Cub Cadet 552 Operator's Manual
Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty
OperatOr’s Manual
Lawn Edger — Model 552
WARNING
READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
CUB CADET LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
Printed In USA
Form No. 769-09513
(December 11, 2013)
To The Owner
Thank You
Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Edger manufactured by
Cub Cadet. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent
performance when properly operated and maintained.
Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.
It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and
maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other
persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the
recommended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could
result in personal injury or property damage.
All information in this manual is relative to the most recent
product information available at the time of printing. Review
this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine,
its features and operation. Please be aware that this Operator’s
Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various
models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated
in this manual may not be applicable to all models. Cub Cadet
reserves the right to change product specifications, designs and
equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.
Table of Contents
Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3
Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 7
Features & Controls ................................................10
Operation ................................................................11
1
If applicable, the power testing information used to establish
the power rating of the engine equipped on this machine can be
found at www.opei.org or the engine manufacturer’s web site.
If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine,
phone your local Cub Cadet dealer or contact us directly. Cub
Cadet’s Customer Support telephone numbers, website address
and mailing address can be found on this page. We want to
ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.
Throughout this manual, all references to right and left side of the
machine are observed from the operating position.
Maintenance & Adjustment .................................13
Service .....................................................................14
Troubleshooting .....................................................16
Replacement Parts .................................................17
Record Product Information
Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please
locate the model plate on the equipment and record the
information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the
model plate by standing at the operator’s position and looking
down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary,
should you seek technical support via our web site or with your
local Cub Cadet dealer.
Model NuMber
Serial NuMber
Customer Support
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of
this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
◊ Visit us on the web at www.cubcadet.com
◊ Locate your nearest Cub Cadet Dealer at (877) 282-8684
◊ Write us at Cub Cadet LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019
2
Important Safe Operation Practices
WARNING! This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed,
could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow
all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply
with these instructions may result in personal injury.
When you see this symbol. HEED ITS WARNING!
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING! Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm.
DANGER! This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in
this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the
operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating fingers, hands,
toes and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could
result in serious injury or death.
2
Training
1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before
attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand,
and follow all instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before operation. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use
of this machine before operating it.
3. This machine is a precision piece of power equipment,
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. Your machine has been designed to perform one
job: to edge lawn. Do not use it for any other purpose.
4. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an
adult.
5. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these
rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this
machine.
6. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
stay in operator zone behind handles and keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from lawn
edger while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone
enters area.
Preparation
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up
and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious
personal injury.
2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair
to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
3. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms
and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never
operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
4. Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine
is running, except where specifically recommended in the
operator’s manual.
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care
in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when
gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
3
b. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck
or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on the ground away from your vehicle
before filling.
c. Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck
or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not
possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer
with a portable container, rather than from a
gasoline dispenser nozzle.
d. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel
tank or container opening at all times until fueling is
complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
f. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.
g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is
hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
h. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½
inch below bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel
expansion.
i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
j. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting engine.
k. Never store the machine or fuel container near an
open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater,
space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas
appliances.
l. To reduce fire hazard, keep lawn edger free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.
m. Allow a lawn edger to cool at least five (5) minutes
before storing..
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact with
the rotating blade can amputate hands and feet.
2. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never bypass
its operation. Doing so, makes the machine unsafe and may
cause personal injury.
3. Never operate without blade guard, debris shield and
blade control handle in place and working.
4. Never operate with damaged safety devices. Failure to do
so, can result in personal injury.
5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas.
6. Do not operate machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
7. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn.
Do not touch.
8. Never operate this machine without good visibility or
light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm
hold on the handles. Walk, never run.
9. Do not operate this machine if it has been dropped or
damaged. Return machine to your nearest authorized
servicing dealer for examination and repair.
10. Do not operate this machine with a damaged or
excessively worn cutting blade.
11. Never attempt to clear material from the blade guard
while the engine is running. Shut the engine off,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine to prevent unintended starting.
12. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to
edge at too fast of a rate.
13. Stay alert for uneven sidewalks, terrain etc. Always
push slowly over rough surfaces. Do not use this
machine on gravel surfaces.
14. Do not operate machine in rain or wet soil conditions.
15. Always operate machine from behind the handles
and position yourself where the direct line of sight to
cutting blade is blocked by guards.
16. Always stop engine when edging or trimming is
delayed or when transporting machine from one
location to another.
17. Never leave a running machine unattended. Stop
the engine, disconnect spark plug wire and ground
against the engine to prevent unintended starting.
18. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine
by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in
personal injury.
19. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact
Customer Support for assistance or the name of your
nearest service dealer.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to power
equipment such as lawn edgers. They do not understand
the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where
you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the edging area and under
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
2. Be alert and turn lawn edger off if a child enters the
area.
3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and
down for small children.
4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
obscure your vision of a child who may run into the
lawn edger.
4 Section 2 — impo rtant Safe operation practiceS
5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can
suffer burns from a hot muffler.
6. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an
adult.
Maintenance and Storage
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the
blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the
spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.
3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent
intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade
for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with
the original equipment manufacture’s (O.E.M.) blade only,
listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safety!”
4. Lawn edger blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade
or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
7. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect
the spark plug wire and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the lawn edger for any damage. Repair
the damage before starting and operating the lawn edger.
8. Never attempt to make a wheel adjustment while the
engine is running.
9. Many components on your new edger can wear with
continued use. For safety protection, frequently check
all edger components and replace immediately with
original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only,
listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the
original equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safety!”
10. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed
the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine.
11. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
12. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for used gas,
oil, etc.. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm
the environment.
13. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission
(CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years,
or 70 hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful
Life have the machine inspected annually by an authorized
service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety
systems are working properly and not worn excessively.
Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.
Spark Arrestor
WARNING! This machine is equipped with an
internal combustion engine and should not be used
on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the
engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark
arrestor meeting applicable local or state laws (if
any).
If a spark arrestor is used, it should be maintained in effective
working order by the operator. In the State of California the
above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public
Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws
apply on federal lands.
A spark arrestor for the muffler is available through your
nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service
department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.
5Section 2 — impo rtant Safe operation practiceS
Safety Symbols
This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine before attempting to assemble and operate.
Symbol Description
READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL(S)
Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate
WARNING— ROTATING BLADES
Keep hands and feet away from rotating blade.
BYSTANDERS
Keep bystanders, pets, and children at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation.
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
WARNING— HOT SURFACES
Do not touch muffler or adjacent areas.
EYE PROTECTION
Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles when operating this machine.
WARNING! Your Responsibility—Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and
follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
6 Section 2 — impo rtant Safe operation practiceS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Loading...