Comments on: Hot or Not? Electric-Start Lawn Mowers http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:11:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Dave http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-1016522 Dave Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:43:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-1016522 I have a craftsman 22" self propelled lawn mower, the self prpelled just quit all of a sudden, when I move the lever down to the drive position , the front weels brake on it instead of moving. do I have to replace the whole drive unit, or is there a way to fix it? Dave I have a craftsman 22″ self propelled lawn mower, the self prpelled just quit all of a sudden, when I move the lever down to the drive position , the front weels brake on it instead of moving. do I have to replace the whole drive unit, or is there a way to fix it?
Dave

]]> By: Carol http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-1012245 Carol Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:51:45 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-1012245 Just bought the Craftsman model shown above and love the key start! And yes it is a big honker of a machine, but since I do not have a ton of upper body strength, pulling the cord to restart every time I emptied the bag in my large yard was not going to work. The rear drive is great on the hills. I am well aware that any gas driven machine of this size and weight must be used with caution and care. I may lack arm strength, but my common sense is still functioning just fine, thank you! Just bought the Craftsman model shown above and love the key start! And yes it is a big honker of a machine, but since I do not have a ton of upper body strength, pulling the cord to restart every time I emptied the bag in my large yard was not going to work. The rear drive is great on the hills. I am well aware that any gas driven machine of this size and weight must be used with caution and care. I may lack arm strength, but my common sense is still functioning just fine, thank you!

]]> By: mike http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-958039 mike Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:26:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-958039 Actually the first commercial jetliner to have an all electric start is the brand new boeing 787. Actually the first commercial jetliner to have an all electric start is the brand new boeing 787.

]]> By: Jscotty http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-955492 Jscotty Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:14:57 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-955492 I bought a model similar to the one above and I have to say that in spite of the purist that I am, I really love it! But I agree with what was said earlier about someone not being able to handle the mower if they can't even pull the cord. I originally got this for my mom so that she does not have to depend on me but I'm sure that she could pull the cord if she tried. IMO pulling the cord is a "right-of-passage" for anyone who uses a lawn mower. I think that this is a nice convenience for when you stall the mower so that you don't break your flow but this should not be a crutch. I bought a model similar to the one above and I have to say that in spite of the purist that I am, I really love it! But I agree with what was said earlier about someone not being able to handle the mower if they can’t even pull the cord. I originally got this for my mom so that she does not have to depend on me but I’m sure that she could pull the cord if she tried. IMO pulling the cord is a “right-of-passage” for anyone who uses a lawn mower. I think that this is a nice convenience for when you stall the mower so that you don’t break your flow but this should not be a crutch.

]]> By: Lawn Mowers Ratings http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-945016 Lawn Mowers Ratings Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:44:22 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-945016 [...] Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Hot or Not? Electric-Start Lawn Mowers [...] [...] Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Hot or Not? Electric-Start Lawn Mowers [...]

]]> By: Paul http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-943063 Paul Sat, 30 May 2009 02:21:41 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-943063 I would not have bought an electric start mower but was given one my dad couldn't get running. Simple fix and it is self-propelled too which is nice on the steep hills in my front yard. Anyhow the electric start works ok on this 6 or so year old toro. I have it so I might a well use it. I've had this mower apart and the starter and charging system isnt 'high tech' it is just using a magneto on the flywheel to charge the battery and the starter is very small and lightweight 'car type' solenoid actuated spring return starter sot here is no clutch system for the electric start. I wouldn't look for this feature on a model but if it is there its nice. I would not have bought an electric start mower but was given one my dad couldn’t get running. Simple fix and it is self-propelled too which is nice on the steep hills in my front yard. Anyhow the electric start works ok on this 6 or so year old toro. I have it so I might a well use it. I’ve had this mower apart and the starter and charging system isnt ‘high tech’ it is just using a magneto on the flywheel to charge the battery and the starter is very small and lightweight ‘car type’ solenoid actuated spring return starter sot here is no clutch system for the electric start. I wouldn’t look for this feature on a model but if it is there its nice.

]]> By: paganwonder http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-943011 paganwonder Sat, 30 May 2009 01:31:54 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-943011 Scott Manual push mower- no pull cord no gas barely any maintenance. And my oldest was happy to have started some muscles when football try-outs came around. And if you couldn't use the no-start mower as an excuse to swear... Scott Manual push mower- no pull cord no gas barely any maintenance. And my oldest was happy to have started some muscles when football try-outs came around.
And if you couldn’t use the no-start mower as an excuse to swear…

]]> By: Kevin http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-942007 Kevin Fri, 29 May 2009 04:01:26 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-942007 alot of woman can't pull start a mower, smaller kids and old folks too, anything to get them outta the house I am for. The toughest part of mowing a lawn is starting the things.I put this in the hot cat. alot of woman can’t pull start a mower, smaller kids and old folks too, anything to get them outta the house I am for. The toughest part of mowing a lawn is starting the things.I put this in the hot cat.

]]> By: David Bryan http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-941315 David Bryan Thu, 28 May 2009 10:04:24 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-941315 Don't mow if you can't start it, huh? You boys have got a lot to learn. Don’t mow if you can’t start it, huh? You boys have got a lot to learn.

]]> By: Brau http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-941252 Brau Thu, 28 May 2009 08:00:07 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-941252 Not! Will says: "I believe it has some spring assist contraption, which would explain the fairly low torque it requires on the pull to get it going. " To be more precise, shims are engaged to hold the valves open during pulling to make it easy to spin up the engine revs. Honda came up with the idea and many have followed. My Ariens (Tecumseh 6HP) has this same feature and it really is fantastic. I would have bought the superior Honda if not for their decks being either plastic or aluminum (brittle); I needed a steel deck to survive all the rocks on my property. Bottom line: If your mower is hard to pull-start, you bought a cheap one. Put your money into a great engine, not add-on gadgets. Not!

Will says: “I believe it has some spring assist contraption, which would explain the fairly low torque it requires on the pull to get it going. ”

To be more precise, shims are engaged to hold the valves open during pulling to make it easy to spin up the engine revs. Honda came up with the idea and many have followed. My Ariens (Tecumseh 6HP) has this same feature and it really is fantastic. I would have bought the superior Honda if not for their decks being either plastic or aluminum (brittle); I needed a steel deck to survive all the rocks on my property.

Bottom line: If your mower is hard to pull-start, you bought a cheap one. Put your money into a great engine, not add-on gadgets.

]]> By: Stanley http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-940884 Stanley Thu, 28 May 2009 00:05:45 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-940884 Remember when you had to kick start motorcycles??? Pretty sure almost all motorcycles (street) are electric start. No biggie. Remember when you had to kick start motorcycles??? Pretty sure almost all motorcycles (street) are electric start. No biggie.

]]> By: Jason http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-940712 Jason Wed, 27 May 2009 22:13:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-940712 So, i bought the exact model pictured above. It has a small Lithium-Ion battery on it, and a wall charger.. No on board alternator or anything ... Why did i buy it? My wife was 5 months pregnant at the time, and she enjoys push mowing the lawn. I work 60+ Hours a distance from home, and can't be there to start the mower for her. She enjoys the exercise of push mowing, so , for the 30 dollars more it was to get the electric start, it was worth it. And i figure, if it breaks, i can still pull start it later. As a side note, it pull starts pretty easily, and the electric starter is pretty easy as well. Being you can't 'test start' them at sears i couldn't find out how my wife would fair with pull starting the mower. That's my reason. I don't think it really matters. I have a car in my garage that you started with a hand crank. Think those guys like batteries and keys??! So, i bought the exact model pictured above.

It has a small Lithium-Ion battery on it, and a wall charger.. No on board alternator or anything …

Why did i buy it? My wife was 5 months pregnant at the time, and she enjoys push mowing the lawn. I work 60+ Hours a distance from home, and can’t be there to start the mower for her. She enjoys the exercise of push mowing, so , for the 30 dollars more it was to get the electric start, it was worth it.

And i figure, if it breaks, i can still pull start it later.

As a side note, it pull starts pretty easily, and the electric starter is pretty easy as well. Being you can’t ‘test start’ them at sears i couldn’t find out how my wife would fair with pull starting the mower.

That’s my reason. I don’t think it really matters. I have a car in my garage that you started with a hand crank. Think those guys like batteries and keys??!

]]> By: paanta http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-940384 paanta Wed, 27 May 2009 17:28:25 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-940384 If you can't pull-start a mower, the mower needs a major tuneup. My snapper started on the first pull this spring. Just like the year before and the year before.... If you can’t pull-start a mower, the mower needs a major tuneup. My snapper started on the first pull this spring. Just like the year before and the year before….

]]> By: Trevor D. http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-940246 Trevor D. Wed, 27 May 2009 15:23:15 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-940246 Who cares? I don't think it matters if they do or don't come with a starter. I say if you don't like 'em, then go get a pull start. If you need or want it for some reason, then go get an electric start mower. Its not BAD to have the choice, and no one is stopping you from going one way or the other. Who cares? I don’t think it matters if they do or don’t come with a starter. I say if you don’t like ‘em, then go get a pull start. If you need or want it for some reason, then go get an electric start mower. Its not BAD to have the choice, and no one is stopping you from going one way or the other.

]]> By: Chris K http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-940219 Chris K Wed, 27 May 2009 14:54:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-940219 My view is no-one complains about electric starters on riding tractors. Who am I to complain about making pushers easier to use too? My view is no-one complains about electric starters on riding tractors. Who am I to complain about making pushers easier to use too?

]]> By: PB http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939811 PB Wed, 27 May 2009 07:07:49 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939811 Seems like a bad idea. You have to add a starter, starter clutch, battery, and a way to charge the battery. So many more things that can break. If it sits around unused over the winter, the battery will discharge itself, so you have to figure out how to keep it charged over the winter. So much to worry about. It seems much better to just pull the cord and be done with it. Seems like a bad idea. You have to add a starter, starter clutch, battery, and a way to charge the battery. So many more things that can break. If it sits around unused over the winter, the battery will discharge itself, so you have to figure out how to keep it charged over the winter. So much to worry about. It seems much better to just pull the cord and be done with it.

]]> By: Chris http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939752 Chris Wed, 27 May 2009 05:08:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939752 Chaim: the difference being that electric start in an airplane adds a measurable and significant degree of safety, whereas electric start on a power tool generally doesn't :-p (That, and carrying around the weight of a starter motor -- and possibly a battery -- is less significant on most aircraft than on a push mower.) cl Chaim: the difference being that electric start in an airplane adds a measurable and significant degree of safety, whereas electric start on a power tool generally doesn’t :-p (That, and carrying around the weight of a starter motor — and possibly a battery — is less significant on most aircraft than on a push mower.)

cl

]]> By: Slow Joe Crow http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939601 Slow Joe Crow Wed, 27 May 2009 00:41:29 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939601 Not, needless weight and complexity, more points of failure, and just another excuse to charge more money. My 8 year old B&S powered Craftsman will light off on the second pull all season after its annual wake up shot of carb cleaner. If somebody does need a boost due to an injury then one of the adapters that allows you to start the engine with an electric drill makes more sense since you can leave the motor behind while mowing. Not,
needless weight and complexity, more points of failure, and just another excuse to charge more money. My 8 year old B&S powered Craftsman will light off on the second pull all season after its annual wake up shot of carb cleaner.
If somebody does need a boost due to an injury then one of the adapters that allows you to start the engine with an electric drill makes more sense since you can leave the motor behind while mowing.

]]> By: MeasureOnceCutTwice http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939588 MeasureOnceCutTwice Wed, 27 May 2009 00:21:59 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939588 Half of me says that an electric start will mask problems from poor maintenance, and more people will regularly use less efficient more polluting engines. The other half of me says sometimes just getting the lawn mowed is enough to kill me, and not having to pull the engine cord on every restart might make that little bit of difference in getting it done. Overall I still go without the electric start! Half of me says that an electric start will mask problems from poor maintenance, and more people will regularly use less efficient more polluting engines.
The other half of me says sometimes just getting the lawn mowed is enough to kill me, and not having to pull the engine cord on every restart might make that little bit of difference in getting it done.
Overall I still go without the electric start!

]]> By: Jim K. http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939574 Jim K. Wed, 27 May 2009 00:05:12 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939574 My Mom got one of these about 3 or so years ago. Bad shoulder, but wouldn't stop mowing the yard for herself (I'd do it, but it's a long way from CA to RI). Anyway, it worked fine for about 6 months, then broke. Simple mechanical linkage problem that I fixed the next time I was visiting. Lesson learned, "Never trust plastic to do work that metal would be much better suited for." A few years later and it's still going strong. My Mom got one of these about 3 or so years ago. Bad shoulder, but wouldn’t stop mowing the yard for herself (I’d do it, but it’s a long way from CA to RI). Anyway, it worked fine for about 6 months, then broke. Simple mechanical linkage problem that I fixed the next time I was visiting. Lesson learned, “Never trust plastic to do work that metal would be much better suited for.” A few years later and it’s still going strong.

]]> By: Jerry http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939537 Jerry Tue, 26 May 2009 23:05:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939537 Okay - I guess I am lazier than that even. Memorial Day brought about the death of my 11 year old gas machine that got harder to start every time. I think it finally blew a piston. I recall paying a whole $129 for this machine brand new. 11 years is a lot of years for that price. I looked and looked at lawnmowers - pull start, electric start, electric (completely. I recalled my mother having an electric that ate the cord somewhat regularly. I ended up with a 24 volt cordless machine (Homelite) and zoomed through my entire, smallish lawn in about 15 minutes with plenty of battery power left over. Quiet - no stinky gas or oil and no cord to exercise my arm getting nowhere. Not for everyone but I am impressed. Okay - I guess I am lazier than that even. Memorial Day brought about the death of my 11 year old gas machine that got harder to start every time. I think it finally blew a piston. I recall paying a whole $129 for this machine brand new. 11 years is a lot of years for that price. I looked and looked at lawnmowers - pull start, electric start, electric (completely. I recalled my mother having an electric that ate the cord somewhat regularly. I ended up with a 24 volt cordless machine (Homelite) and zoomed through my entire, smallish lawn in about 15 minutes with plenty of battery power left over. Quiet - no stinky gas or oil and no cord to exercise my arm getting nowhere. Not for everyone but I am impressed.

]]> By: gillsans http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939525 gillsans Tue, 26 May 2009 22:50:03 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939525 My dad got a Montgomery Ward mower with electric start back around the time my brother and I were big enough to start mowing the lawn (the mid 80s). It worked okay for a few years until the battery died. Then it was back to the cord and pushing around the extra weight of the starter and batter. He hasn't gotten a electric start mower since. Looking back, I'm sure my dad's rationale for getting electric start was so his scrawny 10 year old could mow the lawn instead of him... My dad got a Montgomery Ward mower with electric start back around the time my brother and I were big enough to start mowing the lawn (the mid 80s). It worked okay for a few years until the battery died. Then it was back to the cord and pushing around the extra weight of the starter and batter. He hasn’t gotten a electric start mower since. Looking back, I’m sure my dad’s rationale for getting electric start was so his scrawny 10 year old could mow the lawn instead of him…

]]> By: Chaim http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939491 Chaim Tue, 26 May 2009 22:20:16 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939491 No particular opinion here...but back when people had to start propeller planes by turning the propeller, they probably had the same argument. No particular opinion here…but back when people had to start propeller planes by turning the propeller, they probably had the same argument.

]]> By: Michael http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939476 Michael Tue, 26 May 2009 22:12:19 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939476 I bought a Craftsman 6.5 hp electric start model 2 years ago, a left over floor model. Charged it last year and it ran fine. This year, with no charge, had to pull start it the first time I ran it. The electric start has started it every time after that without recharging. Its a nice little feature because I have to empty the bag and the engine stops when I let the safety bar go. If I empty the bag 10 times each time I mow, I have to start it 10 times; if I had to pull start it, I would be tempted to tie the safety bar so I wouldn't need to restart it. That said, if the electric start didn't work, I wouldn't worry about fixing it. I'd chalk it up to 'oh well' and use the pull start. I bought a Craftsman 6.5 hp electric start model 2 years ago, a left over floor model. Charged it last year and it ran fine. This year, with no charge, had to pull start it the first time I ran it. The electric start has started it every time after that without recharging. Its a nice little feature because I have to empty the bag and the engine stops when I let the safety bar go. If I empty the bag 10 times each time I mow, I have to start it 10 times; if I had to pull start it, I would be tempted to tie the safety bar so I wouldn’t need to restart it. That said, if the electric start didn’t work, I wouldn’t worry about fixing it. I’d chalk it up to ‘oh well’ and use the pull start.

]]> By: Dave http://toolmonger.com/2009/05/26/hot-or-not-electric-start-lawn-mowers/#comment-939465 Dave Tue, 26 May 2009 22:05:01 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=24888#comment-939465 I have to agree with the "If I can't start it..." crowd. I have never had a mower with an electric start but I haven't felt like I was missing something. It's like so many things the more features and functions the more likely something is to go wrong. My experience has been that if you give a mower a little bit of preventive maintenance before you put it away for the winter and a when you break it out in the spring they will run like a top (and if that doesn't work, swearing at it always does). I have to go with not. I have to agree with the “If I can’t start it…” crowd. I have never had a mower with an electric start but I haven’t felt like I was missing something. It’s like so many things the more features and functions the more likely something is to go wrong. My experience has been that if you give a mower a little bit of preventive maintenance before you put it away for the winter and a when you break it out in the spring they will run like a top (and if that doesn’t work, swearing at it always does).

I have to go with not.

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