My 5hp I pull start, my 9 & 10hp I use the electric start because of the high compression. On the nights of snow, I keep it near the back door where's there's an outlet outside though it will start easily pulling, but just in case.

However, I have no shed, garage is full, so my equipment is kept outside under a tarp.

 

It overcomes cold engines completely and remembering to pull the starter cord enough to make sure the piston is top dead center to avoid having it kick back from not having compression release and reminding your shoulder who is boss.

That is why I use my space heater to warm up my snow pups and all my other small engines and my truck as they barely bark when they start. The pups are so happy to be warm when they get to work. I also dry them off with the space heater to help them last longer as it dries out the salt sticking to the pups paddles and metal sides.

With the little electric ankle biters its a case of there are very light and I do not want to smell like engine exhaust and have to take a shower after every time I use it.

 

I use it sometimes, not always. Mostly because its cool and I get a kick out of it. The little Toro 2 stroke is so easy to pull and start its not worth it. In fact I used it for the first time last year after having the machine for 10 yrs give or take just to see if it actually worked and then maybe once since then.

The 8 hp Tecumseh takes a little more to pull but not so much that I rely on the electric start.

You know when it comes in handy, is when you're working on them and have to keep stopping and starting the engine.

My generator is $%#&! to pull start, more so since I use straight 30W oil so I use electric start on that a lot. A portable battery box is good for that one.

 

I put a new Briggs on one of my Ariens, with electric start, only because my wife was using it ... made it easier for her. I have a dedicated retractable cord going to it out of the ceiling.

 

65165

 

my 1980's 10hp craftsman, Stored outside, 1 pull start

 

Usually pull start for the initial start, but electric start if I stop & start the engine, sometimes, especially my single-stage with a Tec Snow King 5 hp flathead engine. If it's not cooled off, it is sometimes hard for me to figure out how much to close the choke & prime it for a restart.

 

You need to go back 40 - 50 years ago when them old Tecumseh's, Kohler's and Briggs could be real monsters to start, to make the starting task easier eventually 12 volt and 120 volt starting systems began to be offered as additional $$ options on some larger model displacement engines to make starting these suckers easier. Nowadays with electronic ignition, solid state & engine winterizing, OHV and all the other engine and modern manufacturing advancement engines below12-13 hp have become very easy to start just with the standard recoil pull starter, however modern technology has lowered the cost of electric starters to the point that it has almost become a standard option on most engines especially snow blower and residential lawn tractor destined engines. As modern life has forced many women or kids to operate all these machines without a hubby and this is a very good thing as well as for all who live longer and older.

Anyone remember the cotton ropes and wooden T handle we would coil around the engine recoil starter cup and yank on like maniacs to get engines started.

 

Anyone remember the cotton ropes and wooden T handle we would coil around the engine recoil starter cup and yank on like maniacs to get engines started.

Yes I remember the old form of starter.
I also use the electric starter having old injuries from being hit by a truck. Easier and cheaper to plug them in that pay the chiropractor bills.

 

I mostly use mine first start of the year.

 

I have used electric for many years . . . Not because I can't pull start, but simply because the POS plastic start pulleys used on many engines seem to break every few years, and I am sick and tired of getting robbed to replace a part that should have been metal to begin with. I have a 5' coiled cord that lives plugged in hanging next to the blower, so it's a matter of pulling the cord over about 18 inches, plugging on, hitting start, and go . . . It's actually easier than to pull start in that case, since I'd have to manually roll the blower out of the garage to get clearance to pull the rope . . . And yes, it does start in one to two pulls on the rope as well . . .

 

IMO . . .

Electric start comes into play when your engine is not tuned up well and is hard to start manually. The extra speed and duration of electric start vs. pull start often overcomes the issues of a bad carburetor or fuel.

For some . . . they are just not wanting (or able) to exert themselves :smile2:

 

IMO . . .

Electric start comes into play when your engine is not tuned up well and is hard to start manually. The extra speed and duration of electric start vs. pull start often overcomes the issues of a bad carburetor or fuel.

For some . . . they are just not wanting to exert themselves :smile2:

I keep my equipment outdoors and usually i can start all of my snowblowers with the recoil starter, but with the recent stretch where the temperature was in the single digits like 7 days in a row, i had to use the electric starter.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

well I have a bad disc in my neck and a pinched nerve. for the first start of the season I don't even try to pull start any of my snowblowers. I have my nephew start the 3650r for it's first start of the season and I've never gotten the 824 to cold start by using the recoil starter and have a tough time pull starting it when the motor is warm

 

I'd like electric start on my Stihl chainsaw - overcoming compression when it's the teens or twenties outside is sometimes a pain in the butt.

 

stihl don't have a compression release button? my husky's do.

 

I use the electric start 100% of the time with my '71 Ariens, because it starts much easier than with the pull start. I never use the pull start, ever.

Wheel the snowblower over next to the open garage door.
(Start the clock)
Open the fuel valve under the gas tank.
Check that all levers are in the correct position for starting. (they always are, because I leave them set that way after the last use.)
(If its below 15F degrees I add a squirt of starting fluid into the carb)
Take the 10-foot extension cord off its hook on the wall, its already plugged in.
Put the cord in the starter.
Press the starter button for one second.
Move the choke lever over.
Remove the cord, put it back on the hook.
(Stop the clock)
Ready to roll..elapsed time: 20 seconds.

Scot

 

heres how i start my st824, prime 2x, choke, pull cord once, take choke off immediately and shes ready to go. imo anything with a primer bulb should fire up first pull if maintained right. older tecumsehs with that stupid plate primer never go one pull

 

I usually pull-start mine. Though sometimes it is easier to use the electric start for the first start of the season.

But as others mentioned, my machine is by other things in the garage, and it can be slightly awkward to get a good pull on the cord. The electric could help, especially if you have shoulder problems. It does typically start in 1-2 pulls, so it's not just a matter of the machine being poorly tuned.

I think it's not a bad idea to use the electric starter periodically anyhow, just to keep it moving properly. Sometimes the gear that slides up to engage with the flywheel can apparently start sticking on its shaft. Better to have it still able to function, vs deciding you need it, and then realizing it's bound up somehow.

 

I have cords hanging from the ceiling, the kind that recoil back. It's easy to do. However, I never use the electric start. All my engines start on one pull.

My older generator, however, I do use the 12v starter for that. It's hard to start, because it only runs a few times a year, it's a funny sort of engine. Has that updraft carb that I hate. Once running, it runs great, but sometimes getting it there is a bitch.

 

the only reason i usually use the electric start is if the pull start is broken. otherwise i just use the pull start. if a machine is working and adjust properly is should start just fine with the pull start. i got no problem what so ever starting the 10.5hp engine on my big machine when it is cold out. i agree that i find the pull start way more convenient especially since i would have to roll the snowblower all the way around my 1 vehicle to get at a plug.

 

As mr red said
st824 2 primes full choke starts 1/2 pull every time no matter the temp

28 414cc 3primes starts 1st pull

1332le 358 tec also started 1st pull 2 primes 1 click from full on the choke

imo anything with a primer bulb should start 1st pull if its running right

 

with full throttle and full choke i find most machines start pretty good with or without primer. my machine without a primer usually always starts on first pull that way

 

I am converting my 5hp Tecumseh to electric start. I'm just tired of having issues getting it going after storage. I only need it 1-3 times a year, so after storage ends up being everytime I need it.

 

Lots of reasons actually......


Like the time when I fell on some black ice and broke four ribs.........
Like when I am away from home and SWMBO has to fire up the SB.....
Like when its -20F in the pole barn, a couple of weeks ago......
Like when the recoil starter breaks, again.......


I will never buy a SB wo/ electric start again.

 

Interesting, I'll have to try adjusting my starting technique. I've been giving it 4-6 primer pushes. I'll have to try just 2, thanks. Heck, maybe I can join the 1-pull club!

 

Mine has an electric starter that I used twice. The pull start is pretty easy and I usually have to pull only once.

First time was when I got the blower to make sure the electric starter actually works.

Second time was last weekend as my pull starter was frozen and didn't do anything.

 

Given my age and a bad shoulder life is much better using electric start.
When I was much younger I never gave it much thought about having to use a pull start.

 

I hate pull starting machines. I always use electric start if I can.

HSS HONDA, on board battery, no cords, turn key. I pull started the new engine the first time, and never since.