Cub Cadet ST432 4

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 6

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

INSTALL THE CUTTING HEAD SHIELD

1.Place the cutting head shield onto the guard mount

bracket, making sure to align the holes on the shield with

the ones in the guard mount bracket. (Fig. 5)Cutting Head

Shield

2.Take the 4 shield screws and screw each one into the shield until finger tight.

3. Using a Flat Head or T-20 screw driver, tighten the screws until the shield is firmly in place.

Screw (4)

Guard Mount Bracket

Fig. 5

STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: Operate this unit only in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Carbon monoxide exhaust fumes can be lethal in a confined area.

WARNING: Avoid accidental starting. Make sure you are in the starting position when pulling the starter rope (Fig. 12). To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit must be in a stable position while starting.

STARTING INSTRUCTIONS		Start/ On (I)
1.	Check the oil level in the crankcase. Refer to	Stop/ Off (O)
	Checking the Oil Level.

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.

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).		Throttle
3.	Fully press and release the primer bulb 10 times,	Throttle	Throttle
3.	Fully press and release the primer bulb 10 times,	Throttle	Control
		Lockout	Control

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.

ADDING OIL TO CRANKCASE: INITIAL USE		Funnel
ADDING OIL TO CRANKCASE: INITIAL USE		Spout
NOTE:	This unit is shipped without oil. In order to avoid	Spout
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

Fill Level

slowly. Some amount of fuel should be visible in the
primer bulb and fuel lines (Fig. 11). If you can’t see		Fig. 10
primer bulb and fuel lines (Fig. 11). If you can’t see		Fig. 10
fuel in the bulb, press and release the bulb as many
fuel in the bulb, press and release the bulb as many	Choke Lever		Primer Bulb
times as it takes before you can see fuel in it.	Choke Lever		Primer Bulb

4. Place the choke lever in Position 1 (Fig. 11).

5. Crouch in the starting position (Fig. 12). Press the throttle lockout in and squeeze the throttle control lever. Pull the starter rope 5 times.

6. Place the choke lever in Position 2 (Fig. 11).

7. While pressing the throttle lockout in and squeezing the throttle control , pull the starter rope 1 to 4 times to start the engine.

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).

2. Place unit on a flat, level surface.

3. Remove the oil fill plug from the crankcase (Fig. 8).

4. Pour the entire bottle of oil into the oil fill hole (Fig. 7).

NOTE: Never add oil to the fuel or fuel tank.

Oil Fill Hole

8.Keep the throttle squeezed and allow the engine to warm up for 15 to 30 seconds.

9.Place the choke lever in Position 3 (Fig. 11). The unit is ready for use.

IF... The engine does not start, go back to step 3.

IF... The engine fails to start after a few attempts, place the choke lever in Position 3, press the throttle lockout in and squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope 3 to 8 times. The engine should start. If not, repeat.

STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS

Fig. 11

Starter

Rope

Throttle

Control

5.	Wipe up any oil that may have spilled and reinstall the oil fill plug.	Oil Fill Plug
Check oil before each use and change as needed. Refer to
Checking the Oil Level.

1.Release your hand from the throttle control. Allow the engine to cool down by idling.

Fig. 12

RECOMMENDED FUEL TYPE		O-Ring
Old fuel is the primary reason for improper unit performance. Be		O-Ring

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 60 days old), when using alcohol-blended fuel.

Using Blended Fuels

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

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.

The use of fuel additives, such as STA-BIL® Gas Stabilizer or an 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	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.

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.	Fuel Cap	Fuel Tank
NOTE:	Do not overfill the tank.	Fuel Cap	Fuel Tank
NOTE:	Do not overfill the tank.		Fig. 9
			Fig. 9

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 to Federal, State and Local regulations.

2.Press and hold On/Off Stop Control in the OFF (O) position until engine 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	Fig. 13

•The operator’s left arm is straight, the left hand holding the 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

ADJUSTING TRIMMING LINE LENGTH

The cutting head allows you to release trimming line without stopping the engine. To release more line, lightly tap the cutting attachment on the ground (Fig. 14) while operating the trimmer at high speed.

NOTE: Always keep the trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes more difficult as the cutting line becomes shorter.

Each time the head is bumped, about 1 inch (25.4 mm) of trimming line is released. A blade in the cutting attachment shield will cut the line to the proper length if excess line is released.

For best results, tap the cutting head on bare ground or hard soil. If line release is attempted in tall grass, the engine may stall. Always keep the trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes more difficult as the cutting line becomes shorter.

NOTE: Do not rest the cutting head on the ground while the unit is running. Some line breakage will occur from:

•Entanglement with foreign matter

• Normal line fatigue

• Attempting to cut thick, stalky weeds

• Forcing the line into objects such as walls or fence posts

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		Fig. 14
		Fig. 14
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.

•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

•Where vegetation is cut

For example, the line will wear faster when trimming against a foundation wall as opposed to trimming around a tree.