unit. Wearing eye protec-
tion wilt help to prevent rocks or debris

from being blown or ricocheting into

eyes and face which can result in

blindness and/or serious injury. Eye

protection should be marked Z87.

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

• Always wear respirator or face mask

when working with unit in dusty envi-

ronments.

• Secure hair above shoulder length.
Secure or remove jewelry, loose

clothing, or clothing with loosely

hanging straps, ties, tassels, etc.

They can be caught in moving parts.

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• Do not operate unit when you are
tired, ill, upset, or if you are under the
influence of alcohol, drugs, or medi-

cation.

• Keep children, bystanders, and ani-
mals away from work area a mini-

mum of 30 feet (10 meters) when
starting or operating unit, Do not
point blower nozzle in the direction of
people or pets.

HANDLE FUEL WITH CAUTION, IT IS
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE

• Eliminate all sources of sparks or
flame (including smoking, open

flames, or work that can cause
sparks) in the areas where fuet is
mixed, poured, or stored.

• Mix and pour _el in an outdoor area;
store fuel in a cooI, dry, welt ventilated

place; use an approved, marked con-
tainer for all fuel purposes.

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

• Make sure the unit is properIy as-
sembIed and in good operating con-

dition.

• Do not fill fuel tank while engine is
running.

• Avoid spilling fuel or oil. Wipe up fuel
spills before starting engine.

• Move at least t0 feet (3 meters)
away from fuet and fueling site be-

fore starting engine.

• Always store gasoline in a container
approved for flammabIe liquids,

OPERATE YOUR UNIT SAFELY
_ItWARNING: Stop the engine be-

fore opening the vacuum inlet door.
The engine must be stopped and the
impeller blades no longer turning to

avoid serious injury from the rotating
blades.

• Inspect unit before each use for
worn, loose, missing, or damaged

parts. Do not use until unit is in
proper working order.

• Keep outside surfaces free from oil
and fuel.

• Never start or run engine inside a
closed room, building or other un-
ventilated area. Breathing exhaust

fumes can kitt.

• To avoid static electricity shock, do
not wear rubber gloves or any other
insulated gloves while operating unit.

• Do not set unit on any surface ex-
cept a clean, hard area while engine
is running. Debris such as gravel,

sand, dust, grass, etc. could be

picked up by the air intake and

thrown out through discharge open-

ing, damaging unit, property, or caus-
ing serious injury to bystanders or

operator.

• Avoid dangerous environments. Do
not use in unventilated areas or

where explosive vapors or carbon

monoxide build up could be present.

• Do not overreach or use from unsta-
ble surfaces such as ladders, trees,

steep slopes, rooftops, etc. Keep firm

footing and balance at all times.

• Never place objects inside the
blower tubes; always direct the blow-

ing debris away from people, ani-
mals, glass, and solid objects such

as trees, automobiles, walls, etc. The

force of air can cause rocks, dirt, or

sticks to be thrown or to ricochet

which can hurt people or animals,

break glass, or cause other damage.

• Never run unit without the proper
equipment attached. When using

your unit as a blower, always install

blower tubes, When using the op-

tional vacuum kit, always install vac-

uum tubes and vacuum bag assem-
bly. Make sure vacuum bag assem-
bly is completely zipped.

• Check air intake opening, blower

tubes, and vacuum tubes frequently,

always with engine stopped and
spark plug disconnected. Keep vents

and discharge tubes free of debris

which can accumulate and restrict

proper air flow.

• Never place any object in air intake

opening as this could restrict proper air
flow and cause damage to the unit.

• Never use for spreading chemicals,

fertilizers, or other substances which

may contain toxic materials.

• To avoid spreading fire, do not use
near leaf or brush fires, fireplaces,
barbecue pits, ashtrays, etc.

• Use only for jobs explained in this

manual.

MAINTAIN YOUR UNIT PROPERLY

• Have all maintenance other than the
recommended procedures described

in the instruction manual performed
by a Sears Service Center.

• Disconnect spark plug before per-

forming maintenance except for car-

buretor adjustments.

• Use only recommended Craftsman_
replacement parts; use of any other
parts may void your warranty and

cause damage to your unit.

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• Empty fuet tank before storing the
unit. Use up fuel left in carburetor by
starting engine and Ietting it run untit

it stops.

• Do not use any accessory or attach-
ment other than those recommended

by manufacturer for use with your unit.

• Do not store the unit or fuel in a
closed area where fuet vapors can

reach sparks or an open flame from
hot water heaters, electric motors or

switches, furnaces, etc.

• Store in a dry area out of reach of
children.

SAFETY NOTICE: Exposure to vibra-
tions through prolonged use of gasoline
powered hand tools could cause btood
vessel or nerve damage in the fingers,
hands, and joints of people prone to cir-
culation disorders or abnormat swelling.

Prolonged use in cold weather has been
Iinked to biood vesset damage in other-
wise healthy people. If symptoms occur
such as numbness, pain, toss 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
antivibration system does not guarantee

the avoidance of these problems. Users
who operate power tools on a continual
and regular basis must monitor closely
their physical condition and the condition

of this toot.
SPECIAL NOTICE: This unit is equip-

ped with a temperature limiting muffler
and spark arresting screen which
meets the requirements of California

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

ho. Maine, Minnesota. New Jersey.
Oregon, and Washington require by
law that many internal combustion en-
gines be equipped with a spark arrest-

ing screen. Ifyou operate in a locale
where such regulations exist, you are
legally responsible for maintaining the
operating condition of these parts.

Failure to do so is a violation of the
law. Refer to the MAINTENANCE sec-
tion for information on maintenance of

the muffler and spark arresting screen.

CARTON CONTENTS

Check carton contents against the fol-
lowing list.

Model 358.794550

Blower
Blower tube

Elbow tube

Vacuum bag
Upper vacuum tube

Lower vacuum tube

Gasoline container
2-Cycle Engine Oil

NOTE: tt is normal for the fuel filter to
rattle in the empty fuel tank.

ASSEMBLY

J_I'WARNING: Stop engine and be

sure the impeller blades have stopped
turning before opening the vacuum in-
let door or attempting to insert or re-
move the vacuum tubes. The rotating

blades can cause serious injury.
_ItWARNING: tf you receive your

unit assembled, repeat atl steps to en-
sure your unit is properly assembIed

and all fasteners are secure.

A standard screwdriver is required
for assembly.

BLOWER ASSEMBLY

BLOWER TUBE ASSEMBLY
If you have already assembled your

unit for use as a vacuum, remove the
vacuum tubes and collection bag.

1. Align the rib on the btower tube
with the groove in the blower outlet;

slide the tube into place.

NOTE: Tube clamp must be loose
enough to allow blower tube to be in-

setted in blower outlet. Loosen tube
clamp by turning knob counterclockwise.

2. Tighten the tube ctamp by turning
the knob clockwise.

3. To remove the tube, turn the knob
to loosen clamp; remove tube.

VACUUM ASSEMBLY

VACUUM BAG ASSEMBLY
1, Open the zipper on the vacuum

bag and insert the elbow tube.

-4-

2. Push the small end of the elbow
tube through the small opening in

the bag.

Elbow

Tube Small

Opening Rib

NOTE: Make sure edge of the smaIl
opening is flush against the flared area

of the etbow tube, and the rib on the
elbow tube is on the bottom.

3. Close the zipper on the bag. Make
sure the zipper is closed completely.

4. Remove blower tube from engine.

5. Insert the elbow tube into the btow-
er outlet, Make sure elbow tube is

aligned with the blower outlet

groove.

6. Turn clamp knob clockwise to tight-

eR.

7. Secure the ends of the shoulder

strap by routing the strap through
the buckle as shown.

Upper
Vacuum Tube

Jacuum Tube

2. Insert a screwdriver into the latch
area oTithe ,,/aCLtUl'flinter oo_/er.

Latch _ Blower

Area Outlet

_ Inlet Cover

3. Gently titt the handle of the screw-
driver toward the back of the unit

while pulling up on the vacuum in-
let cover with 'your other hand.

4. Hold the vacuum inlet cover open

until upper vacuum tube is stalled.

Vacuum Inlet -_

Retaining Post '_

v_

Inlet

5. Place the hooks on the vacuum tube
on the retaining posts; pivot tube into

position. Secure vacuum tube by
turning the knob clockwise until tight.

VACUUM TUBE ASSEMBLY

1. Align the lower vacuum tube as
shown. Push lower vacuum tube

into upper vacuum tube.

Hooks

6. When converting back to the blow-
er feature, make sure latch on the

vacuum inlet cover is securely fas-

tened.

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