New Lawnmower startup

[EloManga]

I just bought a new Craftsman mower with a 173cc Kohler engine on it with 7ft.lbs tq.
I was going to use it today to cut the back, but then wondered if I'd do any damage to the engine, since it'll be a dry start.
So, is there anything I can do to lube the piston wall so I don't score it? I have the oil spray that you use to store engines over winter, or would I just put some regular oil in the spark plug hole & pull on the cord slowly to lube it up?
Side note, am I the only 1 that isn't a fan of how they're making all mowers now without any throttle?
Thanks

 

[Scooter_man]

No, i'm not a fan of a pre-set engine speed either. I know where you're coming from.

I can't say i've every worried too much about a dry-start on a new mower, but that's a very good point. I suppose about anything you can add to help it on start-up would be beneficial.

I really can't say which method would work best (sprray or reg. oil) because neither will be in there very long anyway. I'm sure others will chime in with more opinions/ideas.


Rob

 

[c3po]

I would take the spark plug off and pour a small amount of MMO or the oil spray you have and pull the cord a few times with the spark plug off of the engine.

 

[oilboy123]

No you are not the only one who does not like Big Brother taking the throttle control away from us. Maybe squirt a little MMO into the piston. Just don't lock up the piston.

I would not think twice about starting it the way it came from the factory.

 

[05ChevyI5]

No prep required. Check the oil level, gas it up and go!

 

[hate2work]

The only thing I would do would be to fill it with the proper oil and then pull the rope several times with the switch off. Then turn the switch on, start it and go

BTW, not all new mowers have been neutered like yours, my new Honda gives me full throttle control.

 

[heavyhitter]

Originally Posted By: 05ChevyI5
No prep required. Check the oil level, gas it up and go!


+1

You will be hard pressed to kill the engine, change the oil once a year it will alst a LONG time. Your deck, carb or other parts will go bad before the interals of that engine.

 

[Nick R]

Agreed. Pour gas in, and go. I would like a throttle control. All this EPA emissions crud. I think it's funny how lawnmowers get lean burn but cars don't because of NOX. Lawnmowers don't even have cats, yet (well, some in california do) and so pollute a heck of a lot more than even the best running cat and ECM equipped car.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Do they start these for like 30 seconds before leaving the factory? If yes, then it already has oil in the proper places.
If not.....just go for it.

 

[crazyoildude]

Put oil in and start it just like all the other engines... i would not worry about it you have more to worry about thinking who did the original build.. maybe the piston was dropped or mabe the bearing was scratched or maybe.... Start it and run it and everything will be ok
I would however crank it for a few seconds to circulate the oil

 

[expat]

Quote; Side note, am I the only 1 that isn't a fan of how they're making all mowers now without any throttle?


What! I have not seen that in Canada.

 

[mechjames]

Gas it up and go. Some are run at the factory and then drained of oil for shipping. Some have assembly lube inside the cylinder already. Dripping oil down the spark plug hole of a vertical shaft engine will not do too much. Horizontal, maybe.

Throttle Controls are gone on the cheaper model lawnmowers now, saving cost. Good lawnmowers like Honda and the higher end residential stuff still have throttle control.

 

[dwendt44]

It has an iron liner so don't worry about start up lubing.
Gas and go.

 

[Oldwolf]

Just raise vertical the side of the mower that is opposite the sparkplug. That way oil will pool in the cylinder. Then when you set the mower back on its wheels the oil will go back to the sump where it belongs.

At that point the piston area should be well lubed for its initial start.

 

[punisher]

I was watching one of those discovery channel programs and they had a spot about a small engine manufacturer (looked to be either B&S or Tecumseh flatheads) and they had this little dyno for the semi finished engines.

The engines were put down on this plate that had 3 or 4 pointed studs that the engine set onto, and a keyed female shaft that came from the underside and engaged the crank. They hooked up some sort of natural gas/propane ring injector to the air cleaner studs, hit a button, and spun it over. After it started it was checked for RPM. I never did see an actual dyno run. Afterward they zipped out the spark plug, shot some kind of oil in, reinstalled the plug, hit a button to spin it over, then sent it on to get the cowling/engine covers installed. Never did see them put oil in, or drain oil from the engine during testing. Possible camera edits I suppose.

 

[crazyoildude]

i am not a fan of no throttle either.. I installed a throttle speed control and got rid of that stupid lever that shuts off the mower everytime you let go of the handle... that lever that shuts off the mower is great for people that dont know not to put their hands under the mower when it is running.. if their are little kids around or playfull dogs or other animals then i could see it but when its just me and my mower i dont want that

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
i am not a fan of no throttle either.. I installed a throttle speed control and got rid of that stupid lever that shuts off the mower everytime you let go of the handle... that lever that shuts off the mower is great for people that dont know not to put their hands under the mower when it is running.. if their are little kids around or playfull dogs or other animals then i could see it but when its just me and my mower i dont want that


Wait, it bothers you that there is a "Dead mans switch" on lawnmowers? I can understand the throttle thing, but I can't see any issue with a DMS at all.

 

[greenaccord02]

I take all of mine off, too. Having a dead man switch is a huge inconvenience. I'm old enough to use a lawnmower, I don't need some legislated lever to keep me from cutting my hands off.

 

[bigmike]

I twist a wire around the lever. How hard is it to install a throttle?

 

[Nick R]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how is it an inconvience, I just don't understand. I mean, if you aren't actually behind it, mowing... Why does it need to be running? It's not like most lawnmowers are particularly hard to start these days.