Craftsman 486248391 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

ICRAFI",'SMAN+I

42"- 2 STAGE SNOW THROWER
TRACTO R ATTAC HMENT

Model No. 486.248391

• Safety

CAUTION:
Before using this product, read

this manual and follow all
Safety Rules and

Operating Instructions.

IMPORTANT - READ THIS FIRST!!!

For Missing Parts or Assembly Questions
Please Call 217-728-8388

Mon.-Fri. 7 am - 5 pm CST.
FAX [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]

Missing parts will be sent UPS in 24 hours directly to your home.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
www.sears.com/craftsman

PRINTED IN U+S.A. FORM NO. 48549 (5/02))

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Parts

ACCESSORIES ........................................................... 2

SAFETY RULES .......................................................... 3

FULL SIZE HARDWARE CHART ................................. 4

CARTON CONTENTS ................................................. 5

ASSEMBLY ................................................................. 5

OPERATION ............................................................. 18

MAINTENANCE ......................................................... 19

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ................................ 20

STORAGE ................................................................. 21

TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................... 21

REPAIR PARTS ILLUSTRATION ......................... 22,24

REPAIR PARTS LIST ........................................... 23,25

SLOPE GUIDE .......................................................... 27

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ................ BACK COVER

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON 42" 2-STAGE SNOW THROWER

For one year from the date of purchase, when this snow thrower is maintained and lubricated according to the operating
and maintenance instructionsinthe owner's manual, Sears willrepair any defect in material or workmanship free ofcharge.
If this snow thrower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of
purchase.

This warranty does not cover repairs necessary because of operator negligence or abuse, including thefailure to maintain
the equipment according to instructions contained in the owner's manual.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT
IN THE UNITED STATES.

This warranty applies only while this product is inthe 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, Chicago, IL 60179

These accessories were available when the unit was purchased. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets
and service centers. Most Sears stores can order repair parts for you when you provide the model numbers of your

tractor and snow thrower.

WHEEL WEIGHT TIRE CHAINS DRIFT CUTTER BARS

KIT NO. 71-88294

The model number and serial numbers will be found on a
decal attached to the snow thrower.

You should record both the serial number and the date of
purchase and keep in a safe place for future reference.

MODEL NUMBER:

SERIAL NUMBER:

DATE OF PURCHASE:

2

486.248391

Anypowerequipmentcancauseinjuryifoperatedimproperlyoriftheuserdoesnotunderstandhowtooperate
theequipment.Exercisecautionatall times,whenusingpowerequipment.

• Readthisowner'smanualcarefullyandknowhow

tooperateyoursnowthrowerandhowtostopthe

unitanddisengagethecontrolsquickly.

• Neverallowchildrentooperatetheequipment.

• Neverallowadultstooperatetheequipment

withoutproperinstruction.

• Keeptheareaofoperationclearofallpersons,

especiallysmallchildren,andpets.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipment

istobeusedandremovealldoormats,sleds,
boards,wiresandotherforeignobjects.

• Disengageallclutchesandshiftintoneutralbefore

startingengine.

• Donotoperateequipmentwithoutwearingad-

equatewinteroutergarments.

• Wearsubstantialfootwearwhichwillprotectfeet

andimprovefootingonslipperysurfaces.

• Checkfuelbeforestartingtheengine.Donot

removethefuelcaporfillthefueltankwhilethe
engineis runningorhot.Donotfill thefueltank
indoors.Gasolineisanextremelyflammablefuel.

• Makesurethesnowthrowerheightisadjustedto

clearthetypesurfaceit willbeusedon.

• Donotusethesnowthrowerwithouttherear

weightattachedtothetractor.

• Nevermakeanyadjustmentswhiletheengineis

running.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldduring

operationorwhileperformingandadjustmentor

repair.

• Donotplacehandorfeetnearrotatingparts.Keep

clearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.

• Useextremecautionwhenoperatingonorcrossing

gravelsurfaces.

• Donotcarrypassengers.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,

removethewirefromthesparkplugandthen

thoroughlyinspectthesnowthrowerfordamage.

Repairanydamagebeforerestartingandoperating

thesnowthrower.

• Ifthesnowthrowerstartstovibrateabnormally,

stoptheengineimmediatelyandcheckforthe

cause.Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.

• Stoptheenginewheneveryouleavetheoperating
position,beforeuncloggingthesnowthroweror

makinganyadjustmentsorinspections.

• Takeallpossibleprecautionswhenleavingtheunit
unattended.Disengagetheattachmentclutchlever

orswitch,lowerthesnowthrower,shiftintoneutral,
settheparkingbrake,stoptheengineandremove

thekey.

• Whencleaning,repairingorinspecting,make
certainallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnect

thesparkplugwireandkeepitawayfromtheplug
topreventaccidentalstarting.

• Donotrunengineindoorsexceptwhentransport-
ingthesnowthrowerinoroutofthebuilding.Open

theoutsidedoors.Exhaustfumesaredangerous.

• Donotclearsnowacrossthefaceofslopes.
Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirection

onslopes.Donotattempttoclearsteepslopes.
Refertotheslopeguideonpage27ofthismanual.

• Neveroperatethesnowthrowerwithoutguards,
platesorothersafetyprotectiondevicesin place.

• Neveroperatethesnowthrowernearglassenclo-
sures,automobiles,windowwells,dropoffsetc.

withoutproperadjustmentofthesnowthrower
dischargeangle.

• Neverdirectdischargeatbystandersorallow
anyoneinfrontofthesnowthrower.

• Neverrunthesnowthrowerintomaterialathigh
speeds.

• Donotoverloadthemachinecapacitybyattempt-
ingtoclearsnowattoofasta rate.

• Neveroperatethemachineathightransportspeed
onslipperysurfaces.Lookbehindandusecare

whenbacking.

• Watchfor trafficandstayalertwhencrossingor
operatingnearroadways.

• Disengagepowertothesnowthrowerwhentrans-
portingorwhennotinuse.

• Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedby
themanufacturerofthesnowthrower(suchas

wheelweights,counterweights,cabsetc.)

• Neveroperatethesnowthrowerwithoutgood
visibilityor light.

,_ Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It mean--Attention!!

Become alert!! Your safety is involved.

3

SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE

REF.

A

B

C

D
E

F
G

H

I

J

K

L

M
N

O

P

Q

R
S

QTY.

1
4

2
6

2
4

2
2

6
2

4
1

10
14
2

7
2

1
2

v

NOT SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE

DESCRIPTION

Hex Bolt, 1/2" x 1-1/4"
Hex Bolt, 3/8" x 1"

Hex Bolt, 5/16" x 1-3/4"
Hex Bolt, 1/4" x 1"

Slotted Truss Head Bolt, 3/8" x 1"
Carriage Bolt, 3/8" x 1"

Carriage Bolt, 5/16" x 1-3/4"
Carriage Bolt, 5/16" x 1-1/4"

Carriage Bolt, 5/16" x 1"
Carriage Bolt, 5/16" x 3/4"

Shoulder Bolt, 3/8" x 5/8"
Lock Washer, 1/2"
Lock Washer, 3/8"

Lock Washer, 5/16"
Bowed Washer

Washer, 1/4"
Washer, 1/2"

Washer, 3/8"
Washer, 5/16"

.AA

jMM

REF. QTY. DESCRIPTION

T 6 Hex Lock Nut, 1/4"

U 12 Hex Nut, 5/16"

V 1 Whizlock Nut, 5/16"
W 4 Hex Lock Nut, 5/16" (2 pcs. spare parts)

X 11 Hex Lock Nut, 3/8"
Y 1 Hex Nut, 1/2"

Z 3 Hairpin Cotter, 5/64"
AA 1 Hairpin Cotter, 3/32"

BB 3 Hairpin Cotter, 1/8"

CC 2 Shear Bolt (spare parts)

DD 1 Tarp Strap
EE 1 Spring

FF 3 Chute Keeper

GG 1 Trunnion

HH 1 Spacer
II 2 Lock Pin

JJ 1 Plastic Cap

KK 2 Tail Reflector
LL 1 Chain, Tensioning

MM 2 Nylon Tie

4

CARTON CONTENTS

1. Cross Brace (Weight Tray)

2. Side Brace (Weight Tray)

3. Right Hand Side Plate (Stamped "R")

4. Left Hand Side Plate (Stamped "L")

5. Anti-rotation Bracket

6. Engagement Rod (Not used on some models)

8. Chute Crank Rod Assembly

9. Support Tube, Crank Rod

10. Lift Handle Tube and Cable

11. Cable Bracket

12. Plastic Keg

13. Left Hand Hanger Bracket (Stamped "L")

14. Right Hand Hanger Bracket (Stamped "R")

15. Clutch Idler Assembly

16. V Belt, Drive

17. V Belt, Auger (Attached to Housing Assembly)

18. Chute and Control Cable Assembly

19. Housing Assembly

20. Weight Tray

Hardware Package (Stored inside Plastic Keg)

4 6

12

/ 13

14

16

10

19

11

2O

/

5

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

(2) 7/16" Wrenches
(2) 1/2" Wrenches
(2) 9/16" Wrenches
(2) 3/4" Wrenches
(1) Knife

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

General Purpose Grease

REMOVAL OF PARTS FROM CARTON

• Remove all parts and hardware packages from the
carton. Lay out parts and hardware and identify using
the illustrations on pages 4 and 5.

NOTE: Not all of the supplied parts and hardware

will be needed for your particular tractor. Unneeded

items may be discarded after you have completed
assembly.

ASSEMBLY OF SIDE PLATES TO TRACTOR
Right hand (R.H.) and left hand (L.H.) side of the tractor

are determined from the operators position while seated
on the tractor.

TRACTORS WITH FRAME MOUNTED FRONT
SUSPENSION BRACKETS (See page 7 for tractors

with axle mounted front suspension brackets.)

• Remove two bolts from each side of the tractor
frame as shown in figure 1.

• If there is a third bolt on the right side, as shown in
figure 1, remove the nut and washer from the bolt.

REMOVE NUT & WASHER
AND LEAVE BOLT (IF PRESENT)

REMOVE BOLTS
FROM THESE HOLES

CAUTION: Before starting to assemble
the snow thrower, remove the spark plug

&

wire(s), set the parking brake and
remove the key from the tractor ignition.

TRACTOR PREPARATION

Before performing these instructions, refer to the Service
and Adjustments section of your tractor owner's manual
for specific safety instructions.

• Allow engine, muffler and exhaust deflector to cool
before beginning.

• Remove any front or rear attachment which is
mounted to your tractor.

• Remove the mower deck. Refer to your tractor

owner's manual for removal instructions. Mark all

loose parts and save for reassembly.

• Remove the tractor hood and grill assembly. Refer to

your tractor owner's manual for removal instructions.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM TRACTOR

Store all parts that you remove from the tractor and do
not re-use while assembling the snow thrower.

FRONT

SUSPENSION

BRACKET

FIGURE 1

• Assemble the R.H. Side Plate (marked "R") to the
now empty holes in the right side of the tractor frame.

Use two 3/8" x 1" hex bolts and 3/8" lock washers as
shown in figure 2. Repeat for the L.H. side.

• Assemble the whiztock nut onto the third bolt (if
present) on the right side of the tractor.

NOTE: Be sure to reassemble all bolts and nuts to

tractor frame if you remove the side plates.

5/16" WHIZLOCK NUT
(IF BOLT IS PRESENT IN TRACTOR)

RIGHT SIDE VIEW

t

3/8" x 1"
HEX BOLT

3/8" LOCK
WASHER

R.H. SIDE
PLATE

\

\\

FIGURE 2 RIGHT SIDE VIEW

6

Assemble a shoulder bolt, a 3/8" lock washer and a
3/8" hex lock nut to the bottom hole in each side

plate. See figure 3.

Proceed to page 8.

3/8" HEX LOCKNUT

Attach the R.H. Side Plate (marked "R") to the right
side of the tractor frame as shown in figure 5. For the

front hole use a 3/8" x 1" hex bolt, a 3/8" lock washer,
a 1/2" flat washer and a 3/8" hex lock nut. Use the flat

washer as a shim between the frame and the side
plate. For the rear hole use a 3/8" x 1" hex bolt, and a

3/8" lock washer. Repeat for the L.H. side.

NOTE: Depending on the tractor model, the bolt
may insert freely into the front hole or it may screw

into the hole. if the hole is not threaded, the bolt
will form threads as it is screwed in.

_A" LOCK

SHER

R. H. SIDE PLATE

3/8" SHOULDER BOLT

FIGURE 3 RIGHT SIDE VIEW

TRACTORS WITH AXLE MOUNTED FRONT
SUSPENSION BRACKETS

• Remove the bolt from the hole on each side of the
tractor frame as shown in figure 4.

I

3/8" LOCK 1/2" FLAT
WASHER WASHER

[]

FIGURE 5 RIGHT SIDE VIEW

• Assemble a shoulder bolt, a 3/8" lock washer and a
3/8" hex lock nut to the bottom hole in each side

plate. See figure 6.

REMOVE BOLT FROM

THIS HOLE

\

FRONT
SUSPENSION
BRACKET

FIGURE 4 RIGHT SIDE VIEW

FIGURE 6

7

3/8" HEX LOCK NUT

R. H. SIDE PLATE

318" SHOULDER BOLT

WASHER
3t/p" LOCK

RIGHT SIDE VIEW

INSTALLING HANGER BRACKETS

For better clearance, lower the tractor's suspension
arms using the attachment lift lever.

On Tractors With Foot Rest Brackets (Figure 7)

• Remove the bolt and nut that fasten the L.H. and

R.H. foot rest brackets to the frame. See figure 7.

• Attach the L.H. Hanger Bracket (marked "L") to the
inside of the tractor frame using two 3/8" x 1"

carriage bolts, 3/8" lock washers and 3/8" hex lock

nuts. The bolt heads go on the inside of the tractor

frame. Repeat for the R.H. side. See figure 7.

3/8" LOCK

BOLT REMOVED WASHER
FROMTHIS HOLE

#J

-_ _ LOCK NUT

3/8" HEX

INSTALLING SHOULDER BOLTS

(All Tractors)

Remove the bolt, washer and nut which fasten the
sway bar bracket to the L.H. side of the tractor

frame. Replace with a shoulder bolt and a 3/8" hex
lock nut as shown in figure 9.

SHOULDER BOLT

L \

BOLT REMOVED
FROMTHIS HOLE 3/8" HEX

'\ LOCKNUT

\

SWAY BAR

\\\\'-. BRACKET /

SUSPENSION ARM

L,H, HANGER _

BRACKET _

FIGURE 7 LEFT SIDE VIEW

On Tractors Without Foot Rest Brackets (Figure 8)

• Find the empty hole beneath the foot rest. Attach

the L.H. Hanger Bracket (marked "L") to the inside
of the frame using a 3/8" x 1" carriage bolt (head to

inside), a 3/8" lock washer and a 3/8" hex lock nut.
See figure 8. Repeat for the R.H. side.

3/8,,,OCK

WASHER 3/8" HEX

LOCK NUT

FIGURE 9 LEFT SIDE VIEW

Assemble a shoulder bolt and 3/8" hex lock nut to
the R.H. side of the tractor frame, using the first

empty hole to the rear of the R.H. hanger bracket.
See figure 10.

SUSPENSION ARM

3/8" x 1" L,H, HANGER \
CARRIAGE BRACKET _-

BOLT

FIGURE 8 LEFT SIDE VIEW

\ \

\

FIGURE 10

8

SHOULDER BOLT

R.H. HANGER BRACKET

RIGHT SIDE VIEW

INSTALLING CLUTCH/IDLER ASSEMBLY
Thissectioncoverstheinstallationof theClutch/Idler

assembly to tractors with attachment clutches that are
either rod operated (p. 9), cable operated (p. 10) or
electric (p. 12). Use the appropriate instructions for
your tractor.

MANUAL ROD OPERATED ATTACHMENT CLUTCH

• Move the attachment clutch lever on the dash
panel to the disengaged (down) position.

• Screw the trunnion onto the end of the snow

thrower engagement rod as shown in figure 11.

• Locate the clutch arm (where the mower clutch rod

was connected) underneath the right hand side the
tractor, just to the inside of the suspension arm. If
there is an extension attached to the clutch lever,
the extension, bolt and nut must be removed and

stored with the mower deck.
IMPORTANT: Re-attach the extension to the

clutch lever before reinstalling the mower deck.

• Position the engagement rod to the inside of the

clutch arm and insert the drilled end of the rod
through the arm. Secure with a 5/64" hairpin cotter.

See figure 11.

TRACTOR'S CLUTCH ARM

ENGAGEMENT ROD

SUSPENSION ARM

5/64" HAIRPIN

COTTER

REMOVE EXTENSION,
BOLT AND NUT

(IF PRESENT)

FIGURE 11 RIGHT SIDE VIEW

1/8" HAIRPIN COTTER

PIVOT LOCK PIN

- ENGAGEMENT

FIGURE 12 RIGHT SIDE VIEW

• Make sure the attachment clutch lever on the dash
panel is in the disengaged (down) position.

• Pivot the upper idler arm so that it rests against the
stop bolt and is pointing toward the front as shown

in figure 13. Screw the trunnion along the threads
of the engagement rod until it is aligned at the front

end of the idler arm slot. Attach the trunnion to the
slot using the 3/8" flat washer and a 5/64" hairpin

cotter. See figure 13.

• Remove the engine pulley keeper from the side of
the tractor frame by removing the washer and nut
that secure the keeper. Attach the new pulley
keeper supplied with the snow thrower, reusing the
original bolt, washer and nut. See figure 13.
NOTE: Some tractors may already be equipped
with an identical pulley keeper.

NEW ENGINE PULLEY KEEPER WITH
ORIGINAL BOLT, NUT AND WASHER

_ION []

Be sure to lift up the front end of the engagement
rod (as shown in figure 12) when performing the
next operation. You can temporarily support the rod
using a rubber band tied to the engine pulley

keeper.
Attach the snow thrower's clutch/idler assembly to
the tractor frame by sliding the assembly's notched

arms onto the two shoulder bolts assembled to the

inside of the tractor frame. Lift the front of the

assembly and attach it to the R.H. and L.H. hanger

brackets using two pivot lock pins and 1/8" hairpin
cotters. See figure 12.

f

STOP BOLT

IDLER ARM

3/8" FLAT
WASHER

5/64" HAIRPIN
COTTER

FIGURE 13 RIGHT SIDE VIEW

9