Craftsman 917299010 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

CRIIFT$1viANo

FRONT TINE TILLER

900 Series 24 Inch Tine Width

Model No.

917.299010

.......2 ,3

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• Espa_ol, p. 20

This product has a low emission engine which operates differently from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, 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/craftsman

Warranty ............................................. 2

Safety Rules ....................................... 2

Product Specifications .......................... 4

Assembly!Pre-Operation ...................... 6

Operation ................................................ 7

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

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TILLER For one (1) 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 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 Warrant,/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.

Manintenance ...................................... 12

Service and Adjustments ..................... 15

Storage ................................................. 17

Troubleshooting ...................................... t 8

iflustrated Parts List ............................... 38

Sears Service ........................ Back Cover

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!817WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, lL 60179 USA.

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw- ing objects, Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death,

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 op-

erate the equipment without proper

instruction,

• Keep the area of operation clear of all

persons, particularly 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 (mo-

tor),

• Do not operate the equipment without

wearing adequate outer garments, Wear footwear that will improve footing on

slipper}/surfaces.

• Handle fuel with care; it is highly flam- mable,

• Use an approved fuel container.

• Never add fuel to a running engine or

hot engine.

, Fill 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 electric drive motors or elec-

tric starting motors.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine (motor) is running (ex-

cept where specifically recommended

by manufacturer),

OPERATION

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts,

• Exercise extreme caution when operat- ing on or crossing 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 inspect the tiller for any damage, and repair the

damage before restarting and operating the tiller.

• Exercise caution to avoid slipping or fall- ing.

° If the unit should start to vibrate ab-

normally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause. Vibra-

tion is generally a warning of trouble,

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

• Take all possible precautions when

leaving the machine unattendedr Dis-

engage 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 acci _ dental 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 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

visibility or lighL

• 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

restrain the machine.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• Keep machine, attachments, and ac-

cessories in safe working condition,

• Check shear pins, engine mounting bolts, and other bolts at frequent inter-

vals 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 as hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and

the like. Allow the engine to cool before

storing in any enclosure.

• Always refer to the operator's guide in- structions for important details if the tiller is to be stored for an extended period,

_Look for this symbol to point out

important safety precautions, It means CAUTION!![ BECOME ALERT!!! Y©UR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED. ,_CAUTION: Always disconnect spark

plug wire and place wire where it cannot

contact spark plug in order to prevent acci- dental starting when setting up, transport.-

ing, adjusting or making repairs.

_I_WARNII'.IG: Engine exhaust, some of its

constituents, and certain vehicle compo- nents contain or emit chemicals known to

the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm,

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Gasoline 3 Qts Capacity: Unleaded Regular

OiI(API-SG-SL): SAE 30 (Capacity: 16 oz,.) (Above 32°F)

SAE 5w-30

(Below 32°F)

Spark Plug: NGK-BPR6ES

(Gap: .030") TORCH-F6RTC

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Tiller. It has been designed,

engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and per-

formance. Should you experience any problems you

cannot easily remedy, please contact a Sears or other qualified Service Center.

We have competent, well-trained techni- cians 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". 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 assemble

must be tightened securely. Use the cor- rect tools as necessary to insure proper

tightness. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rules.

• Follow a regular schedule in main- taining, caring for and using your tiller.

• Follow the instructions under the "Main- tenance" and "Storage" 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 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 attester 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, A spark aF rester for the muffler is available through

your nearest Sears service center (See

REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).

REPAIR PROTECTION

AGREEMENTS

Congratulations on making a smart pur- chase, 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 youmeff from unexpected

hassle and expense.

Here's what's included in the Agreement:

• Expert service by our 12,000 profe- sional repair specialists°

• Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor on all covered repairs

. Product replacement if your covered

product can't be fixed

. Discount of t0% from regular price of

service and service-related parts not covered by the agreement; also, !0%

off regular price of preventive mainte- nance check,

• Fast help by phone- phone support from a.Sears technician on products

requlnng in-home repair, plus conve-

nient 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 ap-

pointment 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. Pur- chase 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 USA. call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®

These accessories were available when the tiller was produced, They are also available

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

(

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

(2) Carriage Bolts 5/t6-I8 UNC x 2-1/2

(1) Manual

i_ (2) Hex Bolt (_) Q

5/16-18 x 1-1/4 (2) Lock (2) Hex Nut

(1) Bottle Washer 5/16-18 Engine Oil 5/16

(2) Flange

Locknuts

5/16-t 8 UNC

'{our 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.

7-Tine

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes are listed,

(1) Utility knife (2) 1/2 Wrench

OPERATOR'S POSITION When right or left hand is mentioned in this

manual, it means when you are in the oper-

Tine _:

Control Cable

..... .X\ ./Handle

'i" ' column

--_:-:.'1_ Z Handle '%

•:_';i-"i'T,_:_ " IVlOUnT

"_..f, "r" Carnage J

Control

ating position (standing behind tiller handles).

Front

. !_ : , _ ," £4/)o_._ _

Flange Locknut

INSTALL DEPTH STAKE

Left

Right

ASSEMBLY

Io Loosen nut'S',

2 Insert stake support between engine

bracket halves with stake spring down_

3, Bolt stake support to engine brackets

with bolts, lock washers and nuts, Tighten securely., Tighten nut '_,".

4, Depth stake must move freely. If it

does not, loosen support bolt,

Operator's Position

UNPACK CARTON & INSTALL HANDLE

_CAUTION: Be careful of exposed sta-

ples when handling or disposing of carton-

-.\._. , . /.4Engine Bracket Halves "'-'_ _'/ Nut "_'

-. ' 1i"_'J" Depth Stake Support

"-_ /,_ _C..i.._ Depth

___ Stake

rng 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) flange lock- nuts. Tighten securely.

5o Cut away carton,

6. Route tine control cable(s) through plastic cable clip on handle mount,

NOTE: Cables must not touch the muffler.

7. Cut cable ties securing tiller to skid° Remove tiller from skid by pulling back-

wards.,

8. Remove screws securing depth stake

to skid and discard the screws.

_'_'_) I _/ " Stake Spring _Hex Bolts, Lock

Washers, and hex Nuts

HANDLE HEIGHT

. Handle height may be adjusted to better

suit operator, (See "HANDLE HEIGHT"

in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual).

"fILLING WIDTH

• Tilling width may be adjusted to better handle your tilling conditions (See "TINE

ARRANGEMENT" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual).

TINE OPERATION

• Check tine operation before first use. (See "TINE OPERATION CHECK" in

the Sen,ice and Adjustments section of this manual),

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-

ious controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference,,

Forward Tine Co

Fuel Fill Port

Throttle Control

Choke Contro

Depth

Recoil Starter

Handle

Valve

Our tillers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.

CHOKE CONTROL - Used when starting a cold engine.

DEPTH STAKE. Controls forward speed and the depth at which tiller will dig°

ENGINE ON/OFF SWITCH - The engine switch enables and disables the ignition

system,

FORWARD TINE CONTROL - Engages

tines in forward direction.

FUEL VALVE - The fuel valve opens and closes the passage between the fuel tank

and the carburetor, RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to

start the engine. THROTTLE CONTROL - Used to control

engine speed.

The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye

shields before starting your tiller and while tilling, We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.

HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER

Know how to operate all controls before

adding fuel and oil or attempting to start engine.

STOPPING

TINES

I. Release tine control to stop movement.

ENGINE

2. Move throttle control to "SLOW" position and allow the engine to run

slowly for cool down_

3o Turn the engine switch to the "OFF"

Position.

4. Turn the fuel valve lever to the "OFF" Position_

NOTE: Never use choke to stop engine, IMPORTANT: To stop engine in an emer-

gency, turn the engine switch to the OFF position.

Tine Control

"Off" (UP) 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, it serves as a

brake to slow the filler'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

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

• For normal tilling, set wheels at the second or third hole from the top.

Throttle Control

Engine

Switch

Throttle Control

Fuel

Valve

TINE OPERATION

• Squeeze tine control to handle_

Fuel

Valve

Engine

Switch

Hairpin Clip and Clevis Pin

Depth

Stake

Wheel Spring

TO TRANSPORT

,_CAUTION: Before lifting or transporting, allow tiller engine and muffler to cool, Dis- connect spark plug wire, Drain gasoline

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 approved, clean, covered containers, use clean fill funnels.

FILL ENGINE WITH OIL

t_ Remove hangtag from engine_

2. With engine level, remove engine oil filler plug,

3, Fill engine with oil to point of over-

flowing. For approximate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"

on page 4 of this manual All oil must meet A.RI. Service Classification SG-

SL.

4. Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then re-level.

5 With engine level, refill to point of over-

flowing if necessary. Replace oil filler plug.

• For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See "OIL

VISCOSITY' CHART" in the Mainte-

nance section of this manual).

• To change engine oil, see the Mainte- nance section of this manual.

Oil Filler

Oil Level Plug

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded 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 quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness

AI:_,CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow

for fuel expansion_ If gasoline is acci- dentally spilled, move machine away from

area of spill, Avoid creating any source of ignition until gasoline vapors have disap-

peared. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open

flame.

IMPORTANT: When operating in temper-

atures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good

cold weather starting.

CAUTION: 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 storage 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 Instructions 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"

position when starting engine,

When starting engine for the first time or

if engine has run out of fuel, it will take

extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel

from the tank to the engine,

1, Make sure spark plug wire is properly

connected.

2o Place the fuel valve to the "ON" posi-

tion.

3. To start a cold engine, move the choke lever to the "ON" position,

4. Move the throttle lever away from the "SLOW" postiion, about 1/3 of the way

toward the "FAST" position.

5, Turn the engine switch to the "ON" po_

sition, Pull rope out slowly until engine

reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this

point).

6_ Pull recoil starter handle quickly,

Do not let starter handle snap back

against starter. Repeat if necessary,

NOTE: if engine fires but does not start, move choke control to half choke posi- tion. Pull recoil starter handle until engine

starts,

7. If the choke lever has been moved to the "ON" position to start the engine,

gradually move it to the opposite posti- ion as the engine warms up.

NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start.

8. Move throttle control to desired running position.

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

NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou- bleshooting points.

Fuel Valve

Throttle

Choke

.... "<.. ;_r!

Control

"ix})l'_<slll

Jj)i !

Recoil Starter

Engine Switch

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

pressing handles down and engage tine control to start tine rotation. Allow tines

to rotate for five minutes.

• Check tine operation and adjust if

necessary. See"TINE OPERATION CHECK" in the Service and Adjustments

section of this manual.

TILLING HINTS _CAUTION: Until you are accustomed

to handling your tiller, start actual field use with throttle 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 handles, 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 error and depends upon

the soil condition. (The harder or wetter the ground, the slower the engine and tine

speed needed. Under these poor condi- tions, at fast speed the tiller will run and

jump over the ground).

A properly adjusted tiller will dig with little

effort from the operator.

• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking 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 unwanted vegeta- tion. The decomposition of this vegeta-

ble matter enriches the soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall 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 tilling. Tines wilt not readily penetrate

dry, hard soil which may contribute to excessive bounce and difficult handling

of your tiller. Hard soil should be mois- tened 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 wil! find 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 easier to negoti-

ate than about-faces, Second, the tiller won't be pulling itself, and you, toward

the row next to it.

• Set depth stake and wheel height for shal!ow tilling when working extremely

hard soil or sod° Then work across the

first cuts at normal depth.

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CULTIVATING

Cultivating is destroying the weeds be- tween rows to prevent them from robbing

nourishment and moisture from the plants, At the same time, breaking up the upper layer of soil crust wilt 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 condition, promoting no further growth

of weeds and grass,

j--..

\_/

MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULE

FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE

Check Engine Oil Level I/ if

Change Engine Oil _1,2

Oil Pivot Poinls Sf

Inspect Spark Arrester / Muftler Inspect Air Screen

Clean or Replace Air Cleaner Cartridge 642 Clean Engine Cylinder Fins It_

SERVICE DATES

Replace Spark Plug I_

t - Change mo_a ohen when operating under a heavy load or in high ambienl lempe_'alures

2 oService more ellen when opet'aling in dirty or dus_y conditions

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this tiller does not cover items that have been subjected to op-

erator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, the operator must maintain tiller as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your tillen All adjustments in the Service and Adjust-

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 filter,

and check tines and belts for wear_ A new spark plug and clean air filter as-

sure proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer,,

BEFORE EACH USE 1, Check engine oil level.

2o Check tine operation_

3. Check for loose fasteners. LUBRICATION

L__SAE 30 OR t0W-30 MOTOR OIL _') REFER TO MAINTENANCE "'ENGINE" SECTION

Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRI-

CATION CHART").

........I .......

LUBRICATION CHART

(b Tine Control

® Engine

(D Idler Arm

_CAUTION:Disconnect spark plug wire

before performing any maintenance to prevent accidental starting of engine,

Prevent fires! Keep the engine free of grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Remove

fuel from tank before tipping unit for main- tenance. Clean muffler area of all grass,

dirt, and debris. Do not touch hot muffler or cylinder fins as

contact may cause burns.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL,

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade ac- cording to your expected temperature°

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

IPm,!low.aol

'4 I I I

-20 0 20 40 60 80 !00" F

I I I I I 1 I l

-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40_C

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W-30, 10W-30, etco) improve starting

in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils

will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°F (O°C). Check your

engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low

on oil Change the oil after every 50 hours of op-

eration or at least once a year if the tiller is not used for 50 hours in one year,

Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five (5)

hours of continuous use. Add SAE 30 motor oil or equivalent, Tighten oil filler

plug securely each time you check the oil level.

5. Refill engine with oil. See "FILL ENGINE WITH OIL" in the Operation

section of this manual,

Oil Drain Plug

Oil Level

Oil Filler Plug

AIR CLEANER Service air cleaner cartridge every

twenty4ive hours, more often if engine is used in very dusty conditions,

1. Loosen air cleaner screw(s).

2. Remove air cleaner cover. 3, Carefully remove air cleaner cartridge.

Be careful, Do not allow dirt or debris

to fall into carburetor,

4o Clean by tapping gently on a flat sur-

face,

NOTE: If very dirty, or damaged, replace

cartridge,

5. Clean and replace cover. Tighten screw(s) securely.

,_CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such

as kerosene, are not to be used to clean cartridge, They may cause deterioration

of the cartridge° Do not oil cartridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry

cartridge

Air Cleaner

Cartridge

Pre-Cleaner

Cover

Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API

service classification SG-SLo

• 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,

replace oil drain plug and tighten se-

curely.

4. Remove oil filler plug, Be careful not

to allow dirt to enter the engine.

Air aner Screws

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 necessary.

• Keep cylinder fins free of dirt and chaff.

Air Screen BIo_er

Housing

MUFFLER

Do not operate tiller without muffler_ Do not tamper with exhaust system_ Dam- aged mufflers or spark arresters could

create a fire hazard. Inspect periodically and replace if necessary. If your engine is equipped with a spark arrester screen as- sembly, remove every 50 hours for clean-

ing and inspection. Replace if damaged_

SPARK PLUG

Replace spark plugs at the beginning of

each tilling season or after every 25 hours of use, whichever comes first. Spark plug

type and gap setting are shown in "PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 4 of this

manual, TRANSMISSION

Your transmission is sealed and will not require lubrication unless serviced,

CLEANING Do not clean your tiller when the engine

and transmission are hot, We do not rec- ommend using pressurized water (garden

hose, etc,) to clean your unit unless the

gasket area around the transmission and the engine muffler, air filter and carburetor

are covered to keep water out, Water in engine will shorten the useful life of your

tiller,

• Clean engine, wheels, finish, etc. of all foreign matter.

• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc.

• Protect painted surfaces with auto- motive type wax

,ACAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it

cannot come into contact with plug.

TILLER

TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT

Factory assembly has provided lowest handle height, Select handle height best

suited for your tilling conditions, Handle

height will be different when tiller digs into

soil

t, If a higher handle height is desired,

loosen the four nuts securing handle panel to engine brackets.

2. Slide handle panel to desired location,

3. Tighten the four nuts securely, Engine Brackets

• Assemble holes '_' in tine hubs to holes "C" in tine shaft.

.- A C C A _

• Remove outer tines, NOTE: When reassembling outer tines,

[oo oo]

Panel

on Left Side of Tiller

TINE ARRANGEMENT '(our outer tines can be assembled in several different ways to suit your tilling or

cultivating needs.. _CAUTION: Tines are sharp Wear gloves or other protection when handling

tines.

• Assemble holes '_' in tine hubs to holes "B" in tine shaft.

-- Clevis Pin Outer Tine

Hairpin Clip \" Inner Tine

nner Tines Only

be sure right tine assembly (marked "R") and left tine assembly (marked '%') are

mounted to correct side of tine shaft.

TINE OPERATION CHECK A(_,WARNING: Disconnect spark plug wire

from spark plug to prevent starting while checking tine operation.

For proper tine operation, tine control lever must be against control body and all slack

removed from inner wire of control cable

when control is in the "OFF" (up) position_

If lever and cable are loose, loosen cable clip at lower end of cable. Pull up on

cable to remove slack, without extend- ing spring on end of cable, and retighten cable clip,.

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

rotate,

3. If tines rotate, inner wire of control cable is too tight which is extend- ing lower spring and engaging tines.

Loosen cable clip and push down on cable only enough to relieve spring

tension. Tighten cable clip.

4. Recheck in "OFF" position and adjust if necessary.

+ 33 hidden pages

Craftsman 917299010 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual