How to Start a Sears Leaf Blower

Most leaf blowers operate as a blower and a vacuum.

Leaf blowers and vacuums use gas- or electric-powered engines to generate a strong current of wind channeled through a nozzle. Gas-powered blowers offer higher horsepower. Sears offers a wide array of gas-powered blowers and yard vacuums, including the Sear's brand name of Craftsman. Starting a Craftsman leaf blower is simple.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-mixed 2-cycle oil and fuel

Instructions

1. Check the fuel level. Remove the fuel cap and verify the fuel is up to the full line. If it is not already full, fill the tank with fuel mixed with 2-cycle engine oil. The ratio is 32 parts of gas to one part of oil. A single canister of 2-cycle engine oil typically is premeasured to be mixed with 1 gallon of fuel. Replace the fuel cap.

2. Prime the engine six times slowly, waiting two seconds between each prime. Prime the engine by pressing the clear, rubber bulb on the side of the motor.

3. Set the choke to the maximum setting. The choke is the small lever near the primer bulb.

4. Pull the pull cord three times slowly, pausing between each pull for two seconds.

5. Adjust the choke to halfway.

6. Pull the pull start repeatedly in fast sequence. The engine will turn over after a few pulls. Allow the engine to run on half-choke for 30 seconds to one minute to warm it up. Turn the choke to the lowest possible setting; the leaf blower is ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• It may take several attempts to start the leaf blower the first time. Allow the blower to rest for a few minutes, prime the engine one more time, and repeat Steps 3 through 6.

• The noise level for all leaf blowers is high, so you should wear hearing protection.

References

• This Old House: How to Choose and Use a Leaf Blower
• Small Engines: Oils for Two-Cycle Engines