Confused on how to use a petrol mower

Viberduo

This may sound mad as I am 30 but in the past only cut grass at parents with a electric mower but was given a petrol mower last year but too late to cut the grass for the year, the guy who gave it to me showed me how to use it and I let my neighbour use it a few times(which I regret now since he used up all the petrol I gave him and never bothered replacing it)

I decided to try it for the first time today and when I pull the starter cable it has slack till just about a foot away from where it starts then seems to lock, I do not know if force will fix it or will damage it so do not want to risk it till I ask if this is normal.

Mower is a Vantage 35

jblessing

Usually there is a plastic bulb in the fuel line which you need to press several times to prime the engine, then pull the pull start until it locks (as you describe it, but it won't have) then give a strong pull to start it.

HighamKneeDee

Viberduo wrote: »

This may sound mad as I am 30 but in the past only cut grass at parents with a electric mower but was given a petrol mower last year but too late to cut the grass for the year, the guy who gave it to me showed me how to use it and I let my neighbour use it a few times(which I regret now since he used up all the petrol I gave him and never bothered replacing it)

I decided to try it for the first time today and when I pull the starter cable it has slack till just about a foot away from where it starts then seems to lock, I do not know if force will fix it or will damage it so do not want to risk it till I ask if this is normal.

Mower is a Vantage 35

Had exactly this problem, for which I was advised the following, did it and success.

Told to remove the spark plug, pour third of a mug of engine oil into the hole it came from, turn mower on its side and by hand turn the mower blade.

Turn the blade until it is no longer too stiff,, replace spark plug, prime the mower as advised by poster above then try pull start again.

May as well clean spark plug whilst out.

demystified

Viberduo wrote: »

I decided to try it for the first time today and when I pull the starter cable it has slack till just about a foot away from where it starts then seems to lock, I do not know if force will fix it or will damage it so do not want to risk it till I ask if this is normal.

Mower is a Vantage 35

When you say "slack" do you mean there is no resistance at all? Because when you release the cord it should feed back into the spool by itself. It shouldn't be be tight though.

If there is no resistance and no return then it sounds like the spring is broken. If it does return then thats normal. When the cord stops pulling out that means its reached the end.

To start you pull the cord, not to end, and let feed back in, pull again if it hasn't started. Depending on the engine you may have a small rubber pump to press a couple times to prime the carburettor, alternatively there may be a choke to open to start, close it when it warms up.

If it hasn't been started for some time best to drain off the fuel and put in some fresh. Either way it will be reluctant to start and may take some minutes.

DaftyDuck

You are holding in the bar by the handle, where you push it along, when you pull the starter cable.... On a small screen phone atmo, typing awful. Haven't seen anyone mention that bit. Will upload or find amanual for generic lawnmower later. Or someone else who's not on a phone might.

DaftyDuck

Ok, on tablet now, so slightly easier to type. If it is a self-propelling petrol mower, there will be 2 bars on the handle where you push it. If you have to push it along, there will only be one. That's in addition to the physical metal frame bar. Normally, the bottom one is the one that drives the mower forward. Leave that. The other bar MUST be held in for the engine to turn and run. It's called the engine brake lever in my instructions.... there's a clue in the name.If you hold it in, the engine turns over. Let it go, and the engine is stopped. Certainly, with mine, if I don't hold it in, there's a tiny amount of slack in the starter, then it stops.

I know you may be doing this, but I can't see you saying you are!

I'll try and find a manual online somewhere...

Viberduo

Yes there is 2 handles to press, and I remember the previous owner saying something about if it doesnt start to manually press something to flood the starter then it works.,

DaftyDuck

Ok. There will be a choke (probably). marked slow or fast. Some mowers mark it with a tortoise & hare, some - +. Set it to fast or, if you can't tell, try one extreme then the other. Next you need to hold in the handle to release the brake and keep it held in. That's the bit I think you missed. Hold onto the starter cable and pull until the slack goes. (I then slacken off again slightly, but I now know when the bite is). Pull firmly and as far as your arm can move. The mower should at least cough a little as if to start.Give it three or four more goes, then wait 15 minutes and try again (time for fuel to clear).

Fresh petrol is near-essential for a new year, don't use what's in the can from last. OK, if it I'd in there anyway, keep trying.

When up and running, you can slow the mowrr down with that choke lever if needs be. You also ought to check the oil level... some on the dipstick will do, but a decent level will probabky be to a marked point.

Frankly, if you aren't familiar with mower engines, I'd not take spark plugs out and clean, etc, as you may cause more harm than good.