Craftsman 45-04381 User manual

E
MANUAL
NO,
45-04381
CAUTION:
Read Rules for
Safe Operation
and Instructions
Carefully
/
/
!
!
I
1
40" FRONT MOUNT
TINE DETHATCHER
• Safety
•Assembly
®Operating
® Maintenance
•Repair Parts
PRINTED IN USA FORM NO. 42688 (09/12/12)

Anypowerequipmentcancauseinjuryifoperatedimproperlyoriftheuserdoesnotunderstandhowtooperatetheequipment.
Exercisecautionatalltimes,whenusingpowerequipment.
• Readsafetyrulesinthevehicleownersmanualand
knowhowtooperateyourequipment,beforeusingthe
tinedethatcher.
Neveroperatevehicleandtinedethatcherattachment
withoutwearingsubstantialfootwear,anddonotallow
anyonetorideorsitonthetinedethatcher.
Neverallowchildrentooperatethetractoror
dethatcherattachment,anddonotallowadultstooperate
withoutproperinstructions.
EyeProtectionshouldbewornwhenoperatingthetine
dethatcher.
Alwaysbeginwith transmissionin first (low)gear,
andgraduallyincreasespeedas conditionspermit.
Recommendedmaximumoperatingspeedis3M.RH.
Alwaysstopvehicleandlift dethatcherto transport
positionbeforemakingshortturns.
Whende-thatchingdonotdrivetooclosetoacreekor
ditchandbealertforholesandotherhazardswhich
couldcauseyoutolosecontrolofthevehicle.
Beforeoperatingvehicleonanygrade(hill)refertothe
safetyrulesinthevehicleownersmanualconcerningsafe
operationonslopes.STAYOFFSTEEPSLOPES.
Thisequipmentisnotmeantforstreetorhighwayuse.
Watchfortrafficwhende-thatchingnearhighways.
Vehicleand attachmentsshouldbe stoppedand
inspectedfordamageafterstrikingaforeignobject.
Checkallnuts,boltsandscrewsfrequentlymakingsure
theyaretightandtheequipmentisinsafe
workingcondition.
Followthemaintenanceinstructionsasoutlinedinthis
ownersmanual.
]
Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means --Attention!! Become
alert!! Your safety is involved. /
9j16,, Z._J

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REF PART NO. QTY
1 44326 12
2 43063 2
3 43001 4
4 43087 2
5 43069 4
6 R19212113 4
/12 _ //3
£
_/4 / / _-----'_'---------z /5
I
6
12
DESCRiPTiON
Carnage Bolt, 5/16-18 ×1"
Hex Bolt, 5/16-18 × 1"
Hex Bolt, 3/8-16 x 1"
Hex Bolt, 3/8-16 x 1-1/4"
Carriage Bolt, 3/8-16 ×1-1/2"
Flat Washer, 5/8"
REF PART NO.
7 43343
8 46838
9 44044
10 43055
11 47810
12 HA21362
QTY
6
4
1
1
14
10
DESCRiPTiON
Hairpin Cotter, 1/8"
Spacer, .8" × 1" x .5"
Clevis Pin, 3/8" × 3/4"
Hairpin Cotter, 3/32"
Nytock Nut, 5/16-18
Nylock Nut, 3/8-16
7
13 1
18
REF PART NO. QTY
13 24876 2
14 23668 1
15 62600 1
16 23666 2
17 62601 1
18 43943 1
19 27453 1
20 26043 1
26
DESCRiPTiON REF PART NO. QTY
Mounting Arm 21 24043 1
Axle Bushing 22 23673 1
Lift Handle 23 24874 1
Angle Mount Bracket 24 44148 1
Lift Handle Bracket 25 23676 2
Plastic Grip 26 44213 1
Hitch Plate 27 27452 1
Mounting Shaft
DESCRiPTiON
Lift Handle Arm
Handle Lock Bracket
Tine Shield
Axle
Keeper Plate
Wheel
Frame Mount Bracket

Remove any front mounted attachments which may
be installed on your tractor.
Mark all loose parts and save for reassembly.
Stop engine and let muffler cool before
attempting to install dethatcher hitch
brackets.
LEFT END b
11
I
i
i
÷TINES POINT
TO FRONT
16 1
/
I
I
L_
11
11
13
/
4
14
12
L_

APPLY OIL 24
6
2O
\

ATTACHING DETHATCHER TO TRACTOR
• If the front of your tractor has front mounting holes as
shown in figure 7, continue on to figure 8.
If the front of your tractor DOES NOT have front
mounting holes, go to figure 9.
FRONT
Remove two self threading bolts (if present) from
front cross-member of tractor. Assemble bolts through
lower slots in hitch bracket, then reinstall them back
into front crossmember. (Make sure notches at top of
hitch bracket and crossmember are aligned.)
From behind tractor's front crossmember, insert two
3/8"x 1" hex bolts (3) through holes in crossmember
and through upper slots in hitch bracket. Secure with
two 3/8" nylock hex nuts (12).
Go to figure 11 on page 7.
SELF THREADING BOLT
12
SELF THREADING BOLT
FRONT
\19
3
m
FIGURES 9 AND 10 ARE ONLY FOR TRACTORS WITH NO FRONT MOUNTING HOLES. FOR
ALL OTHER TRACTORS CONTINUE TO FIGURE 11.
m
[z

Assemble the frame mount bracket (27) to the tractor
frame using four 3/8" x 1-1/2" carriage bolts (5),
spacers (8) and 3/8" nylock nuts (12). The spacers (8)
go between the tractor frame and the frame mount
bracket.
12
21
22

Attachdethatchertohitchplatebyplacingmounting
shaftintoslotsatfrontofhitchplate.Dethatcher
mountingarmsgotoinsideofhitchplate.Assemble
keeperplatesontoendsofmountingshaftandsecure
with(large)1/8"hairpincotters.
FRONTOFTRACTOR
\
HITCH
PLATE
(LARGE) 1/8"
HAIRPIN COTTER KEEPER
PLATE
SLOT
MOUNTING
SHAFT
15
10
18
22
9
17
Raise and lock dethatcher in transport position (see
operation instructions on pages 9 and 10). Move
tractor with front mounted dethatcher onto a level
surface, such as a drive or garage floor. Lower the tine
dethatcher from transport position to rest on the level
surface.
Adjust tine shield until spring tines come in contact
with level surface, keeping front and back tines at
the same height. Tighten carriage bolts securing
mounting arms to angle brackets. See figure 15.
If you need more adjustment, try moving the axle
bushing up or down between the mounting arms. Be
sure to retighten the bolts securing the bushing.
MOUNTING
ARMS
AXLE
BUSHING ANGLE BRACKETS
GROUND

CUSTOMER RESPONSiBILiTiES
• Read and follow the maintenance schedule and the maintenance procedures listed in this section.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE _.,/__/_o_/'_ _/"/
Fill in dates as you .,,,i/_o_/:iA4 e_/_"
complete regular service. //_/,_/_°_ y Service Dates
CheckforloosefastenerSLubrication xX I I 1 I I I l I 1 I l
CHECK FOR LOOSE FASTENERS
Before each use check all nuts and bolts for
tightness. Tighten loose fasteners before using.
LUBRICATION
Before each use apply a small amount of motor oil
between washer and wheel bearing and between
washer and top of axle bushing. See figure 16.
OIL
FIGURE 16
LIFT HANDLE
SMALL HAIRPIN COTTER_
LOCK
BRACKET
CLEVIS PIN
"LIFT HANDLE
BRACKET
OPERATING TiPS
De-thatching is recommended for early spring, late fall and
prior to fertilizing. It is not recommended to de-thatch with
every mowing of the lawn. The tine dethatcher can be easily
removed for storage (Maintenance/Storage).
Always start with transmission in first (low) gear and
gradually increase speed as conditions permit.
Do not attempt to use dethatcher in field mowing.
For best results, use a "criss-cross" pattern on your lawn.
Vary vehicle speed to determine best speed.
The front and rear tines should be kept level.
Stop vehicle and lift dethatcher to transport position
when making sharp turns.
STORAGE
Always store in a dry area, and coat spring tines with
light oil when not in use.
TO REMOVE DETHATCHER FROM TRACTOR
(Refer to figure 17).
Lower dethatcher to ground.
Remove 3/32" (small) hairpin cotter and 3/8" x 3/4"
clevis pin from lift handle. Remove handle from
handle lift bracket.
Slide lift handle out between lift handle arm and
handle lock bracket.
FIGURE 17
(Refer to figure 18).
Remove the two outside (large) 1/8" hairpin cotters
from mounting shaft and slide keeper plates off ends
of mounting shaft.
Lift dethatcher from hitch bracket slots.
Reassemble hairpin cotters and keeper plates to
mounting shaft for storage.
MOUNTING
SHAFT SLOT
(LARGE) lm"
HAIRPIN COTTER
FIGURE 18
(LARGE) 1/8"
HAIRPIN
COTTER

KNOW YOUR DETHATCHER
HANDLE
LOCK
BRACKET
LIFT HANDLE
Raises and lowers
dethatcher.
HANDLE LOCK BRACKET
Locks lift handle in raised
transport position.
Leveling the dethatcher
•Move tractor with front mounted dethatcher onto a level
surface, such as a drive or garage floor.
Lower dethatcher from transport position to rest on
level surface.
Loosen carriage bolts through mounting arms and
angle brackets. (Refer to figure 3 on page 5.)
Adjust tine shield until spring tines come in contact with
level surface, keeping front and back tines at same
height. Tighten mounting arm carriage bolts on top of
dethatcher shield to lock adjustment. See figure 20.
If you need more adjustment, try moving the axle
bushing up or down between the mounting arms. Be
sure to retighten the bolts securing the bushing. See
figure 20.
MOUNTING
ARMS
AXLE
BUSHING ANGLE BRACKETS
FIGURE 20
HOW TO USE YOUR DETHATCHER
To raise dethatcher to transport position:
• Pull lift handle back so that stud in handle is pulled
past handle lock bracket. Push down and forward on
handle so that stud falls into notch on handle lock
bracket to lock in position. See figure 19.
To lower dethatcher to work position:
• Pull back and up on handle to release stud from notch
in handle lock bracket. Lower by holding up on handle
and pushing forward, allowing stud to pass through
lock bracket. See figure 19.
STUD
NOTCH
FIGURE 19 lO
To replace a spring tine:
a. Use a screw driver to pry the tabs up off of the
spring tine.
b. Remove old spring tine from the tray.
c. Slide a new spring tine under the locking tabs.
Insert a screw driver and bend down the locking
tabs until the ends of the tabs are bent down
even with the surface of the tray. See figure 21.
POCKET
FIGURE 21