Craftsman 358796356 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

ICRRFTgMRN°I

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

Model No.

358.796356 - 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.

545001467 9/12/06

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,ifthisproductfailsdue

toadefectinmaterialorworkmanshipwithinoneyearfromthedateofpurchase,return ittoanySearsstore,SearsServiceCenter,orotherCraftsmanoutletintheUnitedStates

forfreerepair(orreplacementifrepairprovesimpossible). Thiswarrantyexcludessparkplug,airfilterandblades,whichareexpendableparts

thatcanwearoutfromnormaluseinlessthanoneyear. Thiswarrantyappliesforonly30daysfrompurchasedateifthisproductisusedfor

commercialorrentalpurposes. Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrights

whichvaryfromstatetostate.

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

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 tile 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.

Blades move Allow blades to stop

after the them from the cut.

trigger is.

WARNING:

Blades canthrow 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 blindedor injured.

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

WARNING:

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

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.

• Do 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 358.796356

• Hedge Trimmer

• 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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KNOW YOUR HEDGE TRIMMER

READ THIS OPERATOR'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR

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.

Muffler

Spark Plug _.

Hand Guard _- _ Throttle

ON/OFF

Switch

,_/Throttle Lock

Lock-out

Primer Bulb

ON/OFF SWITCH

The ON/OFFSWITCH is used to stop the engine. To stop the engine, move the switch to the OFF position.

CHOKE

The CHOKE helps to supply fuel to the engine to aid in cold starting. Activate the choke by moving choke lever to the de-

sired position. See STARTING YOUR EN- GINE for complete starting information.

ItlWARNING: Muffler is very hot during and after use. Do not touch the

muffler or allow combustible material such as dry grass or fuel to do so.

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

1-800-235-5878.

FUELING ENGINE _WARNING: Remove fuel cap

slowly when refueling. This engine is certified to operate on

unleaded gasoline. Before operation, gasoline must be mixed with a good quality synthetic 2-cycle air-cooled

engine oil. We recommend Craftsman brand synthetic 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.

Included with this hedge trimmer is a

3.2 ounce container of oil. Pour the

Trigger

Choke Lever

Fuel Mix Fill Cap

PRIMER BULB

The PRIMER BULB removes air from the fuel lines and fills them with fuel. This

allows you to start the engine with few- er pulls on the starter rope. Activate the

primer bulb by pressing it and allowing it to return to its original form.

THROTTLE TRIGGER

The THROqq-LETRIGGER controls engine speed. Squeeze the trigger for full speed

operation; release it for idle speed. entire contents of this container into 1

gallon of gasoline to achieve the proper fuel mixture. 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

container momentarily to assure that the fuel is thoroughly 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. Acid- ic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage.

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

engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel

tank or permanent damage may occur. See the STORAGE section for additional

information.

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS To maximize operating efficiency, do

not run the engine for longer than 30 seconds at a time at full throttle.

Releasing the trigger and allowing the

engine to briefly return to idle speed

(5-10 seconds) will be sufficient.

IMPORTANT POINTS

• Use the minimum throttle speed nec- essary to effectively cut hedges for

optimal hedge trimmer performance.

• Never attempt to use this hedge trim- mer to cut hedges that have any

branches with a diameter larger than 7/16".

OPERATING POSITION

Hearing Protection

STOPPING YOUR ENGINE

• To stop the engine, move the ON/OFF switch to the OFF position.

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

• Fuel engine. Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the fueling site.

• Hold the unit on the ground in the starting position as shown. Support

unit so the blade is off of the ground and away from trees, bushes, on-

lookers, etc.

Protection

TL-.:/',,

,I_S/

STARTING A COLD ENGINE (or a warm engine after running out of

fuel)

Throttle Lock

X Throttle

Lock-out

/ ,

Throttle Trigger

1 /

1. Move the ON/OFF switch to the ON position.

2. Engage the throttle lock as follows:

• press the throttle lock-out;

• squeeze and hold throttle trigger;

• press and hold throttle lock;

• release the throttle trigger

NOTE: Keep the throttle lock engaged

until the engine starts.

ON OFF

3. Slowly press the primer bulb 6 times.

4. Move the choke lever to the FULL CHOKE position.

Primer Bulb Choke

Pull starter rope handle sharply until engine sounds as if it is trying to run,

but do not pull rope more than 6 times. Move the choke lever to the HALF

CHOKE position.

Pull starter rope sharply until the en- gine runs, but no more than 6 pulls.

NOTE: If the engine doesn't start af- ter 6 pulls (at the HALF CHOKE posi- tion), check to make sure the ON/

OFF switch is in the ON position. Move the choke lever to the FULL

CHOKE position and press the prim- er bulb 6 times; pull the starter rope 2 more times. Move the choke lever

to the HALF CHOKE position and pull the starter rope until the engine

runs, but no more than 6 more pulls.

If the engine still doesn't start, it is probably flooded. Proceed to STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE.

Once the engine starts, allow it to run 10 seconds, then move the

Lever

chokelevertotheOFFCHOKEposi- tion.Allowtheunittorunfor30more

secondsattheOFFCHOKEposition

beforesqueezingandreleasingthe

throttletriggertoreleasethethrottle

lock.NOTE:Ifenginedieswiththe

chokeleverintheOFFCHOKEposi- tion,movethechokelevertothe

HALFCHOKEpositionandpullthe ropeuntilengineruns,butnomore

than6pulls.

STARTING A WARM ENGINE

1. Move the ON/OFF switch to the ON position.

2. Slowly press the primer bulb 6 times.

3. Move the choke lever to the HALF CHOKE position.

4. Engage the throttle lock as directed

in STARTING A COLD ENGINE.

NOTE: Keep the throttle lock engaged

until the engine starts.

5. Pull starter rope sharply until engine

runs, but no more than 5 pulls.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

_t WARNING: Ensure ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position and disconnect

the spark plug before performing maintenance except for carburetor adjust-

ments.

CARE & MAINTENANCE TASK WHEN TO PERFORM Check for loose fasteners and parts Before each use

Check for damaged or worn parts Before each use Inspect and clean unit and labels After each use Clean air filter Every 5 hours of operation Inspect muffler and spark arresting screen Every 50 hours of operation Replace spark plug Yearly Replace fuel filter Yearly

GENERAL RECOMMEN DATIONS The warranty on this unit does not cov-

er items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To re- ceive full value from the warranty, the operator must maintain unit as instruct-

ed in this manual. Various adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit. CHECK FOR LOOSE

FASTENERS AND PARTS

• Spark Plug Boot

• Air Filter

• Housing Screws

6. Allow the engine to run 10 seconds, then move choke lever to the OFF

CHOKE position.

7. Release the throttle lock by squeez- ing and releasing the throttle trigger.

NOTE: If engine has not started, pull

starter rope 5 more pulls. If engine still does not run, it is probably flooded. Pro- ceed to STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE.

STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE

Flooded engines can be started by placing the ON/OFF switch in the ON position and the choke lever in the OFF CHOKE position and engaging the

throttle lock as directed in the START-

ING A COLD ENGINE section; then, pull the rope to clear the engine of excess fuel. Starting could require pulling the starter rope many times depending on how badly the unit is flooded.

If the unit still doesn't start, refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE or call

1-800-235-5878.

CHECK FOR DAMAGED OR

WORN PARTS

Contact Sears Service Center for re- placement of damaged or worn parts.

• ON/OFF Switch - Ensure ON/OFF

switch functions properly by moving the switch to the OFF position. Make

sure engine stops; then restart engine and continue.

• Fuel Tank - Do not use unit iffuel tank

shows signs of damage or leaks.

INSPECT AND CLEAN UNIT AND

LABELS

• Before and after each use, inspect

complete unit for loose or damaged parts.

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• After each use, clean the unit and la- bels using a damp cloth with a mild detergent.

• Wipe off unit with a clean dry cloth.

CLEAN AIR FILTER

Air Filter Cover

Air Filter

Screw

A dirty air filter decreases engine per- formance and increases fuel consump- tion and harmful emissions. Always

clean after every 5 hours of operation.

1. Clean the cover and the area around it to keep debris from falling

into the carburetor chamber when

the cover is removed.

2. Remove parts as illustrated. NOTE: To avoid creating a fire hazard

or producing harmful evaporative emis- sions, do not clean filter in gasoline or

other flammable solvent.

3. Wash the filter in soap and water.

4. Allow filter to dry.

5. Add a few drops of oil to the filter;

squeeze filter to distribute oil.

6. Replace parts.

INSPECT MUFFLER AND SPARK AR-

RESTING SCREEN

_&WARNING: The muffler on this product contains chemicals known to

the State of California to cause cancer.

As the unit is used, carbon deposits build up on the muffler and spark ar- resting screen. For normal homeowner use, however, the muffler and spark ar-

resting screen will not require any ser- vice. After 50 hours of use, we recom-

mend that your muffler and spark ar- resting screen be serviced or replaced by a Sears Service Center.

REPLACE SPARK PLUG

Replace spark plug each year to ensure the engine starts easier and runs better. Set spark plug gap at 0.025 inch. Ignition

timing is fixed, nonadjustable.

1. Twist, then pull off spark plug boot.

2. Remove spark plug from cylinder

and discard.

3. Replace with Champion RCJ-6Y

spark plug and tighten securely with a 3/4 inch socket wrench.

4. Reinstall the spark plug boot.

REPLACE FUEL FILTER To replace fuel filter, drain unit by run- ning it dry of fuel, then remove fuel cap/ retainer assembly from tank. Pull filter

from tank and remove itfrom the fuel line. Install new fuel filter on fuel line;

reinstall parts.

Fuel Filter

Line

4I_WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug before performing maintenance, service or adjustments except for car-

buretor adjustments. We recommend all service and adjust-

ments not listed in this manual be per- formed by your Sears Service Center.

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT Aid,WARNING: Keep others away

when making idle speed adjustments. The blade will be moving during most ofthis procedure. Wear your protective equipment and observe all safety pre-

cautions. When making adjustments, use a screwdriver short enough to keep your hands behind the hand-

guard and away from the blade. After making adjustments, the blade must not move at idle speed. The carburetor has been carefully set at the factory. Adjustments may be

necessary if you notice any of the fol- lowing conditions:

• Engine will not idle when the throttle

is released.

• The blade moves at idle. Keep others

away when making idle speed adjust- ments.

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