Pull cord hard to pull on Briggs and Stratton engine?

[Gordon Gould]

Ahh - simple solutions are the best. One of those things - not obvious - unless it has happened to you before. Like not remembering to push your lift ram down by hand before removing a minute mount fisher plow. Then have no clue why you can't get it back on w/o using a jack.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[charsden]

Thanks for the good advice. I will begin the process tomorrow to get this running.

It does call for HD30 oil. Never look forward to this oil change. Messy if I drain from the bottom with all
the oil draining onto a steel plate. Or, awkward if I hold the splitter up and over to drain out the filler.
Any better way to drain this machine?

I would like to switch to synthetic...which should I use-5w-20, 5w-30, etc.?

Straight 30W oil is like mud when the outside temperature is below 40 degrees. Whatever oil you purchase, make sure to read about what temperature it works best in.

 

[charsden]

Gordon --- Straight 30W oil always feels like pulling an engine cord in MUD when it's colder outside because it is recommended NOT to be used in ANY type of small engine when the temperature gets below 40 degrees outside.. That's why your engine had a 'hard' pull in the winter and a smooth pull in summer. The only way it will perform in cold months is if the small engine is kept inside where it's at least 50+ degrees.. 30W is an overall better oil for small engines during warmer months, but not when having to start engines in colder months, especially during winters further up north in Vermont where you are..

 

[charsden]

If this happens with a push lawn mower, the problem is usually because the safety press down handle to start the engine is not fully depressed which causes the brake on the flywheel to still be engaged..