Craftsman 917.77342 User Manual
Owner's Manual
5.5 HORSEPOWER
22 INCH CUT
WHEELED
WEEDTRIMMER
Model No.
917.773420
• Safety
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• EspaSol
• Repair Parts
_CAUTION:
Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman
Warranty 2 Product Specifications 9
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 12
Assembly 5 Storage 14
Operation 6 Troubleshooting 15
Maintenance Schedule 9 Repair Parts 30
Maintenance 9 Parts Ordering Back Cover
LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN WEEDTRIMMER
For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Weedtrimmer 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 workman-
ship.
If this Craftsman Weedtrimmer is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty
applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.
This Warranty does not cover:
• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotating lines,
belts, air cleaners and spark plug.
• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent
crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions
contained in the owner's manual.
Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman Weedtrimmer to the nearest
Sears Service Center 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., Dept. 817 WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
WARNING: This trimmer 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. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest
authorized service center/department (See REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).
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The operation ofany trimmer can resultin foreign objectsthrown into
the eyes, whichcan result in severeeye damage. Always wear safety
glasses or eye shields while operatingyour trimmer or performing any
adjustmentsor repairs. We recommenda widevision safety mask
over spectaclesor standardsafety glasses.The safety goggles
provided with yourtrimmer may beworn over spectacles.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machine and in the
manual before starting. Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls and the proper
use of the machine before starting.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts.
• Keep all parts of your body away from
muffler and spinning line. A hot muffler
can cause serious burns.
• Only allow responsible individuals, who
are familiar with the instructions, to
operate the machine.
• Stay away from breakable objects, such
as house windows, auto glass, green-
houses, etc.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,
toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which
could be picked up and thrown by the
spinning lines.
• Be sure the area is clear of other
people before trimming, particularly
small children and pets. Stop machine
if anyone enters the area.
• Wear appropriate clothing such as a
long-sleeved shirt or jacket. Also wear
long trousers or slacks. Do not wear
shorts.
• Do not wear loose clothing which could
get caught in this equipment.
• Do not operate the machine when
barefoot or wearing open sandals.
Always wear work gloves and sturdy
footwear. Leather work shoes or short
boots work well for most people. These
will protect the operator's ankles and
shins from small sticks, splinters, and
other debris, and improve traction.
• Do not pull machine backwards unless
absolutely necessary. Always look
down and behind before and while
moving backwards.
• Do not operate the machine without
proper guards, plates or other safety
protective devices in place.
• See manufacturer's instructions for
proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use accessories
approved by the manufacturer.
• Never use blades, wire, or flailing
devices. This unit is designed for line
trimmer use only. Use of other accesso-
ries or attachments will increase the risk
of injury.
• Stop the rotating trimmer head when
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.
Wait for the cutting lines to stop rotating.
• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you
leave the equipment and allow it to
cool, before cleaning, repairing or
inspecting the unit. Be sure the trimmer
head and all moving parts have
stopped.
• Operate only in daylight or good
artificial light.
• Do not operate the machine while
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never operate machine in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing: keep a
firm hold on the handle and walk; never
run.
• If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine (motor)
and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble.
• Always wear safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields when operat-
ing machine.
3
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip
and fall accidents which can result in
severe injury. All slopes require extra
caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do
not trim it.
DO:
• Trim across the face of slopes: never up
and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose
footing or balance.
• Do not trim excessively steep slopes.
• Do not trim on wet grass. Reduced
footing could cause slipping.
II1. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the machine
and the trimming activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last
saw them.
• Keep children out of the trimming area
and under the watchful care of another
responsible adult.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children
enter the area.
• Before and while moving backwards,
look behind and down for small
children.
• Never allow children to operate the
machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
IV, SERVICE
• Use extra care in handling gasoline
and other fuels. They are flammable
and vapors are explosive.
Use only an approved container.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel
with the engine running. Allow
engine to cool before refueling. Do
not smoke.
Never refuel the machine indoors.
Never store the machine or fuel
container inside where there is an
open flame, such as a water heater.
Move away from fueling site before
starting engine.
Never run a machine inside a closed
area.
Never make adjustments or repairs
with the engine (motor) running.
Disconnect the spark plug wire, and
keep the wire away from the plug to
prevent accidental starting.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially trimmer
head and engine bolts, tight and keep
equipment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris buildup. Clean oil or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
cleaning or storing storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
• Do not change the engine governor
setting or overspeed the engine.
• Clean and replace safety and instruc-
tion decals as necessary.
_Look for this symbol to point ouutimpor-
tant safety precautions. It means t.,_u-
TION!!! BECOME AWARE!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
_.CAUTION: In order to prevent acci-
dental starting when setting up, transport-
ing, adjusting or making repairs, always
disconnect spark plug wire and place
wire where it cannot contact spark plug.
_kWARNING: The engine exhaust from
this product contains chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
4
Read these instructions and this manual in its
entirety before you attempt to assemble or
operate your new trimmer.
IMPORTANT: This trimmer is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.
Your new trimmer has been assembled at the
factory with the exception of those parts left
unassembled for shipping purposes. All parts
such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary
to complete the assembly have been placed
in the parts bag. To ensure safe and proper
operation of your trimmer, all parts and
hardware you assemble must be tightened
securely. Use the correct tools as necessary
to ensure proper tightness.
Loose Parts Packed Separately
Safety 20 oz.
Goggles Bottle of oil
Trimmer Lines
(2) Sets
(0,155 diameter
x 18,75 inches long)
TO REMOVETRIMMER FROM CARTON
• Remove loose parts included with trimmer,
• Cut down two end corners of carton and
lay end panel down flat.
• Remove all packing materials,
• Roll trimmer out of carton and check carton
thoroughly for additional loose parts.
HOWTO SET UPYOURTRIMMER
TO UNFOLDHANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so as
not to pinch or damage control cables.
1. Loosen handle knob enough to allow
upper handle to be unfolded from the
shipping position.
2. Raise upper handle section into place
on lower handle and tighten handle
knob.
3. Remove handle padding holding
trimmer head control bar to upper
handle.
Your trimmer handle can be adjusted for
your trimming comfort. Refer to "Adjust
Handle" in the Service and Adjustment
section of this manual.
Handle knob
Lower handle J
::_ Upper handle
' "'- : Lift up
• • L
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KNOW YOUR TRIMMER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR
TRIMMER. Compare the illustrations with your trimmer to familiarize yourself with the location
of various controls and adiustments. Save this manual for future reference.
These symbols mayappear on your trimmer or inliteraturesuppliedwiththe product.Leam and understand
their meaning.
AVOIDEiOI IMJI_IYOROEATN & @
FAST SLOW
FUEL OiL
Trimmer head control bar
Throttle control
Starter handle
Handle knob
Engine oil
cap w/
dipstick
Trimmer head control lever
3asoline cap
Engine
cover
Primer
Chassis
ver
i_ Trimmer head
IMPORTANT: This trimmer is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.
Trimmer head control bar - must be held
down to the handle to engage trimmer head.
Release to stop the trimmer head.
Primer - pumps additional fuel from the
carburetor to the cylinder for use when
starting a cold engine.
Trimmer line
Throttle control - used for starting and
stopping the engine and allows you to select
either fast or slow engine speed.
Starter handle - used for starting the engine.
Trimmer head control lever - used to
engage trimmer head.
6
The operation of any trimmer can result in
foreign objects thrown into the eyes,
which can result in severe eye damage.
Always wear safety glasses or eye shields
while operating your trimmer or perform-
ing any adjustments or repairs. We
recommend a wide vision safety mask
over spectacles or standard safety
glasses. The safety goggles provided with
your trimmer may be worn over spec-
tacles.
HOWTO USEYOURTRIMMER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed is controlled by a
throttle located on the side of the upper
handle. Fast position is for starting and
normal trimming. Slow is for light trimming
and fuel economy. Stop is for stopping the
engine.
.= @
/ • ij
/•'¢_ ii - '_ _ -
Drive
control
lever
Trimmer head
control bar
To engage
trimmer head
Trimmer head
disengaged
TO ADJUST TRIMMING HEIGHT
_CAUTION: Stop the engine and wait
for all moving parts to stop. Disconnect
spark plug wire from spark plug and
place wire where it cannot come in
contact with plug.
The height of cut can be set to six (6)
different positions ranging from 1-1/2
inches to 3 inches. Recommended cutting
height for the average yard is 2 inches.
1. To adjust trimming height, push in the
locking plate tab and move trimmer
head up or down to desired position.
2. Release tab and be sure head is
locked into one of the six (6) height
positions.
Adjustable
Trimme _!)
Head
TRIMMER HEAD DRIVE CONTROL
Your trimmer is equipped with a trimmer
head drive control bar and lever which Locking
Plate Tab
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the trimmer handle to operate the
trimmer.
• Trimmer head rotation is controlled by
holding the trimmer head control bar
down to the handle and pushing the
drive control lever forward until it clicks;
/,
then release the lever.
• Trimmer head rotation will stop when _ t
the control bar is released.
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\
\
\
\\
\
\
/
l
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your trimmer is shipped without oil in the
engine. Engine holds 20 oz. of oil. For
type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE"
in Maintenance section of this manual.
1. Be sure trimmer is level and area
around oil fill is clean.
2. Remove engine oil cap and fill to the
full line on the dipstick. Pour oil slowly.
Do not over fill.
NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate dipstick reading. To read
proper level, tighten engine oil cap, then
remove it to read the dipstick.
3. Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if
needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may need
to change the oil more often under dusty,
dirty conditions.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used
within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
AWARNING: 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 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.
,A CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
• spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.
Gasoline
cap
Engine oil cap
TO START ENGINE
1. To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before tryingto start. Use a firm
push. This step is not usually necessary
when starting an engine which has
already runfor a few minutes.
2. Move throttle control lever to fast position.
3. Hold upper handle firmly and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope
to snap back.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, move throttle control lever
to stop position.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In
warmer weather overpriming may cause
flooding and engine will not start. If you
do flood engine, wait a few minutes
before attempting to start and do not
repeat priming steps. _______--_
Throttle /_i_
control _/\_. _.i_
Starter [_,,
handle fz L
TRIMMING TIPS
• Set the throttle control in the fast
position, tf the weeds or grass, are tall
and thick, operate the trimmer at a
slower walking speed.
• Frequently clean the underside of the
trimmer to remove any grass build up.
Keep top of engine around starter clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and extend
engine life. See TO REMOVE ENGINE
COVER in the Maintenance section of
this manual.
• For best results and longer lasting line,
use the ends of the line to do the cutting.
This is easily done by moving slowly
through very thick and heavy weeds.
• Use the left side of trimmer when
trimming along fences, walls, flowerbeds
and other such objects.
• If trimmer lines become too short, it will
take longer to complete the job. If
trimmer lines are worn to less than half
their original length, they should be
replaced. See TO REPLACE TRIMMER
LINE in the Maintenance section of this
manual.
• Trimmer head contact with concrete,
asphalt or other hard surfaces may
cause premature wear of the ball on
bottom of trimmer head.
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