Was given a DR trimmer/ mower.. now to get it running

I was given this DR trimmer/ mower by our friends. We went over to move their gas grill to the garage so they can wheel it outside when they want to grill.

They asked if I wanted this DR trimmer/ mower. Ummm yeah! It was only a couple years old.



They hadn't used it since new though. I didn't bother to try to start it until I got it home.

Once home, I put some gas in it, and RTFM.

It wouldn't start though. I pulled it over a good 50 times. And nothing. I took off the air filter and shot some starting fluid in the carb opening. It runs then, but as sun as the starting fluid is gone, it dies.

Then I looked up online and the first thing that popped up about this engine was that there's a design flaw.

I'll check it out tomorrow. Hopefully this is it.

This will be a really nice tool for me to trim around the yard, especially with my fencing I am putting up.

 

Sounds like a simple fix, and a "you suck" award for you sir!

 

That looks to be in really good shape.

 

You did pull the wire handle up to the handle bar when trying didn't you. Yes it engages the whip but when released kills the motor.

 

I have a Cub Cadet version, great machine! I use it in the spring in CT to mow the wet part of our yard. Once that dries out, I bring it north and use it on the back part of our property to cut back the ferns and other greenery. It’s a very useful machine.

I had a similar issue with mine this spring. I only ran it once last summer and paid the price in the spring. It started, but ran very rough. I put the magic mix in the tank; Marvel Mystery Oil, Sta-Bil and Sea Foam. I’d start it up once a day, let it run for a good 5 minutes, then shut it off. After a few days, it cleared up and settled into a good idle. I’m not sure it it’s the same engine as yours, mine has an auto choke. Works fine for cold starts, it can be a bugger to start when warm at times.

 

On this model, that handle only engages the whips. It ran on starting fluid handle engaged or disengaged. I had my doubts about that too, so I RTFM to confirm.

 

I'll start working on it today, but if the auto choke isn't getting interfered with, then the carb needs cleaning. While it's a plastic carb, it looks pretty easy to work on. I suppose the carb being plastic should help with not allowing corrosion from ethanol?

Watching this video shows it's a very powerful string trimmer, and they make blades for it for woody brush and small trees too.
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That delta miter saw was given to me as well yesterday. Believe it or not, that delta saw weighs more than the trimmer. That saw is cast iron.
Should be a handy tool as well.

 

I think they said they only used it like 4 times. It was overkill for what they wanted it for. I get why they bought it, but it wasn't the right tool for them.

 

Well, it's not that the choke isn't working properly...

Looks like Briggs saw that original interference issue and simply had a hole stamped out of the bracket so the arm can't hit/ stick open. It has spark and that's fuel in the tank. So that means 1 thing to me. That It's not getting fuel since the engine starts on starting fluid.

 

Agreed.

 

Take a straight edge to the fence on the saw. That saw was known for the fence being bowed.

 

Try gently pressurizing the fuel tank. Like blowing hard on a hose/straw sealed with your hand.
It can frequently unstick the stick as pressure trump's vacuum.
If you have a air hose that works but you gotta be careful.

 

You are suggesting that the float needle is stuck? Certainly could be.
Is there a fuel valve on this machine? Would really stink to tear it down only to find the fuel was shut off...

 

Lol. No fuel shutoff, and no room to put one in.


You can't see well in this picture, but there's gunk in the bowl. I cleaned the fuel tank out


Success!!! It took only 1 pull after I cleaned it all out and put it back together.

 

Done trimming, now I have to clean the trimmer off from all the grass.

 

Totally awesome !!
Free and easy!!
Bring it here and show me how well it works.......

 

Well, it works really well. So well that I have to fix the standpipes on my mound septic system.

That'll be an easy fix, one that was needed anyways.

Honestly, that plastic carb is a great idea on small engines. Easy to take apart, clean and fix if needed. There's o rings on everything.