Sears 917.29425 User Manual

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

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.

2

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.

3

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®

4

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

5

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.

6

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

an

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).

7

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.

8

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

de

p

th_s

t

a

k

e

_2

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

h

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

9

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.

10

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.

11

tire_1

tire_2

4

321

5

67

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

12

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

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”) .

13

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.

14

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

15

tire_3

Hairpin Clip

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

16

• 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

0

0205

3-1/2" Max

Sharp Edge

Tine

Hairpin Clip

tine_3

Tine

Hairpin Clip

Sharp Edge

Sharp Edge

Shear Pin

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.

17

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.

18

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.

19

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.

20

Para pedir servicio de reparación

a domicilio, y para ordenar piezas:

1-888-SU-HOGAR

SM

(1-888-784-6427)

Au Canada pour service en français:

1-800-LE-FOYER

MC

(1-800-533-6937)

www.sears.ca

1-800-827-6655

(U.S.A.)

1-800-361-6665

(Canada)

Our Hom

e

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!

© Sears, Roebuck and Co.

® Registered Trademark /

TM

Trademark /SMService Mark of Sears, Roebuck and Co.

® Marca Registrada /

TM

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

MC

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.