Road_Hog® wrote:
"adder1969" wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a couple of honda powered things and both start first pull but
you don't feel like you're actually pulling anything. These are old
machines too. I think they have something that relieves cylinder
pressure until they fire or something like that.

Yes, they have a decompression system, that operates off of a cam, which
doesn't allow the valves to fully close at low rpm (i.e. when pull starting
the engine).

As soon as the engine fires and rpm picks up, it moves off of the cam
allowing full compression/power.

Hmm, that's got me thinking about how I managed to set the valve
clearances if it does have that system.

Hi Alan,

Not wishing to sound nerdy, but do you position the pull-cord before you pull? Let me rephrase that with an explanation: I start them the same way I used to start my motorbike, I pull the cord gently until I can feel the compression (resistance on the cord) then let the starter take back the slack, and give a good pull.

(Before anyone says it, the bike had a kickstart not a cord, but it was the same principle)

As a general comment, I find if you don't put your heart into it, the mower can tell that you're not keen, and will refuse to start. If you pull as though you mean it, they normally respond.

But if you really feel that an electric start would be better, you could try your local Freecycle network (google for it with Freecycle and the name of your town) and see if anyone has an unwanted one.

Good luck!

"Lez Pawl" wrote in message
...

"Robbo" wrote in message
...

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

As I think I'm getting OLD, and it is becoming more difficult to start
the pull cord type of mower, I'm looking for an electric start mower, I
have seen one but it is £500, and being a poor old man, that is a bit
high, so does anyone know of a cheaper version?

Or is there a source of second-hand mowers of this type?

Get it serviced and then the pull start will work first time


you know about lawn mowers do you as well..............bwahahahahahaha

Strangely...........Yes.

10 years in greenkeeping machinery overhaul and servicing would probably
count.

If the OP is seriously looking for a new mower based on their difficulty in
starting an engine I suspect that gardening and mowing generally will be too
much of a strain in the near future.
Get the missus or a man in to do the work.