How To Pull Start A Lawn Mower

Everyone likes a fresh cut lawn, but most people dread having to battle the starting rope to get their mower running.  Here are some simple steps and advice to help you quickly and easily start your mower the first time!

Help! My Lawn Mower Pull Cord Is Hard To Pull Out

Do you have a gas lawn mower with a pull cord to start the engine that is tough to use?

Many people face the problem where that the pull cord is hard to pull out of its housing.   When they try to pull it out, it just won’t budge. 

It’s very frustrating.

The Solution For A Lawn Mower Cord That’s Hard To Pull

Engine Flywheel Brake (aka Safety Bar)

The most common issue is the easiest to fix.  Most modern lawnmowers have a safety bar which is a nice poka-yoke to prevent you from losing a foot or arm.  

However, you need to have this lever in the engaged position for the lawn mower engine to run.  If you forget, the pull string won’t even come out of the housing.  

So check to see if the safety bar is engaged.  If not – pull it towards the mower handle and try pulling again.

Clogged Mower Blade

The next most common item is a clogged mower blade.

If you have recently cut thick, wet grass, it’s easy to get enough clippings stuck under the housing that the lawn mower blades aren’t able to spin.  I’ve had this happen in the early spring after a day or so of soaking rains.

To solve this problem, turn off the mower and disconnect the spark plug for safety.  Then flip the mower over enough so you can see the bottom and the mower blade and dig out all the grass clippings that are stuck underneath.

When finished, turn the mower back over, reconnect the spark plug, and give the starter rope another pull. You should be back to mowing in no time.

Less Common, More Serious Issues

A frayed mower pull cord can be a dangerous problem that makes starting difficult.  Inspect the starter rope and see if it has any nicks, cuts or unraveling at all.  If so, you’ll need to replace the mower start rope.

A malfunctioning recoil spring can cause issues with starting a mower. If it’s damaged, starting the lawn mower will be much harder – you and the cord are doing all the work.  Normally, this spring lightens the load of starting the mower.  

The recoil spring can be damaged if someone lets go of the starting rope before it’s in the housing.  If that has recently happened to you, it might be what’s wrong with your gas mower.

There can be dirt in the pull mechanism that have become stuck in the gears. If you’re using any type of oil based lubricant (grease) on the moving parts of the machine, then you may need to clean them out. You’ll want to use something like WD40 as a solvent to remove the grease from the moving parts of the unit. Once cleaned out, apply some new grease to the moving parts and reassemble.

Another possibility is if there are small pieces of metal stuck in the fly mechanism. This is very unusual, and really not a self-fix situation.

If none of these options work, you may need to take your mower to an authorized repair shop.

How To Start A Lawn Mower In One Pull

 Let’s first talk about the proper form.  We will assume whatever you have been doing to this point hasn’t worked well.

• Try filling the fuel tank with Premium Fuel.  Most mowers don’t need it but sometimes a higher-octane gas can help.  So fill up that gas tank with Premium – and make sure it’s fresh fuel as well.
• Make sure you have CLEAN or NEW air filters in your push mower. Same goes for the fuel filters.
• Make sure the lawn mower spark plugs are in great shape. Bad spark plugs can make it hard to start a mower – and to keep it running as well.
• If you have a a four-stroke engine, check the oil level.
• Prime the carburetor by pushing the soft “air” button on the lawn mower engine a few times.  Now’s a good time to engage the choke as well if this is a cold start.
• Make sure the mower ready to go – flip any switches or keys that might be specific to your model.
• Are you wearing the best shoes for yard work? No open toe sandals or Birkenstocks – PLEASE!

Now, stand behind your mower.  Grab the engine brake lever and hold towards the handle.  With your other hand, grab the lawnmower pull cord and give a nice, strong pull.  Don’t worry, you won’t be able to pull too far – so give it a good tug!

Still Having Trouble Starting Your Mower?

 If you are stil having trouble, or maybe are just tired of a manual start lawn mower – you are in luck!  

There are options to make your life easier.

First, corded lawn mowers and battery lawn mowers both start with the push of a button.  There’s no pull starter to deal with – just close a switch and you are mowing.  They are very reasonably priced these days so it’s worth checking out.

If you are married to a gas powered lawnmower, you can buy a new mower that has electric start built in.  Not all models have this and they do cost a bit extra – but it is worth it to not have to fight with the pull cord any more while tackling your yard work.

Finally, if you just love your current mower, there are electric starter kits available to turn a pull-start into an electric start mower.  I’ve never done this so I can’t comment on how easy it is. I do know not every mower has a kit available. It will depend on the manufacturer and year of your engine.  However, for the right person, it is a great option.

Now Go Cut That Grass!

 Hopefully you’ve learned something about how to pull start your mower, and what can cause problems.  If it’s been helpful, please leave us a note in the comments below.