converting from degrees to meters using cs2cs

[Ryan Ollerenshaw]

I want to convert from longlat coordinates to lcc but i keep getting the 
following error:

Given map extent is invalid. Check that it is in the form: minx, miny, 
maxx, maxy

To get my new map extent i am using:

 >cs2cs    +proj=longlat +a=3396190 +rf=169.8944476026241 +lon_0=0 
+no_defs 
            +to
            +proj=lcc +a=3396190 +b=3396190 +units=m

-179 -89
-120680927.21   57506773.12 -19983.82
179 89
310182.75       6770294.70 -19983.82

i am then setting my extent to: -120680927.21 57506773.12 310182.75 
6770294.70

what could i be doing wrong? and why does cs2cs return * when i use 180 
or 90 as my input parameters?

I hope that was clear, that you for any help that you can provide.

-Ryan