Cub Cadet SS 418 SS 418 Operator's Manual - Page 3

KNOW YOUR UNIT APPLICATIONS As a trimmer: • Cutting grass and light weeds. • Edging • Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc. Muffler Starter Rope Grip TOOLS REQUIRED: • #2 Phillips screwdriver • 3/8" Socket On/Off Control Spark Plug Fuel Cap Oil Fill Plug Shaft Grip Blue Choke Lever Throttle Control Rapid Link™ D-Handle Air Filter/Muffler Cover Primer Bulb Shaft Housing Line Cutting Blade Cutting Head Cutting Head Shield ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS INSTALL CUTTING ATTACHMENT SHIELD WARNING: To prevent serious personal injury, never operate the trimmer without the cutting attachment shield in place. Use the following instructions if the cutting attachment shield on your unit is not installed. Use only the instructions that apply to the type of shaft and shield that your unit is equipped with. 1. Place the cutting head shield onto the guard mount bracket, making sure to align the holes on the shield with the holes in the guard mount bracket. (Fig. 1) 2. Take the 2 shield screws and screw each one into the shield until finger tight. 3. Using an appropriate screw driver, tighten the screws until the shield is firmly in place. Make sure the screws are tightened equally so there is a balanced gap between the bracket and the shield on each side. Guard Mount Bracket ADJUSTING THE D-HANDLE 1. Loosen the bolt on the handle just enough to move it (Fig. 2). 2. While holding the unit in the operating position (Fig. 9), move the D-handle to the location that provides the best grip. 3. Tighten the bolt until the D-handle is secure. (Fig. 2) Screw (2) Cutting Head Shield Fig. 1 6 in. (15.24 cm) Minimum OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION WARNING: Overfilling oil crankcase may cause serious personal injury. Check and maintain the proper oil level in the crank case; it is important and cannot be overemphasized. Check the oil before each use and change it as needed. See Changing the Oil. RECOMMENDED OIL TYPE Using the proper type and weight of oil in the crankcase is extremely important. Check the oil before each use and change the oil regularly. Failure to use the correct oil, or using dirty oil, can cause premature engine wear and failure. Use a high-quality SAE 30 weight oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SF, SG, SH. Funnel Spout ADDING OIL TO CRANKCASE: INITIAL USE Fig. 6 NOTE: This unit is shipped without oil. In order to avoid damage to the unit, put oil in the crankcase before you attempt to start the unit. Your unit is supplied with one 3.04 fluid oz. (90 ml) bottle of SAE 30 SF, SG, SH oil (Fig. 6). NOTE: Save the bottle of oil. It can be used to measure the correct amount during future oil changes. See Changing the Oil. 1. Unscrew the top of the bottle of oil and remove the paper seal covering the opening. Replace the top. Next, cut the tip off the funnel spout (Fig. 6). Fig. 7 2. Tip unit so that the back of the engine is facing up in a vertical position. 3. Remove the oil fill plug from the crankcase (Fig. 8). Oil Fill Plug 4. Pour the entire bottle of oil into the oil fill hole (Fig. 7). NOTE: Never add oil to the fuel or fuel tank. O-Ring 5. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled and reinstall the oil fill plug. Check oil before each use and change as needed. Refer to Checking the Oil Level. RECOMMENDED FUEL TYPE Oil Fill Hole Fig. 8 Old fuel is the primary reason for improper unit performance. Be sure to use fresh, clean, unleaded gasoline. NOTE: This is a four cycle engine. In order to avoid damage to the unit, do not mix oil with gasoline. Definition of Blended Fuels Today's fuels are often a blend of gasoline and oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol or MTBE (ether). Alcohol-blended fuel absorbs water. As little as 1% water in the fuel can make fuel and oil separate or form acids when stored. Use fresh fuel (less than 30 days old), when using alcohol-blended fuel. Using Blended Fuels WARNING: Add fuel in a clean, well ventilated outdoor area. Wipe up any spilled fuel immediately. Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilt fuel. Do not start the engine until fuel vapors dissipate. WARNING: Gasoline is extremely flammable. Ignited vapors may explode. Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling the fuel tank. Do not smoke while filling the tank. Keep sparks and open flames at a distance from the area. If you choose to use a blended fuel, or its use is unavoidable, follow recommended precautions: • Always use fresh unleaded gasoline • Use the fuel additive STA-BIL® or an equivalent • Drain tank and run the engine dry before storing unit USING FUEL ADDITIVES Gas Can Spout WARNING: Remove fuel cap slowly to avoid injury from fuel spray. Never operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in place. WARNING: DO NOT USE E85 FUEL IN THIS UNIT. It has been proven that fuel containing greater than 10% ethanol will likely damage this engine and void the warranty. Fuel Tank Fuel Cap The use of fuel additives, such as STA-BIL® Gas Stabilizer or an Fig. 9 equivalent, will inhibit corrosion and minimize the formation of gum deposits. Using a fuel additive can keep fuel from forming harmful deposits in the carburetor for up to six (6) months. Add 0.8 oz. (23 ml) of fuel additive per gallon of fuel according to the instructions on the container. NEVER add fuel additives directly to the unit's gas tank. FUELING THE UNIT 1. Remove the fuel cap (Fig. 9). 2. Place the gas container's spout into the fill hole on the fuel tank (Fig. 9) and fill the tank. NOTE: Do not overfill the tank. 3. Wipe up any gasoline that may have spilled. 4. Reinstall the fuel cap. 5. Move the unit at least 30 ft. (9.1 m) from the fueling source and site before starting the engine. NOTE: Dispose of the old gasoline in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. D-Handle Bolt Fig. 2 OPERATING THE RAPID-LINK™ SYSTEM The Rapid-Link™ system enables the use of these optional Add-Ons. Trimmer AF720 Hedge Trimmer AH720* Brushcutter BC720* Cultivator GC720 Edger LE720* Pole Saw PS720 Straight Shaft Trimmer SS725 Turbo Blower TB720 * Do NOT use this Add-On with an electric powered unit. Rapid-Link™ Coupler Release Button REMOVING THE ADD-ON 1. Turn the knob counterclockwise to loosen (Fig. 5). 2. Press and hold the release button (Fig. 3). 3. While firmly holding the upper shaft housing, pull the lower shaft housing straight out of the Rapid-Link™ coupler (Fig. 4). Guide Recess Fig. 3 INSTALLING THE ADD-ON Primary Hole NOTE: To make installing or removing the add-on easier, place the unit on the ground or on a work bench. 1. Turn knob counterclockwise to loosen (Fig. 5). 2. While firmly holding the add-on, push it straight into the Rapid-Link™ coupler (Fig. 4). NOTE: Aligning the release button with the guide recess will help installation (Fig. 3). 3. Turn the knob clockwise to tighten (Fig. 5). For decorative trimming/edging with the line cutting head, lock the release button into the 90° hole (Fig. 5). Upper Shaft Housing Lower Shaft Housing Fig. 4 90˚ Edging Hole (Trimmer Only) Knob Fig. 5 STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS STARTING INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: Operate this unit only in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Carbon monoxide exhaust fumes can be lethal in a confined area. ON (I) OFF (O) WARNING: Avoid accidental starting. Make sure you are in the starting position when pulling the starter rope (Fig. 22). To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit must be in a stable position while starting. Make sure that any Add-On item is installed correctly and secure before starting the unit. Fig. 10 Choke Lever Throttle Control Primer Bulb 1. Check the oil level in the crankcase. Refer to Checking the Oil Level. 2. Fill the fuel tank with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline. Refer to Fueling the Unit. NOTE: There is no need to turn the unit on. The On/Off Stop Control is in the ON ( I ) position at all times (Fig. 10). 3. Fully press and release the primer bulb 10 times, slowly. Some amount of fuel should be visible in the primer bulb (Fig. 11). If fuel cannot be seen in the bulb, press and release the bulb until fuel is visible. Starter Rope Fig. 11 Starting Position 4. Move the choke lever to Position 1 (Fig. 11). 5. Crouch in the starting position (Fig. 12). SQUEEZE and HOLD the throttle control for ALL further steps. Pull the starter rope 5 times. 6. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Move the choke lever to Position 2 (Fig. 11). 7. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope 3-5 times to start the engine. Throttle Control Fig. 12 8. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Allow the engine to warm up for 30-60 seconds. 9. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Move the choke lever to Position 3 (Fig. 11). 10. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Run the unit for an additional 60 seconds to complete the warm-up. The unit may be used during this step. NOTE: The unit is properly warmed up when the engine accelerates without hesitation. IF... the engine hesitates, return the choke lever to Position 2 and continue the warm-up. IF... the engine does not start, go back to step 3. IF... the engine fails to start after a few attempts, move the choke lever to Position 3 and squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope 3-8 times. The engine should start. If not, repeat. IF THE ENGINE IS HOT... Move the choke lever to Position 2, press the primer bulb 10 times, squeeze the throttle control and pull the starter rope until the unit starts. Run the unit for 2-5 minutes. The unit may be used during this time. Then move the choke lever to Position 3. STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS 1. Release your hand from the throttle control. Allow the engine to cool down by idling. 2. Press and hold the On/Off Stop Control switch in the OFF (O) position until the unit comes to a complete stop (Fig. 10). 3