Craftsman_Tiller_486.252444

Owner's Manual

36" TOW-BEHIND

UNIVERSAL TILLER

Model No. 486.252444

CAUTION:

Before using this product, read this manual and follow all Safety Rules and Operating Instructions.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

www.sears.com/craftsman

STOP

DO NOT RETURN TO STORE For Missing Parts or Assembly Questions Call 1-866-576-8388

???Safety

???Assembly

???Operation

???Maintenance

???Parts

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIMITED WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWERED TRACTOR ATTACHMENTS

For one (1) year from the date of purchase, if this Craftsman Equipment is maintained, lubricated and tuned up according to the instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair or replace free of charge any parts found to be defective in material or workmanship. Warranty service is available free of charge by returning your Craftsman equipment to your nearest Sears Service Center. In-home warranty service is available but a trip charge will apply. This Warranty applies only while this product is in the United States.

This Warranty does not cover:

???Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as spark plugs, air cleaners, belts, and oil filters.

???Tire replacement or repair caused by punctures from outside objects, such as nails, thorns, stumps, or glass.

???Repairs necessary because of operator abuse, including but not limited to, damage caused by impacting objects that bend the frame or crankshaft, or over-speeding the engine.

???Repairs necessary because of operator negligence, including but not limited to, electrical and mechanical damage caused by improper storage, failure to use the proper grade and amount of engine oil, or failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual.

???Engine (fuel system) cleaning or repairs caused by fuel determined to be contaminated or oxidized (stale). In general, fuel should be used within 30 days of its purchase date.

???Equipment used for commercial or rental purposes.

LIMITED WARRANTY ON BATTERY

For ninety (90) days from date of purchase, if any battery included with the equipment proves defective in material or workmanship and our testing determines the battery will not hold a charge, Sears will replace the battery at no charge. Warranty service is available free of charge by returning your Craftsman equipment to your nearest Sears Service Center. In-home warranty service is available but a trip charge will apply. This Warranty applies only while this product is in the United States.

TO LOCATE THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER OR TO SCHEDULE SERVICE, SIMPLY CONTACT SEARS AT 1-800-4-MY-HOME.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

Record serial number and date of purchase in space provided below.

MODEL

NUMBER: 486.252444

SERIAL

NUMBER: ______________________________

DATE OF

PURCHASE: ____________________________

The model and serial numbers will be found on a plate attached to the right hand chassis.

You should record both serial number and date of purchase and keep in a safe place for future reference.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

SAFETY

WARNING: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

IMPORTANT

Warnings, Cautions, and Notes are a means of attracting attention to important or critical information in this manual.

Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means-Attention! Become Alert! Your safety is involved.

TRAINING

???Read opening and Service instructions carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the equipment.

???Never allow children to operate the machine. Do not allow adults to operate the machine without proper instruction.

???Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small children and pets.

PREPARATION

???Check the fuel and lubrication before starting the engine. Do not fill the gasoline tank indoors when the engine is running or while the engine is still hot. Wipe off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine.

???Inspect the area to be tilled. Remove glass, wire, metal objects, large sticks, and stones. Avoid underground pipes and wiring.

???Have a complete working knowledge of your tractor and know how to handle your tractor with a tiller or other attachment attached.

OPERATION

???Give complete and undivided attention to the job at hand. Operate the tiller in daylight or good artificial light.

???Personal injury may result from contact with the augers or debris thrown by this machine. Therefore, always stay a safe distance away from the augers.

???Stop the tiller engine when leaving your tiller unattended.

???Check before each use for loose fasteners or parts.

???Never store the equipment with gasoline in the tank inside of a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow engine to cool before storing in an enclosure.

???Stop engine and disconnect spark plug lead wire before cleaning augers, removing obstacles, or making adjustments, except for those which must be done with the engine running.

???Never place hands or feet under or into rotating parts or concealed areas. Keep hands and feet clearly away from auger elements, belts, pulleys, etc. while engine is running.

???Wear substantial shoes and eye protection while using tiller.

???Never attempt to make a maintenance adjustment while engine is running, except on the carburetor.

???Do not run the engine indoors; carbon monoxide fumes are dangerous to inhale.

???Never operate machine without proper guards, plates, or other safety protective devices in place.

???Disengage the Tine Clutch Lever, stop tiller and tractor engines before getting off the tractor.

???Disengage the Tine Clutch Lever and stop the tiller engine during transportation to and from the work area.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

???Follow maintenance instructions as outlined in this manual and your Engine Owner's Manual supplied with the unit.

???Disconnect spark plug wire before making maintenance adjustment or repair.

???Store gasoline in an approved metal container in a cool, dry place.

???Safety and performance levels can be assured only by the use of specified replacement parts.

WARNING: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-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 law is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on Federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center.

ASSEMBLY

TO REMOVE UNIT FROM

CARTON

???Cut from top to bottom all four corners of the carton and lay panels flat. (See Fig. 1)

???Remove the lag screw that holds the floating hitch to the packing skid.

???Disassemble and discard carton's wood top and side supports.

???Remove four hex bolt, hex nuts and flat washer from the hold down brackets at the rear of the carton.

???Remove and save the two Flat Washers and Cotter Pins from the rear axle. Reuse when attaching gauge wheels.

???Discard all other packing hardware and hold down brackets.

TO INSTALL THE TILLER

GAUGE WHEELS

???Assemble Gauge Wheels onto the Rear Axle with the extended end of Hub facing inward. Secure with the Flat Washers and Cotter Pins which you removed from the axle during unpacking. (See fig. 2.)

FIG. 1

???Right hand (RH) and left hand (LH) are determined from the drivers position while seated on the tractor.

???We recommend that you remove the Mower Deck before using the Tiller. Refer to your Tractor Owner's Manual.

FIG. 2

TO INSTALL THE TILLER TINE

ASSEMBLIES

???Attach the floating hitch to the tractor's draw bar. (Refer to Operating Instructions on page 7.)

???Remove the preassembled 3/8" x 2" hex bolt and 3/8" nylock nut from the L.H. Tine Assembly. Slide the tine assembly onto the Transmission Axle on the left side of the tiller and secure with the hex bolt and nylock nut. (See fig. 3.) Repeat for the R.H. side.

3/8" NYLOCK

NUT

FIG. 3

The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, 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 for over the spectacles or standard safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER

BEFORE STARTING YOUR TILLER

FILL THE ENGINE WITH OIL! Your tiller engine is shipped without oil or gasoline. Add oil and gas as instructed in the separate engine manual.

WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or with the engine running, or while the engine is hot. Do not smoke while filling tank.

STOPPING YOUR TILLER

TINES

???Raise tiller to transport position.

???Pull forward on tine clutch lever.

ENGINE (Refer to separate engine manual.)

???Move throttle control to "STOP" position.

???Turn shut off to "OFF" position.

???Never use choke to stop engine.

STARTING YOUR TILLER

(Refer to separate engine manual.)

CAUTION: The muffler and adjacent areas are hot!

??? Check oil and gas in Tiller engine.

??? Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.

??? Pull forward on tine clutch lever to disengage tines. A safety switch prevents engine from starting while tines are engaged.

??? Turn shut off to "ON" position.

??? Move choke lever on engine to CHOKE position. (A warm engine may not require choking.)

??? Move throttle control lever on engine to FAST position.

??? Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly.

??? Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep a firm grip on starter handle. Let rope rewind slowly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter.

???Repeat instructions in two preceding paragraphs until engine fires. When engine starts, move choke control gradually to RUN position.

???Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before engaging tines.

ATTACHING TILLER TO TRACTOR

(See Fig. 6)

???Rear wheel weights and tire chains can be used on tractor if additional traction is required for tilling.

???Place Tiller on ground level and back up tractor to it.

???Slide Floating Hitch of Tiller onto the tractor drawbar so that the hitch pin holes line up.

???Insert hitch pin until it extends through bottom of Floating Hitch. Insert hair cotter pin into hitch pin.

FIG. 6

BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER

Break-in your belts, pulleys and the control before you actually begin tilling.

???Start engine with tiller attached to tractor in transport position. Engage Tine Clutch Lever to start tine rotation. Allow tines to rotate for five minutes.

???Check tine operation and adjust if necessary. See "TINE OPERATION CHECK" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

TILLER LUBRICATION

Check transmission oil level after first 5 hours of operation. Remove Oil Fill Plug (Fig. 10). Oil Level must be even with the Plug Hole (with Tiller level.) If necessary, add Oil. Use SAE30 Non-Detergent Motor Oil. Replace Oil Fill Plug.

Check transmission oil level after each 10 hours of operation.

NOTE: It is not necessary to change the Oil in the Tiller Transmission. If for any reason it must be changed, Oil capacity is 22 oz.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

WARNING: Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or before performing any repairs or maintenance.

???Check oil level before each use and every 8 hours.

???Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate engine manual.

???Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual.

???Spark plug replacement is recommended every 100 hours or yearly. Check the engine manual for correct plug type and gap specifications.

WARNING: Shut off (disengage) the Tine Clutch Lever, the Tiller Engine and the Tractor Engine before making any repairs.

TINE CARE

???For best results--Tine Blades should be kept reasonably sharp. The Tine Blade can be sharpened on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen Tines while they are mounted to Tiller.

SPARE TINE DRIVE BOLTS

???The Tiller drive components are protected from damage by (shearable) Grade 5 hex bolts in the Tine Assemblies. The hex bolts drive the tines and hold them in the proper location. Should the Tine Assemblies strike or pick up a large hidden object or become jammed, the hex bolts will break and the drive components will not be damaged.

???Two extra tine hex bolts and nuts are included with the tiller. They are located in the Tiller Stake Support Bracket on the rear of the Tiller.

???The tine hex bolts are designed to be loose fit. Do not attempt to use a bolt or pin that is larger or harder than the original Grade 5 hex bolts.

STORAGE

Immediately prepare your tiller for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more.

CAUTION: Never store the tiller with gasoline in the tank inside a building, where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

ENGINE

???Follow the instructions in the "Service & Storage" section of the Engine Manual.

TILLER

???Clean entire tiller (See "CLEANING" in the Customer Responsibilities section of the manual).

???Inspect and replace belts, if necessary (See belt replacement instructions in the Service and Adjust- ments section of this manual.

???Lubricate as instructed 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.

???If possible, store tiller indoors and cover it to protect from dust and dirt.

???Cover tiller 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.

WARNING: Never cover Tiller while engine and exhaust areas are still warm.

20 11

1417

19 28

75 67

52 23

PARTS

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