Craftsman 917.292301 User manual

Owner's Manual
®
5.0 HI=
24 raNCHTINE WIDTH
FRO E T LLER
Model No.
917.292301
Safety
,, Assembly
Operation
,_Maintenance
,, Repair Parts
CAUTION:
Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment
For answers to your questions
about this product, Calf:
1=800=659=5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
5 am - 5 pro, Mort - Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Warranty ........................................................... 2
Safely Rules .................................... ,.........2
Product Specifications .............................. 4
Assembly ..................................................... 6
Operation ............................................. 3 & 7
Maintenance ........................................... 1t
Service and Adjustments ........................ 13
Storage .............................................. 3 & 16
Troubleshooting ..............................................I7
Illustrated Parts List ............................... 19
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:
o 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..
. If 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 centeddepartment 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/817WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60179
TRAINING
° Read the Owner's Manual carefully. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls and
the proper use of the equipmenL 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.
o Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, particularly small children, and
pe ts` : :,,
PREPARATION
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used and remove all
foreign objects.
. Disengacji_ all clutches and shil_i into
neutral before starting the,engine (too..
toO,
o Do not operate the equipment without
wearing adequate outer garments, Wear
lootwear that wilt improve footing on
slippery surfaces.
o Handle fuel with tare; it is highly flam-
mable.
° Use an approved fuel container,
o Never add fuel to:a running engine or'
hot engine,,
,' Fill fuel tank outdbors with extreme
care, Never fill IuBI tank indoors,
o Replace gasoline cap securely and
clean up spilled fue! before restarting.
° Use 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).

OPERATION
,, Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunder
rotatingpads.
o Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperat-
ing on or crossing gravel drives, walks,
or roads.. Stay alert for hidden hazards
or traffic. Do not carry passengers.
,, 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_
o Exercise caution to avoid slipping or
falling.
= If the unit should start to vibrate abhor _
re!!ly, stop the engine (motor) and check
immediately' for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of troubler
,, Stop the engine (motor) when leaving
the operating position,
o Take all possible precautions when leav-
ing the machine unattended° 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
motors._
o 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.
,, Do not overload the machine capacity
by attempting to till too deep at too fast a
rate.
o 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_
,, Never operate the tiller without good vis-
ibility or light.
o 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,
° Never store the machine with fuel in the
fuel tank inside a building where ignition
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°
• Always refer to the operator's guide
instructions for important details if the
tiller is to be stored for an extended peri-
od.
,_kCAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it cannot
contact spark plug in order to prevent acct...
dental starting when setting up, transport-
ing, 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

IPRODtJCT SPECtFgCATIONS
HORSEPOWER: &0 HP
DISPLACEMENT: 12o57 CU, IN.
(206C6)
GASOUNE CAPACITY: 3 Quarts
Unleaded Regular
OIL (API-SF!SGISH):
(CAPACITY'. 20 oz.)
SAE 3O
(Above 32°F)
SAE 5W-30
(Below 32°F)
SPARK PLUG ; Champion RJ19LM
(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'
CentedDepadment. We have competent,
well4rained 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 assembled at the
factory with exception of those pars left
unassembled for shipping purposes., To
ensure safe and p_'oper operation of yd_r
tiller all parts and hardware you assemble
must be tightened securety Use the cor-
rect tools as necessary to insure proper
tightness.
MAINTENANCE AGREEIViENT
A Sears Maintenance Agreement is avail-
able on this product, Contact your nearest
Sears store for details.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
,, Read and observe the safety rules,
o Follow a regular schedule in maintain-
ing, caring for and using your tiller.
o Follow the instructions under the
"Customer Responsibilities" and "Stor-
age" sections of this Owner's Manual,
WARNING: This unit is equipped with an
internal combustion engine and should not
be used o11or near any unimproved for-
est-covered, brush-covered or grass cov-
ered land unless the engine's exhaust sys-
tem is equipped with a spark arrester
meeting applicable local or state taws (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
arrester., Refer to the Repair Parts section
of this manual for part number,
i
These accessories were available, when the tiller was purchased. They are also avail-
able at most Sears Retail outlets and Service Centers.. Most Sears Stores can order
repair parts for you when you provide the model number of your tiller,
ENGINE
STABILIZER
TILLER MAINTENANCE

Your new tiller has been assembled at the
factory with exception of those parts left
unassembled for shipping purposes, To
ensure safe and proper operation of your
tillre all parts and hardwa[e you assemble
must be tightened securely. Use the correct
tools as necessary to insure proper tight-
nesso
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
A socket wrench set will make assembly
easier. Standard wrench sizes are listed.
(1) Utility knife
(t) Pair of pliers
(2) 1/2" wrenches
OPERATOR'S POSITION
When dght or left hand is mentioned in
this manual, it means when you are in
the operating position (standing behind
tiller handles).
Front
Left Right
Operator's Position
CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK
(t) Manual
(2) Lock
Washers 5/16
@ G
__--_" (2) Flange Locknuts (2) Hex Nuts
5/i 6-18 UNC 5/t 6-18
-k_J-
(1) Plastic
Cable Clip
(1) BofifeEngine Oil
(2) Hex Bolts
5/16_18 x 1:1/4
(2) Carriage Bolts 5/16-18 UNC x 2-3/8 Gr. 5
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 Io stretch or
kink cable(s),
o Cut cable ties securing handle column,
• Slowly lift handle column up and slip
over handle mount. _;
. Remove packing from carton .....
,, Secure handle column to handle mount
using two (2) carriage bolts and ti_o (2)
flange Iocknuts. Tighten botll flange
locknuts securely.
o Remove packing material from handle
assembly.
,_ insert plastic cable clip into '_lote in han-
dle column.
,, Route tine control cable thr6ugh plastic
cable clip on handle column'.
o Cut away carton.
o Cut cable ties securing tiller to ski&
o Remove tiller from skid by pulling back-
wards..
T_ne
"fine Control Cable
Handle Mount _dfe
Column
Engine Bracket Halves
Nut "A"
Depth Stake
)oft
Stake
Support Bolt
Hex Bolts, Lockwashers,
and He× 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
o'Tilling width may be adjusted to bette{
handle your tilling conditions (See 'q_lNE
ARRANGEMENT" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual).
TINE OPERATION
=Check tine operation before first use.
(See 'q'tNE OPERATION CHECK" in the
Service and Adiustments section of this
manual).
INSTALL DEPTH STAKE ASSEMBLY
Loosen nut "A".
•insert stake support between engine
bracket halves with stake spring down.
,, Bolt stake support to engine brackets
with bolts, lock washers and nuts.
Tighten securely. Tighten nut °A'L
,, Depth stake must move freely. If it does
not, loosen support bolt.

KNOWYOURTILLER
READTHISOWNER'SMANUALANDSAFETYRULESBEFOREOPERATINGYOUR
TILLER°
Compare the illustrations with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the location of vari-
ous controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference_
These symbols may appear on your Tiller or in literature supplied with the prod-
uct. Learn and understand their meaning.
R_V_RS_ CALmOt;I EFi'G_'NE F..J_'GINE FAST 5LCt,'V C_OKE FUEL OIL
CR WA,_/_IING oN OFF
Forward T_ne_
Corltrol Oho oo o,
i
_ _/Tine Shield
Reco,, Starter Hand,e//" __ _'_-- T_nes
MEETS ANS! 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 tille_ will dig.
RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to
start the engine°
7

_The operation of any tiller ban result in foreign objects thrown into the
'[,'_,jeyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses
_or eye shields before starting your tiller and while tilling. We recommend a
wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses,
HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER
STOPPING
TINES
• Release forward fine control to stop for-
ward movement,
ENGINE
i = Move throttle control to "STOP" position.
!_ Never use choke to stop engine,
Forward Tine Control "OFF (UP) Position
Forward
Position
_... Choke
Control
. hrottle
Control
TINE OPERATION
_FORWARD
i_o Squeeze forward line control to handle.
TILLING
The speed and depth of tilling is regulated
iby the position of the depth stake and
i ,vheel height.
!The depth stake should always be below
it he wheels for digging. It serves as a
,rake to slow the tiller's forward motion to
'i nable the tines to penetrate the ground_
_lso, the more the depth stake ]stowered
_to the ground the deeper the tines will
1.
tEPTH STAKE
djust depth stake by removing tile hair-
in clip and clevis pin. Change depth
take to desired position. Replace the cte-
s pin and hairpin ciip_ , '_
For normal tiIting, set depth stake'at the
second or third hole from the top.
WHEELS
Adjust wheels by removing the hairpin clip
and clevis pin. Change wheel position.
Replace the hairpin clip and clevis pin.
o For normal tilling, set wheels at the sec-
ond or third hole from the top_
Wheel _
pth Stake
Stake Spring andClevisPin
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
o Tip depth stake forward until It is held by
the stake spring°
o Push tiller handles down, raising tines
off the ground°
o Push or puil tiller to desired location°
AROUND TOWN
o Disconnect spark plug wire,
. Drain fue_ tank.
o 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 oi! or fuel. Use clean oil and fuel
and store in approved, clean, covered
containers. Use clean fill funnels.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
• Remove hang tag from engine.
• With engine level, remove engine oil
filler plug,
• Fill engine with oil to point of overflow-
ing, For approximate capacity see
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS on
page 4 of this manual,
8

,Tift tiller back on its wheels and then re-
level
o With engine level, refill to point of over-
flowing if necessal¥. Replace oil filler
plug_
,, For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easie[+starting (See OIL
VISCOSITY CHART in the Customer
Responsibilities section of this manual).
,' To change engine oil, see the Customer
Responsibilities section of this manual+
Oil Filter
Plug
ADD GASOLINE
o 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 white 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 untit 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.
,_CAUTtON; Fill to within 'I/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 fine control in "OFF"
position when starting engine.
When starting engine for the first time or if
engine t_as run out of fuel, it will take extra
pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
,, Make sure spark plug wire is properly
connected.
o Place throttle control in "FAST" position.
• Move choke control to full "CHOKE"
position. Grasp recoil Starter handle will1
one hand and grasp tiller handle with
other hand. Pull rope out slowty untit
engine reaches star:[ of compression
cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this
point).
,' Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not
let starter handle snap back against
starter, Repeat if necessary..
o If engine fires but does not start, move
choke control to half choke position+ Pull
recoil starter handle until engin e stads.
o When engine starts, slowly move choke
control to "RUN" position as engine
warms upo
NOTE: A warm engine requires less chok-
ing to start+
oMove throttle control to desired running
position.
• Allow engine to warm up for a few mira
utes before engaging tines.
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.
Spark Plug
Choke Control
lrottfe Control
Recoil Starlet
BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER
Break-in your belt(s), pulleys and fine con-
trol before you actually begin tilling.

,_ Start engine, tip tines off ground by
pressing handles down and engage tine
control to start tine rotation. Allow tines
to rotate for five minutes.
o Check tine operation and adjust if nec-
essary,. See 'qINE 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 posilion (mid-way be..
tween "FAST" and "IDLE")..
TOhelp tiller move forward, lilt up the han-
dles slightly (thus lifting depth stake out of
ground). To slow down the tiller, press
down on handles.
tf 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. (The 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).
A properly adjusted tiller will dig with little
effort from the operator.
o 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", A tiller 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,
° Soil conditions are important for proper
tilling. Tines will net readily penelrate
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 wifl _ball-up" or clump during till-
ing. Wait until the soil is tess wet ih order
to achieve the best results, When tilling
in the fall, remove vines and tong grass
to prevent them from wrapping around
the fine shaft and slowing your tilling
operation.
,, You will find tilling mucl3 easier if you
leave a row untilled between passes.
Then go back between tilled rows.There
are two reasons for doing this° First,
wide turns are much easier to negotiate
than about4aces. Second, the tiller
won't be pulling itself, and you, toward
the row next to it.
" 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.
CULTIVATING
Cultivating is destroying the weeds
between rows to prevent them from rob-
bing nourishment and moisture from the
plants, At the same time, breaking up the
upper layer of soil crust wilt 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
spring,.
Cultivate up and down the rows at a
speed which wilt allow tines ta uproot
weeds and leave the ground in rough
condition, promoting no further
growth of weeds and grass.
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