It is IN...the MANUAL. I guarantee you there's a section for startup procedures.
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Brand new lawn mower won't start - am I doing something wrong?
- Thread starter DarkJediKnight
- Start date
It is IN...the MANUAL. I guarantee you there's a section for startup procedures.
Make sure the filter is installed properly. For some reason a mower my friend bought had the filter installed with the plastic still on it.
Also yes as others have said make sure the fuel line is open, should just be a knob on the side. Prime it or pull the choke and give the cord a good pull with the bar depressed.
If you're really having issues getting it started sometimes over-priming it is okay. Just be prepared for a lot of smoke when it does start. I wouldn't suggest doing it often except when the tank has been empty a while (like when you buy it new). Over-priming will also again affect the filter so be careful fuel doesn't seep into that and clog things.
Really should read the manual tho - slowly.
Also yes as others have said make sure the fuel line is open, should just be a knob on the side. Prime it or pull the choke and give the cord a good pull with the bar depressed.
If you're really having issues getting it started sometimes over-priming it is okay. Just be prepared for a lot of smoke when it does start. I wouldn't suggest doing it often except when the tank has been empty a while (like when you buy it new). Over-priming will also again affect the filter so be careful fuel doesn't seep into that and clog things.
Really should read the manual tho - slowly.
Stormhammer
Member
do you know what the prime bulb looks like? it should be a clear bulb shape on the side
When you pull the cord you're giving it a real good yank right?
Girl I knew had same problem I went over to see what the issue was and yanked it and it started right up. She laughed and said, "oh I didn't know you had to pull it hard". So I had her show me how she did it and I almost fell over laughing. Then on my way home I thought of the response "well you're not gonna get anything started yanking it so weak like that" and cursed my missed opportunity.
Girl I knew had same problem I went over to see what the issue was and yanked it and it started right up. She laughed and said, "oh I didn't know you had to pull it hard". So I had her show me how she did it and I almost fell over laughing. Then on my way home I thought of the response "well you're not gonna get anything started yanking it so weak like that" and cursed my missed opportunity.
Cap'n Cook
Member
Goodacre0081
Member
yea two like two other posters said, hold the bar down and you need to really pull on that cord. get mad it at .
fireworkfan
Member
to me it sounds like either the fuel line isn't open which is generally a small knob on the side of the engine, make sure thats open if it has one usually straight up is open sideways is closed or vice versa not 100% sure. Next would be to make sure any handles that are up on the long bar where you push it from are clamped down and if need be to start use pliers to clamp em down these will also choke off the engine from turning over and running. if nothing else you can always run it down to a local lawnmower shop (yes they are around) and they can figure it out if nothing else it working.
DarkJediKnight
Member
7.25 163cc Platinum Engine series.
Cap'n Cook
Member
30yearsofhurt
Member
Okay, now this thread is going places.
DustyVonEric
Member
Make sure the gas that you're putting in is new.
If the gas has been sitting around for too long, the lawnmower might not start.
If the gas has been sitting around for too long, the lawnmower might not start.
superdeluxe
Member
Pump the primer and holding the metal bar down (kill switch is all I got)
illiniguy05
Member
From your manual:
Maybe you should ask your wife to give it a try.
Maybe you should ask your wife to give it a try.
Daaaaaamn.
Yeah, that does eliminate several possibilities, though.
OP...also make sure your sparkplug is attached. Sometimes they come without them attached (that would be another thing in the manual).
plot twist, choking and priming were useless suggestions
Jamesbonz
Neo Member
bonesmccoy
Banned
You're holding the safety/control bar down when you pull the cord?
One Eyed Willy
Member
Here's how it works.
You have a gas tank, with a gas line that will be visible that goes to the engine. On this path is where "some" makes/models will have a valve to allow the gas to either flow to the engine or not. My old Briggs and Stratton did not, I had to pinch the line with pliers if I wanted it shut to work on the engine. Most of what I just typed likely doesn't apply.
But you still need to do 3 things to start your mower. First, "prime" the engine. This is done on the front of the mower by the engine. There will be a small rubber half dome ball looking thing. Press this 3-4 times at most. This will squirt a small amount of gas in used only for starting the engine, the carburetor will do the rest automatically.
Second, hold down the "choke", which is the bar near the handle. Most modern mowers are auto choked, meaning just the bar. Older models might have a throttle control on the handlebar, in which you have to set it to start first, then hold the choke and adjust the throttle after starting. Yours is likely an auto choke. So, hold it down (at all times, until you want to kill the engine power)
Third, pull that mothafuckin' cord like a carnival game on a first date.
Tip : When your mower starts to lose power, its not likely its fuel first.. your bag is likely full. Also before you mow, always always always walk the perimeter and make sure sprinkler heads are down first or else you'll be doing 3 home depot runs, trenching and your afternoon will be shot. Trust
I wasn't going to say it but. lol this made me laugh. I have a Honda HRR and fucking have a crush on my lawnmower. My wife is legit bothered.
You have a gas tank, with a gas line that will be visible that goes to the engine. On this path is where "some" makes/models will have a valve to allow the gas to either flow to the engine or not. My old Briggs and Stratton did not, I had to pinch the line with pliers if I wanted it shut to work on the engine. Most of what I just typed likely doesn't apply.
But you still need to do 3 things to start your mower. First, "prime" the engine. This is done on the front of the mower by the engine. There will be a small rubber half dome ball looking thing. Press this 3-4 times at most. This will squirt a small amount of gas in used only for starting the engine, the carburetor will do the rest automatically.
Second, hold down the "choke", which is the bar near the handle. Most modern mowers are auto choked, meaning just the bar. Older models might have a throttle control on the handlebar, in which you have to set it to start first, then hold the choke and adjust the throttle after starting. Yours is likely an auto choke. So, hold it down (at all times, until you want to kill the engine power)
Third, pull that mothafuckin' cord like a carnival game on a first date.
Tip : When your mower starts to lose power, its not likely its fuel first.. your bag is likely full. Also before you mow, always always always walk the perimeter and make sure sprinkler heads are down first or else you'll be doing 3 home depot runs, trenching and your afternoon will be shot. Trust
I wasn't going to say it but. lol this made me laugh. I have a Honda HRR and fucking have a crush on my lawnmower. My wife is legit bothered.
BigJonsson
Member
I won a Honda mower at a baseball game, was pretty easy to start without needing to read the manual, so go get a Honda
PandaShake
Member
I want him to materialize and give me advice every time I'm struggling to start my mower.
Mohonky
Member
Some of us use equipment decades old because we know how to use and service that shit. All these new things with safety cut offs.....
Storm Chamber
Banned
We got grown men out here that can't cut grass?
Oh god, it's the bar isn't it? You weren't holding the bar down.
Because that shit is second nature to many, it is literally the last thing I would think someone didn't understand.
I'm drunk buyt at least I know how to start a lawnmower
Cmon OP you some kind of city boy or something?
DarkJediKnight
Member
It's too late now. I'm going to try tomorrow morning. Don't want to wake up the neighbours in case it does start.
Just answer if you were holding the bar down or not when trying to start it.
DarkJediKnight
Member
Of course I was. Although I wasn't holding it for dear life like some are suggesting.
I do appreciate all the advice here.
Just mow their lawn tomorrow as an apology because you know your mower is taunting you right now. Maybe even laughing at you.
J/k: looking forward to the update.
Pro tip: don't mow in flip flops.
Oh, my lawnmower is a two stroke. I thought all were. My bad.
Ozzy Onya A2Z
Member
Honda 4-stroke mower 4 life. Dad secrets of the landscaping gods right there. So happy to not have a safety bar like yours OP, obviously a pain. I await your thread on a weed whacker coming soon mate 
Marky Mark
Member
I mow bare feet all of the time. Sometimes you will see me jump a little every 30 seconds as stones fly up and hit my fucking big toe. Oooh does that hurt like a bitch but I forget every time until it happens the next time.
RageWaffles
Member
your wife asked if you were ignoring her and you responded by ignoring her? oh man
Marky Mark
Member
No different to him asking his mower why it won't start and it responding by not starting.
farmerboy
Member
At this point I'd say sell the mower and get some bloke to do it for ya. Job done.
dreamcastfan
Member
So I bought a brand new Briggs & Stratton Craftsman mower ...
Used to be a good company. Their mowers don't really last anymore, and I will never buy another one of their products. Not only myself, but my parents, and several friends all have the same experience with their mowers. They don't last and have constant issues. My suggestion is a Honda mower. Good luck with yours, regardless.
hydrophilic attack
Member
Teenagers these days got it easy. When I was a kid there we didn't have one of these fancy lawnmowers with an engine. The one we had was operated entirely by hand, yet I didn't complain.
I complained a lot
Jason's Ultimatum
Member
OP dead? Did the lawnmower man come after him?