Craftsman 358796340 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

ICRRFTgMRN°I

25cc/1.5 cu. in. 2-Cycle
GASOLINE HEDGE TRIMMER

Model No.

358.796340 - 22" Blade

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Parts List

• Espar_ol, p. 15

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; 10 am-7 pm, Sun

1-800-235-5878 (Hours listed are Central Time)

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

545140965 12/15/06

WarrantyStatement 2 Storage 9
SafetyRules 2 TroubleshootingTable 10
Assembly 4 EmissionsStatement 11
Operation 5 PartsList 13
Maintenance 7 Spanish 15
Service&Adjustments 8 PartsandOrdering BackCover

ONEYEARFULLWARRANTYONCRAFTSMAN®GASOLINEHEDGETRIMMER
Whenusedandmaintainedaccordingtotheoperator'smanual,ifthisproductfails

duetoadefectinmaterialorworkmanshipwithinoneyearfromthedateofpur-
chase,returnittoanySearsstore,SearsServiceCenter,orotherCraftsmanoutletin
theUnitedStatesforfreerepair(orreplacementifrepairprovesimpossible).

Thiswarrantyexcludes spark plug, air filter and blades, which are expendable

parts that can wear out from normal use in less than one year.
This warranty applies for only 30 days from purchase date if this product is used

for commercial or rental purposes.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights

which vary from state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

A

DANGER: THIS POWER TOOL CAN

BE DANGEROUS! This unit can cause se-
rious injury including amputation or blind-

ness to the operator and others. The
warnings and safety instructions in this

manual must be followed to provide rea-
sonable safety and efficiency in using

this unit. The operator is responsible for
following the warnings and instructions in

this manual and on the unit. Never allow
children to use this tool.

_WARNING: Failure to follow all
Safety Rules and Precautions can re-

sult in serious injury.
KNOW YOUR UNIT

• Read your operator's manual care-
fully until you completely understand

and can follow all warnings and
safety rules before operating the unit.

• Restrict unit to users who understand
and will follow all warnings and safety

rules in this manual and on the unit.

PLAN AHEAD

_WARNING: Inspect the area be-
fore starting the unit. Remove all debris

and hard objects such as rocks, glass,
wire, etc. that can ricochet, be thrown,

or otherwise cause injury or damage
during operation.

• Always wear eye protection when op-
erating, servicing, or performing main-

tenance on unit. Wearing eye protec-
tion will help to prevent brush or debris

from being thrown or ricocheting into
eyes and face which can result in

blindness and/or serious injury. Eye
protection should be marked Z87.

• Wear hearing protection when using
this unit.

• Secure hair above shoulder length. Se-
cure or remove jewelry, loose clothing,

or clothing with loosely hanging straps,
ties, tassels, etc. They can be caught

in moving parts.

• Stay alert. Do not operate unit when
you are tired, ill, upset, or if you are

under the influence of alcohol, drugs,
or medication.

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Safety Boots
Glasses

_releasedmOmentarily before removing

• Keep children, bystanders, and ani-
mals away from work area a mini-

mum of 30 feet (10 meters) when
starting or operating unit.

If situations occur which are not cov-
ered in this manual, use care and good
judgment. If you need assistance, con-

tact your Sears Service Center or call
the Customer Assistance Helpline at

1-800-235-5878.

HANDLE FUEL WITH CAUTION

• Eliminate all sources of sparks or

flame (including smoking, open
flames, or work that can cause

sparks) in the areas where fuel is
mixed, poured, or stored.

• Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area;

store fuel in a cool, dry, well ventilated
place; use an approved, marked con-
tainer for all fuel purposes.

• Do not smoke while handling fuel or

while operating the unit.

• Do not fill fuel tank while engine is

running.

• Make sure the unit is properly as-

sembled and in good operating con-
dition.

• Avoid spilling fuel or oil. Wipe up fuel

spills before starting the engine.

• Move at least 10 feet (3 meters)

away from fuel and fueling site before
starting engine.

• Always store gasoline in a container

approved for flammable liquids.

t

Blades move Allow blades to stop

after the them from the cut.

trigger is.

WARNING:

Blades can throw objects violently.

• You can be blinded or injured.

• Wear safety glasses.

WARNING:
Hazard zone for thrown objects

• Blades can throw objects violently.

• Others can be blinded or injured.

• Keep people and animals 30 feet
(10 m) away.

WARNING:

u

Blades move momentarily after the
trigger is released.

• The blades can seriously cut you or
others.

• Allow blades to stop before

removing them from the cut.

OPERATE YOUR UNIT SAFELY

_i DANGER: RISK OF CUT; KEEP

HANDS AWAY FROM BLADE - Blade

moves momentarily after the trigger is
released. Do not attempt to clear away

cut material when the blade is in mo-
tion. Make sure the ON/OFF switch is in

the OFF position, the spark plug wire is
disconnected, and the blade has

stopped moving before removing
jammed material from the cutting
blade. Do not grab or hold the unit by

the cutting blade.

• Inspect unit before each use for
worn, loose, missing, or damaged

parts. Do not use until unit is in
proper working order.

• Keep outside surfaces free from oil
and fuel.

• Never start or run engine inside a
closed room or building. Breathing
exhaust fumes can kill.

• Avoid dangerous environments. Do
not use in unventilated areas or

where explosive vapors or carbon
monoxide build up could be present.

• Be not overreach or use from unsta-
ble surfaces such as ladders, trees,

steep slopes, rooftops, etc. Keep firm
footing and balance at all times.

• Do not raise unit above your shoul-
ders; the cutting blade can come
dangerously close to your body.

• Always keep unit in front of your body.
Keep all parts of your body away from
the cutting blade=

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• Keep the cutting blade and air vents
free from debris.

• Use only for jobs explained in this
manual.

MAINTAIN YOUR UNIT PROPERLY
_WARNING: Disconnect spark

plug before performing maintenance
except for carburetor adjustments.

• Have all maintenance and service
not explained in this manual per-
formed by a Sears Service Center.

• Do not use a cutting blade that is
bent, warped, cracked, broken, or

damaged in any other way. Have
worn or damaged parts replaced by

your Sears Service Center.

• Use only recommended Craftsman
cutting blades and replacement

parts; use of any other parts may
void your warranty and cause dam-

age to your unit.

• Empty fuel tank before storing the unit.
Use up fuel left in carburetor by starting

engine and letting it run until it stops.

• Hand carry the unit with the engine
stopped and the muffler and cutting

blade away from your body.

• Allow engine to cool, empty the fuel
tank, and secure the unit before stor-

ing or transporting it in a vehicle.

• Do not store the unit or fuel in a
closed area where fuel vapors can
reach sparks or an open flame from

hot water heaters, electric motors or
switches, furnaces, etc.

• Store the unit so the cutting blade
cannot accidentally cause injury.

• Store in a dry area out of reach of
children.

SAFETY 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 swelling. Prolonged use in cold
weather has been linked to blood ves-

sel damage in otherwise healthy
people. If symptoms occur such as

numbness, pain, loss of strength,
change in skin color or texture, or loss
of feeling in the fingers, hands, or

joints, discontinue the use of this tool
and seek medical attention. An

antivibration system does not guaran-
tee the avoidance of these problems.

Users who operate power tools on a

continual and regular basis must moni-
tor closely their physical condition and

the condition of this tool.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Your hedge trim-

mer is equipped with a temperature
limiting muffler and spark arresting
screen which meets the requirements

of California Codes 4442 and 4443. All

U.S. forest land and the states of Cali-

fornia, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New
Jersey, Oregon, and Washington re-

quire by law that many internal com-
bustion engines be equipped with a
spark arresting screen. If you operate

a hedge trimmer in a state or locale
where such regulations exist, you are
legally responsible for maintaining the

operating condition of these parts.

Failure to do so is a violation of the law.

For normal homeowner use, the muffler
and spark arresting screen will not re-
quire any service. After 50 hours of
use, we recommend that your muffler

be serviced or replaced by your Sears
Service Center.

CARTON CONTENTS
Check carton contents against the fol-

lowing list.
Model 358.796340

• Hedge Trimmer

• Scabbard

• 2-Cycle Engine Oil

NOTE: It is normal for the fuel filter to
rattle in the empty fuel tank.
ASSEMBLY
Your hedge trimmer is fully assembled;

no assembly is required.

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