Sears 917.29425 User Manual

Download

Page 1

Owner’s Manual

REAR TINE TILLER WITH COUNTER ROTATING TINES

5.0 HP 17 Inch Tine Width

Model No.

917.29425

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/crafts man

Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safe ty Rules .......................................... 2

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

Prod uct Spec i ﬁ ca tions ......................... 4

Assembly/Pre-Operation ....................... 6

Operation............................................... 8

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

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

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

Troubleshooting ................................... 19

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

WARRANTY

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TILLER For two (2) years 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.

Page 3

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.

Page 4

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Gasoline 2 Quarts Capacity: Unleaded Reg u lar

Oil (API-SF-SJ): SAE 30 (Capacity: 20 oz.) (Above 40°F) SAE5W-30/10W-30

Spark Plug : NGK (Gap: .030") BPR6ES

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.

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.

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).

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®

Page 5

ACCESSORIES

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 PERFORMANCE

FURROW OPENER

TILLER MAINTENANCE

BELT TINES SHEAR PIN HAIRPIN CLIP

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

(2) Handle Locks

(1) Hairpin Clips

UNASSEMBLED PARTS

(1) Center Locknut

(1) Carriage Bolt 3/8-16 UNC x 1 Gr. 5

(1) Flat Washer 13/32 x 1 x 11 Ga.

3/8-16 UNC

(1) Cable Clip

(1) Pivot Bolt 3/8-16 UNC Grade 5

(2) Shear Pins & Clips

(1) Handle Lock Lever

Page 6

carton_1

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 hard ware you assemble must be tight ened securely. Use the cor rect tools as necessary to insure proper tight ness.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Stan dard wrench sizes are listed. (1) Utility knife (1) Wire cutter (1) Tire pressure gauge (1) Screwdriver (1) Pair of pliers (1) 9/16" 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

RIGHT

4. Cut down right hand front and right hand rear cor ners of carton, lay side car ton wall down.

5. Remove packing material from handle assembly.

6. Separate shift rod from handle as sem bly.

Shift Rod

Handle Assembly

INSTALL HANDLE

1. Insert one handle lock (with teeth fac ing outward) in gearcase notch. (Apply grease on smooth side of handle lock to aid in keeping lock in place until han dle assembly is lowered into po si tion.)

VIEWED FROM R.H. SIDE OF TILLER

overhead_views_10

OPERATOR’S

POSITION

UNPACKING CARTON

CAUTION: Be careful of exposed sta-

ples when handling or disposing of cartoning material. IMPORTANT: When unpacking and as sem bling tiller, be careful of exposed sta ples when handling or disposing of cartoning material.

1. While holding handle assembly, cut ca ble ties se cur ing handle assembly to top frame. Let handle assembly rest on tiller.

2. Remove top frame of carton.

3. Slowly ease handle assembly up and place on top of carton.

Handle As sem bly

Gearcase Notch

Handle Lock

2. Grasp handle assembly. Hold in “up” po si tion. Be sure handle lock remains in gearcase notch. Slide handle as sem bly into position.

3. Rotate handle assembly down. Insert rear carriage bolt ﬁ rst, with head of bolt on L.H. side of tiller and loosely as sem ble locknut.

Page 7

Handle Assembly "UP" Position

Tighten handle lock lever to hold

Handle Column

Cables

Loosen Handle Lock Lever to Move

handles_97

4. Insert pivot bolt in front part of plate and tight en.

5. Cut down remaining corners of carton and lay panels ﬂ at.

6. Lower the handle assembly. Tighten nut on carriage bolt so handle moves with some resistance. This will allow for eas i er adjustment.

7. Place ﬂ at washer on threaded end of han dle lock le ver.

8. Insert handle lock lever through handle base and gearcase. Screw in handle lock lever just enough to hold lever in place.

9. Insert second handle lock (with teeth in ward) in the slot of the handle base (just inside of washer).

10.Raise handle assembly to highest po si tion and se cure ly tight en handle lock le ver by rotating clockwise. Leaving han dle assembly in highest position will make it easier to connect shift rod.

Handle Lock Lever

Pivot Bolt

Handle Lock

Gearcase

Slot

Rear Car tridge Bolt

dles_34

Handle Base

Flat Washer

Locknut

INSERT CABLE CLIP

• Insert plastic cable clip into hole on the

back of handle column. Push cables into clip.

Cable Clip

handles_14

CONNECT SHIFT ROD

1. Insert end of shift rod farthest from bend into hole of shift lever in di ca tor.

2. Insert hairpin clip through hole of shift rod to secure with bend of clip on right side.

Attach this End To shift Lever Indicator

Hairpin Clip

Shift Rod

Shift Lever Indicator

Shift Rod

REMOVE TILLER FROM CRATE

1. Adjust handle assemby to lowest po si tion. Be sure lock lever is tight ened se cure ly.

2. Make sure shift lever indicator is in “N” (neu tral) po si tion.

3. Tilt tiller forward by lifting handle. Sep a rate cardboard cover from lev el ing shield.

4. Rotate tiller handle to the right and pull tiller out of carton.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

The tires on your unit were overinﬂ ated at the factory for shipping purposes. Correct and equal tire pressure is important for best tilling performance.

• Reduce tire pressure to 20 PSI.

HANDLE HEIGHT

• Handle height may be adjusted to bet-

ter suit operator. (See “TO ADJUST HAN DLE HEIGHT” in the Service and Ad just ments section of this manual).

Page 8

OPERATION

These symbols may appear on your Tiller or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.

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 location of var i ous controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

Shift Lever

Drive Control Bar

Depth Stake

Leveling Shield

Outer Side Shield

Shift Lever Indicator

Recoil Starter Handle

MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

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

DRIVE CONTROL BAR - Used to engage tines. DEPTH STAKE - Controls depth at which tiller will dig. OUTER SIDE SHIELD - Adjustable to pro tect small plants from being buried.

SHIFT LEVER - Used to shift transmission gears. SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR - Shows which gear the trans mis sion is in. RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to start the engine.

LEVELING SHIELD - Levels tilled soil.

Page 9

The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes,

th_s

which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields before starting your tiller and while tilling. We recommend a wide vi-

00155

sion safety mask over spec ta cles or standard safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER

Know how to operate all controls before adding fuel and oil or attempting to start engine.

STOPPING

TINES AND DRIVE

1. Release drive control bar to stop move ment.

2. Move shift lever to “N” (neutral) po si tion.

ENGINE

• Move throttle control to “STOP” po si tion.

If equipped with stop switch, move switch to “STOP” position.

NOTE: Never use choke to stop engine.

Drive Control Bar “ENGAGED” Position

Drive Control Bar “DISENGAGED” Position

andles_72

Shift Lever

TINE OPERATION - WITH WHEEL DRIVE

• Always release drive control bar be fore

moving shift lever into another po si tion.

• Tine movement is achieved by mov-

ing shift lever to ( en gag ing drive control bar.

FORWARD - WHEELS ONLY/TINES STOPPED

• Release drive control bar and move shift

lever in di ca tor to “F” (forward) po si tion. Engage drive control bar and tiller will move forward.

REVERSE - WHEELS ONLY/TINES STOPPED

1. DO NOT STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND TILLER.

2. Release the drive control bar.

3. Move throttle control to “SLOW” po si tion.

4. Move shift lever indicator to “R” (re verse) position.

5. Hold drive control bar against the han dle to start tiller movement.

) till position and

HARD TO SHIFT GEARS

• Brieﬂ y engage drive control bar and re lease or rock tiller forward and back ward until are able to shift gears.

DEPTH STAKE

The depth stake can be raised or lowered to allow you more versatile tilling and culti vat ing, or to more easily transport your tiller.

Shallowest Tilling (Cultivating)

Deeptest Tilling

Depth Stake

Transport Position

TILLING

1. Release depth stake pin. Pull the

depth stake up for increased tilling depth. Place depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in position.

2. Place shift lever indicator in till position.

3. Hold the drive control bar against the

han dle to start tilling movement. Tines and wheels will both turn.

4. Move throttle control to “FAST” position

for deep tilling. To cultivate, throttle con trol can be set at any desired speed, de pend ing on how fast or slow

you wish to cultivate. IMPORTANT: Always release drive control bar before moving shift lever into another position.

Depth Stake Pin “RELEASED” Position

“Locked” Po si tion

Nut

“B”

Outer Side Shield

Nut

“A”

take_1

depth_s

Page 10

engine_art_4

TURNING

1. Release the drive control bar.

2. Move throttle control to “SLOW” position.

3. Place shift lever indicator in “F” (forward) position. Tines will not turn.

4. Lift handle to raise tines out of ground.

5. Swing the handle in the opposite di rec tion you wish to turn, being careful to keep feet and legs away from tines.

6. When you have completed your turnaround, release the drive control bar and lower handle. Place shift lever in (till) po si tion and move throttle control to de sired speed. To begin tilling, hold drive control bar against the handle.

OUTER SIDE SHIELDS

The back edges of the outer side shields are slotted so that the shields can be raised for deep tilling and low ered for shal low tilling to protect small plants from being buried.

1. Loosen nut “A” in slot and nut “B”.

2. Move shield to desired position (both sides).

3. Retighten nuts.

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. Release the depth stake pin. Move the depth stake down to the top hole for trans port ing the tiller. Place depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in position. This prevents tines from scufﬁ ng the ground.

2. Place shift lever indicator in “F” (for ward) position for transporting.

3. Hold the drive control bar against the handle to start tiller movement. Tines will not turn.

4. Move throttle control to desired speed.

AROUND TOWN

1. Disconnect spark plug wire.

2. Drain fuel tank.

3. Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.

BEFORE START ING 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.

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the factory, already ﬁ lled with SAE 30 summer weight oil.

1. With engine level, clean area around oil ﬁ ller plug and remove plug.

2. Engine oil should be to point of over ﬂ o w ing when engine is level.

• For ap proxi mate capacity see “PROD-

UCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS” on page 3 of this manual. All oil must meet A.P.I. Service Classiﬁ cation SF-SJ.

• For cold weather operation you should

change oil for easier starting (See oil vis cos i ty chart in the Maintenance section of this man u al).

• To change engine oil, see the Main te -

nance section in this manual.

Oil Fill

Oil Filler Plug

Oil Drain 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.

Page 11

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.

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.

Choke Control

Spark Plug

Throttle Control

Recoil Start er Han dle

TO START ENGINE

CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in

“DISENGAGED” 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. Move shift lever indicator to “N” (neu tral) position.

3. Place throttle control in “FAST” position.

5. Move choke control to choke position.

5. Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand. 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.

NOTE: If engine ﬁ res but does not start, move choke control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until engine starts.

7. When engine starts, slowly move choke control to “RUN” position as engine warms up.

NOTE: A warm engine requires less chok ing to start.

8. Move throttle control to desired running position.

9. 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.

TILLING HINTS

CAUTION: Until you are accustomed

to handling your tiller, start actual ﬁ eld use with throttle in slow position (mid-way be tween “FAST” and “IDLE”).

• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up packed soil before plant ing. Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6". A tiller will also clear the soil of un want ed vege ta tion. The de com po si tion of this veg e ta ble mat ter enriches the soil. De pend ing on the climate (rain fall and wind), it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the growing season to fur ther condition the soil.

• Soil conditions are important for proper tilling. Tines will not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may con trib ute to ex ces sive 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 till ing. Wait until the soil is less wet in or der to achieve the best results. When till ing in the fall, re move vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping around the tine shaft and slowing your till ing 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 easier to negotiate than about-faces. Second, the tiller won’t be pulling itself, and you, to ward the row next to it.

• Do not lean on handle. This takes weight off the wheels and reduces trac tion. To get through a really tough sec tion of sod or hard ground, apply up ward pressure on handle or lower the depth stake.

Page 12

tire_1

tire_2

321

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" to 3" (2.5-7.5 cm). Lower the outer side shields to protect small plants from being buried.

• 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.

ADJUST WHEELS FOR CUL TI VAT ING

1. Place blocks under right hand side of tiller and remove hairpin clip and clevis pin from right hand wheel.

2. Move wheel outward approximately 1 inch until hole in inner wheel hub lines up with inner hole in axle.

3. Replace clevis pin and hairpin clip on in side of wheel and remove blocks.

4. Repeat preceding steps on left hand side.

NOTE: In extremely rough conditions and while cultivating, the wheels should be moved outward on the axle for in creased sta bil i ty.

OUTER VIEW OF TIRE

Clevis Pin

TINE SHEAR PINS

The tine assemblies on your tiller are se cured to the tine shaft with shear pins (See “TINE REPLACEMENT” in the Ser vice and Ad just ments section of this man u al). If the tiller is unusually overloaded or jammed, the shear pins are designed to break before internal damage occurs to the trans mis sion.

• If shear pin(s) break, replace only with those shown in the Repair Parts sec tion of this manual.

Hairpin Cllip

INNER VIEW OF TIRE

Clevis Pin

Hairpin Clip

Page 13

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 SEASON

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

RH Gear Case Grease Fitting (1oz.)

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

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. At least once a season, check to see if you should make any of the adjustments described in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

• At least 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.

BEFORE EACH USE

1. Check engine oil level.

2. Check tine operation.

3. Check for loose fasteners.

1Idler

Bracket

1 SAE 30 OR 10W-30 Motor Oil 2 Refer to Maintenance “ENGINE” section 3 EP #1 Grease

LUBRICATION CHART

2Engine

3RH Gear Case

Grease Fit ting

1Depth Stake Pin

1Leveling

Shield Hing es

1Wheel Hub

LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See “LU BRI CA TION CHART”) .

Page 14

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 SF-SJ. Select the oil’s SAE vis cos i ty grade according to your expected temperature.

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W-30, 10W-30, etc.) improve starting in cold weather, they will re sult in increased oil consumption when used above 40°F (4°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 25 hours of op er a tion or at least once a year if the tiller is not used for 25 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 se cure ly each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL Determine temperature range expected

before oil change. All oil must meet API service classiﬁ cation SF-SJ.

• Be sure tiller is on level surface.

• Oil will drain more freely when warm.

• Use a funnel to prevent oil spill on tiller, and catch oil in a suitable con tain er.

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.

5. Reﬁ ll engine with oil. See “CHECK EN GINE OIL LEVEL” in the Operation section of this manual.

Oil drain Plug

Oil Level

Oil Fill Plug

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air ﬁ lter. Replace the air ﬁ lter every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs ﬁ rst. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

1. Remove cover.

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. Clean by gently tapping on a ﬂ at surface. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as ker o sene, 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.

4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.

Latch Tabs

Filter Cover

Tabs

Filter

MUFFLER

Do not operate tiller without mufﬂ er. Do not tamper with exhaust system. Damaged muf ﬂ ers or spark arresters could create 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.

Page 15

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 is shown in “PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS” on page 4 of this manual.

TRANSMISSION

Once a season, lubricate the right hand gear case grease ﬁ tting with 1 oz. of EP #1 grease.

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

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.

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

Select handle height best suited for your till ing conditions. Handle height will be dif fer ent when tiller digs into soil.

1. First loosen handle lock lever.

2. Handle can be positioned at different

settings between “HIGH” and “LOW” po si tions.

3. Retighten handle lock lever securely

af ter adjusting.

Handle (High) Position

Handle Lock Lever

Handle (Low) Position

TIRE CARE

CAUTION: When mounting tires, un less

beads are seated, over in ﬂ a tion can cause an explosion.

• Maintain 20 pounds of tire pressure. If tire pressures are not equal, tiller will pull to one side.

• Keep tires free of gasoline or oil which can damage rubber.

TO REMOVE WHEEL

1. Place blocks under trans mis sion to

keep tiller from tipping.

2. Remove hairpin clip and clevis pin from

wheel.

3. Remove wheel and tire.

4. Repair tire and reassemble.

Clevis Pin

handles_97

tire_3

Hairpin Clip

Page 16

TO REMOVE BELT GUARD NOTE: For ease of removal, remove hair-

pin clip and clevis pin from left wheel. Pull wheel out from tiller about 1 inch.

1. Re move two (2) screws from side of belt guard.

2. Remove hex nut and washer from bot tom of belt guard (located behind wheel).

3. Pull belt guard out and away from unit.

4. Replace belt guard by reversing above procedure.

Belt Guard

Hex Nut and Wash er (Lo cat ed Behind Tire)

Screws

Hairpin Clip and Clevis Pin

TO REPLACE GROUND DRIVE BELT

1. Remove belt guard as described in “TO RE MOVE BELT GUARD”.

2. Remove old belt by slipping off engine pulley ﬁ rst then remove from trans mis sion pulley.

3. Place new belt in groove of trans mis sion pulley and into engine pulley. BELT MUST BE IN GROOVE ON TOP OF IDLER PULLEY. NOTE POSITION OF BELT TO GUIDES.

4. Check belt adjustment as described be low.

5. Replace belt guard.

6. Reposition wheel and replace clevis pin and hairpin clip.

GROUND DRIVE BELT AD JUST MENT For proper belt tension, the extension

spring should have about 5/8 inch stretch when drive control bar is in “EN GAGED” po si tion. This tension can be attained as fol lows:

1. Loosen cable clip screw securing the drive control cable.

2. Slide cable forward for less tension and rearward for more tension until about

5/8 inch stretch is obtained while the

drive con trol bar is engaged.

3. Tighten cable clip screw securely.

Engine Pulley

Idler Pulley

Transmission Pulley

TINE REPLACEMENT

CAUTION: Tines are sharp. Wear

gloves or oth er protection when han dling tines. A badly worn tine causes your tiller to work hard er and dig more shallow. Most im por tant, worn tines cannot chop and shred or gan ic mat ter as effectively nor bury it as deep ly as good tines. A tine this worn needs to be re placed.

Extension Spring

New Tine

Cable Clip Screw

Drive Control Cable

Less Tension

5/8"

More Tension

Worn Tine

Page 17

• To main tain the superb tilling per for mance of this ma chine the tines should be checked for sharp ness, wear, and bend ing, par tic u lar ly the tines which are next to the trans mis sion. If the gap between the tines ex ceeds 3-1/2 inch es they should be re placed or straight ened as nec es sary.

• New tines should be assembled. Sharpened tine edges will rotate rear

Counter Tine Rotation

0205

3-1/2" Max

Sharp Edge

Tine

Hairpin Clip

tine_3

Tine

Hairpin Clip

Sharp Edge

Shear Pin

Sharp Edges

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 nearest Sears or other qualiﬁ ed service center.

tine_13

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 ad just ments.

Page 18

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.

CAUTION: 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.

Page 19

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” in properly. 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 aircleaner 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.

10.Oil soaked air ﬁ l ter. 10.Re place air ﬁ l ter.

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. Re place 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 properly on plug.

6. Carburetor out of adjust- 6. Make necessary adjust ment. 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 aircleaner 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 adjuts- 12.Make nec es sary adjust ment. ments.

13.Poor com pres sion. 13.Contact a Sears or other qualiﬁ ed service center.

Page 20

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, air screen, 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 for bounce/difﬁ cult more favorable soil condi- handling tions.

Soil balls up or 1. Ground too wet. 1. Wait for more favorable clumps soil conditions.

Engine runs but 1. Tine control is not 1. Engage tine con trol. tiller won’t engaged. move 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 shallower labors when tilling. tilling 2. Throttle control not 2. Check throttle control setting.

properly adjusted.

3. Carburetor out of 3. Make nec es sary adjust adjustment. ments.

Tines Skip 1. Shear pin (s) broken. 1. Replace shear pin(s). over ground

Hard to Shift 1. Gears not timmed. 1. Brieﬂ y engage drive control into gear bar and release or rock tiller

forward and backward un til are able to shift gears.

Tiller shuts off 1. Shift lever set in between 1. Shift to either counter when drive counter rotating till posi- rotating till position or control bar tion and forward rotating forward rotating engaged till position. till position.

2. Tines jammed. 2. Clear tines.

Page 21

Para pedir servicio de reparación

a domicilio, y para ordenar piezas:

1-888-SU-HOGAR

(1-888-784-6427)

Au Canada pour service en français:

1-800-LE-FOYER

(1-800-533-6937)

www.sears.ca

1-800-827-6655

(U.S.A.)

1-800-361-6665

(Canada)

Our Hom

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!

® Registered Trademark /

Trademark /SMService Mark of Sears, Roebuck and Co.

® Marca Registrada /

Marca de Fábrica /SMMarca de Servicio de Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Marque de commerce /MDMarque déposée de Sears, Roebuck and Co.

To purchase a protection agreement (U.S.A.)

or maintenance agreement (Canada) on a product serviced by Sears:

02410

196665 12.21.04 TR Printed in U.S.A.