Craftsman 247.282820 User manual

Operator's nual
CRAFTSMAN°
21 SteeJ Blade Dethatcher
Model No. 247.282820
For answers to your questions about this product,
call 1-800-4MY-HOME.
CAUTION: Before using this
product, read this manual and
follow aJl safety ruJes and operating
instructions.
,, SAFETY
,, ASSEMBLY
,, OPERATION
,, MAINTENANCE
,, PARTS LIST
,, ESPAI_OL R 30
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.
Visit our website: www.sears.com/craftsman
FormNo.769-04612
(May4,2009)

Warranty Statement ....................................................... 2
Safety instructions ......................................................... 3
Slope Guide .................................................................... 6
Safety Labels ................................................................. 7
Assembly ........................................................................ 8
Operation ..................................................................... 10
Service and Maintenance ........................................... 13
Off-Season Storage ..................................................... 18
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 19
Parts List ...................................................................... 20
Espa_ol ......................................................................... 30
Service Numbers ..................................................... Back
Cover
CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY
Ifthis Craftsmanproductfailsduetoa defectin materialor workmanshipwithintwo yearsfromthedateof purchase,returnittoanySears
store,Parts& RepairServiceCenter,or otherCraftsmanoutletin theUnitedStatesforfreerepair(or replacementif repairprovesimpos-
sible),
Thiswarrantyappliesforonly90daysifthisproductis everusedforcommercialor rentalpurposes.
ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.SearswillNOTpayfor:
• Expendableitemsthatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchasbelts,filters,sparkplugsordethatching
blades,
• Repairsnecessarybecauseof accident,suchas abentcrankshaft,or failuretooperateor maintaintheproductaccordingtoall
suppliedinstructions,
• Preventivemaintenance,or repairsnecessaryduetoimproperfuel mixture,contaminatedorstalefuel,
Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegal rights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstateto state.
Sears, Roebuckand Co.,HoffmanEstates,IL60179
EngineOil: 10W-30
Fuel: UnleadedGasoline
SparkPlug: TorchF6RTC
SparkPlugGap: .020"-.030"
ModelNumber
Serial Number
Dateof Purchase
Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,
anddateofpurchaseabove.
©SearsBrands,LLC 2

__IL Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstruc-
tionswhich,ifnotfollowed,couldendangerthe
personalsafetyand/orpropertyofyourselfand
others.Readandfollowallinstructionsinthis
manualbeforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failureto
complywiththeseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.When
youseethissymbol,HEEDITSWARNING!
Your Responsibility: Restricttheuseofthis powermachineto
personswhoread,understand,andfollowthewarningsand instruc-
tionsinthis manualandonthemachine.
Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothe rulesfor
safeoperationinthismanual.Aswithanytypeof powerequip-
ment,carelessnessor erroronthepartoftheoperatorcanresult
in seriousinjury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatinghandsand
feetandthrowingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety
instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryordeath.
EngineExhaust,someofitsconstituents,andcertainvehicle
[componentscontainor emitchemicalsknownto StateofCalifornia
[to causecancerand birthdefectsor otherreproductiveharm.
CHILDREN
,, Tragicaccidentscanoccurifoperatorisnotalerttopresenceof
children.Childrenareoftenattractedtooutdoorpowerequipment.
Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethatchildrenwill
remainwhereyoulastsawthem.
,, Keepchildrenoutofthe workareaand underwatchfulcareofa
responsibleadult otherthanthe operator.
,, Bealert andturndethatcheroffif a childentersthe area.
,, Beforeandwhile movingbackwards,lookbehindanddownfor small
children.
,, Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,
trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionofa childwhomay
runintothedethatcher.
,, Keepchildrenawayfrom hotor runningengines.Theycansuffer
burnsfrom ahotmuffler.
,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethedethatcher.
Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadandunderstandoperation
instructionsand safetyrulesin thismanualand shouldbetrainedand
supervisedbyanadult.
GENERAL OPERATION
• Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin itsentirety beforeattempt-
ingtoassemblethismachine.Read,understand,andfollow all
instructionsonthe machineandinthe manual(s)beforeoperation.
Becompletelyfamiliarwiththe controlsand the properuseofthis
machinebeforeoperatingit. Keepthismanualin a safe placefor
futureand regularreferenceand for orderingreplacementparts.
,, Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhowto
stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.
,, Do notstart enginewith bladesengaged.
,, Thismachineisaprecisionpieceof powerequipment,not a plaything.
Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatall times.Yourunithasbeen
designedto performonejob:to dethatchgrass.Donotuseit forany
otherpurpose.
,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethismachine.
Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand understandthe
instructionsin this manualand shouldbetrainedand supervisedbya
parent.
,, Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe
operationshouldbe allowedto usethismachine.
,, Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto beused.
Removeall stones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeign objects
whichcouldbetrippedoveror pickedupandthrownbythe det-
hatcher'sblades.Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.
,, Tohelpavoidbladecontactinjury,stayin operatorzonebehindbail
andkeepchildren,bystanders,helpers,andpetsat least75feet from
dethatcherwhile it isinoperation.Stop machineifanyoneentersarea.
3
,, Alwayswear safetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperationand
whileperforminganadjustmentor repairtoprotectyoureyes.Thrown
objectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.
,, Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand close-fittingslacksand
shirts.Shirts andpantsthat coverthe armsand legsandsteel-toed
shoesare recommended.Neveroperatethis machinein shorts,bare
feet,sandals,slipperyor lightweight(e.g.canvas)shoes.
,, Do notput handsorfeet nearor underbladehousingas blades
protrudebelowbottomof housing. Contactwith bladecanamputate
handsand feet. Keephandsand feetwayfromall rotatingparts.
,, Injurycanoccurif thedethatcherispulledoverthe foot duringa fall
causedby slippingortripping.Do notholdon tothedethatcherif you
arefalling; releasethe bailimmediately.
,, Neverpullthe dethatcherbacktowardyou whileyou arewalking.If
youmustbackthe dethatcherawayfroma wallor obstructionfirst look
downandbehindtoavoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:
,, Stepbackfromdethatcherto fullyextendyourarms.
,, Besureyouarewell balancedwithsurefooting.
,, Pullbackslowly,nomorethan halfwaytowardsyou.
,, Repeatthesestepsasneeded.
,, Do notoperatedethatcherwhileunderthe influenceof alcoholor
drugs.
,, Raisedethatcherto highestcutpositionbeforestartingengine.
,, Do notengagethe bladeswhilestartingengine.
,, Thebladecontrolbail isasafetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits
operation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinoperativeandmay
resultinpersonalinjurythroughcontactwiththe rotatingblade.The
bladecontrolbail mustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsand automati-
callyreturntothe disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
,, Neveroperatethe dethatcherin wetgrass.Alwaysbesureof your
footing. A slipandfall cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeel
youare losingyourfooting, releasethe bladecontrolbail immediately
andthe bladeswill stoprotating.
,, Dethatchonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
,, Stopthe bladeswhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.
,, Ifthe equipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe engine
andcheckimmediatelyfor thecause.Vibrationis generallya warning
oftrouble.
,, Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladescomestoa completestop
beforeremovingor uncloggingdebrisfrom underthe bladehousing.
Thecuttingbladesmaycontinuetorotateforafew secondsafterthe
engineisshutoff. Neverplaceany partofthe body inthe bladearea
untilyouaresure the bladeshasstoppedrotating.
,, Neveroperatedethatcherwithoutthe properbladecontrolbail,guards
andother safetyprotectivedevicesin placeandworking.Never
operatedethatcherwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failuretodosocan
resultinpersonalinjury.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Donottouch.
• Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthismachinebythe
manufacturer.Failuretodosocanresultinpersonalinjury.
• Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,thenpull
rapidly.Rapidretractionofstartercord(kickback)willpullhandand
armtowardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Brokenbones,fractures,
bruisesorsprainscouldresult.
• Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare
andgoodjudgment.ContactyourAuthorizedServiceCenterfor
assistance.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedto slipandfall accidentswhichcanresultin
severeinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoufeeluneasy
ona slope,donotdethatchit.Foryoursafety,usethe slopegaugeincluded
aspartofthismanualto measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis unitona
slopedorhillyarea.Ifthe slopeisgreaterthan15degrees,do notdethatch
it.
Do:
• Dethatchacrossthefaceof slopes;neverupanddown.Exercise
extremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.
• Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks, hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan
causeyoutoslipor trip.Tallgrasscan hideobstacles.
• Alwaysbe sureofyour footing.A slip andfall cancauseserious
personalinjury.Ifyoufeel youarelosingyourbalance,releasethe
bladecontrolbail immediately,andthe blade willstop rotatingwithin
severalseconds
Do Not:
• Do notdethatchneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,whereyou
couldloseyourfootingorbalance.
• Do notdethatchslopesgreaterthan 15degreesas shownonthe
slopegauge.
• Do notdethatchwet grass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.
SERVICE
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
• Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecare in
handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthevapors
areexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineis
spilledon yourselfor yourclotheswhichcan ignite.Washyourskin
andchangeclothesimmediately.
• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
• Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleoron a truckor trailerbedwith a
plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe groundawayfromyour
vehiclebeforefilling.
• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailerand refuelit
onthe ground.Ifthis is notpossible,then refuelsuchequipmentona
trailerwithaportablecontainer,ratherthanfrom a gasolinedispenser
nozzle.
• Keepthe nozzlein contactwiththe rimofthefueltank or container
openingatalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot usea nozzle
lock-opendevice.
• Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesand othersourcesof ignition.
• Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswillaccumu-
lateinthe area.
• Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhileengineishotor running.
Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbeforerefueling.
• Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltankto redindicatorbarinsidetank.
• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipe itoffthe engineandequipment.Moveunit
toanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.
• Neverstorethe machineorfuel containernearanopenflame,spark
or pilotlightas on awaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryer,
orother gasappliances.
• Toreducefire hazard,keepdethatcherfreeofgrass,leaves,or other
debrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuel spillageandremoveanyfuel
soakeddebris.
• Allowdethatcherto coolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.
General Service:
•Neverrun anengineindoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea. Engine
exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.
• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladesand
all movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireand
groundagainstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.
• Checkthe bladeand enginemountingfastenersatfrequentintervals
forpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladesfor damage(e.g.,
bent,cracked,worn)Replacebladeswiththeoriginalequipment
manufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly.Useof partswhich donot meetthe
originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproperperformance
andcompromisesafety!
• Dethatcherbladesmaybesharpandcan cut.Wrapthe bladeor wear
gloves,and useextracautionwhenservicingthem.
• Keepall nuts,bolts,and screwstightto besurethe equipmentis in
safeworkingcondition.
• Nevertamperwithsafety devices.Checktheirproperoperation
regularly.
• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthespark
plugwireandgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthe
dethatcherfor anydamage.Repairthe damagebeforestartingand
operatingthe dethatcher.
• Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandreplaceim-
mediatelywithoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly.
Useof partswhichdonot meettheoriginalequipmentspecifications
mayleadto improperperformanceand compromisesafety!
• Do notchangethe enginegovernorsettingor overspeedtheengine.
Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeedofthe
engine.Donotcrankenginewithsparkplugremoved.
• Checkfuelline,tank, cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor leaks.
Replaceif necessary.
• Maintainor replacesafetyand instructionlabels,asnecessary.
• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.Improperdisposalof
fluidsandmaterialscanharmthe environment.
YourResponsibility:Restrictthe useofthispowermachineto personswhoread,understand,andfollowthe warningsand instructionsin thismanualandonthe
machine.
4

SAFETY SYMBOLS
Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson the
machinebeforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.
® =
®
READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)
Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble
and operate
WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES
Keep hands out of inlet and discharge openings while machine is running. There are rotating
blades inside
BYSTANDERS
Keep bystanders, pets, and children at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation.
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
WARNING-- THROWN DEBRIS
Remove debris (i.e. rocks, sticks, wire) and other objects which can be thrown by the blades
EYEPROTECTION
Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles when operating this machine.
5

Usethispageasa guideto determineslopeswhereyou maynotoperatesafely.Donot operatethedethatcheron suchslopes.
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Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,ifnotfollowed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof yourself
andothers.Readandfollowallinstructionsin thismanualbeforeattemptingtooperatethis machine.Failuretocomplywiththeseinstruc-
tionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!
6

WARNING
This symbol points outimportant safety instructions
which, ifnot followed,could endangerthe personal
safety and/or property of yourself and others. Readand
follow all instructionsin this manualbeforeattempting
to operatethis machine.Failureto comply withthese
instructions mayresult in personalinjury.When you see
this symbol HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe useofthis powermachineto personswho
read, understand,and follow the warningsand instruc-
tions in this manualand on the machine.
7

NOTE:Referencesto rightorleft sideof thedethatcherare
determinedfrom behindtheunitintheoperatingposition(standing
directlybehindthedethatcher,facingthehandlepanel).
REMOVING FROM CARTON
1. Cutthecornersofthecartonandlaythesidesflat onthe
ground.Removeanddiscardall packinginserts.
2. Movethedethatcheroutofthecarton.
3. Makecertainthecartonhasbeencompletelyemptiedbefore
discardingit.
ASSEMBLY
Positioning the Handle
1. Removeknobsfromhandles.
2. Placelowerhandleasshown.See Figure1.
4. Placeupperhandleon lowerhandle.
5. Insertknobsintotopholeofthelowerhandleand bottomhole
oftheupperhandleandtighten.SeeFigure2.
Figure2
Attaching Remote Pulley Starter
Theropeguideisattachedtothe rightsideoftheupperhandle.
Loosenthenutwhichsecuresittotheupperhandle.SeeFigure3.
f
Figure1
Insertknobsintothetopnotchofthebaseofthedethatcher
andbottomholeofthehandleandtighten.
Figure3
a. Holdthebladecontrolbailagainsttheupperhandle.
b. Slowlypullstarterropeoutofengine.
c. Slipstarterropeintothe ropeguide.
d. Tightenropeguidenut.
J
8

Securing Cables
Cablesareattachedto theirrespectivecontrols,but areleft unat-
tachedtothehandletoeaseassembly;however,theywillneedto
besecuredto thelowerhandlebytheprovidedcabletie. See
Figure4.
f
Figure4
Fuel recommendations
Useautomotivegasoline(unleadedor lowleadedtominimize
combustionchamberdeposits)witha minimumof87octane.
Gasolinewithupto 10%ethanolor 15%MTBE(MethylTertiary
ButylEther)canbeused.Neverusean oil/gasolinemixtureordirty
gasoline.Avoidgettingdirt,dust, orwaterin thefueltank.DONOT
useE85gasoline.
• Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththeenginestopped.Donot
smokeor allowflamesor sparksintheareawheretheengineis
refueledorwheregasolineis stored.
• Donotoverfillthefueltank.Afterrefueling,makesurethetank
capisclosedproperlyand securely.
• Becarefulnottospillfuelwhenrefueling.Spilledfuelor fuel
vapormayignite.Ifanyfuelisspilled,makesuretheareaisdry
beforestartingtheengine.
• Avoidrepeatedor prolongedcontactwithskinor breathingof
vapor.
Adding fuel
Removethegascap,checkthefuellevelandaddfuelif necessary.
Donotfill past"FuelLevel"markeringastank.Iftankisoverfilled,
waituntilfuelva
Adding oil
Theengineis shippedwithoutoil in theengine.Youmustfillthe
enginewithoil beforeoperating.Runningtheenginewithinsuf-
ficientoilcancauseseriousenginedamageandvoidtheproduct
warranty.
1. Removetheoil fillercap/dipstickandwipethedipstickclean.
SeeFigure5.
f
Figure5
NOTE:Donotscrewinthedipstickwhencheckingtheoil level.
Simplyplacethedipstickcaponthetopoftheoil reservoiropening.
2. Slowlyaddoil untiltheoil levelregistersbetweenhigh(H)
andlow(L)onthedipstick,Figure4. Refertothe Serviceand
Maintenancesectionforthecorrectoil viscosityandengineoil
capacity.
Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely
flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelthemachine
indoorsorwhiletheengineis hotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,
cigars,pipesandothersourcesofignition.
Alwayskeephandsandfeetclearofequipmentmovingparts.Do
notusea pressurizedstartingfluid.Vaporsare flammable.
9

BailInterlock
ThrottleControl
/
Choke
Control
BladeControl
Oil Fill Bail
l RecoilStarter
Gasoline
Cap
HeightAdjustment
Lever
Figure6
CHOKE CONTROL
Activatingthe choke controlcloses the choke plate on carburetor
and aids instarting engine.
THROTTLE CONTROL
The throttle controlis located on the engine, it regulates the speed
ofthe engine (Rabbit being the fastest, Turtlebeing the slowest) and
willshut off the engine when pushed to the STOP position.
RECOIL STARTER
Thestarterhandleisusedtostarttheengine,
GASOLINE CAP
Removethegascaptoaddfuel.
OIL FILL
Engineoil levelcanbe checkedandoiladdedthroughtheoilfill.
BLADE CONTROL BAIL
Locatedon theupperhandle,the bladecontrolhandleis usedto
engageanddisengagedrivetothecuttingblades.Squeezethe
controlhandleagainsttheupperhandleto engagetheblades;
releaseittodisengage.
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER
Theheightadjustmentleverraisesand lowersthecuttingblades.
Usethe1-settingfortransportation,settings2through5 for
dethatching.Settings3, 4,and5 arenotneededuntilthebladesare
tooworntobeeffectiveon setting2.Optimumcuttingdepthis1/8of
an inch.
BAIL INTERLOCK
Thebailinterlocklocksthebladecontrolhandleinplaceto prevent
unwantedengagingofthecuttingblades.
10

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Read,understandandfollowallthe instructionsandwarningson
themachineandin thismanualbeforeoperating.
Thesparkplugwirewasdisconnectedforsafety.Attachthespark
plugwiretothesparkplugbeforestarting.SeeFigure7.
O
Figure7
_ressurizedstartinc flammable.
Toavoidcarbonmonoxidepoisoning,makesuretheengineis
outdoorsin awell-ventilatedarea.
1. Setthethrottletothefast_position.
2. Setthechoketo theFULLi'_"1 position.
3. Grasptherecoilstarterhandleandpulltheropeoutslowly,until
it pullsslightlyharder.Lettheroperewindslowly.SeeFigure8.
NOTE:Thebladecontrolbaildoesnotneedto beengagedto start
theengine.
4. Pulltherecoilstarterhandlerapidly.Donotallowthehandleto
snapback.Allowitto rewindslowlywhilekeepinga firmhold
onthehandle.
5. Astheenginewarmsup andbeginstooperateevenly,slidethe
chokeleverslowlytothe1/2chokeposition.Whentheengine
I÷II
beginstorunsmoothly,movethechoketotheOFF_ _posi-
tion.If theenginefails,returntoFULLI_1 choke thenslowly
m a
moveto1/2chokethentheOFF_ _position.
/
j,
Figure8
STOPPING THE DETHATCHER
1. Releasegriponbladecontrolbailtostopblades.
2. SetthethrottletotheSTOPpositiontoturnoff theengine.
3. Settheheightadjustmentlevertothe1-setting.
NOTE:Ifthebladesbecomestuckwhenbeingreturnedtothe
1-setting,gentlypushdownonthehandletopropthemachineon
thebacktwowheelswhiletheleverisraised.
Muffler,engineand surroundingareasbecomehotandcancause
a burn.Becarefulanddo nottouchwhenthey_arehot.
11

USING THE DETHATCHER
Dethatchthelawnonceinthespringandonceinthefalltoclear
deadand/ordyinggrassfromthelawn,and toallowmoreairto
flowthroughtheground.Grassshouldbe 21/2incheshighwhen
dethatched.Afterdethatching,fertilizeandwaterthelawntoencour-
agequickergrowth.
Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhich
coulddamagedethatcheror engine.Suchobjectscouldbe ac-
cidentlythrownbythedethatcherin anydirectionandcauseserious
personalinjurytotheoperatorandothers.
1. Releasebailinterlockandengagebladecontrolbailto start
blades.SeeFigure9.
.
Figure9
Settheheightadjustmentleverto theappropriateslot;2 being
thehighestsetting,5 beingthelowest.Settings3,4,and5
arenotneededuntilthebladesare toowornto beeffectiveon
setting2.Optimumcuttingdepthis1/8ofaninch.SeeFigure10.
\
(
Figure10
• If dethatcherbecomesstuckduringuse,gentlypushdownon
handleto raisefrontwheels
•Donotdriveoverdiscardedthatchasthiscreatesan uneven
cuttingheight
•Whendethatching,leaveapproximatelyeightinchesofsoilbe-
tweenthefirstandseconddethatchingpaths;rakedethatched
grassfromfirstandsecondpaththendethatchbetweenthetwo
paths.
•Whenturning,pivotdethatcheronbacktwowheelswithblades
disengaged.
Donotmakesharpturnswithcuttingbladesengaged.Thiswill
bendblades.
TRANSPORTING THE DETHATCHER
1. Setthe heightadjustmentlevertothe1-setting.
2. Pushtonewlocation.
Donotsetthecuttingbladestoodeep;doingsowillshortenthelife
ofthebladedrivebelt.
12

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall
controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo
acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe
enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring
operationorwhileperforminganyadjustmentsor repairs.
Eachuse 1. Engineoillevel
2. Dethatcherandexhaustarea
1st5 hours 1. Engineoil
Every5 hours 1. Engineoil
2. Exhaustarea
25 hours 1. Sparkplug
Everyseason/5Ohours 1. Engineoil
Everyseason/lOOhours 1. Sparkplug
2. Airfilter
Everyseason/Before 1. Pivotpoints
storage 2. Controlhandle
3. Extensionspring
Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischart
describesserviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumn
tokeeptrackofcompletedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the
nearest SearsService Centeror to scheduleservice,simply
contactSearsat 1-800-4-MY-HOME®,
1. Check
2. Clean
1. Change
1. Check
2. Clean
2. Check
1. Change
1. Clean,replace,re-gap
2. Replacepaperfilter
1. Lubricate
2. Lubricate
3. Lubricate
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
Topreventaccidentalstart-up,shutoffthe engineand removethe
sparkplugbeforeperforminganytypeofenginemaintenance.
Periodicinspectionandadjustmentof theengineisessentialifhigh
levelperformanceistobe maintained.Regularmaintenancewill
alsoensurea longservicelife.Therequiredserviceintervalsand
thetypeofmaintenanceto beperformedaredescribedinthetable
above.Followthe hourlyor calendarintervals,whicheveroccur
first.Morefrequentserviceisrequiredwhenoperatinginadverse
conditions.
Changing Engine Oil
Theengineoil shouldbechangedafterthefirstfive hoursof useand
thenonceaseasonor afterevery50 hoursof use.
NOTE:Checktheoillevelbeforeeachuseandaftereveryfivehours
ofoperationtobesurethecorrectoil levelismaintained.Referto
CheckingOil LevelintheOperationSection.
1. Drainfuelfromthetankbyrunningtheengineuntilthefueltank
isempty.Besurethefuelfillcapissecure.
2. Placea suitableoil collectioncontainerundertheoildrainplug.
.Removetheoil drainplug.SeeFigure11.
J
Figure11
4. Tiptheenginetodrainoil intothecontainer.Usedoil mustbe
disposedof ata propercollectioncenter.
5. Reinstallthedrainplugandtightenitsecurely.
6. Refillwiththe recommendedoil andchecktheoil level;referto
AddingOilintheAssemblySectionforinstructions..
7. Reinstalltheoilfillercap/dipsticksecurely.
)ossibleafterhandlingusedoil.
13

NOTE:Pleasedisposeof usedmotoroil ina mannerthat isfriendly
totheenvironment.Takeit toa recyclingcenterorothercollection
center,
Oil Recommendations
Whenaddingoiltotheengine,add10%30 engineoil. Engineoil
capacityis600rnl(approx.20oz.). Donotover-fill.Usea 4-stroke,
oran equivalenthighdetergent,premiumqualitymotoroil certifiedto
meetor exceedU.S.automobilemanufacturer'srequirementsfor
serviceclassificationSG,SE MotoroilsclassifiedSG,SFwillshow
thisdesknationonthecontainer.
DONOTusenon-detergentoil or2-strokeengineoil.Itcould
shortentheengine'sservicelife.
Spark Plug
cranktheen(!mewiththe removed.
If theenginehasbeenrunning,themufflerwillbe veryhot.Be
carefulnotto touchthemuffler.
Thesparkplug(TorchF6RTC)shouldbecheckedevery25 hours
andchangedoncea seasonorevery 100hours.Toensureproper
engineoperation,thesparkplugmustalsobeproperlygappedand
freeofdeposits.
1. Removethe sparkplugbootandusea sparkplugwrenchto
removetheplug,Figure12.
,Figure12
Visuallyinspectthesparkplug.Discardthesparkplugif there
isanyapparentwear,or iftheinsulatoriscrackedorchipped.
Cleanthesparkplugwitha wirebrushif itistobe reused.
3. Measurethepluggapwitha feelergauge.Correctasneces-
sarybybendingthesideelectrode,Figure13.Thegapshould
be setto .02-.03inches(0.70-0.80turn).
Electrode
_==== .02-.03 in.
(0.70-0.80 ram)
Figure13
4. Checkthatthesparkplugwasherisingoodconditionand
threadthe sparkplugin byhandtopreventcross-threading.
5. Afterthesparkplugisseated,tightenwitha sparkplugwrench
tocompressthewasher.
NOTE:Wheninstallinga newsparkplug,tighten1/2-turnafterthe
sparkplugseatstocompressthewasher.Whenreinstallinga used
sparkplug,tighten1/8-to 1/4-turnafterthesparkplugseatsto
)tessthewasher.
Thesparkplugmustbetightenedsecurely.A loosesparkplugcan
becomever hotandcan darna e theen ine.
Cleaning the Engine
If theenginehasbeenrunning,allowit tocoolforatleasthalfan
hourbeforecleaning.Periodicallyremovedirtbuild-upfromengine.
Donotspraytheenginewithwatertocleanit becausethewater
couldcontaminatethefuel.Usinga gardenhoseor pressure
washingequipmentcanalsoforcewaterintothemuffleropening.
Waterthatpassesthroughthemufflercanenterthecylinderand
causedamage.
Accumulationofdebrisaroundthemufflercouldcauseafire.
Inspectandcleanbeforeeveryuse.
LUBRICATION
Lubricatethepivotpointsonthebladecontrolbailandtheextension
springattheendofthecontrolcablewitha lightoil onceevery
seasonandbeforethesnowthroweris putintostorageattheendof
theseason.
14

ADJUSTMENTS
Blade Cutting Height
Thedethatcherisdesignedtocut1/8ofan inchintotheground.At
thebeginningoftheproductlifeusethe2-setting.Astheblades
wearitwillbe necessarytoincreasethedepthofthecuttingblades
byusingthe3, 4,and5 settings.
BELT REPLACEMENT
Blade Drive Belt
1. Removethebeltcoverbyremovingthethreehexscrewsthat
secureittotheframeandpressingthetoptwonotchesin.See
Figure14.
.Removethebeltbypullingoverandoutfromthetoppulley.
Swingthebeltkeeperdownwardsto releasebeltfromlower
pulley.SeeFigure16.
/
/
i
\/
BeltKeeper
.
Figure14
Removetheupperleftpulley.SeeFigure15.
Figure15
Figure16
Toreplacethe beltfollowtheseinstructions:
1. Routethebeltaroundthetopandbottompulleys.See
Figure17.
Figure17
2. Reinstallthepulleyremovedearlier,fittingthebeltintothe
pulleyasthepulleyslidesintothebeltkeeper.SeeFigure15.
3. Reinstallthebeltcoverremovedearlier.
15

BLADE REPLACEMENT
Whenthebladesbecometoodull todethatchonthe5-setting,or
ifanyofthebladesbreak,followthesestepsto replacetheblade
assembly.
1. Removethe beltcoverasdescribedintheBeltReplacement
section.
2. Removethe bottompulley.SeeFigure18.
Toreplacethebladeassemblyreferto Figure20.
.
4.
.
Figure18
Removethe sixscrewson theleftand rightside.SeeFigure16.
Turnthedethatcheron its leftside,withthe engineclosestto
theground.
Slidethe bladeassemblyoutfromthe rightside(oppositethe
engine)andlift uponcethe bladeassemblyisclearofthe
housing.SeeFigure19.
Figure20
1. Insertthebladeassemblyleftsidefirst.
2. Pulltherightsideofthehousingframeout.
3. Slidetherightsideofthebladeassemblyintoposition.
4. Replacethe screwsremovedearlier.
5. Reinstallthepulleyand beltcoverremovedearlier.
Figure19 J
16

AiR FILTER
Paperfilterscannotbecleanedandmustbe replacedoncea year
orevery 100operatinghours;moreoftenifusedin extremelydusty
conditions.
Neverusegasolineor lowflashpointsolventsforcleaningtheair
cleanerelement.A fireor explosioncouldresult.
NOTE:Neverruntheenginewithouttheaircleaner.Rapidengine
wearwillresult.
1. Pressthetabontheairfiltercoverand liftthecover.SeeFigure
21.Replacepaperelementwhendirtyordamaged.Cleanfoam
elementor replacewhendamaged.
f
Figure21
2. Tocleanfoamelement,separateitfromthepaperelementand
washin liquiddetergentandwater.Allowittodrythoroughly
beforeusing.Donotoil thefoamelement.
17

Ifthedethatcherwillnotbe usedfor30 daysorlonger,theequipmentneedstobe storedproperly.Followstorageinstructionsbelowto
ensuretopperformancefromthedethatcherformanymoreyears.
PREPARING THE ENGINE
Enginesstoredover30daysneedtobedrainedoffueltoprevent
deteriorationandgumfromforminginthefuelsystemor onessential
carburetorparts.If thegasolineinyourenginedeterioratesduring
storage,youmayneedto havethecarburetor,andotherfuelsystem
components,servicedor replaced.
1. Removeall fuelfromthetankbyrunningtheengineuntilit
stops.
2. Changetheengineoil.
3. Removethe sparkplugandpourapproximately1oz.(30 ml)of
cleanengineoil intothecylinder.Pullthe recoilstarterseveral
timestodistributetheoil,and reinstallthesparkplug.
4. Cleandebrisfromaroundtheengine,and under,around,and
behindthemuffler.Applya lightfilmofoilon anyareasthatare
susceptibletorust.
5. Storeina clean,dry andwellventilatedareaawayfromany
appliancethatoperateswitha flameor pilot light,suchas a
furnace,waterheateror clothesdryer.Avoidanyareawith
a sparkproducingelectricmotor,orwherepowertoolsare
operated.
6. if possible,avoidstorageareaswithhighhumidity.
7. Keeptheenginelevelin storage.Tiltingtheengine cancause
fuelor oil leakage.
PREPARING DETHATCHER
Ifthedethatcherwillnotbeusedfor30 daysor longer,followthe
instructionsbelow.
1. Storetheequipmentin aclean,dryarea.
2. Ifstoringthedethatcherin an unventilatedarea,rustproofthe
metalpartsof themachinewitha lightoil or siliconecoating.
3. Cleantheexterioroftheengineandthedethatcher.
18

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageallcontrolsandstoptheengine.Waituntilall
movingpartshavecometoacompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheenginetoprevent
unintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduringoperationorwhileperforminganyadjustmentsorrepairs.
Thissectionaddresses minorserviceissues.Tolocate the nearestSearsService Centeror toscheduleservice,simplycontact
Searsat 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
Enginefailstostart
Enginerunserratically
1. Fueltankempty,or stalefuel.
2. Blockedfuelline.
3. Sparkplugwiredisconnected.
4. Faultysparkplug.
1. Enginerunningon choke.
2. Fuellineblocked,or stalefuel.
3. Wateror dirtin fuelsystem.
4. Carburetoroutofadjustment.
Engineoverheats 1. Carburetoroutofadjustment.
Lossofpower 1. Sparkplugwireloose.
2. Ventingascapplugged.
Excessivevibration 1. Loosepartsor damagedblades
1. Filltankwithcleanfreshgasoline.
2. Cleanfuelline.
3. Connectwiretosparkplug.
4. Cleansparkplug,readjustgap,or replace.
1. MovechokelevertoOFFposition.
2. Cleanfuellineandfilltankwithfresh,clean
gasoline.
3. Drainfueltank.Refillwithfreshfuel.
4. ContactaSearsServiceCenter.
1. ContactaSearsServiceCenter.
1. Firmlyconnectsparkplugwire.
2. Clearvent.
1. Stopengineimmediatelyanddisconnectspark
plugwire.Checkforpossibledamage.Tighten
allboltsandnuts. Repairas needed.If problem
persists,takedethatchertoa SearsService
Dealer.
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19

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