Craftsman 3.75 HP 17 INCH TINE WIDTH 917.2922 User manual

Owner's Manual
®
3.75 HP
17 INCH TmNEWmDTH
FRONT "FINE TILLER
Model No.
917.292200
oSafety
• Assembly
oOperation
o Maintenance
oRepair Parts
CAUTION:
Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment
For answers to your questions
about this product, Call:
1.-800-659=5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
5 am - 5 pm, Mon - Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co,, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Safety Rules ................................................ 2
Warranty ..................................................... 2
Product Specifications ................................4
Assembly ................................................. 6
Operation ..................................................... 7
Maintenance._ ........................................ 11
Service and Adjustments ........................ 13
Storage ..................................................... 16
Troubleshooting ...................................... 18
Illustrated Parts List ............................... 20
Parts Ordering ........................... Back Cover
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TILLER
For one (1) year from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Tiller is maintained, lubri-
cated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the
owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship.
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
oIf this Craftsman Tiller is used for commercial or rental purposes, this Warranty
applies 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 specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60179
TRAINING
o Read the Owner's Manual carefully. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls and
the proper use of the equipment. Know
how to stop the unit and disengage the
controls quickly.
° Never allow children to operate the
equipment Never allow adults to oper-
ate the equipment without proper
instruction..
• Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, particularly small children, and
pets.
PREPARATION
o Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used and remove all
foreign objects.
o Disengage all clutches and shift into
neutral before starting the engine (mo-
tor).
° Do not operate the equipment without
wearing adequate outer garments. Wear
footwear that will improve footing on
slippery surfaces.
=Handle fuel with care; it is highly flam-
mable..
• Use an approved fuel container.
o Never add fuel to a running engine or
hot engine.
oFill fuel tank outdoors with extreme
care_ Never fill fuel tank indoors.
o Replace gasoline cap securely and
clean up spilled fuel before restarting.
oUse extension cords and receptacles as
specified by the manufacturer for all
units with electric drive motors or elec-
tric starting motors.
° Never attempt to make any adjustments
while the engine (motor) is running
(except where specifically recommend-
ed by manufacturer).
2

OPERATION
o Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating pad&
o Exercise extreme caution when operat-
ing on or crossing gravel drives, walks,
or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards
or traffic. Do not carry passengers.
o After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine (motor), remove the wire from
the spark plug, thoroughly inspect the
tiller for any damage, and repair the
damage before restarting and operating
the tiller..
,, Exercise caution to avoid slipping or
falling.
o If the unit should start to vibrate abnor-
mally, stop the engine (motor) and check
immediately for the cause.. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
oStop the engine (motor) when leaving
the operating position.
° Take all possible precautions when leav-
ing the machine unattende& Disengage
the tines, shift into neutral, and stop the
engine.
° Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting,
shut off the engine and make certain all
moving parts have stopped. Disconnect
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent accidental
starting.. Disconnect the cord on electric
motor&
- Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust
fumes are dangerous.
• Never operate the tiller without proper
guards, plates, or other safety protective
devices in place..
,, Keep children and pets away.
o 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
behind and use care when backing.
= Never allow bystanders near the unit.
°Use only attachments and accessories
approved by the manufacturer of the
tiller (such as wheel weights, counter-
weights, cabs, and the like)
,, Never operate the tiller without good vis-
ibility or lighL
•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
restrain the machine.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
• Keep machine, attachments, and
accessories in safe working condition..
o Check shear pins, engine mounting
bolts, and other bolts at frequent inter-
vals for proper tightness to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
o Never store the machine with fuel in th_
fuel tank inside a building where ignitiol
sources are present, such as hot water
and space heaters, clothes dryers, and
the like. Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any enclosure.
o Always refer to the operator's guide
instructions for important details if the
tiller is to be stored for an extended pel
od.
_CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it cannot
contact spark plug in order to prevent ace
dental starting when setting up, transport
i_, adjusting or making repairs.
WARNING: The engine exhuast from
this product contains chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defectd, or other reproductive harm.
3

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
HORSEPOWER: 3.75 HP
I--
DISPLACEMENT: 9.03 CU_IN.
(148CC)
GASOLINE CAPACITY: 2 Quarts
Unleaded Regular
OIL (API-SF/SG/SH): SAE 30
(Above 32°F)
CAPACITY: 20 oz.) SAE 5W-30
(Below 32°F)
SPARK PLUG : Champion J19LM
GAP: .030")
Congratulations on your purchase of a
Sears Tiller. It has been designed, engi-
neered and manufactured to give you the
best possible dependability and perform-
ance.
Should you experience any problems you
cannot easily remedy, please contact your
nearest authorized Sears Service
CentedDepartment. We have competent,
well-trained technicians and the proper
tools to service or repair this unit.
Please read and retain this manual The
instructions will enable you to assemble
and maintain your tiller properly, Always
observe the "SAFETY RULES".
Your new tiller' has been assernbled 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 assemble
must be tightened securely.
Use the correct tools as necessary to
insure proper tightness.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
A Sears Maintenance Agreement is avail-
able on this product. Corrtact your nearest
Sears store for details.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
o Read and observe the safety rules..
oFollow a regular schedule in maintain-
ing, cadng for and using your tiller.
o Follow the instructions under the
"Customer Responsibilities" and "Stor-
age" sections of this Owner's Manual
,_kWARNING: This unit is equipped with
an internal combustion engine and should
not be used on or near any unimproved
forest-covered, brush-covered or grass
covered land unless the engine's exhaust
system is equipped with a spark arrester
meeting applicable local or state laws (if
any). If a spark arrester is used, it should
be maintained in effective working order
by the operator.
In the state of California the above is
required ;by law (Section 4442 of the
California Public Resources Code) Other
states may have similar laws. Federal
laws apply on federal lands. See your
Sears Authorized Service Center for spark
arrestor. Refer to the Repair Parts section
of this manual for part number..
These accessories wer e available when the tiller was purchased. They are also avail-
able at most Sears Retail outlets and Service Center& Most Sears Stores can order
repair parts for you when you provide the model number of your tiller
f
-NGINE
"MUFFLER AIR FILTER GAS CAN ENGINE,OIL"' STABILIZER
TILLER MAINTENANCE
BELT 'TINES i,i ii , H Illl
CLEV,!,SPIN HAIRPIN CLIP
4

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
A socket wrench set will make assembly
easier, Standard wrench sizes are listed,
(1) Utility knife
(1) Pair of pliers
(1) Screwdriver
(2) 1/2" wrenches
OPERATOR'S POSITION
When right or left hand is mentioned ir
this manual, it means when you are in
the operating position (standing
behind tiller handles)°
Left
E
!
Front
JRight
Operator's Position
(2) Hex Bolts 5/16-18 x 3/4
(2) Hex Bolts 5116-18 x 1-1/4
CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK
(2) Hex Bolts 5/16-18 x 1 G ©
(6) Hex Nuts 5/16-18 (4) Washers
3/8 x 7/5 x 14 Ga
.,,, , *
(1) Bottle Engine Oil (6) Lock Washers 5/16
5

UNPACK CARTON & INSTALL HAN-
DLE
_CAUTION: Be careful of exposed sta-
ples when handling or disposing of carton-
ing material.
IMPORTANT:: When uNpacking and as-
sembling tiller, be careful not to stretch or
kinK cable(s).
= Cut cable ties securing handles.
oThe handle may be assembled in high
or low position,, Slowly lift handle as-
sembly up and align handle holes with
desired handle panel hole and slot.
= Loosely assemble hardware as shown.
Be sure the "
shorter (3/4" long) hex bolt is assembled
in lower hole of handle, Repeat for
opposite side. Tighten all hardware se-
curely.
o Cut cable ties securing tiller to skid and
remove tiller from skid,
Handle Panel _ ..Lock Washer
vI-rex_ol[s-" 5/16-18 x 1
5/16-18 x 3/4"
Hex Bolt_
Engine Bracket Halves
Nut "A"
/Depth Stake
Support
_X Stake
b/ Support Bolt
Stake Spring
Lockwashers, and Hex nuts
HANDLE HEIGHT
o Handle height may be adjusted to better
suit operator: (See "HANDLE HEIGHT"
in the Service and Adjustments section
of this manual).
TILLING WIDTH
= Tilling Width may be adjusted to better
handle your tilling conditions (See "TINE
ARRANGEMENT' in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual)°
TINE OPERATION
oCheck tine operation before first use,
(See 'q'INE OPERATION CHECK" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual),
Handle
Panel Bolts
INSTALL DEPTH STAKE ASSEMBLY
oLoosen nut "A".
o Insert stake support between engine
bracket halves with stake spring down,
o Bolt stake support to engine brackets
with bolts, lock washers and nuts.
Tighten securely, Tighten nut "A",
•Depth stake must move freely. If it does
not, loosen support bolt.
6

KNOWYOURTILLER
READTHISOWNER'SMANUALANDSAFETYRULESBEFOREOPERATINGYOUR
TILLER,
Comparetheillustrationswithyourtillertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththelocationofvari-
ouscontrolsandadjustments.Savethismanualforfuturereference.
Thesesymbols mayappear on your Tilleror in literature suppliedwith theprod-
uct. Learnandunderstand their meaning.
TILLING FORWARD NEUTRAL REVERSE CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL
OR WARNING ON OFF
rward Tine Control
Recoil Starter Handle_ __
t" Throttle Control
Choke Control
_...,.,,,./Tine Shield
2
.- Tines
MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears tillers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards
Institute
FORWARD TINE CONTROL - Engages
tines in forward direction
CHOKE CONTROL - Used when starting a
cold engine.
THROTTLE CONTROL - Controls engine
speed.
DEPTH STAKE -Controls forward speed
and the depth at which the tiller will dig,
RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to
start the engine,
7

Theoperationof anytillercanresultinforeignobjectsthrownintotheeyes,
whichcanresultin severeeyedamage.Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eye
shieldsbeforestartingyourtillerandwhiletilling, Werecommendawidevision
safetymaskoverthespectaclesorstandardsafetyglasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER
Know how to operate all controls before
adding fuel and oil or attempting to start
engine_
STOPPING
TINES
• Release tine control to stop movement.
ENGINE
oMove throttle control to "STOP" position.
oNever use choke to stop engine.
"SneControl "ON" /" Forward Tine Control
(DOWN) Position _ /""OFF(UP) Position
o For normal tilling, set depth stake at the
second or third hole from the top,
WHEELS
Adjust wheels by removing the hairpin clip
and clovis pin, Change wheel position.
Replace the hairpin clip and clevis pin_
. For normal tilling, set wheels at the sec-
ond or third hole from the top_
Wheel
_C 'A'' Depth Stake
lip
end Clevis Pin
/Throttle
Control
TINE OPERATION
FORWARD
° Squeeze forward tine control to handle.
TILLING
The speed and depth of tilling is regulated
by the position of the depth stake and
wheel height.
The depth stake should always be below
the wheels for digging. It serves as a
brake to slow the tiller's forward motion to
enable the tines to penetrate the ground.
Also,the more the depth stake is lowered
intothe groundthe deeper the tines will
dig.
DEPTH STAKE
Adjust depth stake by removing the hair_
pin clip and clevis pin. Change depth
stake to desired position° Replace the cle-
vis pin and hairpin clip=
TRANSPORTING YOUR TILLER
_,CAUTION: Before lifting or transport-
ing, allow tiller engine and muffler to cool.
Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gaso-
line from fuel tank.
AROUND THE YARD
=Tip depth stake forward until it is held by
the stake spring.
oPush tiller handles dow._, raising tines
off the ground.
oPush or pull tiller to desired location.
AROUND TOWN
oDisconnect spark plug wire.
o Drain fuel tank_
= Transport in upright position to prevent
oil leakage.
BEFORE STARTING 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 approved, clean, covered
containers, use clean fill funnels.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
oRemove hangtag from engine=
oWith engine level, remove engine oil
filler plug.
oFill engine with oil to point of overflow-
ing. For approximate capacity see
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS on
page 4 of this manual=
8

" Tilttillerbackonitswhe_lsandthenre-
level
o Withenginelevel,refilltopointofover-
flowingifnecessary.Replaceoilfiller
plug.
o Forcoldweatheroperationyoushould
changeoilforeasierstarting(See "OIL
VISCOSITYCHART intheCustomer
Responsibilitiessectionofthismanual).
o Tochangeengineoil,seethe Customer
Responsibilitiessectionofthismanual°
OilLevel.
Filler
Plug
ADD GASOLINE
= Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline. (Use of leaded
gasoline will increase carbon and lead
oxide deposits and reduce valve life.)
IMPORTANT: When operating in
Temperatures below 32°F (0°C), use fresh,
clean, winter grade gasoline to help insure
good cold weather starting_
WARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and
formation 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 emp-
tied before storage 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 section of this manual for addition-
al information. Never use engine or carbu-
retor cleaner products in the fuel tank or
permanent damage may occur
,_CAUTION: Fil! to within t/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow
for fuel expansion. If gasoline is acciden-
tally spilled, move machine away from
area of spill, Avoid creating any source of
ignition until gasoline vapors have disap-
peared. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.
9
_START ENGINE
CAUTION: Keep tine control in "OFF"
position when starting engine°
When starting engine for the first time or if
engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra
pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
oMake sure spark plug wire is properly
connecte&
• Place throttle control in "FAST' position.
• Move choke control to full "CHOKE"
position, 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).
oPull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not
let starter handle snap back against
starter. Repeat if necessary.
•If engine fires but does net start, move
choke control to half choke position. Pull
recoil starter handle until engine starts.
° When engine starts, slowly move choke
control to "RUN" position as engine
warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less chok-
ing to start.
oMove throttle control to desired running
position.
o Allow engine to warm up for a few min-
utes before engaging tine&
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or
in cold temperatures (below 32°F), the car-
buretor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance.
See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou-
bleshooting points,
Plug
Control
.Recoil Starter
BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER
Break-in your belt(s), pulleys and tine con-
trol before you actually begin tilling

o Start engine, tip tines off ground by
pressing handles down and engage tine
control to start fine rotation. Allow tines
to rotate for five minutes.
o Check tine operation and adjust if nec-
essary. See '%INE OPERATION
CHECK" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
TILLING HINTS
CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual field use
with throttle in slow position (mid-way be-
tween "FAST" and "IDLE").
To help tiller move forward, lift up the ham
dies slightly (thus lifting depth stake out of
ground)° To slow down the tiller, press
down on handles.
If you are straining or tiller is shaking, the
wheels and depth stake are not set prop-
erly in the soil being tilled. The proper set-
ting of the wheels and depth stake is
through trial and error' and depends upon
the soil condition. ('['he harder or wetter
the ground, the slower the engine and tine
speed needed° Under these poor condi-
tions, at fast speed the tiller will run and
jump over the ground)_
Aproperly adjusted tiller will dig with little
effort from the operator.
=Tilling is digging into, turning over, and
breaking up packed soil before planting.
Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth.
Best tilling depth is 4" to 6'L Atiller will
also clear the soil of unwanted vegeta-
tion. The decomposition of this veg-
etable matter enriches the soil.
Depending on the climate (rainfall and
wind), it may be advisable to till the soil
at the end of the growing season to fur-
ther condition the soil
o Soil conditions are important for proper
tilling_ Tines will not readily penetrate
dry, hard soil which may contribute to
excessive bounce and difficult handling
of your tiller. Hard soil should be mois-
tened before tilling; however, extremely
wet soil will "ball-up" or clump during till-.
ing. Wait until the soil is less wet in order
to achieve the best results. When tilling
in the fall, remove vines and long grass
to prevent them from wrapping around
the tine shaft and slowing your tilling
operation.
o You will find tilling much easier if you
leave a row untilled between passes.
10
Then go back over the entire area at
right angles. 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, toward the row next to ito
Set depth stake and wheel height for
shallow tilling when working extremely
hard soil or' sod. Then work across the
first cuts at normal depth..
_( I'll H,I I_1 I_1 I'H I,l-I t_1 t_1 I'_1
t .1I -I I ,1i'l'l I ,1 t,H
_( I'll I_1 l_1 I$1 I'H I,H i'll I_1 H'I
__ I'll 1"_ttt'1 H,I I_1_'1 l'tl 1_! t_1 3_1
CULTIVATING
Cultivating is destroying the weeds
between rows to prevent them from rob-
bing nourishment and moisture from the
plants.. Af the same time, breaking up the
upper layer of soil crust will help retain
moisture in the soilo Best digging depth is
1" to 3".
You will probably not need to use the
depth stake= Begin by tipping the depth
stake forward until it is held by the stake
spdng.
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.
OOiO©O