[redfisherdave]

Hey everybody
Between the heat down here in Florida & me getting older every year, I'm thinking of getting a Snapper RER. Tired of walking. I'm looking at a new 28" Hi Vac or a used 30" side discharge. Both have 11.5 HP pull starts. Will I be sorry with the pull start or are they fairly easy to start.
Many Thanks for any advice

 

[dale1234]

elec start is the only way to go

 

[Tractor-Holic]

I think most engines that big would have a recoil even if it were electric start,maybe not though..I'd say electric is well worth the extra cash,especially at resale time-- I've found it rather difficult to sell ANY tractor that is "pull start only",in my experience..few folks interested in them are healthy enough to tug that rope hard enough to get it started,even if its "easy" to start..people wont give squat for a tractor without electric start here..

 

[Mike 604]

My 1438 Hydro has the recoil as a back-up starter. It's a 14.5 H.P. Briggs. I tried it once for the heck of it. I'll walk 3 miles each way to buy a new battery if I have to. Never again!

 

[redfisherdave]

Thanks guys

I'm holding out for an electric start.

Dave

 

[LoveLearn]

The Briggs Syncro-Balance 11.5 horsepower engine on my Snapper starts every time with its electric starter's spinning, and after starting, it seems to run well. But to start it, that starter must spin the motor fairly quickly for at least 3 or 4 rotations before it starts running. I've seen others which behave similarly. I would not want to even try to duplicate that pre-start spinning with a recoil-spring-loaded rope and pull handle.

Some engines typically start running during the first quick spin through compression & ignition near Top Dead Center. Most Lawn-Boys in reasonable condition behave that way and fire during the first rope pull. I have a Detroit 8V-71 diesel in my GMC bus motorhome that seems to start before you can even hear it make a full revolution! Others need to spin a few revolutions before starting. Unless your large-displacement engine is one of those first rotation starters, bringing it into operation with a recoil starter can be a miserable task.

So even though adding a battery's maintenance problems, finite service life, flywheel ring gear, electric starter motor and heavy-duty electric-relay switch all add extra potential failure points and extra weight, they really seem justified for engines which don't spin as easily as smaller displacement engines can be spun with a recoil starter.
John