Craftsman 358795050 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

CRRFTZMRN

32cc 2-Cycle Engine

17 Inch Cutting Path / .080 In. Line

GASOLINE BRUSHWACKER ®

Model No.

358.795050

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 (.o,,_.,,=._._o.._.)

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

530-087633 08/17/98

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 15

Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Chart 16

Assembly _ ..... 5 Parts List 20

Operation 8 Maintenance 12 Spanish 23

Sewice & Adjustments 13 Parts and Ordering Back

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN GAS POWERED BRUSHWACKER ® BLADED TRIMMER.

For oneyear from the date of purchase, when thisCraftsman Gas Powered Brushwackeris maintained, lubricatedand tuned upaccordingto the operating

and maintenance instructionsinthe Operator's Manual, Sears will repair,free of charge, any defect in materials or workmanship.

This warranty excludes the blade, nylonline, sparkplug,and airfilter, which are

expendable parts and become wom duringnormaluse. Ifthis Brushwacker is used forcommercial purposes,thiswarranty appliesfor only

90 daysfrom the date of purchase. IfthisBrushwackeris usedfor rentalpurposes,

this warranty applies for only30 days from the date ofpurchase. Thiswarranty ap-

plies onlywhile this product is in use inthe United States. WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE BRUSHWACKER TO THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN THE UNITED STATES.

This warranty gives you specificlegal rights,and you may also have other rights

whichvary from state to state. Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

DANGER: This power tool can be dangerous!This unitcan cause serious injuryincludingamputationor blindness

to the operatorand others.The warn- ingsand safety instructionsin thisman-

ual mustbe followedto providemason- able safety and efficiencyin usingthe

unit.3"beeperator is responsiblefor fol- lowingthe wamings and instructionsin

this manualand on the unit.Read the entireOperator'sManual beforeassern-

blingand usingthe unit!Restricttheuse of this unitto personswho read, under-

stand,and followthe warningsand in- structions in thismanual and on the unit.

Never allowchildrento usethis uniL

WARNII_G: Follow all wamings and

instructions. Failure to do so can result in sedous 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, lose 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.

DANGER: Bladecanthrustviolently awayfrommaterialit doesnotcut.

Bladethrustcancause amputation of

arms or legs. Keep people and ani-

mals 50 feet (15 meters) away.

ALWAYS WEAR

Guards I •

Leg J

U BootaI

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

injured. Wear eye and leg protection.

HazardZone

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 obiects or seriously cut you if ac- ciden-fft-allytouched. Stop the blade by

contacting the left hand side of coast-

ing blade with material already cut.

tiSt_ coas_ng

• bycontact

with cutmaterial

OPERATOR SAFETY

• Dress properly. Always wear safety

glasses or similar eye protection when operating, or performing main- tenance on your unR. (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 sanda/s.

• 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; usa com-

mon sense.

• Wear hearing protection if you use the

unitfor 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 usa 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 usa. Look

for and repair fuel leaks before usa. 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.

• Use only .080" (2.4 ram) diameter Craftsman © brand line. Never use

wire, rope, stdng, etc.

• Install required shield properly before

using the uniL Use the metal shield

for all metal blade use. Usethe plas- tic shield for all line trimmer-use.

- • Use only specified blade or tdmmer head; make sure it is properly 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 tdmmer 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.

• Moye,r_at-least 10 feet (3 meters) away from fueling site before starling 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.

• Storeunitandfuelin an area where fuel vaporscannotreachsparksor

openflames from water heaters,elec-

tricmotorsor switches,furnaces, etc.

CUTTING SAFETY

• Inspectthe area to be cut before

each use. Remove objects(rocks, brokenglass, nails,wire, string, etc.)

whichcan be thrown or become en-

tangled inthe blade or trimmer head.

• Keep othersincludingchildren,ani-

mals, bystanders,and helpersat least 50 feet (15 meters) away. Stop

the engine immediatelyif you are ap-

proached.

• Always keep engine onthe right-

hand side of yourbody.

• Hold the unitfirmlywithboth hands.

• Keep firmfootingand balance.Do

notoverreach.

• Keep blade ortrimmer head below

waist level.

• Do notraise engineaboveyourwaist.

• Keep all pads ofyour body away

from blade,trimmer head, and muf-

flerwhen engine is running.

• Cut fromyour righttoyour left.

• Use onlyforjobs explainedin this

manual.

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

• Stopthe unitbefore carrying.

• Keep muffleraway from yourbody.

• Allowengine to cool and secure unit

before storing ortransportingit in a vehicle.

• Emptythe fuel tank before storingor transportingthe unit. Use upfuel left in the carburetor by startingthe en-

gine and lettingit run untilitstops.

• Store unitand fuel inan area where fuel vapors cannot roachsparks or

open flamesfrom water heaters,

electdcmotors orswitches,fumaces, etc.

• Store unitsothe blade or line limiter cannot accidentallycause injury.The

unitcan be hung bythe tube.

• Store unitout ofreach of children.

CARTON CONTENTS Check carton contents against the fol-

lowing list. _ .....

Model: 358,795050

• Brushcutter

• Handlebar screws (2)

• Blade shield screws (4)

• Cupped washer

• Large nut for installing blade

• Long hex wrench

• Short hex wrench

• Bracket cover

• Metal shield

• Plastic shield

• Shoulder strap with waming

• Weed blade

• Trimmer head

• Handlebar

• Container of oil

Examine parts for damage. Do not use damaged parts.

NOTE: If you need assistance or find that parts are missing or damaged, call

1-800-235-5878, Itis 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 WARNING: If received assembled, re-

_.atatatata_allstepsto ensure your unitisproper-

mbled and allfastenem are secure.

TOOLS REQUIRED

adjustable wrench or large pliers

2 hex wrenches (provided) phmips screwdriver

ATTACHING THE HANDLEBAR DANGER: The barrier portion of the

handlebar must be installed as shown to provide a barrier between operator and

the spinning blade.

• Locate the decal on the handlebar.

This decal includes two arrows. Posi- tion the handlebar on the mounting

bracket between these arrows.

• Position the bracket cover over the

handlebar. Again make sure the han- dlebar is between the arrows.

*, I_,_rt-screws and hand tighten only.

Be sure the handlebar is installed cor-

rectly; then, tighten each screw se-

curely with the short hex wrench.

ASSEMBLY OF SHOULDER STRAP

WARNING:

engineare required.

• Insert'

the

on your left Make sure the danger sign is on your back and the

hook is to the right side of your waist.

NOTE: A one-half twist is built in the shoulder strap to allow the strap to rest

flat on the shoulder.

• Adjust the strap, allowing the hook to

be about 6 inches below the waist.

• Fasten the strap hook to the clamp lo-

cated between the foam grip and the

mounting block and lift the tool to the

operating position. CONFIGURING YOUR UNIT You can configure your unit using a cut-

ting head for grass and light weeds, or a weed blade for cutting grass, weeds,

and brush up to 1/2 inch in diameter. To assemble your unit, go to the section for

the desired configuration and follow the

instructions.

ASSEMBLY INFORMATION - TRIM-

MER HEAD

HEAD

) TRIMMER

NOTE: Ifyourunithasbeen assembled

forweed blade use, refer to the section

=ASSEMBLY INFORMATIONFOR USING

YOURUNITWITHAWEEDBLADE"and re- verse the steps to remove the metal

shield and blade before you mountthe plasticshieldand trimmer head.

ATTACHINGTHEPLASTICSHIELD ANDTRIMMERHEAD

WARNING:Theshieldmustbeproperly

installed.The shield providespartial pmtsctionfromtheriskofthrown objects

to _ operator and others and is

equil_3edwitha linelirnltdrwhichct_sex-

casslinetotheproper length.The linelim-

- iter(on undersideof shield)is sharp and cancut you.

Remove wing nut from shield.

Insertbracket intoslot on shield.

• Pivot shield untilbolt passes through

hole in bracket.

Tightenthe wing nut securely.

Ifyourunithas a plasticcoverover the

threads on the threaded shaft,remove

the covetingto exposethethreads.

• Before installing the trimmer head,

make sure the dustcup and retaining washer are positionedonthe gearbox

as shown below.

Bracket _ . c__

RotainiDnU_er / _

NOTE: Make sure allparts are propedy installed as illustratedin the illustration

before installingthe trimmer head.

• Alignholeinthe dustcupwiththe hole

inthe side of the gearbox by rotating thd _st cup.

• Inserta smallscrewdriverintoaligned

holes. Th_ will keep-the'shaft from tumingwholetighteningtrimmerhead.

ASSEMBLY INFORMATION - WEED BLADE

BLADE

WEED

NOTE: If your unit has been assembled

for _mmer head use, refer to the section

"ATTACHINGTHE PLASTIC SHIELD AND

TRIMMER HEAD"and reverse the steps to

remove the plastic shield and trimmer head before you mount the metal shield

and blade. Store these pads for future use. Never use the trimmer head with the metal blade installed.

ASSEMBLY OF THE METAL SHIELD DANGER: The metal shield must be properiyinstalled on the tool anytime the

tool is used with the blade. The forward top of the metal shield helps to reduce

the occurrence ofblade thrust which can cause serious injury such as amputation to the operator or bystanders. Failure to

install the shield in the position shown

can result in serious injury to the opera- tor. The length of the shield must be

aligned with the length of the tube. The

blade is sharp and can cut you. Be sure

to wear gloves while working with

blades.

• Ifyour unit has a plastic cover over the threads on the shaft, remove the cov-

ering to expose the threads.

• Place the metal shield under the gear-

box, and align the screw holes.

Shield_J, Gearb°x

Screwdriver

• While holdingthe screwdriver in posi-

tion, thread trimmer head onto the shaft inthe directionshownonthe de-

.qal_T_jbtenuntilsecure.

NOTE:The ratainin(j washer must be positionedwiththe ra0sedsectionfacing

toward the gearbox.

• Insertthe 4 mountingscrewsthrough the bottomofthe shield.Thread them

into the gearbox. Tighten evenly and securely with one of the hex wrenches

provided.

ASSEMBLY OF THE METAL BLADE

WARNING: Do not use any blades, or fasteninghardwareoffie"thanthewash- ers and nutsillustratedinthe followingil. lustrations.These partsmustbe provided by Sears, and installedas shown below.

Failuretouse properpartscancausethe bladeto fly offand seriouslyhurtyou or

others. NOTE: The dust cup and retaining

washer are located on the gearbox and

notin the parts bag.

• Remove the retainerwasher from the

gearbox, and leave the dust cup on the gearbox. Note: It may be neces-

sary to remove a plastic protective covering from the threaded shaft be-

fore removingthe retainingwasher.

Shield''_

DustCup/" _ ThreadedShaft

Retaining _ _'_

Washer--__ Blade

WARNINGi Do not use any blades, or fasteninghardwareotherthanthe

washersand nutsillustrated.These parts mustbe providedbySeam, andinstalled

as shown below. Failureto use proper partscancause thebladetotiyoffandse- riouslyhurtyouorothers. NOTE: Make sure allparts are inplace

as illustrated, and the blade is sand- wichedbetweenthedustcupandthere- taining washer. There should be no

space between the blade and the dust cup or the retainingwasher.

Dust Cup (_='_ WasherRetaining

• Install the blade over the threaded

shaft extendingfrom the gearbox be- tween the dust cup and the retaining

washer. Make sure the raised part of the retaining washer is facing the gearbox, and the raised area fits into

the hole in the center ofthe blade.

• Slide the blade and retaining washer

ontothe shaft ofthe gearbox.

• Now place the cupped washer onto

the shaft. Make sure the cupped side

ofthe washer is toward the blade.

• Installthe blade nutb_/ti_ghteningonto th'e'_haftcounterolockwJse.

of gearbox byrotatingthe blade.

i Alignholein dustcupwithholeinside

Inserta smallscrewdriverintoaligned

holes. This will keep the shaftfrom tumingwhile tighteningthe blade nut.

Scre__

Tightenblade nutfirmlywitha wrench

i while holding position.

Remove the screwdriver.

screwdnverin

• Turn blade by hand. Ifthe blade binds

against the shield, or appears to be uneven,the blade isnotcentered,and

you must reinstall.

NOTE: To remove blade, insertscrew-

ddver intoaligned holes. Un-threadthe

nut and remove parts. Be sureto store partsand instructionsforfuture use.

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