Craftsman 917.295651 User Manual

OWNER’S

MANUAL

MODEL NO.

917.295651

Caution: Read and follow

all Safety Rules and instructions Before Operating This Equipment

5„0 HP

17 WCH TINE WIDTH

REAR TINE TILLER WITH COUNTER ROTATING TINES

• Assembly »Operation

• Customer Responsibilities ® Service and Adjustments ® Repair Parts

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

SAFETY RULES A

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Rotary Tillers

TRAINING

» Read the Owner's Manual carefully. Be thoroughly

familiar with the controls and the proper use of the

equipment. Know how to stop the unit and disengage

the controls quickly,

= Never allow children to operate the equipment. Never

allow adults to operate the equipment without proper instruction.

« Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particu

larly small children, and pets.

PREPARATION

« Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to

be used and remove all foreign objects.

« Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before

starting the engine (motor),

» Do not operate the equipment without wearing ad

equate outer garments. Wear footwear that will im prove footing on slippery surfaces,

® Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.

» Use an approved fuel container. * Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine,

• Fiii fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill fuel tank indoors.

» Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled

fuel before restarting

<= Use extension cords and receptacles as specified by

the manufacturer for all units with electr ic drive motors

or electric starting motors,

® Never attempt to make any adjustments while the

engine (motor) is running (except where specifically recommended by manufacturer).

OPERATION

“ Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. » Exercise extreme caution when operating on or cross

ing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.

» 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 damage before restarting and operating the tiller.

- Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately tor the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

Stop the engine (motor) when leaving the operating position.

Take all possible precautions when leaving the ma chine unattended. Disengage the tines, shift into neutral, and stop the engine.

Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, shut off the engine and make certain all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting. Disconnect 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 protective devices 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 behind and use care when backing . Never allow bystanders near the unit. Use oiiiy attachments and accessories approved by

the manufacturer of the tiller (such as wheel weights, counterweights, cabs, and the like).

Never operate the tiller without good visibility or light. Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The tines may

catch in the ground and propel the iilleriorward. If this occurs, let go of the handlebars and do not restrain the machine.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe working condition.

= Check shear pins, engine mounting bolts, and other

bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure tfie equipment is in safe working condition.

• Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building where ignition sources are present, such as hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and the like. Allow the engine to coo! before storing in any enclosure.

• Always refer to the operator's guide instructions for important details if the tiller is to be stored for an extended period.

in/IPORTANT -

CAUTION, IMPORTANTS, AND NOTES ARE A MEANS OF ATTRACTING ATTENTION TO IMPORTANT OR CRITI CAL INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL

IMPORTANT: USED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE IS A

CAUTION: Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means —Attention! Become Alert! Your safety is involved.

POSSIBILITY OF DAMAOtNO THIS EQUIPMENT, MOTE; Gives essential information that will aid you to better

understand, incorporate, or execute a particular set of instruc

tions.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Tiller.

It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to

give you the best possible dependability and performance. Should you experience any problems you cannot easily

remedy, please contact your nearest authorized Sears

Service Center/Department, They have competent, welltrained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will

enable you to assemble and maintain your tiller properly.

Always observe the ‘‘SAFETY RULES”.

MODEL NUMBER

917.295651

PRODÜCT SPECIFICATIONS

HORSEPOWER:

DISPLACEMENT: 12.57 cu. in.

GASOLINE CAPACITY: 4 Quarts

OIL (API-SF/SG); (CAPACITY: 20 oz.) SAE 5W-30 (Below 32“F)

SPARK PLUG: OfiBinpion {GAP: ,030")

5 0 HP

Unleaded Regular

SAE 30 (Above 32”F)

RJ19LM (STD361458)

SERIAL NUMBER.

DATE OF PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE FOUND ON THE MODEL PLATE ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION

YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP !N A SAFE

PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this prod

uct. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

« Read and observe the safety rules. » Followa reguiarschedule in maintaining, caring forand

using your tiller.

- Follow the instructions under the “Customer Responsibilities" and “Storage" sections of this Owner’s Manual.

¡ypORTANT: THIS UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND SHOULD NOT BE USED ON OR NEAR ANY UNIMPROVED FOREST-COVERED, BRUSH-COVERED OR GRASS COVERED LAND UNLESS THE ENGINE'S EXHAUST SYSTEM IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPARK ARRESTER MEETING APPLICABLE LOCAL OR STATE LAWS {IF ANY). IF A SPARK ARRESTER IS USED, IT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN EFFECTIVE WORKING ORDER BY

THE OPERATOR

IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THE ABOVE IS REQUIRED BY LAW {SECTION 4442 OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE). OTHER STATES MAY HAVE SIMILAR LAWS. FEDERAL LAWS APPLY ON FEDERAL LANDS. SEE YOUR SEARS AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT FOR SPARK ARRESTER, REFER TO THE REPAIR PARTS SECTION OF THIS MANUAL FOR PART NUMBER.

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TILLER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Tiller is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner's manual. Sears will repair free of charge any defect In materia! or workmanship.

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 negiigence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual

• It this Craftsman Tiller Is used for commercial or rental purposes, this Warranty applies for only 30 days from the date of purchase.

WARRANTY SERVICE !5 AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN TILLER 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 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. ILLINOIS 60179

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

PHAni ICT iJPPf'IPICÄTIflWii

WARRANTY ACCESSORIES ASSEMBLY OPERATION

....................................................................

...............................

...........................................................................

«««««•«««»a«««« «

..........

.........

INDEX

Accessories................................... 6

Adjusiments:

Carburetor Depth Stake Handle Height Side Shields Throttle

Tines .....

V-Be!t (Ground Drive)

Air Cleaner

Belt:

Beit Guard................................

Repair Parts ..............................

V-Beit (Ground Drive)

Cooling System Controls:

Choke

Throttle...

Drive (Tines) ............................

Cultivating ....................................... 12

Customer Responsibilities;

Air Cleaner...........

Cooling System

Finish ......................................

Maintenance Schedule ........... 13

Muffler

Oil Change .............................. 14

Spark Plug

Tines Transmission

V-Belt (Ground Drive)

Depth Stake:

Adjustment..,.

Repair Paris............................

Engine:

Air Cleaner...

Cooling'System.

Fuel Type.......

............................

.............................

.........................

..............................

......

........................... 18

..................................

...... 18

...............

10 15

...................................... 14

........

.....

...16

.............................

...................................

................................... 9

................... 14

...... 14

......................................

.................................15

......................................... 17

.............................

...

........................... 10

............................

......................

...................... 11

..........

15 15

14 14

3,13-1S

......

.. 6-8

9-12

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 13

SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS......................................... 15-18

STORAGE

i C3 llwllwiiii f I IiM «m3 « «»•««•««•««***•«*•■•••• ■ ■•««*»**»« bW

REPAIR PARTS-TILLER REPAIR PARTS-ENGINE

SERVICEA^arTS ORDERING..................... BACK COVER

Engine (cont'd)

Lubrication..........

Oil Level............

Oil Type ..............

Spark Plug...........

Starting

..............

Stopping...............

Storage............

Winter Operation.

Fuel:

Filling Tank ..

Storage .........

Type..............

Finish:

Maintenance

Handle:

Height Adjustment Repair Parts

................... 15

..... 21

Lubrication:

Lubrication Chart Engine

............................. 14

Muffler:

Maintenance

Spark Arrester.....

Oii:

Level

....................................... 11

Type.

...............................

Operation;

Cultivating..................................

Rli Fuel Tank

Starting Engine .....................

Stopping Tines & Engine

Tilling ......................................

Tilling Hints ............................ 12

Tine Operation ......

Transporting Tiller.....................

Winter Operation .....................

.......... 13

.............................

.....................

..............

.... 11

____

......................................................................

......

....................................... 21-27

..............................................

..... 14

....

11,14

.....

....

.....

Repair Parts:

Tiller .................................

Engine

Rules for Safe Operation

Service & Adjustments;

Carburetor....

Handle Height Side Shields Throttle

Tines ...............

V-8elt (Ground Drive) Wheels.

Service:

Repair Parts

Service Record 13

Shear Pins:

Operation .................................

Repair Parts............................ 26

Spark Plug;

Gap

Maintenance .............................

Storage;

Fuel System....

Tiller.......................................

................................... 28-33

.......

...................................

..............................................

.............................

................................ 11

............................

.....

.........................

............................

15 3

11,14

.......... 10

........... 10

Tilling.. Tines:

Transmission:

Troubleshooting

Transporting ...................................

Warranty ...........................................

Wheels:

.........................................

Arrangement/Replacement Operation

Repair Parts

Shear Pins ..............................

Maintenance ______________ Repair Parts

Removal

Repair Parts...............................

...................................

...........

..............................

.............................

...

............................... 15

28-33

......21-27

........... . 2

.................

.....

.............

21-33

10,12

.........

..................

.... 17

15 24

ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when the tiller 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 number of your tiller.

ENGINE

SPARK PLUG

MUFFLER

err

TILLER PERFORMANCE

FURROW OPENER

TILLER MAINTENANCE

ikIR xpo

GAS CAN

JJ=/

ENGINE OIL

—

STABILIZER

ASSEMBLY

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 ail 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. Standard wrench sizes are listed.

(1) Utility knife (1) Wire cutter

{1) Screwdriver

(1) Tire pressure gauge (1) Pair of pliers {1) 9/16" wrench

OPERATOR’S POSITION {See Fig. 1)

When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it

means when you are in the operating position (standing behind tiller handies).

FRONT

L.EFT

OPERATOR’S

posmoN

RiGHT

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