Craftsman 358797202 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

I CRAFTSMAN°I

19.9cc 2-Cycle
150 MPH/300CFM

GASOLINE BLOWER

Model No.

358.797202

0
O

0

WARNING:

A

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

530088515 9/28/00

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 _Hoo,slisted are Central Time)

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 9
Safety Rules 2 Troubleshooting Chart 10

Assembly 4 Emissions Statement 10
Operation 5 Parts List 12

Maintenance 7 Spanish 15
Service & Adjustments 8 Parts Ordering Back Cover

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN ® GAS BLOWER
For one (1) year from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Gas Blower 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 material or workmanship.

This warranty excludes the blower tube, spark plug, and air cleaner, which are
expendable parts and become worn during normal use.

If this Blower is used for commercial purposes, this warranty applies for only 90

days from the date of purchase. If this Blower is used for rental purposes, this
warranty applies for only 30 days from the date of purchase. This warranty ap-
plies only while this product is in use in the United States.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE BLOWER 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/817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

dt_ 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 under-
stand and will follow all warnings and

safety rules in this manual.

PLAN AHEAD

• Always wear eye protection when op-
erating, servicing, or performing main-
tenance on unit. Wearing eye protec-
tion will help to prevent rocks or debris
from being blown or ricocheting into

eyes and face which can result in
blindness and/or serious injury. Eye
protection should meet the require-

ments of ANSI Z87.1.

• Always wear foot protection. Do not
go barefoot or wear sandals.

• Always wear respirator or face mask
when working with unit in dusty envi-

ronments.

• Secure hair above shoulder length.

Secure or remove jewelry, loose

clothing, or clothing with loosely

hanging straps, ties, tassels, etc.

They can be caught in moving parts.

• Do not operate unit when you are
tired, ill, upset, or if you are under the

influence of alcohol, drugs, or medica-

tion.

• Keep children, bystanders, and ani-

mals away from work area a mini-
mum of 30 feet (10 meters) when

starting or operating unit. Do not

point blower nozzle in the direction of
people or pets.

• Inspect the area before starting the

unit. Remove all debris and hard ob-

jects such as rocks, glass, wire, etc.
that can ricochet, be thrown, or oth-

erwise cause injury or damage dur-

ing operation.

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HANDLE FUEL WITH CAUTION, IT

IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE

• 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.

• Make sure the unit is properly as-
sembled and in good operating con-

dition.

• Do not fill fuel tank while engine is
running.

• Avoid spilling fuel or oil. Wipe up fuel
spills before starting engine.

• Move at least 10 feet (3 meters)
away from fuel and fueling site be-

fore starting engine.

• Always store gasoline in a container
approved for flammable liquids.

OPERATE YOUR UNIT SAFELY

_WARNING: 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, building or other un-

ventilated area. Breathing exhaust
fumes can kill.

• To avoid static electricity shock, do
not wear rubber gloves or any other
insulated gloves while operating unit.

• Do not set unit on any surface ex-
cept a clean, hard area while engine

is running. Debris such as gravel,
sand, dust, grass, etc. could be
picked up by the air intake and
thrown out through discharge open-

ing, damaging unit, property, or caus-
ing serious injury to bystanders or
operator.

• 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.

• Never place objects inside the
blower tubes; always direct the blow-

ing debris away from people, ani-
mals, glass, and solid objects such

as trees, automobiles, walls, etc. The
force of air can cause rocks, dirt, or
sticks to be thrown or to ricochet

which can hurt people or animals,

break glass, or cause other damage.

• Never run unit without the proper

equipment attached. When using
your unit as a blower, always install

blower tubes.

• Check air intake opening, and blower

tubes, frequently, always with engine
stopped and spark plug discon-

nected. Keep vents and discharge

tubes free from debris which can ac-
cumulate and restrict proper air flow.

• Never place any object in the air in-

take opening as this could restrict

proper air flow and cause damage to

the unit.

• Never use for spreading chemicals,

fertilizers, or other substances which

may contain toxic materials.

• To avoid spreading fire, do not use
near leaf or brush fires, fireplaces,

barbecue pits, ashtrays, etc.

• To reduce the risk of hearing loss

associated with sound level(s), hear-

ing protection is required.

• To reduce the risk of injury associated

with contacting rotating parts, stop the
engine before installing or removing

attachments. Do not operate without
guard(s) in place.

• Use only for jobs explained in this
manual.

MAINTAIN YOUR UNIT PROPERLY

• Have all maintenance other than the
recommended procedures described
in the Operator's Manual performed

by Sears Service.

• Disconnect spark plug before per-

forming maintenance except for car-

buretor adjustments.

• Use only recommended CraftsmanZ
replacement parts; use of any other

parts may void your warranty and

cause damage to your unit.

• Empty the fuel tank before storing

the unit. Use up fuel left in carburetor

by starting the engine and letting it
run until it stops.

-3-

• Do not use any accessory or attach-
ment other than those recommended

by the manufacturer for use with your
unit.

• 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 in a dry area out of reach of
children.

SPECIAL NOTICE: For users on U.S.

Forest Land and in some states, in-

cluding California(Public Resources
Codes 4442 and 4443), Idaho, Maine,

Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, and

Washington: Certain internal combus-
tion engines operated on forest, brush,
and/or grass covered land in the
above areas are required to be
equipped with a spark arrestor, main-
tained in effective working order, or the
engine must be constructed, equipped,

and maintained for the prevention of
fire. Check with your state or local
authorities for regulations pertaining to
these requirements. Failure to follow
these requirements is a violation of the

law. This unit is not factory equipped

with a spark arrestor; however, a spark

arrestor is available as an optional

part. If a spark arrestor is required in
your area, contact Sears Service for
the correct kit. The spark arrestor,

blower tubes, and nozzles must be as-

sembled to unit to be in full compliance
with regulations.

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 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 anti
vibration system does not guarantee

the avoidance of these problems. Us-

ers who operate power tools on a con-
tinual and regular basis must monitor

closely their physical condition and the

condition of this tool.

CARTON CONTENTS
Check carton contents against the fol-
lowing list.

Model 358.797202

• Blower

• Blower tube

• Container of oil
NOTE: It is normal for the fuel filter to

rattle in the empty fuel tank.

ASSEMBLY

_WARNING: If received as-
sembled, repeat all steps to ensure

your unit is properly assembled and all
fasteners are secure.

• No tools are required for assembly.

BLOWER TUBE

• Push the blower tube into the blow-
er outlet until it snaps into place.

Blower Outlet ,_

Blower Tube _'_

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

UNIT. Compare the illustrations with your unit to familiarize yourself with locations
of the various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

Blower Tube

\

PRIMER BULB

The PRIMER BULB removes air from
the carburetor and fuel lines and fills

them with fuel. This allows you to start
the engine with fewer pulls on the
starter rope. Activate the primer bulb
by pressing it and allowing it to return
to its original form.

OPERATING TIPS

• Operate power equipment only at rea-
sonable hours-not early in the morn-
ing or late at night when people might
be disturbed. Comply with times listed

in local ordinances. Usual recommen-
dations are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,

Monday though Saturday.

• To reduce noise levels, limit the num-
ber of pieces of equipment used at
any one time.

• Use rakes and brooms to loosen
debris before blowing.

• In dusty conditions, slightly dampen
surfaces or use a mister attachment
when water is available.

• Conserve water by using power blow-
ers instead of hoses for many lawn

and garden applications, including
areas such as gutters, screens, patios,

grills, porches, and gardens.

• Watch out for children, pets, open
windows, or freshly washed cars.
Blow debris away safely.

• Use the full blower nozzle extension
so the air stream can work close to

the ground.

CHOKE LEVER

The CHOKE helps to supply fuel to the

engine to aid in cold starting. The RUN
position is used for full speed opera-

tion. The 1/2 position is used for a brief

initial warm-up period and to set the
engine at idle speed.

• After using blowers and other equip-
ment, CLEAN UP! Dispose of debris

in trash receptacles.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

_WARNING: Be sure to read tile
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

This engine is certified 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
container momentarily to assure that

the fuel is thoroughly mixed. Always

read and follow the safety rules
relating to fuel before fueling your unit.

-5-

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 engine 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 carbu-
retor are empty. Use fresh 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.

OPERATING
POSITION

J

Eye
Protection

STOPPING YOUR ENGINE

• Move the choke lever to the START/

STOP position.

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
You MUST make sure the tube is se-

cure before using the unit.

• Fuel engine. Move at least 10 feet

(3 meters) away from the fueling
site.

• Hold the unit in the starting position

as shown. Make sure the blower
end is directed away from people,

animals, glass, and solid objects.

__ TARTING

POSITION

_WARNING: When starting en-
gine, hold the unit as illustrated. Do not

set unit on any surface except a clean,
hard area when starting engine or

while engine is running. Debris such

as gravel, sand, dust, grass, etc. could
be picked up by the air intake and

thrown out through the discharge

opening, damaging the unit or prop-
erty, or causing serious injury to by-

standers or the operator.

Choke Lever

STARTING A COLD ENGINE (or a

warm engine after running out of fuel)

1. Move choke lever to START/STOP.

2. Slowly press the primer bulb 6
times.

3. Sharply pull starter handle until en-
gine attempts to run, NO MORE

THAN 5 PULLS.

4. Move choke lever to 1/2 CHOKE.
Pull starter rope sharply until en-

gine runs.

NOTE: If engine has not started after 5
pulls, repeat all of the above steps.

5. After a 10 second warm-up, move
the choke lever to RUN.

6. To stop engine, move the choke
lever to the START/STOP position.

STARTING A WARM ENGINE

1. Move the choke lever to the RUN
position

2. Pull starter handle sharply until en-
gine runs.

NOTE: If engine does not run after 5
pulls, follow information provided under

STARTING A COLD ENGINE.

DIFFICULT STARTING (or starting a

flooded engine)

Flooded engines can be started by plac-
ing the choke lever in the RUN position;

then, pull the starter handle sharply to

clear the engine of excess fuel. This could

require pulling the starter handle many
times depending on how badly the unit is
flooded. If the unit still does not start, refer
to TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE or call

1-800-235-5878.

-6-

Primer
Bulb

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

CARE & MAINTENANCE TASK
Check for Loose fasteners and parts
Check for damaged or worn parts

Clean unit and labels
Clean air filter

Replace spark plug

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

instructed in this manual. Various ad-
justments will need to be made period-

ically to properly maintain your unit.
CHECK FOR LOOSE

FASTENERS AND PARTS

• Spark Plug Boot

• Air Filter

• Housing Screws
CHECK FOR DAMAGED OR

WORN PARTS

Refer replacement of damaged/worn

parts to your Sears Service Center.

• Choke Lever - Ensure choke lever
functions properly by moving to the

START/STOP position. Make sure en-
gine stops; then restart engine and

continue.

• Fuel Tank - Discontinue use of unit if
fuel tank shows signs of damage or

leaks.

CLEAN UNIT & LABELS

• Clean the unit using a damp cloth
with a mild detergent.

• Wipe off unit with a clean dry cloth.

CLEAN AIR FILTER

Air Filter

WHEN TO PERFORM

Before each use
Before each use

After each use
Every 5 hours of operation

Yearly

Cleaning the air filter:
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: Do not clean filter in gasoline
or other flammable solvent. Doing so
can create a fire hazard or produce

harmful evaporative emissions.

3. Wash the filter in soap and water.

4. Allow filter to dry.

5. Apply a few drops of oil to the filter;
squeeze filter to distribute oil.

6. Replace parts.

REPLACE SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug each year to en-
sure the engine starts easier and runs

better. Set spark plug gap at .025 in.
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-8Y
spark plug and tighten with a 3/4

inch socket wrench (1O- 12 ft/Ibs).

4. Reinstall the spark plug boot.

!

Screw

Air Filter Cover

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