6 Basic Steps to Starting Your Home Lawnmower: Body Weight Stabilization for Better Cutting

Have you ever tried to start your home lawnmower and found it a real struggle? No matter how many times you tried, the machine wouldn’t start, and the blades kept clogging up. If this is you, then you’re not alone. In fact, according to data from the National Safety Council, 45% of lawnmower-related injuries are one of the most common types of home accidents. If you’re struggling with the same issues, here are 6 basic steps to help you start your lawnmower safely and effectively.

There are a few ways to start a lawn mower, but most manufacturers do not recommend starting the engine in a garage or shed where there is no available ventilation. In most cases, the best way to start a lawn mower is to push the vehicle out of doors or into an open area where it can exhaust adequately.

Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How does a lawn mower work?

Lawnmowers are machines for cutting grass. They have a spinning blade underneath them. This blade spins at high speed and cuts down the grass to the same size when turned on. They are also used to take the thatch away from the lawn. To do this, you can use a dethatching blade.

When cutting your lawn with a lawn mower, the clippings shoot out of the discharge chute. And unfortunately, the clippings need to be gathered manually. But luckily, there are now automated lawnmowers that keep the cut grass in their container.

Is there a trick to starting a lawn mower?

Check the engine oil

Before you start your lawn mower, you need to check the oil. To do this, pull out the deep stick. The oil will touch the stick if it is at the right level. But if there’s too much or too little oil, it won’t touch.

After checking, set the deep stick back to its position.

Take the mower to your yard.

Starting your lawnmower inside the storeroom may not be a wise decision. Instead, take it outside so it can be started in its appropriate place. Make sure there are no objects or debris where the lawnmower’s blades can hit.

Clean the carburetor 

A restricted carburetor is one of the most common reasons for lawn mower starting problems. Unfortunately, that can happen when old fuel remains in the tank. The good news is that you will avoid this issue by using fresh and good-quality oil every time you refuel.

If you have fuel that seems to have lost its smell or has a dry appearance, it might be time for a new one. You can buy a stabilizer or help the fuel by cleaning the carburetor. If a clean carburetor doesn’t fix the problem, try a new carburetor.

Prime the lawnmower 

There are a few steps before you can start your lawn mower.

Instructions for starting a lawnmower:

• Remove all the air bubbles in the lines with the primer bulb.
• Locate the primer bulb, which is colored black or red.
• Push it 3-4 times to push the fuel into.
• Don’t push over 5 or 6 times, or it will flood the engine with oil.

Setting the choke

The choke is a lawn mower engine mechanism that helps start it without much effort. If your lawn mower engine is cold, setting the choke may be essential to start it without much effort.

What is the choke on a lawn mower?

A choke is a lever that helps you control how much air and gas goes into the engine to start it. It offers a more significant fuel-air mixture to the engine when it’s cold, which helps the machine run until it’s warm.

If your lawn mower does not have an automatic choke disengaging feature, you will have to turn off the choke manually. Some machines, however, can sense when the engine is working best and will turn the choke off on their own.

Pull the throttle lever.

The throttle lever is located at the handle of the lawn mower. You can’t move the lawn mower without pulling the throttle lever after you start it. The throttle lever should stay at a 90-degree angle with the handle. To hold the throttle in place, pull towards the handle.

Pull the starting lever.

Unleash your lawn mower and let it roar with just one simple action: pulling the cord. The cord is known as a pull-start.

How to turn on a lawn mower with a pull cord?

You should hold the cord with your right hand and pull it as fast as possible as a right-handed person. You must pull it firmly to be able to turn on the machine. Pull the cord several times if you fail to start the machine on your first try.

Clean the discharge chute 

The discharge chute is the opening that allows grass clippings to exit after they’ve been cut. You need to make sure that the discharge chute is clear before you start cutting the grass. Otherwise, the clippings will get stuck inside the machine and can cause damage. So before you cut, double-check that the discharge chute is clear.

Set the height of your lawn mower 

You can adjust the height of your lawn mower’s blade to suit different types of grass. If you want your grass to be shorter, go with the average size. If you want a more extended cut, set the blade lower. When the blade is closer to the ground, it will cut the grass shorter.

How to use a lawn mower to pick up leaves? 

A layer of fallen leaves on your lawn can be a real pain. But you’re in luck! There are a few ways to pick up those leaves. For starters, use your lawnmower with a high-blade setting to clear the leaves from the yard. Next, ensure your lawnmower has a bagging attachment and attach it to the discharge chute. Finally, run the machine over the leaves, and you’ll have a clean lawn in no time!

How to start a lawn mower that has been sitting for years? 

If you’ve had your lawnmower for a while and haven’t used it, you might have trouble getting it started. Just like any other machine, it needs to be maintained. Check the oil levels. It’s better to drain the old oil. Then, clean the fuel tank and put in some fresh oil with a stabilizer.

Before you start up your mower, make sure that the blade is clean and sharpened. You can use a metal file or a grinder to sharpen the blade, and you might need to change the engine oil. A broken primer bulb will stop your mower from starting; ensure it’s working correctly. After everything is finished, pull the starting cord.

If your mower is still giving you trouble, take it to a mechanic.

How to start a riding lawn mower with a choke?

Riding mowers all have the exact starting mechanism – whether it’s by gas or electric. The gas usually has 10% ethanol, but that also varies by brand. The starting mechanism also varies from brand to brand, but they all operate on the same principle.

To start a riding lawnmower, you need to sit on it. The key is to be seated in the right place. Most riding lawnmowers have a safety switch under the seat. It will turn the engine off if you are not installed correctly. Be sure to check this before starting your mower.

The first step to start your mower is to set the choke and disengage the blades. Next, turn the gear to neutral and then turn the ignition switch to start. If you turn the mower on and it doesn’t start, check the fuel and spark plug.

Final Words

Mower engines are relatively simple. They consist of an air-cooled, 2-cycle, 4-stroke engine with a gas tank, oil tank, and primer bulb. They do not require any electrical knowledge to start, but knowing which mower components are likely to be more difficult to assemble or require more maintenance than others is helpful.

Owning a mower is no longer a luxury; it’s a requirement for anyone who has access to a lawn. So how exactly do you go about purchasing, assembling, and starting your first mower? We’ve put together this simple guide to help you on your way.

I hope you find your starting problem with your lawn mower from the article. Have a great day!