Cub Cadet SS 418 SS 418 Operator's Manual - Page 4

STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS IF USING THE OPTIONAL ELECTRIC STARTER OR POWER START BIT™ ACCESSORY HOW TO START THE UNIT USING THE ELECTRIC STARTER OR POWER START BIT ACCESSORY NOTE: This Unit Can Use an Electric Start or Power Start Bit™ Optional Accessory! Please refer to the Electric Starter or Power Start Bit operator's manual for proper use of this feature. (Items Sold Separately! Please refer to page 10 of this manual about purchasing these accessories.) STARTING INSTRUCTIONS 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. 4. Move the choke lever to Position 1 (Fig. 11). 5. Crouch in the starting position (Fig. 12). Place the electric starter or Power Start Bit™ into the back of the unit (Fig. 11). Refer to the Operation section of the Electric Starter or Power Start Bit™ operator's manual. 6. SQUEEZE and HOLD the throttle control for ALL further steps. Press and hold the electric starter or drill ON (I) button for 2 seconds. 7. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Move the choke lever to Position 2 (Fig. 11). 8. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Press and hold the electric starter or drill ON (I) button for 2-second intervals until the unit starts. 9. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Remove the electric starter or drill from the unit. 10. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Allow the engine to warm up for 30-60 seconds. 11. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Move the choke lever to Position 3 (Fig. 11). 12. 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. Press and hold the electric starter or drill ON (I) button for 2-second intervals until the unit starts. IF THE ENGINE IS HOT... Move the choke lever to Position 2, press the primer bulb 10 times, squeeze the throttle control, and press and hold the electric starter or drill ON (I) button for 2second intervals 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). OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS HOLDING THE TRIMMER WARNING: Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protection to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit. Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 13). Check for the following: • The operator is wearing eye protection and proper clothing • With a slightly-bent right arm, the operator's right hand is holding the shaft grip • The operator's left arm is straight, the left hand holding the assist handle • The unit is at waist level • The cutting attachment is parallel to the ground and easily contacts the grass without the need to bend over Fig. 13 WARNING: Do not remove or alter the line cutting blade assembly. Excessive line length will make the clutch overheat. This may lead to serious personal injury or damage to the unit. TIPS FOR BEST TRIMMING RESULTS • For best trimming results, operate unit at full throttle. • Keep the cutting attachment parallel to the ground. • Do not force the cutting attachment. Allow the tip of the line to do the cutting, especially along walls. Cutting with more than the tip will reduce cutting efficiency and may overload the engine. • Cut grass over 8 inches (200 mm) by working from top to bottom in small increments to avoid premature line wear or engine drag. • Cutting from left to right improves the unit's cutting efficiency. Clippings are thrown away from the operator. • Slowly move the trimmer into and out of the cutting area at the desired height. Move either in a forward-backward or side-to-side motion. Cutting shorter lengths produces the best results. • Trim only when grass and weeds are dry. • The life of your cutting line is dependent upon proper adherence of explained trimming techniques, what vegetation is cut, and where vegetation is cut. For example, the line will wear faster when trimming against a foundation wall as opposed to trimming around a tree. DECORATIVE TRIMMING Fig. 15 Decorative trimming is accomplished by removing all vegetation around trees, posts, fences and more. Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting attachment is at a 30° angle to the ground (Fig. 15). 4 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WARNING: To prevent serious injury, never perform maintenance or repairs with unit running. Always service and repair a cool unit. Disconnect the spark plug wire to ensure that the unit cannot start. Perform these required maintenance procedures at the frequency stated in the table. These procedures should also be a part of any seasonal tune-up. NOTE: Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about these procedures take your unit to any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer. NOTE: Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system may be performed by any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer. NOTE: Please read the California/EPA statement that came with the unit for a complete listing of terms and coverage for the emissions control devices, such as the spark arrestor, muffler, carburetor, etc. FREQUENCY Every 10 hours Change 1st 10 hours Every 25 hours MAINTENANCE REQUIRED SEE Clean and oil air filter p. 5 Change oil p. 5 Change oil p. 5 Check rocker arm to valve clearance and adjust p. 5 Check spark plug condition and gap p. 5 FIXED LINE INSTALLATION WARNING: Never use metal-reinforced line, wire, chain or rope. These can break off and become dangerous projectiles. Always use original equipment manufacturer 0.105 inch (2.67 mm) replacement line. Lines other than those specified may make the engine overheat or fail. To install the trimming line: 1. Insert each end of the replacement line into the holes on either side of retention hook (Fig. 16). 2. Push the ends through until they stick out of the sides of the head (Fig. 17). Fig. 16 Fig. 17 3. Pull the ends through making sure that the ends are of equal length and the middle of the line is centered between the insertion holes (Fig. 18). 4. If the ends are not of equal length, push the longer end back through the head part way and pull the shorter end to compensate. Repeat until both ends are the same length. Fig. 18 Fig. 19 5. Push the trimmer line until it lies flat against the cutting head (Fig. 19). Make sure the two lengths of cutting line are of equal length. If they are not, adjust until they are. WARNING: Always use the correct line length when installing trimming line on the unit. The line may not release properly if the line is too long. CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL WARNING: To prevent extensive engine wear and damage to the unit, always maintain the proper oil level in the crankcase. Never operate the unit with a low oil level. The importance of checking and maintaining the proper oil level in the crankcase cannot be overemphasized. Check oil before each use: 1. Stop the engine and allow oil to drain into the crankcase. 2. Place the engine on a flat, level surface with the cutting head shield hanging off a work bench or table to get a proper oil level reading (Fig. 20). Fig. 20 Max Oil Fill Line Fig. 21 3. Keep dirt, grass clippings and other debris out of the engine. Clean the area around the dipstick before removing it. 4. Remove the oil fill plug. Oil Fill Plug 5. Look into the oil fill hole, use a flashlight if needed. The oil should be just touching the inner most thread (Fig. 21). 6. If the oil level is not touching the inner most thread on the oil fill hole, O-Ring add a small amount of oil to the oil fill hole and recheck (Fig. 22). Repeat this procedure until the oil level reaches the inner most thread on the oil fill hole. Oil Fill Hole NOTE: Do not overfill the unit. Fig. 22 NOTE: Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill plug when checking and changing the oil (Fig. 22). CHANGING THE OIL CAUTION: Wear gloves to prevent injury when handling the unit. Change the oil while the engine is still warm. The oil will flow freely and carry away more impurities. 1. Remove the oil fill plug. 2. Pour the oil out of the oil fill hole and into a container by tipping the unit to a vertical position (Fig. 23). Allow ample time for complete drainage. Fig. 23 3. Wipe up any oil residue on the unit and clean up any oil that may have spilled. Dispose of the oil according to federal, state and local regulations. 4. Refill the crankcase with 3.04 fluid ounce (90 ml) of SAE 30 SF, SG, SH oil. (Fig. 24) Fill Line NOTE: Use the bottle and spout saved from initial use to measure the correct amount of oil. The top of the label on the bottle Fig. 24 Fig. 25 measures approximately 3.04 ounces (90 ml) (Fig. 25). Check the level. See Checking the Oil Level. If the level is low, add a small amount of oil and recheck. Do not overfill (Fig. 25). 5. Replace the oil fill plug. AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE Cleaning the Air Filter Failure to maintain your air filter properly can result in poor performance or can cause permanent damage to your engine. 1. Open the air filter cover. Push the tab on the under side of the cover inward. Then pull the air filter cover out and up. (Fig. 26). 2. Remove the air filter (Fig. 26). 3. Wash the filter in detergent and water. Rinse the filter thoroughly and allow it to dry. 4. Apply enough clean SAE 30 motor oil to lightly coat the filter. 5. Squeeze the filter to spread and remove excess oil. 6. Replace the filter (Fig. 27). Back Plate NOTE: If the unit is operated without the air filter, you will VOID the warranty. Air 7. Reinstall the air filter cover. Position the slots on the top of the air filter Filter cover onto the tabs at the top of the back plate (Fig. 26). 8. Swing the cover down until the tab on the air filter backplate snaps into place in the slot on the air filter cover (Fig. 27). Air Filter Cover Air Filter Tab Fig. 26 Tabs Locking Tab Fig. 27