Craftsman Lawn Aerator 486243361 User Guide

Owner's Manual  
®
STOP  
36" SPIKE AERATOR  
DO NOT RETURN TO STORE  
For Missing Parts or Assembly  
Questions Call 1-866-576-8388  
Model No. 486.243361  
• Safety  
CAUTION:  
• Assembly  
• Operation  
• Maintenance  
• Parts  
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.  
PRINTED IN U.S.A.  
FORM NO. 40505 (12/06)  
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HARDWARE PACKAGE CONTENTS  
SHOWN ACUTAL SIZE  
NOT SHOWN ACUTAL SIZE  
J
H
I
A
F
B
C
D
E
K
L
M
G
Ref.  
Qty.  
Description  
Ref.  
Qty.  
Description  
H
I
J
K
L
M
11  
6
2
2
1
Flanged Bearing  
Spacer Tube, Long  
Spacer Tube, Short  
Spring  
Hitch Pin  
Hitch Arm Mount Bracket  
A
B
C
D
E
F
4
12  
2
2
2
Bolt, Carriage, 5/16" x 1"  
Bolt, Hex, 5/16" x 3/4"  
Bolt, Hex, 5/16" x 1-1/4"  
Bolt, Hex, 5/16" x 2"  
Spring Pin, 1/4" x 1-1/4"  
Hair Cotter Pin  
4
1
G
20  
Nut, Nylock 5/16"  
CARTON CONTENTS  
3
1
4
5
2
6
5. Hitch Bracket (2)  
6. Hitch Mount Arm (2)  
Hardware Pack (Shown above)  
1. End Plate (2)  
2. Frame Angle (2)  
3. Spike Disk (9)  
4. Axle  
3
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ASSEMBLY  
CAUTION: The spike disks have sharp  
Carefully press or hammer a flanged bearing into  
points. To avoid injury, use extra care when  
handling the disks and when assembling  
the aerator.  
each spike disk from the side shown in figure 3.  
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY  
FLANGED  
BEARING  
(2) 1/2" open or boxed end wrench  
(1) Hammer  
Lay out and identify all parts and hardware as shown in  
Carton Contents and Hardware Pack illustrations.  
SPIKE DISK  
Assemble the two frame angles (one with the bend  
up and the other with the bend down) to the two end  
plates using eight 5/16" x 3/4" hex bolts and eight  
5/16" nylock nuts. Make sure that the frame is squared  
up, and then tighten. See figure 1.  
FIGURE 3  
FRAME ANGLE  
(BEND UP)  
Insert the end of the axle through one of the end  
plates. See figure 4.  
Assemble onto the axle, in order, a short spacer, a  
spike disk and a spring. See figure 4.  
FRAME ANGLE  
(BEND DOWN)  
NOTE: All spike disks should face the same direction.  
Next, starting with a spike disk, assemble seven spike  
disks and six long spacers onto the axle. See figure 4.  
5/16" x 3/4"  
HEX BOLTS (8)  
Finally, assemble a spring, a spike disk and a short  
spacer onto the axle. Push the end of the axle through  
the second end plate. See figure 4.  
5/16" NYLOCK NUTS (8)  
END PLATE (2)  
FIGURE 1  
(9) SPIKE DISKS  
(2) SPRINGS  
Using a hammer, drive a spring pin into a hole in the  
(6) LONG  
SPACERS  
axle until the pin just extends through the other side  
of the axle. Next, assemble a flanged bearing onto the  
axle as shown. See figure 2.  
(2) SHORT  
SPACERS  
SPRING PIN  
FLANGED BEARING  
FIGURE 2  
FIGURE 4  
4
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Slide a flanged bearing onto the axle and push it into  
the hole in the end plate. See figure 5.  
Assemble the hitch mount arms to the outside of the  
four hitch arm mount brackets as shown in figure 7.  
Use four 5/16" x 1" carriage bolts and four 5/16" nylock  
nuts. Do not tighten yet. See figure 7.  
Drive a spring pin into the hole in the axle until the pin  
just extends through the other side of the axle. The  
spring pins secure the axle in the frame and should  
also prevent the axle from rotating. See figure 5.  
(4) HITCH ARM  
MOUNT  
(4) 5/16" x 1"  
CARRIAGE BOLTS  
BRACKETS  
FLANGED  
BEARING  
(4) 5/16" NUTS  
(NYLOCK)  
SPRING PIN  
HITCH MOUNT ARMS  
FIGURE 5  
FIGURE 7  
Assemble the ends of the hitch mount arms together  
using two 5/16" x 1-1/4" hex bolts and two 5/16"  
nylock nuts as shown in figure 8. Do not tighten yet.  
Attach two hitch arm mount brackets to the middle  
holes in the rear frame angle using two 5/16" x 3/4"  
hex bolts and two 5/16" nylock nuts. Do not tighten  
completely. See figure 6.  
Assemble the hitch brackets to the hitch mount arms  
using two 5/16" x 2" hex bolts and two 5/16" nylock  
nuts as shown in figure 8. Do not tighten yet.  
Attach two hitch arm mount brackets to the middle  
holes in the front frame angle using two 5/16" x 3/4"  
hex bolts and two 5/16" nylock nuts. Do not tighten  
completely. See figure 6  
HITCH MOUNT ARMS  
(2) 5/16" x 2"  
HEX BOLTS  
5/16" x 3/4"  
HEX BOLT  
HITCH ARM  
MOUNT BRACKETS  
(2) 5/16" NUTS  
(NYLOCK)  
5/16" x 3/4"  
HEX BOLT  
HITCH BRACKETS  
REAR FRAME  
ANGLE  
(2) 5/16" NUTS  
(NYLOCK)  
(2) 5/16" x 1-1/4" HEX BOLTS  
FIGURE 8  
Tighten the bolts assembled in figure 6.  
Tighten the bolts assembled in figure 7.  
Tighten the bolts assembled in figure 8.  
5/16" NUTS  
(NYLOCK)  
FRONT FRAME  
ANGLE  
Attach the aerator to your tractor using the hitch pin  
and the hair cotter pin.  
FIGURE 6  
5
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OPERATION  
CAUTION: Spike disks have sharp  
points. Exercise caution at all times when  
using the aerator.  
To prevent lawn damage, avoid sharp turns.  
On sloped lawns aerate in up and down direction. DO  
NOT aerate across the face of slopes.  
To increase spike point depth penetration add weight  
as required. The aerator frame holds up to three  
concrete blocks at approximately 35 pounds each.  
Weights can be secured to frame with straps or other  
binding material. See figure 9.  
BEFORE USING YOUR AERATOR  
DO NOT attempt to aerate if ground is muddy.  
If ground is extremely hard or dry, it is recommended  
that it be watered down for 1 or 2 hours prior to use.  
Mow lawn and remove loose clippings prior to use of  
lawn aerator.  
Attach the aerator to the tractor hitch and check to  
see that the aerator is level. Adjust by loosening the  
bolts which fasten the hitch mount arms to the hitch  
arm mount brackets. Raise or lower the position of the  
arms until the aerator is level. See figure 9.  
CONCRETE BLOCK  
STRAP  
HITCH ARM  
MOUNT BRACKET  
HOW TO USE YOUR AERATOR  
Aerating cuts small holes in the soil to create reservoirs  
that bring oxygen, fertilizer and water into the root zone.  
For best performance of the spike aerator attachment, the  
following lawn preparation and operation is recommended.  
HITCH MOUNT ARMS  
Start tractor engine with controls in neutral and place  
throttle at slow engine speed.  
Engage shift lever into lowest possible forward speed  
and increase speed as conditions permit.  
Aerate in the straightest line possible, making  
overlapping passes to increase spike point pattern.  
FIGURE 9  
MAINTENANCE/STORAGE  
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES  
Read and follow the maintenance schedule and the maintenance procedures listed in this section.  
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE  
Fill in dates as you  
complete regular service.  
Service Dates  
Check for loose fasteners  
Check for worn or damaged parts  
Cleaning  
X
X
X
X
X
Lubricate Spike Disk Hubs  
X
Lubricate the spike disk hubs with a small amount of  
light oil or grease at the beginning of each season.  
Always store in dry area when not in use. Coat bare  
metal with light oil or paint.  
Spiker points can be sharpened with a small grinder  
periodically to maintain good penetration. Spike disks  
should be removed to sharpen points.  
Before each use check nuts and bolts for tightness.  
Clean after each use. If rust appears on shield or  
spikes, sand lightly and coat with enamel paint.  
6
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PARTS  
8
8
8
8
13  
8
13  
A
6
C
D
1
13  
14  
B
7
8
13  
16  
9
6
9
9
9
16  
9
18  
1
C
A
5
9
2
D
12  
9
B
4
11  
9
9
9
7
3
12  
15  
10  
11  
17  
9
19  
PARTS LIST FOR 36" SPIKE AERATOR MODEL NO. 486.243361  
REF.  
NO.  
PART  
NO.  
QTY. DESCRIPTION  
REF.  
NO.  
PART  
NO.  
QTY. DESCRIPTION  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
16  
17  
18  
19  
23981  
23914  
23442  
44326  
47777  
23353  
43840  
44180  
43343  
40505  
2
2
4
4
2
1
2
2
1
1
Bracket, Hitch  
Arm, Hitch Mount  
Bracket, Hitch Arm Mount  
Bolt, Carriage 5/16-18 x 1"  
Spring  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
24012  
24332  
45151  
2
9
6
Angle Frame  
Disc, Spike  
Spacer Tube, Long  
Bearing, Flanged  
Axle  
End Plate  
Pin, Spring  
Bolt, Hex 5/16-18 x 3/4"  
Nut, Nylock 5/16-18  
Spacer Tube, Short  
741-0249 11  
26143  
23903  
44665  
43182  
47810  
48130  
1
2
2
12  
20  
2
Hitch Pin  
Bolt, Hex 5/16-18 x 1-1/4"  
Bolt, Hex 5/16-18 x 2"  
Hair Cotter Pin  
Owner's Manual  
10  
7
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For repair of carry-in items like vacuums, lawn equipment,  
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1-800-488-1222  
Call anytime, day or night (U.S.A. only)  
To purchase a protection agreement (U.S.A.)  
or maintenance agreement (Canada) on a product serviced by Sears:  
1-800-827-6655 (U.S.A.)  
1-800-361-6665 (Canada)  
Para pedir servicio de reparación  
Au Canada pour service en français:  
a domicilio, y para ordenar piezas:  
1-800-LE-FOYERMC  
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(1-800-533-6937)  
(1-888-784-6427)  
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