Craftsman 358796090 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

CRAFTSMAN+

32cc/1.9 cu. in. 2-Cycle

17" Cutting Path

GASOLINE WEEDWACKER

Model No.

358.796090

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

1-800-235-5878 (.our listed are Central Time)

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

Warranty Statement
Safety Rules

Assembly

Operation
Maintenance

Service & Adjustments

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN WEEDWACKER ® GAS
POWERED LINE TRIMMER.

For one year from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Gas Powered
Weedwacker® Line Trimmer 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, spark plug, and air filter, which are expendable

parts and become worn during normal use.
If this Weedwacker® Une Trimmer is used for commercial purposes, this warran-

ty applies 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 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 WEEDWACKER® LINE

TRIMMER 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

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4

5

8

9

Storage 10
Troubleshooting Chart 11

Repair Parts List 12

Spanish t 5

Parts Ordering Back Cover

WARNING: When using gardening

appliances, basic safety precautions.
must always be followed to reduce the

follow all instructions.

risk of fire and sedous injury. Read and _@ @

This power unit can be dangerous! OW _

erator is responsible for following instruc......... '"

tions and warnings on unit and in ........ WARNING: Trimmer line throws 0b-

manual. Read entire Operator's Manual jects violently. You and others can be
before using unit! Be thoroughly familiar blinded/injured. Wear eye and leg

with the controls and the proper use of protection. Keep body parts clear of
the unit. Restrict the use of this unit to rotating line. Keep children, bystand-

persons who have read, understand, ers, and animals 50 feet (15 m) away.

and will follow the instructions and warn- If approached, stop unit immediately.

ings on the unit and in the manual. Nev- Eye Prote_on

er allow childrento operate thisunit.onSafetythe unitinformation__ _'/'. _ '_O_O_S__
DANGER: Never use blades or flail-

ing devices. This unit is designed for

line trimmer use only. Use of any other
accessories or attachments will in,

crease the risk Of injury.

2

• n s_uauons occur wn=cn are not cov-
ered in this manual, use care and

good judgement. If you need assis-
tance, contact Sears Service or call

the 1-800 number listed on the front of
this manual.

OPERATOR SAFETY

Always wear safety eye protection.
Always wear long pants, long

sleeves, boots, and gloves. Wearing
safety leg guards is recommended.

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.

• Do not operate when you are tired,

ill, or under the influence of alcohol,
drugs, or medication.

• Wear hearing protection if you use
unit for more than 1-1/2 hours per

day.

• 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

performing maintenance except car-
buretor 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.

• Make sure unit is assembled correct-
ly as shown inthis manual.

lower end supported to prevent line

i Make carburetor adjustments with

from contacting any object.

Keep others away when making car-
buretor adjustments.

• Use only recommended Craftsman
accessories and replacement parts.

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.

• Wipe up all fuel spills.

• Move at least 10 feet (3 meters)

away from fueling site before starting
engine.

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

CUTTING SAFETY

• Use only for trimming, mowing., and

sweeping. Do not use for pruning or
hedge trimming.

• Inspect the area before 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.

• Keep firm footing and balance. Do

not overreach.

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

engine below waist level. A hot muf-

fler can cause serious burns.

• Cutting on left side of the shield will
throw debris away from the operator.

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

• Allow engine to cool; secure unit be-
fore storing ortransporting in 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 area where fuel

vapors cannot reach sparks or open
flames from water heaters, electric

motors or switches, furnaces, etc.

• Store unit so line limiter cannot acci-

dentally cause injury. The unit can be
hung by the tube.

• Store unit out of reach of chddren.

• If situations occur which are not cov-
ered in this manual, use care and

good judgment. If you need assis-

tance, call 1-800-235-5878.

SPECIAL NOTICE: This unit is not
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
law that many internal combustion en-
gines be equipped with a spark arres-
tor screen. If y.ouoperate in a locale
where such regulations exist, you are

legally responsible for installing and

maintaining the operating condition of

these parts. Failure to do so is a viola-

tion of the law. Refer to the MAINTE-
NANCE section in this manual.

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CARTON CONTENTS
Checkcartoncontentsagainstthefol-

lowinglist.

Model 358.7960,90

• Tdmmer

• Shield

• Container of Oil
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.
Note: 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
WARNING: If received assembled,

repeat all steps to ensureyourunit is
properlyassembledand allfasteners

are secure.
ADJUSTING THE HANDLE

WARNING: Make sure unitisproperly

assembledandallfasteners are secure.

• Loosenthe wing nuton the handle.

• Rotate handleto the uprightposition.

• "13ghtenwing nut securely.

ATTACHING SHIELD

WARNING: The shield must be prop

edy installed. The shield provides par.
tial protection from the risk of thrown
objects to the operator and others anc
is equipped with a line limiter which

cuts excess line to the proper length.
WARNING: The line limiter (on un-

•derside of shield) is sharp and can cut

you.
WARNING:

• Remove wing nut from shield.

• Insert bracket into slot as shown.

• Pivot shield until bolt passes througl"

hole in bracket.

• Securely tighten wing nut onto bolt.

Shield _ Slot

'__ Bracket

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KNOW YOUR TRIMMER

READTHIS OPERATOR'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATLNGYOUR

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.

Engine Stop Switch

Starter _ Assist Handle

Rope

Trimmer

Head

/

Throttle

Trigger

Choke

Cap

Primer
Bulb

ENGINE STOP SWITCH

The engine stop switch is used to stop

engine. Push and hold the engine stop
switch in the STOP or OFF position until

the engine has fully stopped.

PRIMER BULB

The primerbulb removes airfrom the
fuel linesand fills themwithfuel. This

allowsyou to start the engine with few-

er pullson the starter rope. Activate

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 the 1-800 number listed

on the front of this manual.

FUELING ENGINE

This engine is cert'_ed to operate on

unleaded gasoline. Before operation,
gasoline must be mixed with a good

quality 2-cycle air-cooled engine oil.
We recommend Craftsman brand oil.

Mix gasoline and oil at a ratio of 40:1
(A 40:1 ratio is obtained by mixing 3.2
ounces of oil with 1 gallon of unleaded

gasoline). DO NOT USE automotive oil
or boat oil. These oils will cause

engine damage. When mixing fuel,
follow instructions printed on container.

Once oil is added to gasoline, shake

Une

Muffler

Spark Plug

the primer bulb by pressing it and al-
lowing it to return to its original form.

CHOKE

The choke helps to supply fuel to the

carburetor during starting. This allows

you to start a cold engine. Achvate the

choke by moving the choke lever to

the Full Choke position. After the en-

gine has started, move knob to the Off
Choke position.

container momentarily to assure that
the fuel isthoroughly mixed. Always

read and follow the safety rules
relating to 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 engirte while in storage.

To avoid engine problems, empty fuel
system before storage for 30 days or
longer. Drain gas tank, start engine and

let it run until fuel lines and carburetor
are empty. Use flesh 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.

Limiter
Blade

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