On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:16:41 +0200, Martin wrote:

It's a pretty damn well near impossible to pull start a diesel
without releasing the compression, ...

Its funny when I hear people say that, I used to do it daily. I
daresay its true for car sized engines.

My little (300cc) single cylinder diesel genset is almost impossible
to pull through compression.

I suggest you read or re-read what Baz posted, ...

New to usenet? Not heard of thread drift? This bit of the thread has
wandered off into starting small diesels...

... he clearly identified which engine is in his mower. The engine he
identified is a four stroke petrol engine.

I suggest *you* read what Baz wrote, it's inconsistent. He never
mentioned "mower" only a rotavator and a Hatz variation of the Howard
Gem, Hatz are diesels. Yes he does say "It has a Kohler K301T engine."
which does indeed appear to be petrol but that doesn't fit with his
statement further on "I am new to diesel engines" or the earlier
reference to Hatz.

We need clarification as to what type of engine really is fitted to his
rotatvator. If it is a Hatz they appear to be still in business so spares
might be very easy to come by.

--
Cheers
Dave.