Craftsman 358.796280 User Manual

CRAFTSMAN

Operator's Manual /

25cc/1.5 cu.in. 2-Cycle

17 Inch Cutting Path / .080 In. Line

GASOLINE WEEDWACKER ®

Model No.

358.796280

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 (Hours listed are Central Time)

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

530088549 3/1/00

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 11
Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Chart 12
Assembly 4 Emissions Statement 12

Operation 5 Parts List 14
Maintenance 8 Spanish 17
Service & Adjustments 9 Parts and Ordering Back

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN _ GAS POWERED

WEEDWACKER :_: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 line trimmer 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 days from the date of pur-
chase. This warranty applies only while this product is in use in the United States.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE WEEDWACKER LINE TRIM-
MER 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

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.

This power 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.

SAFETY INFORMATION
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.

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. Keep children, bystanders,
and animals 50 feet (15 meters) away. If
approached stop unit immediately.

oteotion

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.

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. Being fully
covered also helps protect you from

debris and pieces of toxic plants
thrown by spinning line.

• Do not operate when you are tired,

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

• Wear hearing protection.

• Never start or run inside a closed

room or building. Breathing exhaust
fumes can kill.

• Keep handles free from 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 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.

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 start-

ing engine.

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

CUTTING SAFETY

• Use only for trimming, scalping, mow-
ing, edging, 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 muffler 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 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-

Races, 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 children.

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-

ginesbeequippedwithasparkarres-
torscreen.Ifyouoperateinalocale

wheresuchregulationsexist,youare
legallyresponsibleforinstallingand
maintainingtheoperatingconditionof

theseparts.Failuretodosoisaviola-

tionoflaw.ContactaSearsService
Centerforthecorrectparts.
SPECIALNOTICE:Exposureto

vibrationsthroughprolongeduseof
gasolinepoweredhandtoolscould
causebloodvesselornervedamage

inthefingers,hands,andjointsof
peoplepronetocirculationdisorders
orabnormalswellings.Prolongeduse

incoldweatherhasbeenlinkedto

bloodvesseldamageinotherwise

healthypeople.Ifsymptomsoccur
suchasnumbness,pain,lossof
strength,changeinskincolorortex-

ture,orlossoffeelinginthefingers,

hands,orjoints,discontinuetheuseof
thistoolandseekmedicalattention.

Ananti-vibrationsystemdoesnot
guaranteetheavoidanceofthese

problems.Userswhooperatepower
toolsonacontinualandregularbasis

mustmonitorcloselytheirphysical
conditionandtheconditionofthistool.

CARTONCONTENTS
Checkcartoncontentsagainstthefol-

lowinglist.
Model358.796280

• Trimmer

• Shield

• Wing Nut (screwed onto shield)

• 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
,_ WARNING: If received as-

sembled, repeat all steps to ensure
your unit is properly assembled and all

fasteners are secure.
ADJUSTING THE HANDLE

WARNING: When adjusting tile
handle, be sure it remains between
the trigger and the safety label.

• Loosen wing nut or knob on handle.

• Rotate the handle on the tube to an
upright position; retighten wing nut.

ATTACHING SHIELD

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 which cuts

excess line to the proper length. The

line limiter (on underside of shield) is

sharp and can cut you. For proper
orientation, see illustration in OPERA-

TION section.

• Remove wing nut from shield.

• Insert bracket into slot as shown.

• Pivot shield until bolt passes through
hole in bracket.

• Securely tighten wing nut onto bolt.

Shield

Slot

Bracket

Wing

Nut