Anyone use a drill to start a mower?

truckemup97 · Apr 23, 2009

Originally posted by tacotime:
No but I did see some guys mount and inflate a truck tire with a BIC lighter. Probably also on youtube.

Seen it? Heck, I've done it! Starting fluid and a wooden match. It's best to use a match that you can throw from a few feet away. You lose fewer eyebrows that way.

When you have a steer tire flat, with the bead broken, and the service call to get someone out to fix it is $200, you will try some interesting stuff.

Landpimp · Apr 23, 2009

just got a new Honda mower(at 43 I broke down and got self propelled).......best $429 I have spent(auto choke, runs full speed only), also got rid of my junk Gernec Genset, got 2 Honda 5500 watt gensets..start on 1st pull.

and yes i have done the started fliud trick to reseat a bead before.....just once

I now carry liquid Co2, it will reseat a bead(even under water), run air tools, fill tires...all kinds of neat stuff, had it 10 years and it one my handiest tools, cost about $12 to refill

scooter123 · Apr 23, 2009

Originally posted by tomf52:
rburg - Did you ever try tuning that thing up? Any motor with decent compression can be made to start with a reasonable effort by paying attention to the carb and ignition. Usually a change of spark plug and fresh gas with some good carb cleaner added will do the trick.

That's the key right there. When I was a kid we had an old 4 stroke that took every once of energy my 12 year old body could produce to start. One day my Dad was watching me and decided to "show me how it was done". I thought he was going to have a heart attack. Next day it went to the shop for a complete overhaul. When tested it only produced about 25 lbs. of compression. Freshly ground valve seats, new valve guides, and reground valves made a huge difference. After that all it took was one light pull and it was off and running. It also had a LOT more power.

Bottomline, if you have a 4 cycle that's hard to start, it's time for a valve job. If it's a 2 cycle, odds are that it needs a new set of reed valves. BTW, these engines are very easy to work on and the cost is LOW if you do it yourself. Just remember to check the fit of the valve to the valve guide, if it's too loose it will chew up that freash valve seat in very short order. If you need new guides, have an engine machine shop do it, it's only 8 or 10 bucks per valve and well worth having it done properly.

G-Mac · Apr 23, 2009

Originally posted by truckemup97:
There is a myth that has been going around for years about a kit that lets you start a small engine with a drill. I did a web search, and found people referring to this myth, and one who made his own setup, but no kit. Does this exist? Anyone know where to get one?

Not a myth. The kit exists...or at least it did. I installed one for a customer on his riding mower years ago when I used to do small engine repair...probably twenty plus years ago. Customer supplied the kit...don't know where he got it.

G-Mac · Apr 23, 2009

Originally posted by scooter123: Bottomline, if you have a 4 cycle that's hard to start, it's time for a valve job.

I've seen four-stokes that wouldn't start because the air vent in the gas cap was clogged.

Originally posted by scooter123: If it's a 2 cycle, odds are that it needs a new set of reed valves.

Not all two-strokes have reed valves.

John_Watson · Apr 24, 2009

My friend used to start his big mower with a 1/2 inch drill. If I remember correctly, all he did was take off the pull rope assembly and place the drill with appropriate nut driver on the flywheel nut and spin. We would pull our guts out to start that mower, easy with the big drill.

John

44wheelman · Apr 24, 2009

Watched my brother do it all summer one year, I finally bought him a new pull rope spring. He used a large Makita hammer drill. I didn't know if he was too lazy just too fix it, or too stubborn.

Herknav · Apr 24, 2009

No, but I've used one to finish making a batch of homemade ice cream after the motor broke.

Anyone use a drill to start a mower?

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