Craftsman 358796290 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

CRAFTSMFIN

25cc/1.5 cu.in. 2-Cycle
GASOLINE WEEDWACKER ®

Model No.

358.796290

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 _Hoors listed are Central Time)

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

530088548 3/16/00

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 11
Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Chart 12
Assembly 4 Emissions Statement 13
Operation 5 Parts List 15
Maintenance 9 Spanish 18
Service & Adjustments 10 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-

MERTO 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 instruc-

tions 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 warn-

ings on the unit and in the manual. Nev-
er 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.

QQO

,_ 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.

Eye Protection

! "-4LHz Z D"

_Boots

Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcov-
eredinthismanual,usecareand

goodjudgment.Ifyouneedassis-
tance,contactyourSearsService

Centerorcall1-800-235-5878.
OPERATORSAFETY

• Alwayswearsafetyeyeprotection.

• Alwayswearlongpants,long
sleeves,boots,andgloves.Wearing
safetylegguardsisrecommended.

Donotgobarefootorwearsandals.
Stayclearofspinningline.

• Securehairaboveshoulderlength.
Secureorremovelooseclothingor

clothingwithlooselyhangingties,
straps,tassels,etc.Theycanbe

caughtinmovingparts.Beingfully
coveredalsohelpsprotectyoufrom

debrisandpiecesoftoxicplants
thrownbyspinningline.

• Donotoperatewhenyouaretired,
ill,upset,orundertheinfluenceof
alcohol,drugs,ormedication.

• Wearhearingprotection.

• Neverstartorruninsideaclosed
roomorbuilding.Breathingexhaust

fumescankill.

• Keephandlesfreefromoilandfuel.

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 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 starting

engine.

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

CUTTING SAFETY

• Use only for trimming, scalping, mow-
ing and sweeping. Do not use for edg-

ing, 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 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 children.

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 you operate 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 law. Contact a Sears Service

Center for the correct parts.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Exposure to vibra-

tions through prolonged use of gaso-

line powered hand tools could cause
blood vessel or nerve damage in the

fingers, hands, and joints of people

prone to circulation disorders or abnor-
mal swellings. Prolonged use in cold

3

weatherhasbeenlinkedtobloodves-
seldamageinotherwisehealthy

people.Ifsymptomsoccursuchas

numbness,pain,lossofstrength,
changeinskincolorortexture,orloss
offeelinginthefingers,hands,or
joints,discontinuetheuseofthistool

andseekmedicalattention.Ananti-

vibrationsystemdoesnotguarantee
theavoidanceoftheseproblems.Us-

erswhooperatepowertoolsonacon-

tinualandregularbasismustmonitor

closelytheirphysicalconditionandthe
conditionofthistool.

CARTONCONTENTS

Checkcartoncontentsagainstthefol-

lowinglist.

Model358.796290

•Trimmer

•Shield

•WingNut(screwedontoshield)

•Containerofline

•Containerofoil

•Optionaltrimmerhead

Examinepartsfordamage.Donotuse
damagedparts.

NOTE:Ifyouneedassistanceorfind

partsmissingordamaged,call

1-800-235-5878.

Itisnormalforthefuelfiltertorattlein
theemptyfueltank.

Findingfueloroilresidueonmuffleris

normalduetocarburetoradjustments
andtestingdonebythemanufacturer.

ASSEMBLY

WARNING:Ifreceivedas-

sembled,repeatallstepstoensure
yourunitisproperlyassembledandall

fastenersaresecure.
ADJUSTINGTHEHANDLE

_/L WARNING: When adjusting the

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
_/L 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 OPERATION 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.

_ Slot

Shield ____

__ ,X Bracket

Wing
Nut

ATTACHING OPTIONAL TRIMMER

HEAD

Your unit is equipped with a fixed-line

cutting head. You may choose to re-
move the fixed-line cutting head and
install the optional trimmer head sup-
plied with this unit. To install the op-

tional trimmer head:

• Secure dust cup with wrench to keep

shaft from turning.

• Detach fixed-line cutting head from
unit by loosening and removing the

hex nut.

NOTE: The hex nut is located in the
center of the fixed-line cutting head. It

may be necessary to use a deep sock-
et to loosen the nut.

• Thread the optional trimmer head

onto the shaft against the dust cup
as illustrated. Hand tighten firmly.