Craftsman 358795020 Owner’s Manual

CRRFTSMRN

Operator's Manual /

32cc 2-Cycle Engine

17 Inch Cutting Path / .095 In. Line

GASOLINE BRUSHWAOKER ®

Model No.

358.795020

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Operating

DANGER:
Instructions before first use of this product.

I_ For answers to your questions about this product:

Call 7 am-7 pm, Mon-Sat; Sun, 10 am-7 pm

• 1-800-235-5878

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 USA

530084630 03/15/99

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 17
Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Chart 18
Assembly 5 Emissions Statement 18
Operation 9 Parts List 20

Maintenance 14 Spanish 23
Service & Adjustments 15 Parts and Ordering Back

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN GAS POWERED

BRUSHWACKER <_ BLADED TRIMMER.
For one year from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Gas Powered

Brushwacker 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 the blade, nylon line, spark plug, and air filter, which are
expendable parts and become worn during normal use.

If this Brushwacker is used for commercial purposes, this warranty applies for only

90 days from the date of purchase. If this Brushwacker is used for rental purposes,
this warranty applies for only 30 days from the date of purchase. This warranty ap-
plies only while this product is in use in the United States.
WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE BRUSHWACKER
TO THE NEAREST SEARS 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

DANGER: This power tool can be
dangerous! This unit can cause serious

injury including amputation or blindness
to the operator and others. The warn-

ings and safety instructions in this man-
ual must be followed to provide reason-
able safety and efficiency in using the
unit. The operator is responsible for fol-

lowing the warnings and instructions in
this manual and on the unit. Read the

entire Operator's Manual before assem-
bling and using the unit! Restrict the use

of this unit to persons who read, under-
stand, and follow the warnings and in-

structions in this manual and on the unit.

Never allow children to use this unit.

WARNING: Follow all warnings and
instructions. Failure to do so can result

in serious injury.

SAFETY NOTICE
Exposure to vibrations through pro-

longed use of gasoline powered hand

tools could cause blood vessel or

nerve damage in the fingers, hands,
and joints of people prone to circula-

tion disorders or abnormal swellings.

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 tex-

ture, or loss of feeling in the fingers,

hands or joints, discontinue the use of

this tool and seek medical attention.
An anti-vibration 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 tool.

contacting the left hand side of coast-
ing blade with material already cut.

Stop coasting blade
by contact with cut

material

DANGER:Bladecanthrustviolently
awayfrommaterialitdoesnotcut.

Bladethrustcancauseamputationof
armsorlegs.Keeppeopleandani-

mals50feet(15meters)away.

ALWAYSWEARI THROWNOBJECTS

Eye I

Protection I

it Leg , I/

m m L_uaras *

Boots

WARNING: Trimmer line can throw
objects violently. You can be blinded or

injured. Wear eye and leg protection.

_d Zone

WARNING: Hazard zone for thrown
objects. Blade/Trimmer line can throw

objects violently. Others can be
blinded or injured. Keep people and
animals 50 feet (15 meters) away.

WARNING: Do not use trimmer head
as a fastening device for the blade.
WARNING: The blade continues to
spin after throttle is released or, engine

is turned off. The coasting blade can
throw objects or seriously cut you if ac-
cidentally touched. Stop the blade by

__®

OPERATOR SAFETY

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

when operating, or performing main-
tenance on your unit. (Safety glasses
are available.) Always wear face or
dust mask if operation is dusty. Al-

ways 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 hang-

ing 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.

• Wear hearing protection if you use the

unit for more than 1-1/2 hours per day.

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

exhaust fumes can kill.

• Keep handles free of oil and fuel.

• Always use the handlebar and a

properly adjusted shoulder strap with

a blade. See "Assembly."

UNIT/MAINTENANCE SAFETY

• Look for and replace damaged or

loose parts before each use. Look

for and repair fuel leaks before use.

Keep unit in good working condition.

• Throw away blades that are bent,
warped, cracked, broken, or dam-

aged in any other way. Replace trim-

mer head parts that are cracked,
chipped, broken, or damaged in any
other way before using the unit.

• Maintain the unit according to recom-
mended procedures. Keep the blade

sharp. Keep the cutting line at the

proper length.

3

• Useonly.095" (2.4 ram} diameter

Craftsman u_brand line. Never use

wire, rope, string, etc.

• install required shield properly before
using the unit. Use the metal shield

for all metal blade use. Use the plas-
tic shield for all line trimmer use,

• Use only specified blade or trimmer
head; make sure it is proper_y in-

stalled and securely fastened.

• Never start engine with clutch shroud

removed. The clutch can fly off and
cause serious injury.

• Be sure blade or trimmer head stops

turning when engine idles.

• Disconnect the spark plug before
performing maintenance (except car-

buretor adjustments).

• Make carburetor adjustments with

the lower end supported to prevent
the blade or trimmer line from con-

tacting any object, Hold the unit by
hand; do not use the shoulder strap

for support.

• Keep others away when making car-
buretor adjustments.

• Use only recommended Craftsman

accessories and replacement parts.

• Have all maintenance and service

not explained in this manual per-
formed by a Sears Service Center.

FUEL SAFETY

• Mix and pour fuel outdoors.

• Keep away from sparks or flames.

• Use a container approved for fuel.

• Do not smoke or allow smoking near
fuel or the unit or while using the unit.

• Wipe up all fuel spills before starting

engine.

• Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) away

from fueling site before starting engine.

• Stop engine and allow it to cool be-

fore removing fuel cap.

• Empty the fuel tank before storing
the unit. Use up fuel left in the carbu-

retor by starting the engine and let-

ting it run until it stops.

• Store unit and fuel in an area where
fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or

open flames from water heaters, elec-
tric motors or switches, furnaces, etc.

CUTTING SAFETY

• Inspect the area to be cut before
each use. Remove objects (rocks,

broken glass, nails, wire, string, etc.)

which can be thrown or become en-

tangled in the blade or trimmer head.

• Keep others including children, ani-
mals, bystanders, and helpers at
least 50 feet (15 meters) away. Stop

the engine immediately if you are ap-

proached.

• Always keep engine on the right-

hand side of your body.

• Hold the unit firmly with both hands.

• Keep firm footing and balance. Do

not overreach.

• Keep blade or trimmer head below
waist level.

• Do not raise engine above your waist.

• Keep all parts of your body away
from blade, trimmer head, and muf-

fler when engine is running.

• Cut from your right to your left.

• Use only for jobs explained in this
manual.

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

• Stop the unit before carrying.

• Keep muffler away from your body.

• Allow engine to cool and secure unit

before storing or transporting it in a

vehicle.

• 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 an area where
fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or
open flames from water heaters,

electric motors or switches, furnaces,

etc.

• Store unit so the blade or line limiter

cannot accidentally cause injury. The
unit can be hung by the tube.

• Store unit out of reach of children.

CARTONCONTENTS
Checkcartoncontentsagainstthefol-

lowinglist.

Model: 358.795020

• Engine

• 2 tube mounting screws

• 2 tube mounting nuts

• 2 handlebar screws

• 4 blade shield screws

• 1 cupped washer

• 1 large nut for installing blade

• 1 long hex wrench

• 1 short hex wrench

• 1 upper handlebar cover bracket

• 1 shield for use with blades

• 1 shield for use with trimmer head

• 1 trimmer head

• 1 shoulder strap with warning

• 1 weed blade

• 1 brush blade

• 1 handlebar

• 1 container of oil
ACTUAL SIZE HARDWARE

Tube Mounting

Screw

ASSEMBLY

WARNING: If received assembled,
repeat all steps to ensure your unit is

properly assembled and all fasteners
are secure.

TOOLS REQUIRED

In addition to the 2 hex wrenches pro-

vided with your unit, you will need an

adjustable wrench.

ATTACHING THE TUBE

NOTE: Illustrations within this section

will help in identifying the assembly

steps. Be sure to read each section
and review the illustrations before you

begin. Align the engine with the fuel
cap up as shown below.
NOTE: A drive shaft is located in the

center of the tube. Make sure this shaft
does not fall out of the tube. Dirt on the

shaft will significantly reduce the life of

the unit. If this shaft falls out, clean, re-

lubricate, and re-install.

• Using a hex wrench, insert the 2 tube
mounting screws and nuts as illus-

trated. Keep loose at this time; you
will tighten them during a later step.

Cupped Washer

Blade

Shield

Screw

Large nutfor installing Blade _' C"_j '_

_ Tube Mounting

Handlebar Screw

Examine parts for damage. Do not use

damaged parts.

NOTE: If you need assistance or find

that parts are missing or damaged, call

] -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.

Nut

• Some units may include a plastic
cover over the end of the tube. If

your unit includes a cover, remove it

by pulling the tab.

• Pull about 1/2 inch of the drive shaft
out of the inside of the tube.

1/2

_Pull about inch from tube

NOTE: The square end of the drive
shaft fits inside a square hole in a shaft

inside the engine. Look inside end of

engine and you will see the square
hole in shaft. Align square end of the
drive shaft with the square hole.

5

Tube

NOTE:Theendofthetubehasa
groove,orindention,thatalignswitha
ridge,orraisedarea,intheslotinthe

engine.Locatethegrooveandridge.

• Alignthegrooveinthetubewiththe

ridgeinsideopeningintheengine.
Insertthetubeintotheopening.

TRIMMER

HEAD

" _ Ridge _ Groove

• Firmly push the tube into the engine

until it will no longer go into opening.

• Now tighten the screws, using one of

the hex wrenches provided with unit.

ATTACHING THE HANDLEBAR

NOTE: Unlike a bicycle, the handgrips
on the handlebar point toward the front

instead of toward the back.

• Locate decal on handlebar. Align han-

dlebar so inner arrows point to engine.
Make sure the wire assembly is not

wrapped around the tube.

• Set handlebar on mounting bracket.

Align mounting bracket between the
outer arrows on the handlebar decal.

• Position bracket cover over the han-

dlebar. Again make sure the bracket
is between the arrows.

• Insert screws and tighten securely.

• Insert wire assembly into the groove

in the bottom of the foam grip.

Bracket Cover Screw

Foam Grip Handlebar

Mounting

Wire Assembly

Bracket

CONFIGURING YOUR UNIT

You can configure your unit using a
cutting head or weed blade for grass
and light weeds, or a brush blade for

cutting saplings and similar size mate-
rial. Go to the section for the desired

configuration and follow the instruc-
tions for assembling your unit.

WEED
BLADE

O

BRUSH

BLADE

ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A
TRIMMER HEAD

HEAD

TRIMMER

NOTE: If your unit has been assembled

for brushblade use, refer to the section
"ASSEMBLY INFORMATION FOR USING

YOUR UNIT WITH A BRUSHBLADE" and

reverse the steps to remove the metal
shield and blade before you mount the

plastic shield and trimmer head.

ATTACHING THE PLASTIC SHIELD
AND TRIMMER HEAD

WARNING: The shield must be prop-

erly installed. The shield provides par-

tial protection from the risk of thrown

objects to the operator and others and
is equipped with a line limiter which
cuts excess line to the proper length.

The line limiter (on underside of shield)

is sharp and can cut you.

• Remove wing nut from shield.

• Insert bracket into slot on shield.

• Pivot shield until bolt passes through
hole in bracket.

• Tighten the wing nut securely.

6