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8

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR PLUG AERATOR

Read this owner's manual and safety rules before operating your plug aerator.

Compare the illustration below with your aerator to familiarize yourself with the various controls and their locations.

LIFT HANDLE

  Raises the aerator to the transport position and lowers it to the operating position.

STOP BRACKETS

  Locks the lift handle in the transport position (upper bracket) or operating position (lower bracket).

BEFORE STARTING

• 

Mow the lawn and remove loose clippings prior to use 
of the aerator.

•  If the soil is extremely hard and dry, it is 

recommended that it be sprinkled or watered down for 
one or two hours prior to aerating.

LIFT HANDLE

STOP BRACKETS

HOW TO USE YOUR PLUG AERATOR

Aerating means pulling small soil plugs, ranging up 
to three inches in length, from the soil to create small 
reservoirs that will bring oxygen, fertilizer and water 
down into the roots. For best aerator performance, the 
following lawn preparations and operating procedures are 
recommended. 

CAUTION:  

Points of aerator knives are 

sharp! Exercise caution at all times while 
using the aerator.

CAUTION:  

Vehicle braking and stability 

may be affected by the addition of an 
accessory or attachment. Be aware of 
changing conditions on slopes.

•  Start tractor engine with controls in neutral and place 

throttle at slow engine speed.

•  Engage shift lever at lowest possible forward speed 

and lower aerator, allowing plugger points to enter the 
ground.  Increase speed as conditions permit.

•  Aerate in the straightest line possible, making 

overlapping passes to increase the plugger point 
pattern.

• 

Avoid extremely sharp turns

 with plugger points 

engaged in ground to prevent damage to lawn.

• 

DO NOT

 cross over walks or drives without first 

raising the aerator to the transport position.

•  On sloped lawns, always aerate in an up and down 

direction.  

DO NOT

 attempt to follow the contour of the 

ground.

Summary of Contents for 486.24326

Page 1: ...N U S A Sears Roebuck and Co Hoffman Estates IL 60179 U S A www sears com craftsman FORM NO 40016 REV 05 15 08 CAUTION Before using this product read this manual and follow all Safety Rules and Operating Instructions STOP DO NOT RETURN TO STORE For Missing Parts or Assembly Questions Call 1 866 576 8388 ...

Page 2: ...ck and Co D817WA Hoffman Estates IL 60179 Read this owners manual carefully for operating and service instructions before attempting to assemble or operate this equipment Be thoroughly familiar with the proper use of this equipment Read the vehicle owners manual and vehicle safety rules and know how to operate the vehicle before using this equipment Never allow children to operate the tractor or p...

Page 3: ...1 Spacer Tube 3 70 Long S 1 Spacer Tube 1 Long T 4 Spacer Tube 1 33 Long U 2 Stop Bracket V 1 Handle Grip W 8 Split Plastic Bearing A 2 Hex Bolt 1 2 x 3 1 2 Lg B 4 Hex Bolt 1 4 x 1 3 4 Lg C 1 Hex Bolt 1 2 x 1 1 4 Lg D 8 Hex Bolt 3 8 x 1 Lg E 8 Hex Bolt 5 16 x 3 4 Lg F 1 Hair Cotter Pin Large G 1 Hitch Pin H 2 Nylock Jam Nut 1 2 I 8 Nylock Nut 3 8 J 8 Nylock Nut 5 16 K 8 Nylock Nut 1 4 L 2 Jam Nut ...

Page 4: ... CAUTION Points of aerator knives are sharp Exercise caution at all times while assembling and using the aerator 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 7 8 FIGURE 1 Attach the lift lever assembly to the two holes in the middle of the shaft using two 1 4 x 1 3 4 hex bolts B and a 1 4 nylock nuts K Tighten See figure 1 Push split plastic bearings Y into both ends of all single and double spool assemblies See figure...

Page 5: ...f the shaft See figure 4 1 33 LONG SPACER T 1 33 LONG SPACER T MIDDLE BRACE 3 70 LONG SPACER R 3 4 FLAT WASHER N SINGLE SPOOL ASSEMBLY DOUBLE SPOOL ASSEMBLY LIFT LEVER FIGURE 5 Assemble the end plates to the ends of the tray using four 5 16 x 3 4 hex bolts E and four 5 16 nylock nuts J for each end plate Do not tighten until final step See figure 5 5 16 x 3 4 HEX BOLT E 5 16 NYLOCK NUT J FIGURE 6 ...

Page 6: ...n from the lift lever Secure each wheel bracket with a 1 4 x 1 3 4 hex bolt B and 1 4 nylock nut K Tighten See figure 8 NOTE If there is not enough room on the shaft for the wheel bracket leave off the 3 4 flat washer s from that end of the shaft FIGURE 8 UPSIDE DOWN VIEW 3 4 FLAT WASHER N WHEEL BRACKET 1 4 x 1 3 4 HEX BOLT B 1 4 NYLOCK NUT K LIFT LEVER FIGURE 9 UPSIDE DOWN VIEW Assemble a wheel t...

Page 7: ... grip V onto the lift handle See figure 11 FIGURE 11 1 2 x 1 1 4 HEX BOLT C CLEVIS PIN P 1 2 NYLOCK NUT M GRIP V SMALL HAIRPIN COTTER LIFT LEVER FIGURE 12 Perform the following steps in sequence to tighten the bolts and nuts that remain loose Refer to figure 12 a Turn the aerator upright then lock the lift handle into the transport position b Tighten the eight bolts at the corners of the tray c Ti...

Page 8: ... will bring oxygen fertilizer and water down into the roots For best aerator performance the following lawn preparations and operating procedures are recommended CAUTION Points of aerator knives are sharp Exercise caution at all times while using the aerator CAUTION Vehicle braking and stability may be affected by the addition of an accessory or attachment Be aware of changing conditions on slopes...

Page 9: ...ners X Cleaning X Lubrication X MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Fill in dates as you complete regular service Before each use After each use Every season Before storage CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES Read and follow the maintenance schedule and the maintenance procedures listed in this section CHECK FOR LOOSE FASTENERS Before each use make a thorough visual check of the plug aerator for any bolts and nuts which m...

Page 10: ...OR PLUG AERATOR MODEL 486 24326 1 2 3 3 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 16 17 19 27 34 20 18 21 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 24 25 25 25 A 25 29 30 32 35 17 31 33 33 33 33 37 13 13 13 36 34 13 22 B 38 28 12 26 14 4 15 34 19 A B ...

Page 11: ...Hex Nylock Nut 5 16 18 48115 2 Hex Nylock Jam Nut 1 2 19 1509 69 4 Hex Bolt 1 4 20 x 1 3 4 Long 20 46526 2 Hex Bolt 1 2 13 x 3 1 2 Long REF PART QTY DESCRIPTION NO NO 21 43019 2 Hex Jam Nut 1 2 13 Thd 22 43009 4 Flat Washer 3 4 23 741 0493A 8 Split Bearing 3 4 24 45151 1 Spacer 3 70 Long 25 44494 4 Spacer 1 33 Long 26 712 3083 1 Hex Nylock Nut 1 2 27 44500 1 Spacer 1 00 Long 28 43943 1 Grip 29 476...

Page 12: ...iances and items like garage door openers and water heaters 1 800 4 MY HOME 1 800 469 4663 Call anytime day or night U S A and Canada www sears com www sears ca For expert home solutions advice www managemyhome com Our Home For repair of carry in items like vacuums lawn equipment and electronics call or go on line for the location of your nearest Sears Parts Repair Service Center 1 800 488 1222 U ...

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