Craftsman 917298350 Owner’s Manual

OWNER'S

MANUAL

MODEL NO.

917,298350

Caution:

Read and follow

all Safety Ru_es
and instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

®

5.0 HP
241 C TJNE WIDTH

FRO ITT! E TILLER

• Assembly

• Operation
° Maintenance

• Service and Adjustment
oRepair Parts

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, _L 60684 UoS°A.

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Rotary Tillers

SAFETY RULES

TRAINING

, Read the operating and service instruction 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.

o Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particu-

larly small children, and pets.

PREPARATION

o Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to

be used and remove al! foreign objects.

o Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before

starting the engine (motor).

o Do not operate the equipment without wearing ade-

quate outer garments, Wear footwear that will improve

footing on slippery surfaces.

o Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable,

, Use an approved fuel container,

• Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.
o Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill

fuel tank indoors.

o Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled

fuel before restarting.

o Use extension cords and receptacles as specified by the

manufacturer for all units with electric drive motors or
electric starting motors.

, Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine

(motor) is running (except where specifically recom-
mended by manufacturer).

OPERATION
, Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
o Exercise extreme caution when operating on orcrossing

gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden

hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.

o After striking a foreign object, stop the engine (motor),

remove the wire from the spark plug, thoroughly inspect
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 for the cause. Vi-

bration is generally a warning of trouble.

• Stop the engine (motor) when leaving the operating
position, before unclogging the tines, and when making
any repair, adjustments, and inspections.

o Take all possible precautions when leaving the machine

unattended. Disen£tage the power take-off, lower the
attachment, shift into neutral, stop the engine, and

remove the key.

, 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 dan-
gerous.

o Never operate the tilter 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 allow bystanders near the unit.
o Use only attachments and accessories approved by the

manufacturer ofthe tiller (such as wheel weights, counter-

weights, cabs, and the like).

o Never operate the tiller without good visibility or light.
o 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 tt_ehandlebars and do not restrain the

machine.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

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

• Check shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, and other
bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure

the 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 ashot

water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and the like.
Allow the engine to coot before storing in any enclosure.

, Always refer to the operator's guide instructions for

important details if the tiller isto be stored for an extended
period.

-IMPORTANT -

Warnings, Cautions, and Notes are a means of attracting attention to important or critical information in this manual.

CAUTION: USED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE IS

LOOK FOR THiS SYMBOL TO POINT
OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY PRE-

CAUT!ONS. _TMEANS ooATTENTION!

BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY _S

INVOLVED.

NOTE: Gives essential information that will aid you to

better understand, incorporate, or execute a particular
set of instructions.

A POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGING THIS

EQUIPMENT,

2

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears tiller.
tt has been designed, engineered and manufactured to
give you the best possible dependability and perform °

ance.

Should you experience any problems you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized

Service Center. Sears has competent, well trained tech-
nicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions wilt

enabie you to assemble and maintain your tiller properly.
Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".

MODEL
NUMBER 917.298350

SERIAL
NUMBER

DATE OF
PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WiLL BE

FOUND ON THE MODEL PLATE ATTACHED TO

THE RIGHT HAND ENGINE BRACKET.
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER

AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP tN A SAFE

PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

MAINTENANCE AGREEM ENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this

product. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.

CUSTOMER RESPONSiB_LITtES

• Read and observe the safety rules.
o Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for

and using your Tiller,

• Follow the instructions under "Maintenance" and "Stor-
age" sections of this Owner's Manual.

PRODUCT SPECiFiCATiONS

HORSEPOWER: 5.0 H.P.

DISPLACEMENT: t2.57 cu. in.

GASOLINE CAPACITY: 3 QUARTS

Regular unleaded

OIL (20 oz. Capacity): SAE 30 (or I 0W30)

Winter: SAE 5W30

SPARK PLUG (GAP .030 IN.): Champion

RJ19LM

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 taws (if any). If a spark
arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective work-

ing 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
for spark arrester. Refer to the Repair Parts section of this

manual for part number.

L1MJTED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TlLLER

For one year 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

material or workmanship,

This Warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become wom during normaluse, such as tines, spark plugs, air cleaners and belts.
o Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain the

equipment accordingto the instructionscontained in the owner's manual

, If this Craftsman Tiller is used for commercial or rental purposes, this Warranty applies for only 30 days from the date of

purchase.

WARRANTY SERVICE lS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN TILLER TO THE NEAREST SEARS

SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT IN "THE UNITED STATES. THIS WARRANTY APPUES 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., (3/731CR-W SEARS 'TOWER, CHICAGO, _L ,60684

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAF E'T'Y RULES ............................................................

CUSTOMER F_ESPON S|B|LIT_ES ................................. 3

WARRANTY ................................................................... 3

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ....................................... 3

ASSEMBLY .................................................................... 6

OPERATION .................................................................. 8

A

Accessories .................................... 5

Adjustments:

Depth Stake ............................. 9

Handte Height ........................ t4

Tines ................................. t4-15

V-Belt ..................................... !6

Air Cleaner:

Maintenance .......................... 13

B

Belt:

V-Belt ..................................... 16

C

Cooling System:

Maintenance .......................... 13

Controls:

Choke ...................................... 8

Tine .......................................... 8

Throttle .................................... 8

Cultivating:

Operation ............................... t 1

D

Depth Stake:

Adjustment ............................... 9

E

Engine:

Air Cleaner ............................. 13

Cooling System ..................... 13

Fuel Type ............................... 10

Lubrication ............................. 13

Oil Leve! ................................. 10

Oil Type ................................. 10

Spark Plug ............................. 14

Starting .................................. 10

Stopping .................................. 9

Storage .................................. 18

Winter Operation ................... t 0

Fuel:

Filling Tank ............................ 10

Type ....................................... t0

Storage .................................. 18

Finish:

Maintenance .......................... 14

Handle:

Repair Parts ........................... 20

Height Adjustment ................. 14

Lubrication:

Lubrication Chart .................. !2

Engine ................................... !3

Maintenance:

Air Cleaner ............................. 13

Cooling System ..................... 13

Finish ..................................... 14

Maintenance Schedule .......... 12

Muffler .................................... t4

Spark Plug ............................. 14

Transmission ......................... t4

Oil Change ............................. !3

Muffler:

Maintenance .......................... 14

Spark Arrestor ......................... 3

Oil:

Level ...................................... 10

Type ....................................... 13

Operation:

Cultivating .............................. ! 1

Fil! Engine with OiJ................. 10

Fill Fue! Tank ......................... 10

Start Engine ........................... 10

iNDEX

F

H

L

M

O

MAINTENANCE ........................................................... 12

MAINTENANCE SCHEDU LE ...................................... 12

SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS ...................................... 14

STORAGE .................................................................... 18

TROU B LES HOOTIN G ................................................. 19

REPAIR PARTS-TILLER ........................................ 20-24

Stopping Tines & Engine ......... 9

Tilling ..................................... 1t

Tilling Hints ............................ 11

Tine Operation ......................... 9

Transporting Tiller .................. 10

Winter Operation ................... 10

R

Repair Parts:

Tiller .................................. 20-24

Engine .............................. 25-29

Rules for Safe Operation ................ 2

S

Service & Adjustments:

Handle Height ........................ 14

Tine Arrangement ............. 14-!5

V-Belt ..................................... !6

Service:

Maintenance Schedule .......... 12

Spark Plug:

Gap .......................................... 3

Maintenance .......................... 14

Storage:

Fuel System ........................... 18

Tiller ....................................... 18

T

Tilling:

Operation ............................... 11

Tines:

Repair Parts ........................... 23

Arrangement ..................... t4-15

Operation .............................. 7,9

Transmission:

Maintenance .......................... 14

Repair Parts ........................... 24

Troubleshooting Chart .................. t 9

Transporting ................................. 10

W

Warranty ......................................... 3

4

ACCESSO

THESE ACCESSORIES WERE AVAILABLE WHEN THE TILLER WAS PURCHASED. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT

MOST SEARS RETAIL OUTLETS, CATALOG AND SERVICE CENTERS. MOST SEARS STORES CAN ORDER REPAIR
PARTS FOR YOU WHEN YOU PROVIDE THE MODEL NUMBER OF YOUR TILLER.

ENGtNE

SPARK PLUG MUFFLER

TILLER iVlAJNTENANCE

BELT TINES CLEVIS PiN HAiRPiN CLIP

A_R FILTER GAS CAN

ENGKNE OIL STABMLIZER

5

ASSE

BLY

TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TILLER YOU WILL NEED:

(1) Utility knife
(1) Pair of pliers
(1) Screwdriver

(2) 1/2" wrenches
(1) Ratchet

(1) Socket extension
(t) 1/2" socket

OPERATOR'S POS_TtON

The right hand (R.H.) and left hand (LH.) sides of your

tiller are determined from the operator's position while

standing behind tiller,

FRONT

LEFT RIGHT

OPERATOR'S

POStTION

FIGURE 1

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

(t) Owner's Manual (!) Plastic Cable Clip

(_'

(2) Carriage Bolts 5/16o18 UNC x 2o3/8 Gr, 5

(2) Flange Locknuts 5116-18 UNC

(2) Hex Bolts 5/I 6_t8 x 1-i/4 (2) Hex Nuts 5/t 6ol8 (2) Lockwashers 5/16

6

ASS LY

UNPACK CARTON & INSTALL HANDLE (See

Fig. 2)

WHEN HANDMNG OR DISPOSING OF
BE CAREFUL OF EXPOSED STAPLES

CARTONENG MATERIAL

CAUTION: WHEN UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLING

TILLER, BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRETCH

OR KINK CABLES.

° Cut cable ties securing handle column,

• Slowly lift handie column up and slip over handle
mount.

o Remove packing from carton.

• Secure hand{e column to handle mount using two (2)

carriage bolts and (2) flange locknuts, insert plastic
cable clip into hole in handle column. Tighten both

flange Iocknuts securely,

• Route clutch cable through plastic cab;e clip on handle

column.

• Remove packing material from handle assembly.

. Cut cable ties securing tiller to skid,

• Cut away carton. Remove tilter from skid by pulling

backwards.

iNSTALL DEPTH STAKE ASSEMBLY (See

Fig. 3)

• insert stake support between engine bracket halves
with stake spring down.

NOTE: Jt may be necessary to toosen nut "A".
. Bolt stake support to engine brackets with bolts, lock-

washers and nuts, Tighten securely. Also tighten nut

"A" if it was necessary to toosen.

• Depth stake must move freely. If it does not, loosen

support bolt.

HANDLE HEIGHT

o Handle height may be adjusted to better suit operator

(See "HANDLE HELGHT" in Service and Adjustments
section of this manual),

TILLING WIDTH

. Tilling width may be adjusted to better handle your

tilling conditions (See "TINE ARRANGEMENT" in Serv-
ice and Adjustments section of this manual).

TINE OPERATION

, Check tine operation before first use (See "TINE

OPERATION CHECK" in Service and Adjustments
section of this manual),

HANDLE MOUNT\

TINE CONTROL \ F/

O OLO\ \

TINE CONTROL

ENGINE

,BRACKET

HALVES

STAKE
SPRING

DEPTH
STAKE

HEX BOLTS
LOCK WASHERS
AND HEX NUTS

\

FiG. 3

SUPPORT

BOLT

CARRIAGE

BOLT

FLANGE

LOCKNUT

FIG, 2 7

OP RATHON

KNOW YOUR TILLER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TILLER.
Compare the i]Iustrationswith your tiiter to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this

manual for future reference.

TINE CONTROL

THROTTLE CONTROL

FiG. 4

MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears front tine tillers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute,

']'INF. CONTROL o Engages tines. DEPTH STAKE - Controls forward speed and the depth at
THROTTLE CONTROL - Controls engine speed, which the tiller will dig.
CHOKE CONTROL - Used when starting a coJd engine, RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to start the engine,

8

OPERATION

The operation of any tiller can result Jn foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can
resutt in severe eye damage, Atways wear safety glasses or eye shiellds before startir_g
your titier and while tilling. We recommend wide vision safety mask for over the spectacles

or standard safety glasses,

HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER

STOPPING (See Fig. 5)

TINES -

• Retease tine control to stop movement.

ENGINE -
, Move throttle control to "STOP" position,

, Never use choke to stop engine.

TINE CONTROL "OFF" POSITION

TINE CONTROL "RUNNING" POSiTiON

TiLLiNG

The speed and depth of tilling is regulated by the position
of the depth stake and wheel height.

The depth stake should always be below the wheels for
digging, tt serves as a brake to slow the titler's forward

motion 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 (See Fig. 6) -

Adjust depth stake by removing the hairpin clip and clevis
pin. Change depth stake to desired position. Replace the
clevis pin and hairpin clip.

o For normal tilling, set depth stake at the second or third

hole from the top.

WHEELS (See Fig. 6) -
Adjust wheels by removing the hairpin clip and clevis pin.

Change wheel position. Replace the hairpin clip and clevis
pin.

, For normal tilling, set wheels at the second or third hole

from the top.

HAIRPIN CLIP
AND CLEVIS PIN

CHOKECONTROL

THROTTLECONTROL

FIG, 5

TINE OPERATION (See Fig. 5)

Start engine and move throttie control to desired speed.

• Squeeze tine control to handle.

FiG, 6

9

OPERATION

TRANSPORTING YOUR TILLER

AROUND THE YARD -
o Tip depth stake forward until it is held bythe stake spring

(See Fig. 6).

• Push tiller handles down, raising tines off the ground.

• Push or pull tiller to desired location.
AROUND TOWN -

o Disconnect spark plug wire.
, Drain fuel tank.

Transpor_ in upright position to prevent oil leakage.

lng, allow tiller engine and muffler to
CAUTION: Before lifting or transport-

coolo Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain
gasolir_e from fue_ tank,

BEFORE STARTING ENGmNE

FILL ENGINE WiTH OiL (See Fig, 7)

J[,,,!PORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW

• With engine level, remove engine oii filler plug.

• Fill enaine with oil to point of overflowing. For approxi-
mate capacity see PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS on

page 3.

• Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then reqevel.
o Check oil level. Refill to point of overflowing if necessary.

Replace oit filler plug.

o For cold weather ope,ration you should change oi! for

easier starting (See OiL VISCOSITY CHART in the
Maintenance section of this manual).

o To change engine oil, seethe Maintenance section in this

manual.

DIRT TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN
CHECKING OR ADDING OIL OR FUEL.
USE CLEAN SAE 30 OR 10W30 WE IG HT

O1LAND STORE tNAPPROVED, CLEAN,
COVERED CONTAINERS. ALL OILS

MUST MEETA.PJ0 SERVICE CLASSIFI_
CATION SD, SE OR SF. USE CLEAN

FILL FUNNELS.

OIL
FILLER

PLUG

ADD GASOLINE

•Fiil fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gaso-

line. (Use of leaded gasoline wil! increase carbon and
lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life.)

IMPORTANT:

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended

fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can

attract moisture which leads to separation and formation 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 !onger. Drain the gas tank, start the

engine and tet it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage section
of this manual for additional information. Never use engine

or carburetor cleaner products inthe fu e!tank or permanent
damage may occur.

WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERA-
TURES 8ELOW32°F (0°C), USE FRESH,

CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO
HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.

filler neck. Do not ovetf'ilL Wlpe off any

CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank

spi!_ed oit or fuel Do not store, spill or

use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig, 8)

CAUTION: Keep the tine control in"OFF" position when starting engine.

- Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.
, Place throttle control in "FAST" position.

- Place choke control in "CHOKE" position if the engine is
cold. A warm engine may not require choking to start.

Grasp starter handle with one hand and grasp the tiller
with other hand. Pull rooe out slowly until engine reaches

start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at
this point).

• Pulprope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep
a firm grip on starter handle and let rope rewind slowly.
Do not let starter handle snap back against starter.

• When engine starts, slowly move choke control on en-
gine halfway between "CHOKE" and "RUN" positions

and then to "RUN" position as engine warms up.

o Move throttle control to desired running position.

• Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.

NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32°F), the carburetor fue! mixture
may need to beadjusted for best engine performance. See

the engine manual packed with your unit.