Craftsman 917-299751 User manual

SFA/ S
OWNER'S
MANUAL
MODEL NO.
917.299751
Caution:
Read and follow
all Safety Rules
and Instructions
Before Operating
This Equipment
5.0 HP
14 iNCH TINE WIDTH
REAR TINE TILLER WITH
COUNTER ROTATING TINES
•Assembly
oOperation
• Customer Responsibilities
° Service and Adjustment
oRepair Parts
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, IL 60684 U.S.A.

SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Rotary Tillers
TRAINING
• Read theoperating and service instructionmanual care-
fully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controlsand the
properuse ofthe equipment. Know how tostop the unit
anddisengage the controls quickly.
• Never allow children to operate the equipment° Never
allow adults to operate the equipment without proper
instruction.
,Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,particu-
larly small children,and pets.
PREPARATION
• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawherethe equipmentis tobe
used and remove all foreign objects_
• Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting the engine (motor)°
•Do notoperatethe equipmentwithoutwearing adequate
outer garments. Wear footwear that willimprovefooting
on slipper,' surfaces.
• Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.
• Use an approved fuel container.
• Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.
° Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill
fuel tank indoors.
• Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled
fuel before restarting.
° Use extension cordsand receptacles asspecified bythe
manufacturer for all units with electric drive motors or
electric starting motors.
•Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine
(motor) is running (except where specifically recom-
mended by manufacturer).
OPERATION
•Do not put hands or feet near or under rotatingparts_
• Exercise extremecautionwhen operating onorcrossing
gravel drives, walks, or roads° Stay alert for hidden
hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.
•After strikinga foreign object, stop the engine (motor),
remove the wire from the sparkplug, thoroughlyinspect
the tillerfor any damage, and repair the damage before
restartingand operating the tiller.
•Exercise cautionto avoid slippingor falling.
•If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration isgenerally a warning of trouble.
• Stop the engine (motor) when leaving the operating
position.
• Take all possibleprecautions when leaving the machine
unattended° Disengage the power take-off, lower the
attachment, shift into neutral, stop the engine, and
remove the key.
•Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, shut off the
engine and make certain alt moving parts have stopped°
Disconnect the spark plugwire, and keep the wire away
from the plug to prevent accidental starting. Disconnect
the cord on electricmotors.
Do not run the engine indoors;exhaust fumes are dan-
gerous,
• Never operate thetillerwithoutproperguards, plates, or
othersafety protective devices inplace.
• Keep children and pets away.
• Do not overloadthemachinecapacity byattemptingtotill
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 approvedby the
manufacturer of the tiller (such as wheel weights,
counterweights,cabs, and the like).
•Never operate the tillerwithout good visibilityor 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 restrainthe
machine.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
• Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe
workingcondition.
• Check shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, and other
boltsat frequent intervals for propertightnessto be sure
the equipment is in safe workingconditiom
° Never store the machine with fue!in the fuel tank inside
abuildingwhere ignitionsourcesare present, suchashot
water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and the like.
Allow the engine tocool beforestoringin any enclosure.
• Always refer to the operator's guide instructions for
importantdetailsifthetillerIstobestoredfor anextended
period.
-IMPORTANT -
Cautions,Importants,andNotesare a meansofattractingattentiontoimportantorcriticalinformationin thismanual,
_b AUTION: Look for this symbol to I
point out Important safety precau-
tions. It means -- Attentlonl Become
Alertl Your safety is Involved.
i ii, ............ i,
IMPORTANT: USED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE
IS A POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGING THIS EQUIPMENT.
2
NOTE: Gives essential information that will aid you to
better understand, incorporate, or execute a particular
set of instructions.

CONGRATULATIONSon your purchase of a Sears TiIIer,.
It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to
give you the best possible dependability and performance.
Should you experience any problems you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest authorized Sears
Service Center/DepartmenL They 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"°
MODEL
NUMBER 917.299751
SERIAL
NUMBER
DATE OF
PURCHASE
THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE
FOUND ON THE MODEL PLATE ATTACHED TO
THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION.
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER
AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE
PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE,.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
HORSEPOWER: 50 HP
DISPLACEMENT: 12.57 cuoin_
GASOLINE CAPACITY: 3 QUARTS
(UNLEADED)
OIL (20 OZ. CAPACITY): SAE 30W
(SAE 10W 30)
SPARK PLUG (GAP _030 IN.): Champion
RJ19LM
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
ASears MaintenanceAgreement is available on thisprod-
ucto Contact your nearest Sears store for detaits,
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
, Read and observe the safety rules,
•Follow a regular schedule inmaintaining, caring for and
using yourtiller.
• Follow the instructions under the "Customer
Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections ofthis Owner's
Manual,
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN TILLER
For one year from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Tiller is maintained, lubricated, 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.
Thls 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 crankshafts and the failure to
maintain the equipment according to the instructionscontained in the owner's manual.
•If this Craftsman Tiller is used for commercial or rental purposes, this Warranty applies for only 30 days fromthe
date of purchase.
WARRANTY SERVICE tS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN TILLER 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, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/731CR-W SEARS TOWER, CHICAGO, IL 60684
-IMPORTANT.
This unit is equipped with an internalcombustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brush-covered or grass covered landunless the engine's exhaust system ls equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable
local or state laws (if any). Ifa 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 arrestero
Refer to the Repair Parts section of this manual for part number.
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 2
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ...................... 3,14-16
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ....................................... 3
WARRANTY ................................................................... 3
ACCESSORIES ............................................................. 5
ASSEMBLY ................................................................ 6-8
OPERATION ............................................................. 9-13
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ...................................... 14
SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS ................................. t6-19
STORAGE .................................................................... 20
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................. 21
REPAIR PARTS-TILLER ........................................ 22-27
REPAIR PARTS-ENGINE ....................................... 28-31
INDEX
A
Adjustments:
Carburetor° .............................. 19
Depth Stake ............................. 10
Handle Height .......................... t6
Side Shields .............................. 11
Throttle .................................... 19
Tines ......................................... 18
V-Belt (Ground Drive) .............. 17
Wheels ................................ 13,t6
Air Cleaner ...................................... 15
B
Belt:Bett Guard ................................ 17
Repair Parts.............................. 23
V-Beft (Ground Drive) .............. 17
C
Cooling System .............................. 15
Controls:
Choke ........................................ 9
Throttle ...................................... 9
Drive (Tines) ............................... 9
Cultivating ...................................... 13
Customer Responsibilities:
Air Cleaner. .............................. 15
Cooling System ....................... 15
Finish ....................................... 16
Maintenance Schedule ............ 14
Muffler ....................................... t 6
Oil Change ............................... t5
Spark Plug .................................16
Tines ........................................ 18
Transmission ........................... 16
V-Belt (Ground Drive) ...............17
D
Depth Stake:
Adjustment ................................ 10
Repair Parts ............................. 26
E
Engine:
Air Cleaner ............................... 15
Cooling System ....................... 15
Fuel Type ................................. i 1
Engine (coot'd)
Lubrication............................... t5
Oil Level .................................... 1t
Oil Type ................................11,15
Spark Plug ..................................16
Starting ..................................... 12
Stopping .................................. 10
Storage .................................... 20
Winter Operation ..................... 15
F
Fuel:
Filling Tank ............................... 11
Storage ......................................20
Type .......................................... 11
Finish:
Maintenance ............................ 16
H
Handle:
Height Adjustment ................... 16
Repair Parts...............................22
L
Lubrication:
Lubrication Chart .................... 14
Engine ........................................15
M
Muffler:
Maintenance ............................ 16
Spark Arrester ........................... 3
O
Oit: Level ........................................ 11
Type .................................... 11,15
Operation:
Cultivating ................................ 13
Fill Fuel Tank ........................... 1t
Starting Engine ........................ 12
Stopping Tines & Engine ......... 10
Tilling .10
Tilling Fl_i'n;[s'iiiiiii_:ii::_iiii:::::i_:i_i.12
Tine Operation ......................... 10
Transporting Tiller .................... 1!
Winter Operation ..................... 15
R
Repair' Parts ................................ 22-31
Rules for Safe Operation ....................2
S
Service & Adjustments:
Carburetor ............................... 19
Handle Height .......................... 16
Side Shields .............................. 11
Throttle .................................... 19
Tines ........................................ 18
V-Belt (Ground Drive) ...............17
Wheels .................................. 13,t6
Service:
Repair Parts........................ 22-31
Service Record ......................... 14
Shear Pins:
Operation ................................... 12
Repair Parts .............................. 27
Spark Plug:
Gap .............................................. 3
Maintenance ............................. i6
Storage:
Fuel System ...............................20
Tiller ......................................... 20
Titling .......................................... t0,12
Tines:
Arrangement/Replacement .......18
Operation ................................... !0
Repair Parts .............................. 27
Shear Pins ............................... 12
Transmission:
Maintenance ............................ t6
Repair Parts ................................25
Troubleshooting .............................. 21
Transporting ................................... 11
W
Warranty ........................................... 3
Wheels:
Adjustments ............................. 13
Removal .................................... 16
Repair Parts............................. 24
4

ACCESSORIES
These accessories were available when the tiller was purchased. They are also available at most Sears Retail outlets,
Catalog and Service Centers. Most Sears Stores can order repair parts for you when you provide the model number
of your tiller,
ENGINE
SPARK PLUG
,,,,,j...... , ,
........ ,, ==_=............
MUFFLER
H_VLH L .... I.......... _ .............
GAS CAN ENGINE OIL
AIR FILTER STABILIZER
TILLER PERFORMANCE
;;;; ......... :::r_r,,,rr; ....
TILLER MAINTENANCE
I II ] ............... LL'_LL'LL' I
TINES CLEVIS PIN
C_
HAIRPIN CLIP
5

TOASSEMBLEYOURTILLERYOUWILLNEED:
(1) Utility knife
(1) Wire cutter
(1) Screwdriver
(1) Tire pressure gauge
(1) Pair of pliers
(1) 9/16" wrench (or 9/16" socket, ratchet, and extension;
or adjustable wrench)
OPERATOR'S POSITION (See Fig. 1)
The right hand (R,H_)and lefthand (LH,) sides of your tiller
are determined from the operator's position whUestanding
behind tiller.
FRONT
LEFT RIGHT
OPERA_TOR'S
POSITION
FIG. 1
CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK
I IIIII ] I .... III II I lJUlUll IIII IIII IIIIII , i1,1, i I I Jllll
(2) Handle Locks (2) Carriage Bolts3/8-16 UNC x 1 Gr. 5(2) Center Locknuts3/8-16 UNC
(1) Handle Lock Lever
,lllllll ill ........
(1) Fiat Washer 13/32 x 1 x 11 Ga_
iHi ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,
(t) Cable Clip
(2) Hairpin Clips (1) Owner's Manual
6

UNPACKING CARTON (See Fig. 2)
_ ...................................CAUTION: Be careful of exposed I
staples when handling or disposing of I
cartonlng material. !
IMPORTANT: WHEN UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLING
TILLER, BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRETCH OR KINK
CABLES
•While holdinghandleassembly,cutcable tiessecuring
handle assembly to top frame and depth stake. Let
handle assembly rest on tiller.
• Remove top frame of carton.
• Slowly ease handle assembly up and place on top of
carton.
°Cut down right hand front and right hand rear corners
of carton, lay side carton wall down.
° Remove packing material from handle assembly.
•Separate shift rod from handle assembly.
SHIFT ROD
\
HANDLE
ASSEMBLY
FIG, 2
INSTALL HANDLE (See Figs. 3, 4, and 5)
• Insertone handle lock (with teeth facing outward) in
gearcase notch. (Apply grease on smooth side of
handlelockto aid in keeping lock inplace untilhandle
assembly is lowered intoposition,)
.\\ HANDLE ASSEMBLY
• Grasp handle assembly. Hold in"up" position_ Be sure
handle lock remains in gearcase notch. Slide handle
assembly Into position.
FIG, 4
•Rotate handle assembly down to install two carriage
boltsand Iocknuts. Insert rear carriage bolt (Fig. 5) first,
with head of bolt on LH. side oftiller. Lower the handle
assembly. Tighten bolts so handle moves with some
resistance.
•insert second handle lock (with teeth inward) inthe slot
of the handle base.
°Place flatwasher on threaded end of handle lock lever.
• insert handle lock lever through handle base and
gearcase.
.With handle assembly in lowest position, securely
tighten handle lock lever by rotating clockwise. Leav-
ing handle assembly in lowest position will make it
easier to remove tiller from carton.
HANDLE
LOCK
SLOT FLAT
CARRIAGE WASHER
BOLT
\_._ HANDLE
LOCK
LEVER
REAR
CARRIAGE
BOLT /-
HANDLE
BASE
LOCKNUTS
FIG. 5
FIG. 3 7

ASSEMBLY
CONNECT SHIFT ROD (See Fig. 6)
• Insertend of shift rod farthest from bend into hole of
shift lever Indicator.
•Insert hairpin clip through hole of shift rod to secure.
•insert other end of shift rod Into hole in shiftlever.
• insert second hairpin clip through hole of shift rod°
REMOVE TILLER FROM CRATE
•Make sure shift lever indicatoris in "N" (neutral) posi-
tion (See Fig. 6)
• Tilt tiller forward by liftinghandle_ Separate cardboard
cover from leveling shleld_
•Rotate tiller handle to the right and pull tiller out of
carton.
ATTACH THIS END
TO SHIFT LEVER
INDICATOR
!
ATTACH THIS
END TO SHIFT
\
SHIFT' ROD
SHIFT HAIRPIN SHIFT
CUP LEVER
INDICATOR
INSERT CABLE CLIP (See Fig. 7)
• Insertplasticcable clipintoholeon the back of handle
column° Push cables into clip,
CABLES
"CABLE CLIP
FIG. 7
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your unit were ovednflated at the factory for
shipping purposes. Correct and equal tire pressure is
important for best tilting performance.
• Reduce tire pressure to 20 PSI.
HANDLE HEIGHT
•Handle height may be adjusted to better suit operator°
(See "TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT' in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual).
FIG. 6
8

OPERATJ
KNOW YOUR TILLER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY' RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TILLER.
Compare the illustrationswith yourtillertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththelocation ofvariouscontrolsand adjustments°Save this
manual for future reference.
DRIVE THROTTLE
CONTROL CONTROL
BAR SHIFT LEVER
SHIFT LEVER
INDICATOR RECOIL
STARTER
HANDLE
CHOKE CONTROL
DEPTH STAKE
LEVELING
SHIELD =
OUTER
SIDE
SHIELD
FIG. 8
MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Our tillersconform tothe safety standards ofthe American National Standards institute.
DRIVE CONTROL BAR +Used toengage tines_
DEPTH STAKE +Controls depth at whichtillerwilldig+
LEVELING SHIELD +Levels tilledsoilo
OUTER SIDE SHIELD -Adjustableto protectsmall plants
from being buried_
THROTTLE CONTROL - Used to control engine speed.
SHIFT LEVER -Used to shift transmission gears.
SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR - Shows which gear the
transmissionis in+
RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to start the engine,
CHOKE CONTROL -Used when starting acoldengine,
SAFETY DECAL
The decalshown belowis locatedonthe handleofyourtiller,
9

,,,,....... ii/i ........................ : ............ ............. -.......
OPERATION
i/i//i ililili IIIII I il/i/ill Uililii iiiii II II - .... ilil I _H..=_.....I ....... i iiiii =_._..._ ...ml ....... i
result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety"glasses or eye shields before starting I
your tiller and while tilling, We recommend wide vision safety mask for over the spectacles |
or standard safety glasses° !
HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER
Know how to operate all controlsbefore adding fuel and
oil or attempting to start engine,
STOPPING (See Fig. 9)
TINES AND DRIVE
°Release drive control bar to stop movement.
•Move shift lever'to "N" (neutral) position.
ENGINE
°Move throttle control to "STOP" position°
• Never use choke to stop engine.
DRIVE CONTROL BAR
"ENGAGED" POSITION /_RORT_LoLE
',_" N
DRIVE CON1ROL BAR
"DISENGAGED"POSITION
FIG, 9
TINE OPERATION - WITH WHEEL DRIVE
•Always release drive controlbar before moving shift
lever intoanother position,
• Tine movement isachieved bymoving shiftleverto"T"
(til!)positionand engaging drivecontrolbar.
FORWARD -WHEELS ONLY/TINES STOPPED
•Release drivecontrolbar and moveshiftlever indicator
tillerwilt move forward,
REVERSE - WHEELS ONLY/TINES STOPPED
•DO NOT STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND TILLER°
• Release the drive control bare
•Move thl:ottlecontrolto"SLOW" position.
• Move shift lever indicatorto "R" (reverse) position.
• Hold drivecontrol bar against the handle to starkti!ler
movement.
DEPTH STAKE (See Fig. 10)
The depth stakecanbe raisedorlowered toaUowyoumore
versatile tillingand cu[tivating_or to more easily transport
your tiller.
.... /
POSITION
TILUNG
TILLING
DEPTH/_
STAKE
FIG, 10
TILLING (See Fig. 11)
° Release depth stake pin. Pul! the depth stake up for
increasedtilling depth, Place depth stake pin in hole of
depth stake to lock in position.
• Place shift lever indicator in 'q" position,
•Hold the drive control bar' against the handle to start
tiUing movement° Tines and wheels will both turn.
° Move throttle control to"FAST" position for deep tilttng.
To cultivate, throttle control can be set at any desired
speed, depending on how fast or slow you wish to
cultivate,
DEPTH STAKE PIN
"RELEASED" POSITION
\
\
NUT"A"
"LOCKED"
POSITION
NUT "B"
SIDE SHIELD
FIG. 11
10

OPERATION
TURNING
• Release the drive controlbar.
•Move throttle controlto "SLOW" position,
- Place shift lever Indicator in "F"' (forward) position.
Tines will not turn.
, Lift handle to raise tines out of ground,
•Swingthe handle inthe oppositedirectionyou wish to
turn,being careful to keep feet and legs away from
tines,
•When you have completed your turn-around, release
the drive control barand lower handleo Placeshift lever
in 'T' (till) position and move throttle control to desired
speed To begin tilling, hold drive control bar against
the handle.
•The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the
factory, already filled with SAE 30 summer weight oil.
• With engine level, clean area around oil filler plug and
remove plug,
.Engine oil should be to point of overflowing, For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECIFICA-
TIONS" on page 3 of this manual All oil must meet
A.PJ, Service Classification SG
•For cold weather operation you should change oilfor
easier starting (See oil viscosity chart inthe Customer
Responsibilities section of this manuat).
• To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili-
ties section in this manual,
OUTER SIDE SHIELDS (See Fig. 11)
The frontedges ofthe outerside shieldsare slotted so that
the shields can be raised for deep tillingand lowered for
shallow ttlltngto protect small plants from being buried,
Loosen nut"A" in slotand nut"B"_ Move shield to desired
position(bothsides), Retighten nuts.
TRANSPORTING
l& AUTION: Before lifting or transport-
ing, allow tiller engine and muffler to
cool. Dlsconnectsparkplugwire. Drain
aasoline from fuel tank.
T
.Release the depth stake pin. Move the depth stake
down to the top hole for transporting the tiller. Place
depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in position_
This prevents tines from scuffing the ground°
.Place shift lever indicator in "F' (forward) position for
transporting.
•Hold the drive control bar against the handle to start
tiller movemenL Tines wilt not turn,
eMove throttle control to desired speed.
CAUTION: Before operating you rtiller
for the first ttme, study this section and
the "SAFETY RULES" on page 2o
Always release drive control bar before
moving shift lever Into another posl-
tlon.
Don't back yourself into a solid ob-
struction such as a tree, fence, etc.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 12)
IMPORTANT: BEVERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT
TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING
OIL OR FUEL, USE CLEAN SAE 30 OR 10W30 WEIGHT
OIL AND STORE IN APPROVED, CLEAN, COVERED
CONTAINERS. ALL OILS MUST MEET A,PJ, SERVICE
CLASSIFICATION SGo USE CLEAN FILL FUNNELS.
OIL
FILLER
PLUG
PLUG
FIG. 12
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 formationof
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 Instruc-
tions for additional information, Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur,
CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to
allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline Is
accidentally spilled, move machine
away from area of spill. Avoid creating
any source of ignition until gasoline
vapors have disappeared.
Do not overfill. Wtpe off any spilled oil
or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gaso-
line near an open flame.
11

OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13)
"OFF" position when starting engine° !
•Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.
•Move shift lever indicator to "N" (neutral) position_
•Place throttle controlin "FAST" position_
•Place choke control in "CHOKE" position ifthe engine
iscoldoA warm engine may notrequire choking tostarL
• Grasp starter handle with one hand and grasp the tiller
with other hand. Pul! rope out slowly until engine
reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull
slightly harder at this point).
• Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep
afirm grip on starter handle and let rope rewind slowly°
Do not let starter handle snap back against starter_.
•When engine starts, slowly move choke control on
engine halfway between "CHOKE" and "RUN" posi-
tions and then to "RUN" positionas engine warms up.
°Move throttle control to desired running position°
•Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.
NOTE= If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32°F), the carburetor fuel mixture
may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See
"TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" inthe Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual
SPARK
PLUG CHOKE
CONTROL
RECOIL STARTER
HANDLE
FIG. 13
TILLING HINTS
...._ ..... LI/LIL 11_ LLI ii L/ I,, H
CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual field
use with thro_!e in slow position (told-
way between' FAST" and "IDLE").
• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up
packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil
helps root growth. Best titling depth is 4" to 6". A tiiter
wiU also clear the soil of unwanted vegetation. The
decomposition of this vegetable matter enriches the
soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall and wind), it
may be advisable to tillthe soil atthe end of thegrowing
season to further condition the soil.
- Soil conditions are important for proper tilling. Tines will
not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contrib-
ute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your
tiller. Hard soil should be moistened before tilling;
however, extremely wet soil will "ball-up" or clump
during tilling,Wait until the soil is less wet in order to
achieve thebest results.Whentillinginthe fall, rernove
vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping
aroundthetineshaftand slowingyourtillingoperation.
-For easier handlingofyourtiller,leave about 8inches
of untilled soil between the first and second tilling
passes. The third pass willbe between the first and
second (See Fig_14).
• Do notlean on handle. Thistakes weightoffthewheels
and reduces traction. To get through a really tough
sectionofsod orhard ground, applyupward pressure
on handle or lower the depthstake.
\
3
FIG, 14
TINE SHEAR PINS
The tine assemblies on your tiller are secured to the line
shaft with shear pins (See "TINE REPLACEMENT" in the
Service and Adjustments section ofthis manual).
If the tiller is unusually overloaded or jammed, the shear
pinsare designedto break before internal damage occurs
to the transmission.
oIf shear pin(s) break, replace only with those shown in
the Repair Parts section of this manual
12

OPERATION
CULTIVATING
Cultivating is destroying the weeds between rows to pre-
vent them from robbing nourishment and moisture from the
plants. At the same time, breaking up the upper layer ofsoil
crust will help retain moisture in the soil. Best digging depth
is 1" to 3'L Lower the outer side shields to protect small
plants from being buried,
•Cultivate up and down the rows at a speed which wilt
allow tines to uproot weeds and leave the ground in
rough condition, promoting no furthergrowth of weeds
and grass (See Fig_15)_
FIG. 15
ADJUST WHEELS FOR CULTIVATING (See
Figs. 16 and 17)
• Place blocks under right hand side of tiller and remove
hairpin clip and clevis pin from right hand wheel,
• Move wheel outward approximately 1 inch until hole in
inner wheel hub lines up with inner hole in axle.
OUTER VIEW OF TIRE
CLEVIS
PIN
HAIRPIN
CLIP
FIG. 16
•Replace clevis pin and hairpin clip on inside of wheel
and remove blocks.
, Repeat preceding steps on left hand side.
NOTE: Inextremely roughconditionsandwhilecultivating,
the wheels should be moved outward on the axle for
increased stability.
INNER VIE3t#OF TIRE
CLEVIS
PIN
HAIRPIN
CLIP
FIG. 17
13

CUSTOMER NSIBILITIES
U] IIII III iiiUUtllllllllllllllll .... i iiiii IIIIIIIHII'IIIIIIII 11111111 III II Illll I I I IIIIII III
MAINTENANCE ,.__o___
SCHEDULE
DATES o
AS YOU COMPLETE ,._ _ _ 4 SERVICE DATES
REGULAR SERVICE
........................,........... ,, ,,,,,
Check Engine Oil Level tf b_1 i
Change Engine Oil tf 1_1,2
Oi1PivotPoints I If
inspect SparkArrester Muffler M#
Inspect Air Screen V'
Replace Air Cleaner Cartridge b/2
,ill
Clean Engine CylinderFins If
ReplaceSparkPlug tf ]
1- Changemoreoftenwhen oparaUngunderaheavyloadortn highambienttemperatures,
2- 8ervtoemore oftenwhenoperatingIndirtyordustyconditions,
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The warrantyon this unit does not cover itemsthat have
been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To
receive full value from the warranty, the operator must
maintainunitas instructedin this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to
properlymaintain your unit.
All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments sectionof
this manual should be checked at least once each
season.
Once a yearyou should replacethesl_arkplug, replace
air filter, andcheck tines and belts for wear, A new
spark plug and clean air filter assure proper air-fuel
mixture and help your engine run better and last longer.
BEFORE EACH USE
•Check engine oillevel.
,Check fine operation.
• Check for loose fasteners.
LUBRICATION
Keep unitwel!lubricated (See "LUBRICATION CHART").
LUBRICATION CHART
* THROTTLE
CONTROL
SHIELD
HINGE
* WHEEL
HUB
*IDLER
BRACKET
* SAE 30 OR I0W30 MOTOR OIL
** REFER TO CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES "ENGINE" SECTION
14

CUSTOMER LITIES
Disconnect spark plug wire before performing any maintenance (except carburetor adjustment) to
prevent accidental starting of engine.
Prevent flresl Keep the engine free ofgrass, leaves, spilled o11,or fuel. Remove fuel from tank before
tipping unit for maintenance. Clean muffler area of all grass, dirt and debris.
Do not touch hot muffler or cylinder fins as contact may cause burns.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and
every25 hours thereafter orat leastonce a year ifthetiller
isnot used for 25 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each five (5) hoursof continuoususe, Add SAE
30 motoroil or equivalent. Tighten oilfilier plug securely
eachtimeyouchecktheoi!level SAE5W_30motorolimay
beused tomake starting easlerin areas where temperature
isconsistently 32° F (0°C) or lower.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 18 and 19)
Determinetemperature range expectedbefore oilchanger
All oilmust meet API service classification SG,
•Be sure tiller is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm,
= Catch oil in a suitable container.
•Remove drain plug.
,Tip tiller forward to drain oil.
• After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely.
• Remove oil filler plug. Be careful not to allow dirt to
enter the engine,
• Refill engine with oil. See "CHECK ENGINE OIL
LEVEL" in the Operation section of this manual
RECOMMENDEDSAEVISCOSITYGRADES
°F -20° 0° 32°60° 80° 100°
°C -29° -18° 0° ! 6°27o 380
FIG. 18
OIL FILLER
PLUG
OIL
DRAIN
AIR CLEANER (See Fig. 20)
Replace air cleanercartridge ever7 twenty-fivehours, more
often if engine is used in very dusty conditions.
•Loosen air cleaner screws, one on each side of cover.
° Remove air cleaner cover.
,Carefully remove air cleaner cartridge. Be careful. Do
not allow dirt or debris to fall into carburetor.
• Install new alr cleaner cartridge. Clean and replace
cover. Tighten screws securely°
NOTE; Do not attempt to clean or oil the paper cartridge,
AIR
CLEANER
SCREW COVER
AIR CLEANER
CARTRIDGE
FIG. 20
COOLING SYSTEM (See Fig. 21)
Your engineisair cooled, For properengine performance
and long life keep your engine clean.
•Clean air screen frequently usinga stiff-bristled brush.
•Remove blower housing and clean as necessary,
•Keep cylinderfins free of dirtand chaff.
CYUNDER FINS
HOUSING
SCREEN
FIG. 21
FIG, 19 15

CUSTOMER NSlBILITIES
iiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiii / /11_111111111[11II I II III I I II /lllllllllllUl[[[[i III _. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII iii II
MU FFLER TRANSMISSION
Your transmission is sealed and will only require lubrication
if serviced.
Do not operate tiller without muffler. Do not tamper' with
exhaust system, Damaged mufflers or spark arresters
could create a fire hazard. Inspect periodically and replace
if necessary_ If your engine is equipped with a spark
arrestor screen assembly, remove ever'/ 50 hours for
cleaning and inspection.Replace if damaged.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plugs atthe beginning of each tilling season
or after every50 hours ofuse, whichevercomes first. Spark
plug type and gap setting isshown in "PRODUCT SPECI-
FICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual°
CLEANING
•Clean engine, wheels, finish, etc. of all foreign matter.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,
oil, etc.
•Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax.
We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean your
unit unless the muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered
to keep water out. Water Inengine can result in a shortened
engine life.
....................... :.iill HI Illll Illll IIII:LII,IIIllH, II,ll I Illllll
CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wires from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come Into
contact wtth plug.
TILLER
TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT (See Fig. 22)
Select handle height best suitedfor yourtillingconditions°
Handle height will be differentwhen ti!lerdigs intosoil
• First loosen handle lock lever.
• Handle canbe positionedat differentsettings between
"HIGH" and "LOW" positions,
•Retighten handle lock lever securely after'adjusting.
TIRE CARE
CAUTION: When mounting tires, un- i
less beads are seated, overlnflatlon I
....... can cause an explosion. I
, ,,,,,, ,,, ...... _,,,,,,,_............ _................
• Maintain 20 pounds of tire pressure, If tire pressures
are not equal, tiller willpull to one side,
• Keep tires free of gasoline or oil which can damage
rubber.
.,_ HANDLE (HIGH
JPOSITION)
FIG. 22
TO REMOVE WHEEL (See Fig. 23)
* Place blocks under' transmission to keep tiller from
tipping,
o Remove hairpin clipand cfevis pinfrom wheel,
.Remove wheel and tire.
. Repa{rt{re and reassemble,
"'_. CLEVIS PiN
HAIRPIN CLIP
FIG. 23
16

;ERVICE A O ADJUSTMENTS
.... i, ,,,1111/,/,,11,iu
TO REMOVE BELT GUARD (See Fig. 24)
NOTE: For ease of removal, remove hairpin clip and clevis
pin from left wheel, Pull wheel out from tiller about 1 inch_
.Remove two (2) cap nuts and washers fromside ofbelt
guard,
•Remove hex nut and washer from bottom ofbelt guard
(located behind wheel)°
•Puli belt guard out and away from unit.
•Replace belt guard by reversing above procedure.
BELT GUARD CAP NUT
\AND WASHER
CAP NUT
AND WASHER
HE}( NUT
AND
WASHER
(LOCATED
BEHIND
TIRE)
HAIRPIN CLIP AND
CLEVIS PIN
FIG. 24
TO REPLACE GROUND DRIVE BELT (See
Figs. 24 and 25)
o Move leftwheel and remove belt guard as describedin
"TO REMOVE BELT GUARD",
,Loosen belt guides"A" and "B"and also nuts"C" and
t[Dtt q
• Remove old belt by slipping from engine pulley first°
•Place new belt in groove of transmissionpulley and
intoengine pulley, BELT MUST BE IN GROOVE ON
TOP OF IDLER PULLEY_ NOTE POSITION OF BELT
TO GUIDES_
. Tighten belt guides "A" and "B"and nuts "C" and "D".
• Check belt adjustment as described below,
•Replace belt guard,
• Reposition wheel and replace clevis pin and hairpin
clip_
GROUND DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT (See
Fig. 25)
For properbelt tension, the extension springshould have
about 5/8 inch stretch when drive control bar is in "EN-
GAGED" position.This tension can be attained as follows:
.Loosen cable clip screw securing the drive control
cable°
•Slide cable forward for less tension and rearward for
more tension until about 5/8 inch stretch is obtained
while the drive control bar is engaged.
.Tighten cable clip screw securely°
ENGINE
PULLEY
BELT CABLE CLIP
GUIDE "A" SCREW
BELT
GUIDE "B" CONTROL
CABLE
LESS
TENSION
NtJT"D"
IDLER
PULLEY TRANSMISSION
PULLEY
SPRING
FIG, 25
17

.......... ,, iilll,ll,ii ................
SE AND ADJUSTMENTS
,mllHi i i,H i,l,lll,ll, mll _/ iuiH,, m,ll i ii,ll,,,, ,, , ...................... , ,,,, ,_,,_,_,,,,,,_,,_,,,. Jl,J ,,it
TINE REPLACEMENT (See Figs, 26, 27 and
28)
I
CAUTION: Tines are sharp. Wear I
gloves or other protection when han- |
dllng tines. !
A badly worn tlne causes your tiiler towork harder and dig
more shallow. Most important,worn tines cannot chop and
shred organic matter as effectivelynor bury it asdeeply as
good tines. A tine this worn needs to be replaced°
NEW TINE WORN TINE
. To maintain the superb tilling performance of this
machine the tines should be checked for sharpness,
wear, and bending, particularly the tines which are next
to the transmission, tf the gap between the tines
exceeds 3-1/2 inches they shoutd be replaced or
straightened as necessary.
• New tines should be assembled as shown in Fig. 28.
Sharpened tine edges witl rotate rearward from above.
ITRANSMISSION
o.N'
0
\_INE
FIG. 26 FIG. 27
SHARP
EDGE
SHEAR PiN
SHEAR PIN --.u...__.,.-_
,, COUNTER
SHARP \SHARP EDGE
EDGE_ ) k,\
HAIRPIN CLIP
1
SHARP
EDGES
FIG. 28
18

SERVmCE'i,,ll i 'Hill ii,,U,llll,lr, llLi
AND ADJ ;TMENTS
ENGINE
TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE
(See Fig. 29)
•Loosen cable clamp screw to allow cable to move.
• Move throttlecontrollever on upperhandle to "FAST'
position.
• Pullthrottlecable out untilengine bellcrankisback as
far as itwill go.
• Hold cable in this position and tighten clamp screw
securely°
CLAMP SCREW
THROTTLE
BELLCRANK
FIG. 29
ENGINE
TO ADJUST CARBURETOR (See Fig. 30)
The carburetor has been preset at the factoryand adjust-
ment should not be necessary. However, minor adjust-
ments may be required to compensate for differences in
fuel, temperature, altitude or Ioado If the carburetor does
need adjustment, proceed as follows.
tn general, turning the needle valve in (clockwise) de-
creases the supply of fuel to the engine giving a leaner fuel!
air mixture° Turning the needle valve out (counterclock-
wise) increases the supply of fuel to the engine giving a
richer fuel/air mixture.
IMPORTANT: DAMAGE TO THE NEEDLES AND THE
SEATS IN CARBURETOR MAY RESULT IF SCREWS
ARE TURNED IN TOO TIGHT°
PRELIMINARY SETTING
• Air cleaner assembly must be assembled to the carbu-
retor when making carburetor adjustments.
•Be sure the throttle control cable is adjusted properly
(see above)°
°With engineoff,turn needlevalvein (clockwise) closing
itfinger tight andthen turn valve out (counterclockwise)
1-t/2 turns,
FINAL SETTING
• Startengine and allow towarm for five minutes° Make
finaladjustmentswithengine running and drivecontrol
bar in "DISENGAGED" position.
• With throttle control lever in "SLOW" position, turn
needle valve in (clockwise) until engine begins to die
then turn out (counterclockwise) until engine runs
rough°Turnvalvetoapointmidway between thosetwo
positions.
IDLE RPM ADJUSTMENT
• To adjust idle RPM, rotate throttle linkage counter-
clockwise and hold against stop while adjusting idle
speed adjusting screw to obtain 1750 RPM_ Release
throttle linkage.
ACCELERATION TEST
° Move throttle control lever from "SLOW" to "FAST'
position_Ifengine hesitates or dies, turnneedle valve
out (counterclockwise) 1/8 turn. Repeat test and
continueto adjust, if necessary, until engine acceler-
ates smoothly,
High speed stop is factory adjusted_ Do not adjust or
damage may result.
IMPORTANT: NEVER TAMPER WITH THE ENGINE
GOVERNOR, WHICH IS FACTORY SET FOR PROPER
ENGINE SPEED. OVERSPEEDING THE ENGINE ABOVE
THE FACTORY HIGH SPEED SETTING CAN BE
DANGEROUS. IF YOU THINKTHE ENGINE-GOVERNED
HIGH SPEED NEEDS ADJUSTING, CONTACT YOUR
NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER, WHICH HAS
PROPER EQUIPMENT AND EXPERIENCETO MAKEANY
NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.
THROTTLE LINKAGE THROTTLE STOP
!DLESPEED
ADJUSTINGSCREW NEEDLE VALVE
FIG. 30
19

STORAGE
Immediately prepare yourtiller for storage atthe end ofthe
season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more,
................ ,,,,,............................ ,,, ,,,,, Hi
CAUTION: Never store the tlller with
gasoltne In the tank Instde a bulldlng
where fumes may reach an open flame
or spark. Allow the engine to cool
before storing In any enclosure,
ii liiliiii lil1 II Ilil illll ....... ,...........................
TILLER
°Clean entire tiller (See "CLEANING" inthe Customer
Responsibflities section of this manual).
•Inspect and replace belts, if necessary (See belt re-
placement instructionsinthe Service and Adjustments
section ofthis manual),
• Lubricate as shown in the Customer Responsibilities
section of this manual.
• Be sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are securely
fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage
and wear° Replace if necessary,
° Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; 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
FILTER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK DURING STORAGE.
ALSO, 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 OFAN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE°
•Drain the fuel tank.
•Start the engine and let tt 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 alternative in
minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during stor-
age, Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage
container. Always follow the mix ratiofound on stabilizer
container, Run engine at least 10 mtnutes after adding
stabilizer toallow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor, Do
not drain the gastank and carburetor tf using fuel stabilizer.
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean oli.
(See ENGINE" intheCustomer Responsibilities section of
this manual).
CYLINDERS
•Remove spark pfugo
•Pour I ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark plug hole into
cylinder.
• Pullstarter handle slowly several timestodistributeoil,
•Replace wLthnew spark plug.
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season to anotheL
• Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rusL
Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline witl cause problems.
.If possible, store your unit indoors and cover tt to give
protection from dust and dirt.
•Cover your unit with a suitable protective 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 ENGINE
AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE STILL WARM.
20