Craftsman 486.245951 User manual

Owner's Manual
Model No. 486.245951
TOW BROADCAST SPREADER
®
• Safety
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Parts
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 49914 (REV. 05/09/08)
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
www.sears.com/craftsman
CAUTION:
Before using this product, read
this manual and follow all Safety
Rules and Operating Instructions.
STOP
DO NOT RETURN TO STORE
For Missing Parts or Assembly
Questions Call 1-866-576-8388

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY RULES ..........................................................3
FULL SIZE HARDWARE CHART ................................4
CARTON CONTENTS .................................................5
ASSEMBLY ..................................................................5
OPERATION ..............................................................10
MAINTENANCE/STORAGE ......................................12
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ............................... 13
TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................... 13
REPAIR PARTS ILLUSTRATION .............................. 14
REPAIR PARTS LIST................................................. 15
PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE .....................Back Page
MODEL NUMBER: 486.245951
SERIAL NUMBER: __________________
DATE OF PURCHASE: __________________
The model number and serial numbers will be found on
a decal attached to the tubular frame.
You should record both the serial number and the date of
purchase and keep in a safe place for future reference.
WARRANTY
ONE YEAR FULL WARRANTY
When operated and maintained according to the instructions supplied with it, if this Spreader fails due to a defect in material
or workmanship within one year from the date of purchase, call 1-800-4-MY-HOME® to arrange for free repair (or replacement
if repair proves impossible).
If this product is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., D817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

3
SAFETY
Any power equipment can cause injury if operated improperly or if the user does not understand how to operate the equipment.
Exercise caution at all times, when using power equipment.
Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means — Attention!! Become
alert!! Your safety is involved.
• Read the towing vehicle owners manual and towing
vehicle safety rules. Know how to operate your tractor
before using the broadcast spreader attachment.
• Read the chemical label instructions and cautions for
handling and applying the chemicals purchased for
spreading.
• Wear eye and hand protection when handling and
when applying lawn or garden chemicals.
• Never operate tractor and spreader attachment
without wearing substantial footwear, and do not allow
anyone to ride or sit on spreader attachment frame.
• Never allow children to operate the tractor or spreader
attachment, and do not allow adults to operate without
proper instructions.
• Always begin with the transmission in rst (low) gear
and with the engine at low speed, and gradually
increase speed as conditions permit.
• When towing broadcast spreader do not drive too
close to a creek or ditch and be alert for holes and
other hazards which could cause you to loose control
of the broadcast spreader and tractor.
• Before operating vehicle on any grade (hill) refer
to the safety rules in the vehicle owner's manual
concerning safe operation on slopes. Stay off steep
slopes!
• Follow maintenance and lubrication instructions as
outlined in this manual.

4
HARDWARE PACKAGE CONTENTS
E
F
DCBA
J
K
L
G
HI
M
N
O
PQR
NOT SHOWN FULL SIZE
SHOWN FULL SIZE
U
T
V
S
L 1 Cotter Pin, 3/32" x 3/4"
M 2 Cotter Pin, 1/8 x 1-1/2"
N 1 Hair Cotter Pin, 1/8"
O 1 Hitch Pin
P 2 Spacers
Q 1 Nylon Wing Nut
R 1 Adjustable Stop
S 1 Vinyl Cap
T 1 Grip
U 1 Flow Control Link
V 1 Drive Pin
KEY QTY. DESCRIPTION
A 4 Hex Bolt, 5/16" x 1-3/4"
B 6 Hex Bolt, 1/4" x 1-3/4"
C 2 Hex Bolt, 3/8" x 3/4"
D 2 Hex Bolt, 1/4" x 1"
E 1 Carriage Bolt, 1/4" x 3/4"
F 8 Nylock Hex Nut, 1/4"
G 4 Nylock Hex Nut, 5/16"
H 2 Nylock Hex Nut, 3/8"
I 4 Nylon Washer
J 7 Flat Washer, 5/16"
K 4 Flat Washers 3/4"
KEY QTY. DESCRIPTION

5
CARTON CONTENTS
1. Hopper Assembly
2. Braces (4)
3. Flow Control Rod
4. Flow Control Mounting Tube
5. Wheels (2)
6. Hitch Extension Bracket
ASSEMBLY
4
5
6
1
8
2
3
11
12
OFF
ON
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
5
7
9
10
7. Hitch Bracket
8. Hitch Tube
9. Flow Control Mount Bracket
10. Flow Control Arm
11. Hopper Cover
12. Screen
Hardware Package (see page 4)
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
(1) Pliers
(2) 7/16" Wrenches
(2) 1/2" Wrenches
(2) 9/16" Wrenches
REMOVAL OF PARTS FROM CARTON
Remove all parts and hardware packages from the
carton. Lay out all parts and hardware and identify using
the illustrations on pages 4 and 5.

6
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
• Turn the spreader upside down as shown in gure 1.
• Remove the lock nut from the middle bolt in the
crossover tube and shaft support plate. Leave the bolt
in place. See gure 1.
• Assemble the hitch tube onto the middle bolt and
secure it with the same lock nut you removed. DO
NOT TIGHTEN YET. See gure 1.
IMPORTANT: The hitch tube must attach to the side of
the crossover tube opposite the shaft support plate.
1/4" x 1-3/4"
HEX BOLT
1/4" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
HITCH BRACE
OUTER
HITCH
TUBE
HITCH BRACE
OUTER
• Assemble a spacer, a 3/4" at washer, a wheel (air
valve facing out) and another 3/4" at washer onto
the end of the axle that has only the small hole. See
gure 3.
• Install a 1/8" x 1-1/2" cotter pin into hole in the axle.
See gure 3.
SMALL HOLE
SPACER
3/4" DIA.
FLAT WASHER
1/8" x 1-1/2"
COTTER PIN
AIR VALVE
FIGURE 4
• Assemble a spacer, a 3/4" at washer, a wheel (air
valve facing out) and another 3/4" at washer onto
the end of the axle that has both the large and small
holes. See gure 4.
• Install a 1/8" x 3/4" cotter pin into the small hole in the
end of the axle. See gure 4.
• Open the bail on the drive pin and install it through the
wheel and the large hole in the axle. Close the bail to
lock the pin in place. See gure 4.
DRIVE PIN
AIR VALVE SPACER
3/4" DIA.
FLAT WASHER
1/8" x 1-1/2"
COTTER PIN
CROSSOVER
TUBE
HITCH
TUBE
SHAFT
SUPPORT
PLATE
MIDDLE
LOCK NUT
MIDDLE BOLT
FIGURE 1
• Assemble two hitch braces per side to the inside of
the hopper frame using a 1/4" x 1-3/4" hex bolt and
1/4" hex lock nut on each side. DO NOT TIGHTEN
YET. See gure 2.
• Assemble the OUTER hitch braces to the hitch tube
using a 1/4" x 1-3/4" hex bolt and a 1/4" nylock hex
nut. DO NOT TIGHTEN YET. Do not assemble the
inner hitch braces at this time. See gure 2.

7
• Turn the spreader upright on its wheels.
• Assemble the ow control mounting tube to the hitch
tube using two 5/16" x 1-3/4" hex bolts and 5/16"
nylock hex nuts. DO NOT TIGHTEN YET. See gure 5.
• Assemble the vinyl cap onto the ow control mounting
tube. See gure 5.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
• Assemble the two INNER hitch braces to the ow
control mounting tube using a 1/4" x 1-3/4" hex bolt
and a 1/4" nylock hex nut. DO NOT TIGHTEN YET.
See gure 6.
• TIGHTEN all nuts and bolts assembled up to this
point. Do not collapse the tubes when tightening.
1/4" x 1-3/4"
HEX BOLT
1/4" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
HITCH BRACE
INNER
FLOW CONTROL
MOUNTING TUBE
HITCH BRACE
INNER
5/16" x 1-3/4"
HEX BOLT
5/16" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
VINYL CAP
FLOW CONTROL
MOUNTING TUBE
FIGURE 8
• Assemble the vinyl grip onto the ow control arm. See
gure 8.
• Insert the ow control arm down through the slot in
the ow control bracket. Assemble the small hole of
the ow control link to the ow control arm using a
1/4" x 1" hex bolt, a nylon washer and a 1/4" nylock
hex nut as shown in gure 8. Tighten carefully. The
ow control link should be snug but should pivot with
no more than slight resistance.
• Assemble the ow control mounting bracket to the
ow control mounting tube using two 5/16" x 1-3/4"
hex bolts, four 5/16" at washers and two 5/16" nylock
hex nuts. DO NOT TIGHTEN YET. See gure 7.
FIGURE 7
5/16" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
5/16" x 1-3/4"
HEX BOLT
5/16" FLAT
WASHER
OFF
ON
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
5
1/4" x 1"
HEX BOLT
1/4" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
OFF
ON
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
5
FLOW
CONTROL
LINK
(small hole)
NYLON
WASHER
VINYL GRIP

8
• Hook the double bent end of the ow control rod
through the hole in the slide gate bracket located near
the bottom of the hopper. See gure 10.
• Assemble the ow control arm to the ow control
mounting bracket using a 1/4" x 1" hex bolt, two nylon
washers and a 1/4" nylock hex nut. Tighten carefully.
The ow control arm should be snug but should pivot
with no more than slight resistance. See gure 9.
FIGURE 9
• Place a 5/16" at washer onto the other end of the
ow control rod. Insert the end of the rod through the
curved slot in the ow control mounting bracket and
through the hole in the ow control link. Secure with
a 5/16" at washer and a 3/32" x 3/4" cotter pin. See
gure 11.
NOTE: You can leave off the second washer if there is
not enough room on the end of the rod.
FIGURE 10
OFF
ON
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
5
1/4" x 1"
HEX BOLT
1/4" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
NYLON
WASHERS (2)
• Place the adjustable stop into the "ON" end of the slot
in the top of the ow control mounting bracket. Secure
with the 1/4" x 3/4" carriage bolt, a nylon washer, a
5/16" at washer and the nylon wing nut. See gure
12.
FIGURE 12
FIGURE 11
NYLON
WING NUT
OFF
ON
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
5
5/16" FLAT
WASHER
NYLON
WASHER
ADJUSTABLE
STOP
1/4" x 3/4"
CARRIAGE BOLT
5/16" FLAT
WASHER
3/32" HAIR
COTTER PIN
FLOW
CONTROL
ROD
OFF
ON
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
5
5/16" FLAT
WASHER
• Position the ow control mounting bracket. See gure
13.
a. Push on ow control arm until it locks in "OFF"
position.
b. Slide ow control mounting bracket along tube
until closure plate in bottom of hopper just
closes.
c. Snug the 5/16" nylock hex nuts just enough to
hold ow control mounting bracket in place.
d. Set adjustable stop at "5". Pull ow control arm
against stop. Verify that closure plate has opened
about half way.
e. If closure plate does not open half way, adjust
position of ow control mounting bracket until
closure plate will open about half way at "5"
and will still close when arm is locked in "OFF"
position. Tighten the 5/16" nylock hex nuts.

9
• For most vehicles, assemble the hitch extension
bracket to the holes in the hitch tube shown at the
top of gure 16. Use two 1/4" x 1-3/4" hex bolts and
1/4" nylock hex nuts tightened only nger tight. Attach
the spreader hitch to your vehicle hitch. Check for
interference with the spreader directly behind and out
to both sides of the vehicle. Lift the spreader at each
position to make sure there is no interference with the
spreader's ow control. If there is interference with
the rear of the vehicle, assemble the hitch extension
bracket as shown at the bottom of gure 16. Tighten
the bolts and nuts when nished.
FIGURE 16
• Assemble the hitch bracket to the hitch extension
bracket using two 3/8" x 3/4" hex bolts (inserted from
the bottom) and two 3/8" nylock hex nuts. See gure
15.
• Assemble the hitch pin through the hitch bracket and
the hitch extension bracket and secure with the hair
cotter pin. See gure 15.
1/4" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
1/4" x 1-3/4"
HEX BOLT
3/8" x 3/4"
HEX BOLT
3/8" NYLOCK
HEX NUT
HITCH PIN
1/8" HAIR
COTTER PIN
FIGURE 15
FIGURE 13
FLOW
CONTROL
ARM
OFF
ON
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
5
ADJUSTABLE
STOP
(SETTING "5")
ON
OFF
24. Place the screen down into the hopper, sliding the
edge of the screen under one of the clips. Slightly bow
the screen to slide the opposite side of the screen
under the other clip. See gure 14.
FIGURE 14
CLIPS
CLIP SCREEN

10
OPERATION
KNOW YOUR SPREADER
Read this owner's manual and safety rules before operating your spreader.
Compare the illustration below with your spreader to familiarize yourself with the various controls and their locations.
FLOW CONTROL ARM - Opens and closes the closure
plate in the bottom of the hopper.
ADJUSTABLE STOP - Limits how far the closure plate
opens.
CLOSURE PLATE - Slides to open or close the opening
in the bottom of the hopper.
HITCH EXTENSION BRACKET - Adjusts to allow more
clearance between the spreader and towing vehicle
HOW TO USE YOUR SPREADER
SETTING THE FLOW CONTROL
(Refer to gure 13 on page 9.)
• Loosen the nylon wing nut, set the adjustable stop to
the desired ow rate setting and retighten the wing
nut. The higher the setting number, the wider the
opening in the bottom of the hopper.
• Refer to the application chart on page 11 and to the
instructions on the fertilizer bag to select the proper
ow rate setting.
• Pull the ow control arm against the adjustable stop
for the on position and toward the hopper for the off
position.
FLOW CONTROL ARM
ADJUSTABLE STOP
CLOSURE PLATE
HITCH EXTENSION BRACKET
DISENGAGING THE DRIVE WHEEL (Freewheeling)
(Refer to gure 4 on page 6.)
• Remove the drive pin from the left wheel to disengage
the wheel from the axle and gear mechanism. This
prevents excessive wear or damage to the spreading
mechanism when transporting the spreader. With the
drive wheel disengaged, the spreader may be towed
at speeds up to 20 mph. If the drive wheel is engaged
do not exceed 6 mph.