Craftsman 74528 User Manual

Instruction Manual

Form No. 581180-02 Rev. 1 FEB. ‘ 04 Printed in Czech Republic

CAUTION:

Before using this product,
read this manual and follow
all its Safety Rules and
Operating Instructions.

14” WEEDWACKER ELECTRIC
DUAL LINE TRIMMER

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

www.sears.com/craftsman

• Safety

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Parts List

• Español, p. 12

Model 74528

• ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION –
Wear safety spectacles or goggles at
all times when this tool is plugged in.

• GUARD – Do not use this tool without
guard attached.

• DRESS PROPERLY – Do not wear
loose clothing or jewelry. They can be
caught in moving parts. Rubber gloves
and substantial rubber soled footwear
are recommended when working
outdoors. Don’t operate the tool when

barefoot or wearing open sandals.
Wear long pants to protect your legs.
Wear protective hair covering to contain
long hair.

• NYLON LINE – Keep face, hands and
feet clear of rotating nylon line at all
times.

• THE ROTATING LINE PERFORMS A
CUTTING FUNCTION – Use care
when trimming around screens and
desirable plantings.

2

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

TO REDUCE RISK OF INJURY:

• Before any use, be sure everyone using
this tool reads and understands all safety
instructions and other information
contained in this manual.

• Save these instructions and review
frequently prior to use and in instructing
others.

WARNING: When using electric
gardening appliances, basic safety
precautions should always be followed
to reduce risk of fire, electric shock, and
personal injury, including the following:

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TRIMMER

If this Craftsman product fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within one
year from the date of purchase, return it to your nearest Sears store or Craftsman
outlet to have it replaced free of charge.
This warranty applies only while this trimmer / edger is used 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., Dept. 817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

TRIMMER / EDGER DIAGRAM

SEARS WARRANTY

WARNING: IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS AND

INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL SAFETYWARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR

ALL TOOLS

Main Handle - 2

Secondary Handle - 5

Guard - 10

Trigger Lever - 1

Cable Restraint - 3

Handle Knob - 6

Power cord - 4

Adj. Knob - 7

Cable Storage Hooks - 8

Head - 9

Line Trimming Blade - 11

Spool Housing - 12

Cutting Line - 13

Line Storage Pouch - 14

Tube - 15

Spool Storage Position - 16

Heavy Duty
Line Cassette - 25

• KEEP ALL BY-STANDERS AWAY – At
a safe distance from work area,
especially children.

• IMPORTANT – When being used as an
Edger, stones, pieces of metal and
other objects can be thrown out at high
speed by the line. The tool and guard
are designed to reduce the danger.
However, the following special
precautions should be taken:

• MAKE SURE that other persons and
pets are at least 100 feet away.

• TO REDUCE THE RISK of rebound
(ricochet) injury, work going away from
any nearby solid object such as wall,
steps, large stone, tree, etc. Use great
care when working close to solid objects
and where necessary, do edging or
trimming by hand.

• AVOID ACCIDENTALLY STARTING –
Don’t carry plugged-in tool with finger on
trigger.

• DO NOT FORCE THE TOOL – At a rate
faster than the rate at which it is able to
cut effectively.

• USE THE RIGHT TOOL – Do not use
this tool for any job except that for
which it is intended.

• DON’T OVERREACH – Keep proper
footing and balance at all times.

• DON’T ABUSE CORD – Don’t yank
cord from power supply. Keep cord from
heat, oil, and sharp edges.

• DAMAGE TO UNIT – If you strike or
become entangled with a foreign object,
stop tool immediately, unplug, check for
damage and have any damage repaired
before further operation is attempted.
Do not operate with a broken hub or
spool.

• DAMAGE TO CORD – Keep power
cord away from rotating line. If you
damage the cord, unplug it from the
power supply before moving the tool or
examining the damage. Adamaged cord
must be replaced before further use.

• DISCONNECT TOOL – When not in
use, when replacing line, or prior to
cleaning.

• AVOID DANGEROUS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS – Do
not use electric tools in damp or wet
locations. Follow all instructions in this
Instruction Manual for proper operation
of your tool. Don’t use the tool in the rain.

• DO NOT OPERATE portable electric

tools in gaseous or explosive
atmospheres. Motors in these tools
normally spark, and the sparks might
ignite fumes.

• STORE IDLE TOOLS INDOORS –
When not in use, tools should be stored
indoors in a dry, locked-up place out of
reach of children.

• GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTER (GFCI) protection
should be provided on the circuits or
outlets to be used for the gardening
appliance. Receptacles are available
having built in GFCI protection and may
be used for this measure of protection.

• SECURE EXTENSION CORD using the
cord retainer shown in Figure 4.

• STAYALERT – Watch what you are
doing. Use common sense. Do not
operate tool when you are tired.

• MAINTAIN APPLIANCES WITH CARE
– Follow instructions for lubricating and
changing accessories. Inspect extension
cords periodically and replace if damaged.
Keep handles dry, clean and free from
oil and grease.

• CHECK DAMAGED PARTS – Before
further use of the appliance, a guard or
other part that is damaged should be
carefully checked to determine that it
will operate properly and perform its
intended function. Check for alignment
of moving parts, binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and
any other condition that may affect its
operation. Aguard or other part that is
damaged should be properly repaired or
replaced by a qualified service facility
unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in
this manual.

WARNING: When servicing double

insulated tools, USE ONLY IDENTICAL
REPLACEMENT PARTS. Replace or
repair damaged cords.

WARNING: To prevent electrical shock

hazard, use only with an extension
cord suitable for outdoor use. Always
connect extension cords to a fused line
or one protected by a circuit breaker.

• EXTENSION CORDS. Make sure your
extension cord is in good condition. When
using an extension cord, be sure to use
one heavy enough to carry the current
your product will draw. An undersized
extension cord will cause a drop in line
voltage resulting in loss of power and
overheating. The table below shows the

3

WARNING:

Outdoor use extension cords:

To reduce the risk of electric shock, use
only with an extension cord intended for
outdoor use, such as an extension cord of
type SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW -A,
SJW-A, SJOW-A, SJTW-A, or SJTOW -A.

4

DOUBLE INSULATION

NOTE: This symbol denotes Double

Insulation. Double insulated tools are

constructed throughout with two
separate layers of electrical insulation or
one double thickness of insulation
between you and the tool’s electrical
system. Tools built with this insulation
system are not intended to be grounded.
As a result, your tool is equipped with a
two prong plug which permits you to use
extension cords without concern for
maintaining a ground connection.
NOTE: Double insulation does not take
the place of normal safety precautions
when operating this tool. The insulation
system is for added protection against
injury resulting from a possible electrical
insulation failure within the tool.
REPLACEMENT PARTS: When
servicing all tools, USE IDENTICAL
REPLACEMENT PARTS.

POLARIZED PLUGS

Repair or replace damaged cords.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, this
equipment has a polarized plug (one

blade is wider than the other). This
equipment must be used with a suitable
3 wire outdoor extension cord. Polarized
connections will fit together only one
way. Make sure that the receptacle end
of the extension cord has large and small
blade slot widths. If the plug does not fit
fully into the extension cord, reverse the
plug. If it still does not fit, obtain a
suitable extension cord. If the extension
cord does not fit fully into the outlet,
contact a qualified electrician to install the
proper outlet. Do not change the tool plug
or extension cord in any way.

SPECIFIC WARNING

WARNING: Some dust created by this

product contains chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Some examples of these chemicals are:

• compounds in fertilizers

• compounds in insecticides, herbicides
and pesticides

• arsenic and chromium from
chemically treated lumber

To reduce your exposure to these

correct size to use depending on cord
length and nameplate ampere rating. If
in doubt, use the next heavier gauge.
The smaller the gauge number, the
heavier the cord. To reduce the risk of
disconnection of the appliance from the
extension cord during operation, use the
extension cord retainer described in this
manual.

IMPORTANT WARNINGS FOR STRING TRIMMERS

Minimum Gage for Extension Cords (AWG)

120 VAC Tools

Total Cord Length 0-25 26-50 51-100 105-150

Amp Rating AWG AWG AWG AWG
More than 0 18 16 16 14

Not More than 6

More than 6 18 16 14 12

Not More than 10

More than 10 16 16 14 12

Not more than 12

More than 12 14 12 Not

Not more than 16 Recommended

• The guard must be installed before
trimming or edging - if not, the motor
will overheat.

• When replacing the AFS outfeed line,
use only .060” diameter TWISTED line

- otherwise the unit will not function
properly.

• When replacing the HDL fixed line use
only Craftsman line item #85876.

• Do not bump the feed head against the
ground - it will disrupt the feed mechanism.

• Angle tool slightly (5˚ to 10˚) when
trimming.

• Always use the cord retainer.

• Wear long pants and substantial
footwear to protect yourself from injury
caused by flying debris. This is
especially important when edging with
the appliance.

SAFETY WARNINGS

RELEASING THE CUTTING LINE

For shipment purposes, the cutting line is
taped to the spool housing.

• Remove the tape holding the cutting
line (13) to the spool housing (12).

CONNECTING THE TOOL (FIG. 4)

• Connect the female plug of a suitable
extension cord to the power inlet (4).

• Loop the cord through the cord
restraint (3).

•Insert the plug into a receptacle.

State of California to cause cancer, and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

chemicals, wear approved safety
equipment such as dust masks that are
specially designed to filter out microscopic
particles.

WARNING: This product contains

chemicals, including lead, known to the

5

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

ASSEMBLY

WARNING: To avoid serious injury,

make sure that the tool is switched off
and unplugged before assembly.

FITTING THE GUARD (FIG. 1)

• Remove the screw (17) from the guard
(10).

• Place the guard onto the tool as shown.

• Firmly press the guard until it snaps
into place.

• Secure the guard with the screw.

WARNING: To avoid serious injury,

never use the tool unless the guard is
properly fitted.

FITTING THE SECONDARYHANDLE (FIG. 2)

• Place the handle (5) on the tool as
shown.

• Adjust the handle to the most
comfortable position. Use the markings
as a guide.

• Pass the bolt (6) through the secondary
handle and the main handle.

• Screw the bolt into the far side of the
secondary handle. Do not overtighten
the bolt.

STORING THE CASSETTE NOT IN USE
(FIG. 3)

The tool has two cutting system cassettes:

• AFS: Autofeed System twin line for
light trimming and edging.

• HDL: Heavy Duty Line cutting system
for more overgrown areas.

The cutting system cassette not in use
can be stored in the position provided (16).

• Align the tabs on the cassette with the
cut outs (28) at the underside of the
handle.

• Push the cassette into the handle until
it snaps securely into place.

STORING THE HEA VYCUTTING LINE (FIG. 3)

• The unit is supplied with several pieces
of spare heavy cutting line.

• The extra pieces of heavy cutting line
can be stored securely in the recess in
the handle (14).

1

2

3

17

10

5

6

28

19/25

14
16

10°

6

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION: To avoid tool damage, let

the tool work at its own pace. Do not
overload.

SETTING THE TOOL TO TRIMMING OR
EDGING MODE (FIG. 5, 6 & 7)

The tool can be used in trimming mode
as shown in Fig. 5 or in edging mode to
trim overhanging grass along lawn edges
and flower beds as shown in Fig. 6.

CAUTION: To avoid tool damage, do
not use the heavy duty cutting system
for edging.

TRIMMING MODE (FIG. 5 & 6)

For trimming, the trimmer head should be
in the position shown in Fig. 5. If it is not:

• Depress the adjustment button (7).

• Rotate the head (9), while releasing the
button.

• When the head is in position, the
button will lock into place.

Note: The head will only rotate in one

direction.

EDGING MODE (FIG. 6)

For edging, the trimmer head should be
in the position shown in Fig. 6. If it is not:

• Depress the adjustment button (7).

• Rotate the head (9), while releasing the
button.

• When the head is in position, the
button will lock into place.

Note: The head will only rotate in one
direction.

CAUTION: To avoid tool damage, do
not use the heavy duty cutting system
for edging.

ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF THE
TOOL (FIG. 7)

This tool has a telescopic mechanism,
allowing you to set it to a comfortable
height. There are three height settings.
To adjust the height setting, proceed as
follows:

• Depress the adjustment button (7).

• Gently pull the tube (15) in or out of the
motor housing (9) to the desired height,
while releasing the button.

• When the tube is in position, the button
will lock into place.

SWITCHING ON AND OFF

•To switch the tool on, squeeze the
trigger lever (1).

•To switch the tool off, release the
trigger lever.

WARNING: To avoid serious injury,
never attempt to lock the
trigger lever in the on position.

HINTS FOR OPTIMUM USE
GENERAL

• In order to achieve optimum cutting
results, only cut dry grass.

WARNING:

Outdoor use extension cords:

To reduce the risk of electric shock, use
only with an extension cord intended for
outdoor use, such as an extension cord
of type SW-A, SOW-A, STW -A, STOW-A,
SJW-A, SJOW-A, SJTW-A, or SJTOW -A.

7

4

6

15

7

9

5

3

4