Craftsman Weedwacker 358.791620 User manual

Operator's Manual
Weedwacker
Gas Trimmer
20cc/1.2 cu.in. 2-Cycle
15 Inch Cutting Path /0.080 In. Line
Model No.
358.791620
•Safety
•Assembly
•Operation
•Maintenance
•Parts List
•Eapar_ol, p. 19
WARNING:
Read and follow all Safety Rules and Operating
Instructions before first use of this product.
For answers to your questions about this product:
Call 7 am-7 pm, Mon.-Sat., or 10 am-7 pm, Sun.
1-800-235-5878 _Hoo,o,isted are Central Time)
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
545177386 Rev. 2 3/26/08 BRW

Warranty Statement 2 Storage 13
Identification of Safety Symbols 2 Troubteshooting Chart 14
Safety Rules 4 Emissions Statement 15
Assembiy 6
Operation 7 Parts List 17
Maintenance tl Spanish 19
Service & Adjustments 12 Parts and Ordering Back
ONE YEAR FULL WARRANTY ON GAS WEEDWACKER
When used and maintained according to the operator's manual, ffthis product fails due
to a defect in material or workmanship within one year from the date of purchase, return
it to any Sears store or Sears Service Center in the United States for free repair (or re-
placement if repair proves impossible).
This warranty excludes cutting line, spark plug and air fiiter, which are expendabie
parts that can wear out from normal use in less than one year.
This warranty applies for only 90 days from purchase date if this product is ever used
for commercial or rentat purposes.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
@
®®®
_DANGER: Use only specified trimmer
head, spoot, and 0.080 inch (2 mm) recom-
mended trimmer line. Never use blades, flail-
ing devices, wire, rope, string, etc. This
unit is designed for line trimmer use only.
Failure to foIIow these instructions may
result in serious injury.
I_ I'_WARNING: This unit can be dangerous! CareIess or
1
Iimproper use can cause serious injury.
Read the operator's manual before use. Failure to follow
instructions coutd result in serious injury. Save operator's
manual
_] Trimmer line can throw objects vio-
lently, You can be blinded or injured,
Always wear hearing protection and
safety glasses marked Z87. Always
wear heavy, tong pants, long sleeve
boots and gloves,

Hazardzoneforthrownobjects.
• Trimmerlinethrowsobjectsviolently.
• Youandotherscanbeblinded/injured.
• Keepchildren,bystanders,andanimals
50feet(t5meters)away.
0 _ ISecure hair above shoulder length.
• _'_ IDo not wear jeweIry, loose clothing,
| _ v,j Ior clothing with loosing hanging
_. _ _ Istraps, ties, tassels, etc. They can
_W /be caught in moving parts.
1
INever allow children to operate this unit.
1
Store unit indoors in a high, dry place out of the
reach of children. Store unit and fuet in area where
fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or open flames
from water heaters, electric motors or switches,
furnaces, etc,
When servicing unit, use onty identical replace-
ment parts.
Always stop unit and disconnect spark plug before
cleaning or servicing.
1o--_rusweatReNulrNitGn:eFaire _aaZmardorNse;se_sm(iXciPOcUr4gOrsStOrke4aSo°pline
Jflames, or work that can cause sparks).
Use unleaded gasoline and two-stroke oil mixed at a
ratio of 40:1 (2.5%),

dI_IWARNING:Whenusinggar-
deningappliances,basicsafetypre-
cautionsmustalwaysbefollowedto
reducetheriskoffireandserious
injury.Readandfollowattinstructions.
This power unit can be dangerous!
Operator is responsible for foIIowing
instructions and warnings on unit and in
manual. Read entire operator's manual
before using unit! Be thoroughly familiar
with the controls and the proper use of
the unit. Restrict the use of this unit to
persons who have read, understand,
and wilI follow the instructions and
warnings on the unit and in the manual.
Never allow children to operate this unit.
OPERATOR'S SAFETYINFORMATION
MANUAL ONTHE UNET
ADANGER: Never use blades or
flailing devices. This unit is designed
for line trimmer use only. Use of any
other accessories or attachments will
increase the risk of injury.
If situations occur which are not cov-
ered in this manual, use care and
good judgment. If you need assis-
tance, contact your Sears Service
Center or calt 1-800-235-5878.
OPERATOR SAFETY
• Dress properly. Always wear safety
giasses or simitar eye protection when
operating, or performing maintenance,
on your unit (safety glasses are avail-
able). Eye protection should be
marked Z87.
• Always wear face or dust mask if op-
eration is dusty.
• Always wear heavy, long pants, tong
sleeves, boots, and gloves. Wearing
safety teg guards is recommended.
• Always wear foot protection, Do not
go barefoot or wear sandals. Stay
clear of spinning line.
• Secure hair above shoulder tength.
Secure or remove loose clothing or
clothing with toosely hanging ties,
straps, tassels, etc. They can be
caught in moving parts.
• Being fully covered also hetps protect
you from debris and pieces of toxic
piants thrown by spinning line.
• Stay atert. Do not operate this unit
when you are tired, ill, upset or under
the influence of alcohot, drugs, or
medication. Watch what you are do-
ing; use common sense.
• Wear hearing protection.
• Never start or run inside a closed
room or building. Breathing exhaust
fumes can kill.
• Keep handles free of oil and fuel.
UNIT /MAINTENANCE SAFETY
_WARNING: Stop unitand dis-
connect the spark plug before per-
forming maintenance (except carbure-
tor adjustments).
• Look for and replace damaged or
loose parts before each use. Look for
and repair fuel leaks before use, Keep
in good working condition.
• Replace trimmer head parts that are
chipped, cracked, broken, or dam-
aged in any other way before using
the unit.
• Maintain unit according to recom-
mended procedures. Keep cutting line
at proper length.
• Use only 0.080 inch (2 mm) diameter
line, Never use wire, rope, string, etc.
• Install required shield properly before
using the unit. Use onty specified trim-
mer head; make sure it is properly
installed and securely fastened.
• Make sure unit is assembled correctly
as shown in this manual.
• Make carburetor adjustments with
lower end supported to prevent line
from contacting any object.
• Keep others away when making car-
buretor adjustments.
• Use onty recommended accessories
and replacement parts.
• Have atl maintenance and service not
explained in this manual performed by
a Sears Service Center.
FUEL SAFETY
• Mix and pour fuel outdoors.
• Keep away from sparks or flames.
• Do not smoke or allow smoking near
fueI or the unit.
• Avoid spilling fueI or oit. Wipe up alI
fuel spills.
• Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) away
from fueling site before starting en-
gine. Stop engine and allow it to cool
before removing fuel cap.
• Empty the fuel tank before storing or
transporting the unit. Use up fuel left
4

inthecarburetorbystartingtheen-
gineandlettingitrununtil_tstops.
• Storeunitandfuelinareawherefuel
vaporscannotreachsparksoropen
flamesfromwaterheaters,electric
motorsorswitches,furnaces,etc.
• AlwaysstoregasoIineinacontainer
approvedforflammableliquids.
CUTTINGSAFETY
,_ WARNING: Inspect the area be-
fore each use. Remove objects
(rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, etc.)
which can be thrown by or become
entangled in tine. Hard objects can
damage the trimmer head and be
thrown causing serious injury.
• Use only for trimming, scalping, mow-
ing and sweeping. Do not use for edg-
ing, pruning or hedge trimming.
• Keep firm footing and balance. Do not
overreach.
• Keep all parts of your body away from
muffler and spinning line. Keep engine
below waist level A hot muff{er can
cause serious bums.
• Cut from your right to your left. Cutting
on left side of the shield will throw de-
bris away from the operator.
• Use only in daylight or good artificial
light.
• Use only for jobs expIained in this
manual,
TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE
• Stop the unit before carrying.
• Allow engine to cool; secure unit be-
fore storing or transporting in vehicle.
• Empty the fuel tank before storing or
transporting the unit. Use up fuet left
in the carburetor by starting the en-
gine and tetting it run until it stops.
• Store unit and fuel in area where fuel
vapors cannot reach sparks or open
flames from water heaters, electric
motors or switches, furnaces, etc.
• Store unit so line timiter blade cannot
accidentally cause injury. The unit
can be hung by the tube.
• Store unit out of reach of children.
This unit is not equipped with an anti-
vibration system and is intended for
occasional use only.
SAFETY NOTICE: Exposure to vibra-
tions through prolonged use of gaso-
line powered hand tools could cause
blood vessel or nerve damage in the
fingers, hands, and joints of peopIe
prone to circulation disorders or ab-
normat swellings. Prolonged use in
cotd weather has been Iinked to blood
vessel damage in otherwise heatthy
peopte, tf symptoms occur such as
numbness, pain, loss of strength,
change in skin cotor or texture, or toss
of feeling in the fingers, hands, or
ioints, discontinue the use of this tool
and seek medical attention.
An anti-vibration system does not
guarantee the avoidance of these
problems. Users who operate power
tools on a continual and regular basis
must monitor closely their physical
condition and the condition of this tooL
SPECIAL NOTICE: This unit is
equipped with a temperature limiting
muffler and spark arresting screen
which meets the requirements of Cali-
fornia Codes 4442 and 4443. All U.S.
forest land and the states of California,
Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey,
Oregon, and Washington require by
Iaw that many internal combustion en-
gines be equipped with a spark arrest-
ing screen. Ifyou operate in a locale
where such regulations exist, you are
tegally responsible for maintaining the
operating condition of these parts.
Failure to do so is a violation of the
Iaw. For normal homeowner use, the
muffler and spark arresting screen will
not require any service. After 50 hours
of use, we recommend that your muf-
fler be serviced or replaced by your
Sears Service Center.

CARTONCONTENTS
Checkcartoncontentsagainstthefol-
Iowingtist.
Model 358.791620
•Trimmer
• Shield
• Container of Oil
Examine parts for damage. Do not
use damaged parts.
NOTE: If you need assistance or find
parts missing or damaged, call
1-800-235-5878.
It is normal for the fuel filter to rattle in
the empty fuel tank.
Finding fuel or oil residue on muffler is
normat due to carburetor adjustments
and testing done by the manufacturer.
ASSEMBLY
,I_WARNING: Always stop unit
and disconnect spark plug before per-
forming any assembly procedures.
_WARNING: If received as-
sembled, repeat all steps to ensure
your unit is properly assembled and aIt
fasteners are secure.
ADJUSTING THE HANDLE
_WARNING: When adjusting the
assist handle, be sure it remains above
the safety label and betow the mark or
arrow on the shaft.
1. Loosen wing nut on handle.
2. Rotate the handle on the shaft to an
upright position; retighten wing nut.
ATTACHING SHIELD
_WARNING: The shield must be
properly installed. The shield provides
partial protection from the risk of thrown
objects to the operator and others and
is equipped with a tine limiter blade
which cuts excess line to the proper
length. The line limiter btade (on under-
side of shield) is sharp and can cut you.
For proper orientation of shield, see
KNOW YOUR TRIMMER iIlustration in
OPERATION section.
1. Remove wing nut from shield.
2. Insert bracket into slot as shown.
3. Pivot shield until bo_t passes
through hole in bracket.
4. Securely tighten wing nut onto boIt.
Slot
Shield
Bracket
Line Umiter Wing
PIVOT Blade Nut

KNOW YOUR TRIMMER
READ THIS OPERATOR'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFOREOPERATING YOUR
UNiT Compare the illustrations with your unit to famiIiarize yourself with the location
of the various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.
Assist Handle
""_ i Shaft Mark
Shaft or Arrow
Safety Label
Muffler
Primer _%- Throttle
Spark Plug k_ Bulb Trigger
Trimmer STOP
Head ShieId
Line Umiter
Blade Starter Handle
Fuel Mix FiII Cap
STOP SWITCH
The STOP switch is used to stop the en-
gine. To stop the engine, push and hold
the switch in the STOP position until the
engine stops.
PRIMER BULB
The PRIMER BULB removes air from
the carburetor and fuel tines and fitls
them with fuel. This atiows you to start
the engine with fewer pulls on the
starter rope. Activate the primer bulb
by pressing it and aliowing it to return
to its original form.
CHOKE
The CHOKE helps to supply fuel to the
engine to aid in cold starting. Activate
the choke by moving the choke lever to
the FULL CHOKE position. After the en-
gine attempts to start, move the choke
tever to the HALFCHOKE position. Once
engine has started, move the choke
tever to the RUN position.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
_IIWARNING: Be sure to read
the fuel information in the safety rules
before you begin. If you do not
understand the safety rules, do not
attempt to fuet your unit. Call
1-800-235-5878.
FUELING ENGINE
_[k WARNING: Remove fuel cap
slowly when refueling.
This engine is certified to operate on
unIeaded gasoline. Before operation,
gasotine must be mixed with a good
quaIity synthetic 2-cycte air-cooled
engine oil. Mix gasoline and oil at a
ratio of 40:1. A 40:1 ratio is obtained
by mixing 3.2 ounces of oit with 1
galton of unleaded gasoline. Included
with this trimmer is a 3,2 ounce
container of oil. Pour the entire
contents of this container into 1 gallon
of gasoline to achieve the proper fuel
mixture. DO NOT USE automotive oii or
marine oil. These oils will cause
engine damage. When mixing fuel,
follow instructions printed on
container, Once oil is added to
gasoline, shake container momentarily
to assure that the fuel is thoroughly
mixed. Always read and follow the
safety rules relating to fuel before
fueling your unit.
7

IMPORTANT
Experienceindicatesthatalcohol
blendedfuels(calledgasoholorusing
ethanolormethanol)canattractmois-
turewhichleadstoseparationand
formationofacidsduringstorage.
Acidicgascandamagethefuelsys-
temofanenginewhileinstorage.
Toavoidengineproblems,emptythe
fuelsystembeforestoragefor30days
orlonger.Drainthegastank,startthe
engineandletitrununtilthefuellines
andcarburetorareempty.Usefresh
fuetnextseason.
Neveruseengineorcarburetorclean-
erproductsinthefueltankorperma-
nentdamagemayoccur.
SeetheSTORAGEsectionforaddition-
alinformation,
HOWTOSTOPYOURUNIT
• Tostoptheengine,pushandhotd
theSTOPswitchintheSTOPposition
untiltheenginestops.
• Ifenginedoesnotstop,movechoke
totheFULLCHOKEposition.
HOWTOSTARTYOURUNIT
_IJWARNING:Avoidanycontact
withthemuffter.Ahotmufflercan
causeseriousburns,
Starting Position
STARTING ACOLD ENGINE (or a
warm engine after running out of
fuel)
1. Set unit on a flat surface.
2. SlowIy press the primer bulb 6
times.
3, Move choke lever to the FULL
CHOKE position.
4. Squeeze the throttle tdgger futly and
hold through all remaining steps.
Primer Bulb
\ Choke
Lever
Starter Handle
5. Pult starter rope handle sharply until
engine sounds as if it is trying to
start, but do not pull rope more than
6 times.
6. As soon as engine sounds as if it is
trying to start, move choke lever to
HALF CHOKE position,
7. Pull starter rope sharply untit engine
runs, but no more than 6 pulls.
NOTE: Ifthe engine doesn't start
after 6 pulls (at the HALF CHOKE
position), move the choke lever to
the FULL CHOKE position and press
the primer bulb 6 times. Squeeze
and hold the throttle trigger and pull
the starter rope 2 more times. Move
the choke lever to the HALF CHOKE
position and pull the starter rope un-
til the engine runs, but no more than
6 pulls, tf the engine still doesn't
start, it is probably flooded, Proceed
to STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE.
8. Once the engine starts, allow it to
run 10 seconds, then move the
choke lever to the RUN position.
Allow the unit to run for 30 more se-
conds at RUN before releasing the
throttle trigger. NOTE: If engine
dies with the choke lever in the
RUN position, move the choke le-
ver to the HALF CHOKE position
and pull the rope untit engine runs,
but no more than 6 pulls.
STARTING A WARM ENGINE
1. Move the choke lever to the HALF
CHOKE position.
2. Squeeze and hold the throttle trig-
ger. Keep throttle trigger fully
squeezed until the engine runs
smoothly.

3, PulIstarterropesharplyuntilengine
runs,butnomorethan6pulls.
4, Allowenginetorun15seconds,
thenmovethechokelevertoRUN.
NOTE:tfenginehasnotstar_ed,pull
starterrope5morepulls,tfenginestill
doesnotrun,itisprobablyflooded.
STARTINGAFLOODEDENGINE
Floodedenginescanbestartedby
placingthechokeleverintheRUN
position;then,pulltheropetoclear
theengineofexcessfuel.Thiscould
requirepullingthestarterhandlemany
timesdependingonhowbadlythe
unitisflooded.Iftheunitstilldoesn't
start,refertoTROUBLESHOOTINGTA-
BLEorcall1-800-235-5878.
OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS
Tomaximize operating efficiency, do
not run the engine for longer than 1
minute at a time at full throttle.
OPERATING POSITION
ALWAYS WEA_. I _ Eye protection
Heavy shoes
Out from your right to your left
_IIWARNING: Always wear eye
protection. Always use hearing protec-
tion. Never lean over the trimmer head.
Rocks or debris can ricochet or be
thrown into eyes and face and cause
blindness or other serious injury.
When operating unit, stand as shown
and check for the following:
• Wear eye protection and heavy
clothing.
• Hold trigger handle with right hand
and assist handle with left hand.
• Hold unit so that engine is below
waist level.
• Cut only from your right to your left to
ensure debris is thrown away from
you. Without bending over, keep line
near and parallel to the ground and
not crowded into material being cut.
Do not run the engine at a higher
speed than necessary. The cutting
Iine wilt cut efficiently when the engine
is run at less than full throttle. At lower
speeds, there is tess engine noise and
vibration.
The cutting line will last longer and will
be less likely to "weld" onto the spool.
Always release the throttle trigger and
allow the engine to return to idle
speed when not cutting.
HOW TO STOP YOUR UNIT
• Release the throttle trigger.
• Push and release the engine STOP
switch.
TRIMMER LINE ADVANCE
The trimmer line wiIt advance approxi-
mately 2 inches (5 cm) each time the
bottom of the trimmer head is tapped
on the ground with the engine running
at full throttle.
The most efficient line length is the
maximum length allowed by the line
timiter. Always keep the shield in place
when the tool is being operated.
To advance line:
• Operate the engine at full throttle.
• Hold the trimmer head parallel to
and above the grassy area.
• Tap the bottom of the trimmer head
lightly on the ground one time. Ap-
proximately 2 inches (5 cm) of line
will be advanced with each tap.
Always tap the trimmer head on a
grassy area. Tapping on surfaces such
as concrete or asphalt can cause ex-
cessive wear to the trimmer head.
If the line is worn down to 2 inches (5
cm) or less, more than one tap will be
required to obtain the most efficient line
length.
,_ WARNING: Use only 0,080 inch
(2 mm) diameter round line. Other
sizes and shapes of line witt not ad-
vance properly and wilt result in im-
proper cutting head function or can
cause serious injury. Do not use other
materials such as wire, string, rope,
etc. Wire can break off during cutting
and become a dangerous missile that
can cause serious injury.
CUTTING METHODS
Use minimum speed and do not
crowd the line when cutting around
hard objects (rock, gravel, fence
posts, etc.), which can damage the
trimmer head, become entangled in
the line, or be thrown causing a seri-
ous hazard.

• Thetipofthelinedoesthecutting.
Youwillachievethebestperform-
anceandminimum_inewearbynot
crowdingthelineintothecutting
area,Therightandwrongwaysare
shownbelow.
TipoftheLine LineCrowdedInto
DoesTheCuttingWorkArea
-'Right" rN_ Wrong _"
• Thelinewitleasilyremovegrass
andweedsfromaroundwaits,
fences,treesandflowerbeds,butit
alsocancutthetenderbarkoftrees
orshrubsandscarfences.Tohelp
avoiddamageespeciallytodelicate
vegetationortreeswithtenderbark,
shortenlineto4-5inches(1O-t3
cm)anduseattess than full throttle.
• For trimming or scaIping, use less
than full throttle to increase line life
and decrease head wear, especially:
• During light duty cutting.
• Near objects around which the line
can wrap such as small posts,
trees or fence wire.
• For mowing or sweeping, use full
throttte for a good clean job.
TRIMMING -HoId the bottom of the
trimmer head about 3 inches (8 cm)
above the ground and at an angte. AI-
tow onty the tip of the iine to make
contact with vegetation. Do not force
trimmer tine into work area.
Trimming /. • .
above ground _, " _'Y_',
SCALPtNG- The sca_ping technique
removes unwanted vegetation down
to the ground. Hold the bottom of the
trimmer head about 3 inches (8 cm)
above the ground and at an angle. At-
low the tip of the line to strike the
ground around trees, posts, monu-
ments, etc. This technique increases
line wear.
Scalping _,,
MOWING - Your trimmer is ideal for
mowing in places conventionaI lawn
mowers cannot reach, tn the mowing
position, keep the Iine parallel to the
ground. Avoid pressing the head into
the ground as this can scaIp the
ground and damage the tool.
SWEEPING - The fanning action of
the rotating Hne can be used for a
quick and easy ciean up. Keep the
Iine paraIlet to and above the surfaces
being swept and move the tool from
side to side.
Sweeping • ..iii
10