Page 1
Owner’s Manual
FRONT TINE TILLER
5.5 HP
24 Inch Tine Width
Model No.
917.29149
This product has a low emission engine which operates
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
en gine, read and understand this Owner’s Manual.
IMPORTANT:
Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Instructions before
operating this equipment.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/crafts man
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Warranty................................................ 2
Safety Rules .......................................... 2
Product Specifi cations........................... 4
Assembly/Pre-Operation ....................... 5
Operation............................................... 7
Maintenance Schedule........................ 11
Manintenance...................................... 11
Service and Adjustments..................... 14
Storage................................................ 16
Troubleshooting ................................... 17
Sears Service ........................ Back Cover
WARRANTY
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TILLER
For one (1) year from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Tiller is main tained,
lu bri cat ed, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the
own er’s manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or work man ship.
This Warranty does not cover:
• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as tines, spark plugs,
air cleaners and belts.
• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con tained in the owner’s manual.
• If this Craftsman Tiller is used for commercial or rental purposes, this War ran ty ap plies for only thirty (30) days from the date of purchase.
Warranty service is available by returning the craftsman power mower to the nearest
sears service center/department in the united states. This warranty applies only while
this product is in use in the united states.
This Warranty gives you specifi c 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 U.S.A.
SAFETY RULES
IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is ca pa ble of amputating hands and feet and throw-
ing objects. Failure to observe the fol low ing safety instructions could result in serious
injury or death.
TRAINING
• Read the Owner’s Manual care ful ly. Be
thor ough ly fa mil iar with the controls and
the proper use of the equip ment. Know
how to stop the unit and dis en gage the
controls quickly.
• Never allow children to operate the
equip ment. Never allow adults to oper ate the equip ment without proper
in struc tion.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, par tic u lar ly small children, and
pets.
PREPARATION
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used and remove all
for eign objects.
• Disengage all clutches and shift into
neu tral before starting the engine (motor).
• Do not operate the equipment with out
wearing ad e quate outer gar ments. Wear
foot wear that will im prove footing on
slippery surfaces.
• Handle fuel with care; it is highly fl am ma ble.
• Use an approved fuel container.
• Never add fuel to a running engine or
hot engine.
• Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care.
Never fi ll fuel tank indoors.
• Replace gasoline cap securely and
clean up spilled fuel before restarting.
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SAFETY RULES
• Use extension cords and receptacles
as specifi ed by the manufacturer for all
units with electric drive motors or elec tric starting motors.
• Never attempt to make any ad just ments
while the engine (motor) is run ning (ex cept where specifi cally rec om mend ed
by manufacturer).
OPERATION
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts.
• Exercise extreme caution when op er ating on or cross ing gravel drives, walks,
or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards
or traffi c. Do not carry pas sen gers.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine (motor), remove the wire from
the spark plug, thoroughly in spect the
tiller for any damage, and repair the
dam age be fore restarting and op er at ing
the tiller.
• Exercise caution to avoid slipping or fall ing.
• If the unit should start to vibrate abnor mal ly, stop the engine (motor) and
check im me di ate ly for the cause. Vi bration is generally a warning of trou ble.
• Stop the engine (motor) when leaving
the operating position.
• Take all possible precautions when leaving the ma chine unattended. Dis en gage
the tines, shift into neutral, and stop the
engine.
• Before cleaning, repairing, or in spect ing,
shut off the engine and make cer tain all
mov ing parts have stopped. Dis con nect
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to pre vent accidental
starting. Dis con nect the cord on electric
motors.
• Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust
fumes are dangerous.
• Never operate the tiller without proper
guards, plates, or other safety pro tec tive
de vic es in place.
• Keep children and pets away.
• Do not overload the machine capacity
by attempting to till too deep at too fast
a rate.
• Never operate the machine at high
speeds on slippery surfaces. Look be hind and use care when backing.
• Never allow bystanders near the unit.
• Use only attachments and accessories
approved by the manufacturer of the
tiller.
• Never operate the tiller without good vis i bil i ty or light.
• Be careful when tilling in hard ground.
The tines may catch in the ground and
propel the tiller forward. If this occurs,
let go of the handlebars and do not
re strain the ma chine.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
• Keep machine, attachments, and ac ces so ries in safe work ing condition.
• Check shear pins, engine mounting
bolts, and other bolts at frequent in ter vals for prop er tightness to be sure the
equip ment is in safe working con di tion.
• Never store the machine with fuel in the
fuel tank inside a building where ig ni tion
sourc es are present, such as hot water
and space heaters, clothes dry ers, and
the like. Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any enclosure.
• Always refer to the operator’s guide
in struc tions for im por tant details if the
tiller is to be stored for an extended
pe ri od.
Look for this symbol to point out
im por tant safety precautions. It means
CAU TION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR
SAFE TY IS IN VOLVED.
CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it can not
contact spark plug in order to pre vent ac ciden tal starting when setting up, trans porting, ad just ing or making repairs.
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle com po nents contain or emit chem i cals known to
the State of Cal i for nia to cause can cer and
birth defects or oth er re pro duc tive harm.
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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Gasoline 3 Qts
Capacity: Unleaded Reg u lar
Oil(API-SG-SL): SAE 30
(Capacity: 20 oz.) (Above 32°F)
SAE 5w-30
(Below 32°F)
In the state of California the above is
required by law (Section 4442 of the
Cal i for nia Public Resources Code). Other
states may have similar laws. Federal
laws ap ply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffl er is available through
your nearest Sears service center (See
RE PAIR PARTS section of this manual).
Spark Plug : Champion
(Gap: .030")
CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase
of a Sears Tiller. It has been designed,
en gi neered and manu fac tured to give you
the best pos sible de penda bil ity and perform ance.
Should you experience any prob lems you
can not easily remedy, please con tact a
Sears or other qualifi ed Service Center.
We have com pe tent, well-trained tech nicians and the proper tools to service or
repair this unit.
Please read and retain this manual. The
in struc tions will enable you to assemble
and main tain your tiller prop erly. Always
observe the “SAFE TY RULES”.
Your new tiller has been assembled at the
factory with exception of those parts left
unassembled for shipping purposes. To
ensure safe and proper operation of your
tiller all parts and hardware you as sem ble
must be tightened securely. Use the cor rect tools as necessary to insure proper
tight ness.
RC12YC
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Read and observe the safety rules.
• Follow a regular schedule in main tain ing, caring for and using your tiller.
• Follow the instructions under the “Maintenance” and “Stor age” sections of this
Owner’s Manual.
WARNING: This unit is equipped with
an internal combustion engine and should
not be used on or near any un im proved
for est-covered, brush-covered or grass
cov ered land unless the engine’s ex haust
system is equipped with a spark ar rest er
meeting applicable local or state laws (if
any). If a spark arrester is used, it should
be maintained in effective work ing order
by the operator.
REPAIR PROTECTION
AGREEMENTS
Congratulations on making a smart purchase. Your new Craftsman® product is
designed and manufactured for years of
dependable operation. But like all products,
it may require repair from time to time. That’s
when having a Repair Protection Agreement
can save you money and aggravation.
Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement
now and protect yourself from unexpected
hassle and expense.
Here’s what’s included in the Agreement:
• Expert service by our 12,000 profesional repair specialists.
• Unlimited service and no charge for
parts and labor on all covered repairs.
• Product replacement if your covered
product can’t be fi xed.
• Discount of 10% from regular price of
service and service-related parts not
covered by the agreement; also, 10%
off regular price of preventive maintenance check.
• Fast help by phone – phone support
from a Sears technician on products
requiring in-home repair, plus convenient repair scheduling.
Once you purchase the Agreement, a
simple phone call is all that it takes for you
to schedule service. You can call anytime
day or night, or schedule a service appointment online.
Sears has over 12,000 professional repair
specialists, who have access to over 4.5
million quality parts and accessories.
That’s the kind of professionalism you can
count on to help prolong the life of your
new purchase for years to come. Purchase
your Repair Protection Agreement today!
Some limitations and exclusions apply.
For prices and additional information
call 1-800-827-6655.
SEARS INSTALLATION SERVICE
For Sears professional installation of home
appliances, garage door openers, water
heaters, and other major home items, in
the U.S.A. call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®
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AC CES SO RIES
These accessories were available when the tiller was produced. They are also avail able
at most Sears retail outlets and service centers. Some of these accessories may not
apply to your tiller.
ENGINE
SPARK PLUG MUFFLER AIR FILTER GAS CAN ENGINE OIL STABILIZER
TILLER MAINTENANCE
BELT TINES SHEAR PIN HAIRPIN CLIP
(1) Manual
(1) Bottle
Engine Oil
UNASSEMBLED PARTS
CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK
(2) Carriage Bolts
5/16-18 UNC x 2-1/2
(2) Hex Bolt
5/16-18 x 1-1/4
(2) Lock
Washer
5/16
(2) Flange
Locknuts
5/16-18 UNC
(2) Hex Nut
5/16-18
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depth_stake_4
ASSEMBLY/PRE-OPERATION
Your new tiller has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left
unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tiller
all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools
as necessary to insure proper tightness.
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR
ASSEMBLY
A socket wrench set will make assembly
easier. Stan dard wrench sizes are list ed.
(1) Utility knife
(2) 1/2 Wrench
OPERATOR’S POSITION
When right or left hand is mentioned in this
man ual, it means when you are in the operating po si tion (standing behind tiller handles).
Front
Left
Operator’s Position
overhead_views_7
Right
UNPACK CARTON & INSTALL
HANDLE
CAUTION: Be careful of exposed sta-
ples when handling or disposing of cartoning material.
IMPORTANT: When unpacking and as sembling tiller, be careful not to stretch or kink
cable(s).
1. Cut cable ties securing handle column.
2. Route cable(s) as shown and slide
handle column onto handle mount.
3. Remove all packing from carton.
4. Secure handle column using two (2)
carriage bolts and two (2) fl ange locknuts. Tighten se cure ly.
5. Cut away carton.
6. Route tine control cable(s) through
plas tic cable clip on handle mount.
NOTE: Cables must not touch the muffl er.
7. Cut cable ties securing tiller to skid.
Re move tiller from skid by pulling backwards.
8. Remove screws securing depth stake
to skid and discard the screws.
Tine
Con trol
Tine
Con trol
Handle
Mount
Cable
Handle
Column
Carriage
Bolt
Flange
Lock nut
INSTALL DEPTH STAKE
AS SEM BLY
1. Loosen nut “A”.
2. Insert stake support between engine
brack et halves with stake spring down.
3. Bolt stake support to engine brackets
with bolts, lock washers and nuts.
Tight en se curely. Tighten nut “A”.
4. Depth stake must move freely. If it does
not, loosen support bolt.
Engine Bracket Halves
Nut “A”
Depth Stake Support
Depth
Stake
Support Bolt
Stake Spring
Hex Bolts, Lock Wash ers,
and hex Nuts
HANDLE HEIGHT
• Handle height may be adjusted to bet ter
suit operator. (See “HANDLE HEIGHT”
in the Service and Ad just ments section
of this manual).
TILLING WIDTH
• Tilling width may be adjusted to better
handle your tilling con di tions (See “TINE
ARRANGEMENT” in the Service and
Adjustments section of this man u al).
TINE OPERATION
• Check tine operation before fi rst use.
(See “TINE OPERATION CHECK” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual).
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OPERATION
KNOW YOUR TILLER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR
TILLER
Compare the illustrations with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the locations of var i ous controls and ad just ments. Save this manual for future reference.
Forward Tine
Control
Choke Control
Throttle Control
Tine Shield
Depth
Stake
Recoil Starter
Handle
Tines
Our tillers conform to the safety standards of the American Na tion al Standards Institute.
CHOKE CONTROL - Used when start ing
a cold engine.
DEPTH STAKE - Controls forward speed
and the depth at which tiller will dig.
RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to
start the engine.
THROTTLE CONTROL - Used to con trol
en gine speed.
FORWARD TINE CONTROL - En gag es
tines in forward direction.
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7
depth_stake_4
The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes,
which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glass es or eye
shields before starting your tiller and while tilling. We rec om mend standard
safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
00155
HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER
Know how to operate all controls before
adding fuel and oil or attempting to start
engine.
STOPPING
TINES
• Release tine control to stop move ment.
ENGINE
• Move throttle control to “STOP” po si tion.
NOTE: Never use choke to stop engine.
Tine Control
“Off” (UP) Po si tion
Tine Control
“On” (DOWN) Po si tion
Throttle
Control
Choke
Control
e
n
gine_art_
TINE OPERATION
• Squeeze tine control to handle.
TILLING
The speed and depth of tilling is reg u lat ed
by the position of the depth stake and
wheel height.
The depth stake should always be be low
the wheels for digging. It serves as a
brake to slow the tiller’s forward mo tion to
enable the tines to penetrate the ground.
Also, the more the depth stake is lowered
into the ground the deeper the tines will
dig.
DEPTH STAKE
Adjust depth stake by removing the hair pin
clip and clevis pin. Change depth stake
to desired position. Re place the clevis pin
and hairpin clip.
• For normal tilling, set depth stake at the
second or third hole from the top.
WHEELS
Adjust wheels by removing the hairpin clip
and clevis pin. Change wheel po si tion.
Re place the hairpin clip and clevis pin.
• For normal tilling, set wheels at the
sec ond or third hole from the top.
Hairpin Clip and
Clevis Pin
Depth
Stake
Stake
Wheel
Spring
TO TRANSPORT
CAUTION: Before lifting or trans port ing,
allow tiller engine and muffl er to cool. Dis con nect spark plug wire. Drain gas o line
from fuel tank.
AROUND THE YARD
1. Tip depth stake forward until it is held
by the stake spring.
2. Push tiller handles down, raising tines
off the ground.
3. Push or pull tiller to desired location.
AROUND TOWN
1. Disconnect spark plug wire.
2. Drain fuel tank.
3. Transport in upright position to prevent
oil leakage.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
IMPORTANT: Be very careful not to allow
dirt to enter the engine when checking or
adding oil or fuel. Use clean oil and fuel
and store in ap proved, clean, covered
con tain ers. use clean fi ll funnels.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
1. Remove hangtag from engine.
2. With engine level, remove engine oil
fi ll er plug.
3. Fill engine with oil to point of over-
fl o w ing. For ap proxi mate ca pac i ty see
“PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS” on
page 4 of this manual. All oil must meet
A.P.I. Service Classifi cation SG-SL.
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4. Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then
re-level.
5. With engine level, refi ll to point of over fl o w ing if nec es sary. Re place oil fi ller
plug.
• For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See “OIL
VISCOSITY CHART” in the Main te nance section of this man u al).
• To change engine oil, see the Main te -
nance section of this manual.
Oil Level
Oil Filler
Plug
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of fi ller neck. Do
not overfi ll. Use fresh, clean, regular
un lead ed gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will
increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil
with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quan ti ties that can be used within 30 days to
assure fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow
for fuel expansion. If gasoline is ac ci den tal ly spilled, move machine away from
area of spill. Avoid creating any source of
ignition until gasoline vapors have disappeared.
Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not
store, spill or use gaso line near an open
fl ame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in temperatures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gas o line to help insure good
cold weather start ing.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation and for ma tion of acids during storage.
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system
of an engine while in storage. To avoid
engine problems, the fuel system should
be emptied before stor age of 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. See Storage In struc tions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
CAUTION: Keep tine control in “OFF”
po si tion when starting engine.
When starting engine for the fi rst time or
if engine has run out of fuel, it will take
ex tra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel
from the tank to the engine.
1. Make sure spark plug wire is prop er ly
connected.
2. Place throttle control in “FAST” posi-
tion.
3. Move choke control to full “CHOKE”
po si tion. Grasp recoil starter handle
with one hand and grasp tiller handle
with other hand. Pull rope out slowly
until engine reaches start of com pression cy cle (rope will pull slightly harder
at this point).
4. Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do
not let starter handle snap back
against starter. Repeat if necessary.
NOTE: If engine fi res but does not start,
move choke control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until engine
starts.
5. When engine starts, slowly move
choke control to “RUN” position as
engine warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less
chok ing to start.
6. Move throttle control to desired running
position.
7. Allow engine to warm up for a few
min utes before engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or
in cold tem per a tures (below 32°F), the
car bu re tor fuel mix ture may need to be
ad just ed for best engine per for mance.
See “TO AD JUST CARBURETOR” in the
Service and Ad just ments section of this
manual.
NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou ble shoot ing points.
Spark Plug
Throttle
Choke
Con trol
Recoil Starter
e
ngine_art_71
Control
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BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER
Break-in your belt(s), pulleys and tine con trol before you actually begin tilling.
• Start engine, tip tines off ground by
press ing handles down and engage tine
control to start tine rotation. Allow tines
to rotate for fi ve minutes.
• Check tine operation and adjust if
nec es sary. See “TINE OPERATION
CHECK” in the Service and Ad just ments
sec tion of this manual.
TILLING HINTS
CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
han dling your tiller, start ac tu al fi eld use
with throt tle in slow position.
To help tiller move forward, lift up the
handles slightly (thus lifting depth stake
out of ground). To slow down the tiller,
press down on han dles.
If you are straining or tiller is shaking,
the wheels and depth stake are not set
properly in the soil being tilled. The proper
setting of the wheels and depth stake is
through trial and er ror and depends upon
the soil con di tion. (The harder or wetter
the ground, the slower the en gine and tine
speed needed. Under these poor con ditions, at fast speed the tiller will run and
jump over the ground).
A properly adjusted tiller will dig with little
ef fort from the operator.
• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and
break ing up packed soil before planting.
Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth.
Best tilling depth is 4"-6". A tiller will
also clear the soil of un want ed vege tation. The de com po si tion of this vegetable mat ter en rich es the soil. Depending
on the climate (rain fall and wind), it may
be advisable to till the soil at the end of
the growing season to further condition
the soil.
• Soil conditions are important for proper
till ing. Tines will not readily penetrate
dry, hard soil which may con trib ute to
excessive bounce and diffi cult handling
of your tiller. Hard soil should be moistened before tilling; however, extremely
wet soil will “ball-up” or clump during tilling. Wait until the soil is less wet in order
to achieve the best results. When tilling
in the fall, remove vines and long grass
to prevent them from wrapping around
the tine shaft and slowing your tilling
operation.
• You will fi nd tilling much easier if you
leave a row untilled between passes.
Then go back between tilled rows There
are two reasons for doing this. First,
wide turns are much eas i er to negotiate than about-faces. Sec ond, the tiller
won’t be pulling itself, and you, toward
the row next to it.
• Set depth stake and wheel height for
shal low tilling when working extremely
hard soil or sod. Then work across the
fi rst cuts at nor mal depth.
4
321
5
67
CULTIVATING
Cultivating is destroying the weeds be tween rows to pre vent them from robbing
nourishment and moisture from the plants.
At the same time, breaking up the upper
layer of soil crust will help retain moisture
in the soil. Best digging depth is 1"-3".
• You will probably not need to use the
depth stake. Begin by tipping the depth
stake forward until it is held by the stake
spring.
• Cultivate up and down the rows at a
speed which will allow tines to uproot
weeds and leave the ground in rough
con di tion, promoting no fur ther growth
of weeds and grass.
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MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULE
FILL IN DATES
AS YOU COMPLETE
REGULAR SERVICE
Check Engine Oil Level
MAINTENANCE
BEFORE EACH USE
EVERY 25 HOURS
EVERY 5 HOURS
EVERY 50 HOURS
SERVICE DATES
Change Engine Oil
Oil Pivot Points
Inspect Spark Arrester / Muffler
Inspect Air Screen
Clean or Replace Air Cleaner Cartridge
Clean Engine Cylinder Fins
Replace Spark Plug
1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures.
2 - Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions.
1,2
2
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The warranty on this tiller does not cover
items that have been subjected to op er a tor abuse or negligence. To receive full
value from the warranty, the operator must
main tain tiller as instructed in this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made
periodically to properly maintain your tiller.
All adjustments in the Service and Ad just ments section of this manual should be
checked at least once each season.
• Once a year you should replace the
spark plug, clean or replace air fi lter,
and check tines and belts for wear. A
new spark plug and clean air fi lter as sure proper air-fuel mixture and help
your engine run better and last longer.
2 Engine
LUBRICATION CHART
1 Tine Control
BEFORE EACH USE
1. Check engine oil level.
2. Check tine operation.
3. Check for loose fasteners.
LUBRICATION
Keep unit well lubricated (See “LU BRI CA TION CHART”) .
1 Idler Arm
1 SAE 30 OR 10W-30 MOTOR OIL
2 Refer to Maintenance “ENGINE” section
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Page 12
CAUTION:Disconnect spark plug
wire before performing any maintenance
(except car bu re tor ad just ment) to prevent
accidental start ing of engine.
Prevent fi res! Keep the engine free of
grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Re move
fuel from tank before tipping unit for maintenance. Clean muffl er area of all grass,
dirt, and debris.
Do not touch hot muffl er or cylinder fi ns as
contact may cause burns.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classifi cation SG-SL.
Select the oil’s SAE vis cos i ty grade ac cord ing to your expected temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
5W-30
-20 0 30 40
F
C
-20 0
-30
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
32
-10
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W-30, 10W-30, etc.) improve starting
in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will re sult in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°F (0°C). Check your
en gine oil level more frequently to avoid
pos si ble engine damage from running low
on oil.
Change the oil after every 50 hours of
op er a tion or at least once a year if the tiller
is not used for 50 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before
start ing the engine and after each fi ve (5)
hours of continuous use. Add SAE 30 mo tor oil or equivalent. Tighten oil fi ller plug
securely each time you check the oil level.
SAE 30
60
10
100
80
20 30 40
oil_visc_chart1_e
5. Refi ll engine with oil. See “FILL
EN GINE WITH OIL ” in the Operation
sec tion of this manual.
Oil
Drain
Plug
Oil Level
Oil Filler Plug
AIR CLEANER
Service air cleaner cartridge every
twen ty-fi ve hours, more often if engine is
used in very dusty conditions.
1. Loosen air cleaner screw.
2. Remove air cleaner cover.
3. Carefully remove air cleaner cartridge.
Be care ful. Do not allow dirt or de bris
to fall into carburetor.
4. Clean by tapping gently on a fl at sur face.
NOTE: If very dirty or damaged, replace
car tridge.
5. Clean and re place cover. Tighten
screw securely.
CAUTION: Petroleum sol vents, such
as kerosene, are not to be used to clean
car tridge. They may cause de te ri o ra tion
of the cartridge. Do not oil car tridge. Do
not use pres sur ized air to clean or dry
car tridge.
Air Clean er
Car tridge
Cover
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classifi cation SG-SL.
• Be sure tiller is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
1. Remove drain plug.
2. Tip tiller forward to drain oil.
3. After oil has drained completely,
re place oil drain plug and tighten se cure ly.
4. Remove oil fi ller plug. Be careful not to
allow dirt to enter the engine.
Air Cleaner
Screw
12
Page 13
COOLING SYSTEM
Your engine is air cooled. For proper en gine performance and long life keep your
engine clean.
• Clean air screen frequently using a
stiff-bristled brush.
• Remove blower housing and clean as
nec es sary.
• Keep cylinder fi ns free of dirt and chaff.
Muffl er
Cylinder Fins
e
ngine_art_71
Blower
Housing
Air Screen
MUFFLER
Do not operate tiller without muffl er. Do
not tamper with exhaust system. Dam aged muffl ers or spark arresters could
cre ate a fi re hazard. Inspect pe ri odi cally
and re place if nec es sary. If your engine is
equipped with a spark arrester screen as sem bly, re move every 50 hours for clean ing and inspection. Re place if dam aged.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plugs at the beginning of
each tilling sea son or after every 50 hours
of use, whichever comes fi rst. Spark plug
type and gap setting are shown in “PRODUCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS” on page 4 of this
manual.
TRANSMISSION
Your transmission is sealed and will not
re quire lubrication unless serviced.
CLEANING
Do not clean your tiller when the engine
and transmission are hot. We do not rec om mend using pressurized water (gar den
hose, etc.) to clean your unit un less the
gasket area around the trans mis sion and
the engine muf fl er, air fi l ter and car bu re tor
are cov ered to keep wa ter out. Wa ter in
en gine will short en the useful life of your
tiller.
• Clean engine, wheels, fi nish, etc. of all
foreign matter.
• Keep fi nished surfaces and wheels free
of all gas o line, oil, etc.
• Protect painted surfaces with au to mo tive type wax.
13
Page 14
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS
tine_5
tine_6
CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
can not come into contact with plug.
TILLER
TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT
Factory assembly has provided lowest
han dle height. Se lect handle height best
suit ed for your tilling conditions. Handle
height will be dif fer ent when tiller digs into
soil.
1. If a higher handle height is desired,
loos en the four nuts securing handle
pan el to en gine brackets.
2. Slide handle panel to desired lo ca tion.
3. Tighten the four nuts securely.
Engine Brackets
Handle
Panel
Nuts(Also 2
on Left Side
of Tiller
TINE ARRANGEMENT
Your outer tines can be assembled in
sev er al different ways to suit your tilling or
cul ti vat ing needs.
CAUTION: Tines are sharp. Wear
gloves or other protection when han dling
tines.
NORMAL TILLING - 24" PATH
• Assemble holes “A” in tine hubs to holes
“B” in tine shaft.
Clevis Pin
A
B
tine_4
Hairpin Clip
Outer Tine
A
B
Inner Tine
MID-WIDTH TILLING - 22" PATH
• Assemble holes “A” in tine hubs to holes
“C” in tine shaft.
A
C
C
A
NARROW TILLING/CULTIVATING -
12-3/4" PATH
• Remove outer tines.
Inner Tines Only
NOTE: When reassembling outer tines,
be sure right tine assembly (marked “R”)
and left tine assembly (marked “L”) are
mount ed to correct side of tine shaft.
TINE OPERATION CHECK
WARNING: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug to prevent starting while
checking tine operation.
For proper tine operation, tine control le ver
must be against control body and all slack
removed from inner wire of control cable
when control is in the “OFF” (up) po si tion.
If lever and cable are loose, loosen cable
clip at lower end of cable. Pull up on ca ble
to remove slack, without extending spring
on end of cable, and retighten ca ble clip.
FINAL CHECK “OFF” POSITION
1. With tine control “OFF” (up), push
down on handle to raise tines off the
ground.
2. Slowly pull recoil starter handle while
observing tines. Tines should not
ro tate.
3. If tines rotate, inner wire of control
ca ble is too tight which is extending low er spring and engaging tines.
Loos en ca ble clip and push down on
cable only enough to relieve spring ten sion. Tight en cable clip.
4. Recheck in “OFF” position and adjust
if necessary.
14
Page 15
FINAL CHECK “ON” POSITION
5. With tine control “ON” (held down to
han dle) push down on handle to raise
tines off the ground.
6. Slowly pull recoil starter handle while
observing tines. Tines should rotate
for ward.
7. If tines do not rotate, inner wire of con trol cable is too loose. Loosen cable
clip and pull cable up to remove slack
and retighten clip.
8. Recheck in “ON” position and adjust if
necessary.
NOTE: If “ON” position check required
ad just ment, re check “OFF” position ad just ment to insure tines do not rotate when
control is “OFF” (up).
Tine Control “OFF” Position
Body
TO REPLACE V-BELT
Replace V-belt if it has stretched con sid er ably or if it has cracks or frayed edges.
1. Belt guard must be removed to ser vice belt. See “TO REMOVE BELT
GUARD” in this section of manual.
BELT REMOVAL
2. Remove V-belt from trans mis sion pul ley fi rst and then from engine pul ley.
BELT REPLACEMENT
3. Install new V-belt to engine pul ley fi rst
then to trans mis sion pulley. Be sure
belt is po si tioned on inside groove of
both pulleys, inside all belt guides and
rests on idler pulley.
CHECK TINE OPERATION
4. See “TINE OPERATION CHECK” in
this section of man u al.
5. Replace belt guard
Belt Guide
Tine Control “ON” Position
Tine Control Cable
Cable Clip
TO REMOVE BELT GUARD
1. Remove screws from side of belt
guard.
2. Pull belt guard out and away from unit.
3. Replace belt guard by re vers ing above
procedure. Be sure slot in bot tom of
belt guard is under head of tine shield
bolt and all nuts are tight ened se cure ly.
Belt
Guard
Screw
Screw
Screw
Engine
Pulley
Belt Guide
Idler Pulley
V-Belt
Transmission
Pulley
ENGINE
Maintenance, repair, or replacement of
the emission control devices and sys tems,
which are being done at the cus tom ers ex pense, may be performed by any non-road
engine repair es tab lish ment or in di vid u al.
Warranty repairs must be per formed by an
authorized engine man u fac tur er's service
outlet.
TO AD JUST CARBURETOR
The carburetor has been preset at the
fac to ry and ad just ment should not be
nec es sary. However, engine per for mance
can be affected by dif fer enc es in fuel, temper a ture, al ti tude or load. If the carburetor
does need ad just ment, contact your near est authorized service center/de part ment
IMPORTANT: Never tamper with the
en gine governor, which is factory set
for prop er engine speed. Over speed ing
the engine above the factory high speed
set ting can be dangerous. If you think
the en gine-governed high speed needs
ad just ing, contact your nearest sears or
other qualifi ed service center which has
the proper equip ment and ex pe ri ence to
make any nec es sary adjustments.
15
Page 16
STORAGE
Immediately prepare your tiller for storage
at the end of the season or if the unit will
not be used for 30 days or more.
Warning: Never store the tiller with gas o line in the tank inside a build ing where
fumes may reach an open fl ame or spark.
Allow the engine to cool before stor ing in
any en clo sure.
TILLER
1. Clean entire tiller (See “CLEANING” in
the Maintenance section of this man u al).
2. Inspect and replace belts, if necessary
(See belt re place ment instructions in
the Service and Ad just ments section of
this manual).
3. Lubricate as shown in the Main te nance
section of this manual.
4. Be sure that all nuts, bolts and screws
are securely fastened. Inspect moving
parts for damage, break age and wear.
Replace if necessary.
5. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint
sur fac es; sand lightly before painting.
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent
gum deposits from forming in essential
fuel system parts such as the carburetor,
fuel fi lter, fuel hose, or tank during stor age.
Also, alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol
or us ing ethanol or methanol) can attract
mois ture which leads to separation and
for ma tion of acids during storage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage.
• Empty the fuel tank by starting the en-
gine and letting it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
• Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable
al ter na tive in minimizing the formation of
fuel gum deposits during stor age. Add
sta bi liz er to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the mix ratio
found on stabilizer container. Run engine
at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer
to allow the stabilizer to reach the car bu re tor. Do not empty the gas tank and
car bu re tor if using fuel stabilizer.
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean oil. (See “ENGINE” in the Main te nance section of this man ual).
CYLINDER
1. Remove spark plug.
2. Pour 1 ounce (29 ml) of oil through
spark plug hole into cylinder.
3. Pull starter handle slowly several times
to distribute oil.
4. Replace with new spark plug.
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season
to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your
gas o line will cause problems.
• If possible, store your unit indoors and
cover it to give protection from dust and
dirt.
• Cover your unit with a suitable pro tec tive
cover that does not retain moisture. Do
not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe
which allows condensation to form and
will cause your unit to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover tiller while en gine and exhaust areas are still warm.
16
Page 17
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:
See ap pro pri ate section in manual un less di rect ed to Sears service center
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank.
2. Engine not “CHOKED” 2. See “TO START ENGINE”
properly. in the Operation section.
3. Engine fl ooded. 3. Wait several minutes before
attempting to start.
4. Dirty air clean er. 4. Clean or re place air cleaner
cartridge.
5. Water in fuel. 5. Empty fuel tank and carbure tor, and refi ll tank with fresh
gasoline.
6. Clogged fuel tank. 6. Remove fuel tank and clean.
7. Loose spark plug wire. 7. Make sure spark plug wire is
seated properly on plug.
8. Bad spark plug or 8. Replace spark plug or adjust
improper gap. gap.
9. Carburetor out of adjust- 9. Make nec es sary adjust ment. ments.
Hard to start 1. Throttle control not set 1. Place throttle con trol in
properly. “FAST” position.
2. Dirty air clean er. 2. Clean or re place air cleaner
cartridge.
3. Bad spark plug or 3. Replace spark plug or adjust
improper gap. gap.
4. Stale or dirty fuel. 4. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank
with fresh clean gasoline.
5. Loose spark plug wire. 5. Make sure spark plug wire is
seated prop er ly on plug.
6. Carburetor out of 6. Make necessary adjust adjustment. ments.
Loss of power 1. Engine is overloaded. 1. Set depth stake and wheels
for shallower tilling.
2. Dirty air cleaner. 2. Clean or replace air cleaner
cartridge.
3. Low oil level/dirty oil. 3. Check oil level/change oil.
4. Faulty spark plug. 4. Clean and regap or change
spark plug.
5. Oil in fuel. 5. Empty and clean fuel tank
and refi ll, and clean carbure tor.
6. Stale or dirty fuel. 6. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank
with fresh clean gasoline
7. Water in fuel. 7. Empty fuel tank and carbure tor, and refi ll tank with fresh
gasoline.
8. Clogged fuel tank. 8. Remove fuel tank and clean.
9. Spark plug wire loose. 9. Connect and tighten spark
plug wire.
10. Dirty engine air screen. 10.Clean engine air screen.
11. Dirty/clogged muffl er. 11. Clean/replace muf fl er.
12. Carburetor out of 12. Make nec es sary adjust adjustment. ments.
13. Poor com pres sion. 13. Contact a Sears or other
qualifi ed service center.
17
Page 18
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:
See ap pro pri ate section in manual un less di rect ed to Sears service center
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Engine 1. Low oil level/dirty oil. 1. Check oil level/change oil.
overheats 2. Dirty engine air screen. 2. Clean engine air screen.
3. Dirty engine. 3. Clean cylinder fi ns,
airscreen, muffl er area.
4. Partially plugged muffl er. 4. Remove and clean muffl er.
5. Improper car bu re tor 5. Adjust car bu re tor to richer
adjustment. position.
Excessive 1. Ground too dry and hard. 1. Moisten ground or wait
bounce/diffi cult for more favorable soil
handling conditions.
2. Wheels and depth stake 2. Adjust wheels and depth
incorrectly adjusted. stake.
Soil balls up or 1. Ground too wet. 1. Wait for more fa vor able
clumps soil con di tions.
Engine runs but 1. Tine control is not 1. Engage tine con trol.
tiller won’t move engaged.
2. V-belt not correctly 2. Inspect/adjust V-belt.
adjusted.
3. V-belt is off pulley(s). 3. Inspect V-belt.
Engine runs but 1. Tilling too deep. 1. Set depth stake for shal-
labors when lower till ing.
tilling 2. Throttle control not 2. Check throttle control setting.
properly adjusted.
3. Carburetor out of 3. Make nec es sary adjust adjustment. ments.
18
Page 19
19
Page 20
02410
Para pedir servicio de reparación
a domicilio, y para ordenar piezas:
1-888-SU-HOGAR
SM
(1-888-784-6427)
Au Canada pour service en français:
1-800-LE-FOYER
MC
(1-800-533-6937)
www.sears.ca
To purchase a protection agreement (U.S .A.)
or maintenance agreement (Canada) o n a pro duct serviced by Sears:
1-800-827-6655
(U.S.A.) 1-800-361-6665 (Canada)
Our Home
For repair of carry-in products like vacuums, lawn equipment,
and electronics, call or go on-line for the nearest
Sears Parts and Repair Center.
1-800-488-1222
Anytime, day or night (U.S.A. only)
www.sears.com
Your Home
For repair – in your home –ofall major brand appliances,
lawn and garden equipment, or heating and cooling systems,
no matter who made it, no matter who sold it!
For the replacement parts, accessories and
owner’s manuals that you need to do-it-yourself.
For Sears professional installation of home appliances
and items like garage door openers and water heaters.
1-800-4-MY-HOME
®
Anytime, day or night
(1-800-469-4663) (U.S.A. and Canada)
www.sears.com www.sears.ca
Get it fixed, at your home or ours!
© Sears, Roebuck and Co.
® Registered Trademark /
TM
Trademark /SMService Mark of Sears, Roebuck and Co.
® Marca Registrada /
TM
Marca de Fábrica /SMMarca de Servicio de Sears, Roebuck and Co.
MC
Marque de commerce /MDMarque déposée de Sears, Roebuck and Co.
197367 02.15.05 TR Printed in U.S.A.
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