In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Old school..... for me anyways

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by MikeInMa, Jul 2, 2025.

  1. Dok440

    Dok440

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    So what was the downside to those? I take it they don't always work like the video?
     
  2. John D

    John D

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    Think it was just real old school
    The recoil we use today replaces it as what we use now is faster and more efficient
     
  3. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Stihl still makes a version of that, no?
     
  4. theburtman

    theburtman

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    When I first started mowing with a power mower (maybe 7?) I couldn't pull a recoil fast enough to start it. These were much easier. I'm sure not many 7 year olds are mowing lawns these days.
     
  5. chris

    chris

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    As these came out in the 60's a lot of small engines were still started with a rope you wound up on the sheave. Winding those things up was a pain , to start you then folded the handle 1/2 back in place and when you seated it it released the spring mechanism. Problem was that little tab would break off, mostly inside the unit scewing up the works pia to fix.
     
  6. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    So if you Google mechanical spring starters you will see they still make them for larger engines.
    I saw one on a diesel pumping unit that had nothing electric on it at all.
    Maybe brenndatomu could link something. I have to find out how to do that someday.
     
  7. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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  8. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    Thanks a bunch!! I'm technology handicapped.
    Put one of those on your mower.
     
  9. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Another one most people are not aware of is air starters.
    Edit: And small gasoline pony motors to start the big diesel...
     
  10. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    30 ish years ago when I was still pretty green here at the sand/gravel pit, the boss was training me to run our dozer. An old cable operated D8 cat with a hand crank start pony engine. I killed the dozer engine twice and didn’t have enough lead in my pants to spin the pony engine fast enough to restart it. It was quite a few years before I had to run a dozer again and by then we had upgraded to one with electric start on the pony.
     
  11. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    I have a 4 cylinder Waukesha engine that was a pony for a big Waukesha. I love the sound of air starters.
     
  12. Erik B

    Erik B

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    Here is a pony motor being used to start a 2-man chainsaw.
    DSC00142.JPG
     
  13. Eggshooterist

    Eggshooterist

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    So, do you happen to have any good running Lawn boy 2 stroke mowers you may want to sell? Preferably electronic ignition version without any safety nonsense. I had a 1972, magnesium deck. Light as heck. Hit a rock and ruined the bottom crank bearing. I should have rebuilt it.
     
  14. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    My grandparents had a 2 stroke Lawnboy that I used as a kid to push mow their 2 acres (lots of oaks interspersed) and I loved it!!! So lightweight!
     
  15. Eggshooterist

    Eggshooterist

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    Yes they are. I was bummed about it.
     
  16. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    damm, I had an elderly friend pass away and I was asked if I wanted any mowers as he had a pile with a bunch of lawn boys. Unfortunately I declined.
    What happened to the bearing? They have caged needle bearings if I'm thinking right. Is the crank straight?
     
  17. Eggshooterist

    Eggshooterist

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    I hit a hidden rock. Probably bent the crank a bit. It siezed up a few minutes later. Not the piston, the crank. Smoke was coming from around the shaft. I gave the mower away then a few months later a brand new old stock engine came up on my local online auction. It sold for $61.
     
  18. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    :headbang::headbang:
     
  19. Eggshooterist

    Eggshooterist

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    Exactly. Lol.
     
  20. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    What do you want for the engine? You did buy it didn't you? I could not have resisted NOS USA for the price of today's "drive thru".
     
    eatonpcat, Eric VW and brenndatomu like this.