OUCH

[hdguy]

This may not be the place for my question but here goes.
I have a tractor supply splitter with a 12HP Briggs motor on it and I dread tryin to start it.
It is a pull start and the pull rope kicks back so hard it hurts my hand and recently the handle took a large piece of meat out of the back of my left hand with a large amount of blood loss but here is the kicker I had gloves on.
I have become so leary of starting it fear of injury.
I guess my question is why does this motor have to be so big?
I have a 7 horse briggs that I have been thinkin about putting on but need advice on which way to proceed.
I cant get son in law to be here to start it for me all the time.

 

[Nixon]

Maybe get a D handle like what's on the MS 460 R . I just saw one on ebay for about $13 .
Sorry to hear about your hand , hope it heals fast.

 

[salecker]

Sounds like a timing issue.

 

[Bones]

Have you adjusted the valves ¿

 

[Lundrunner]

One thing you may want to try is slowly rolling the engine up on compression, letting the recoil back down and then firmly pulling pulling it through....just like an old Harley or a John Deere hand start.

 

[Osage]

Sounds like a timing issue.

I agree. Need to check for a partial sheered key on flywheel.

 

[hdguy]

The motor has had nothing done to it except for oil change and air filter.
I have tried bringin it up on compression and rapid pull but i still get kickback.
I will have to get mechanic to look at.

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

I would check the recoil itself. The recoil should not have positive engagement to pull back so hard.

 

[salecker]

I would check the recoil itself. The recoil should not have positive engagement to pull back so hard.

I don't think it has anything to do with the recoil,If the engine kicks back while the recoil is engaged,the only way it will disconnect is for something to break.They are a one way thing.Grabs when you pull, releases when the recoil is let back or the engine starts.

 

[Fifelaker]

Another vote for timing. A D-handle from a snowmobile will work if the timing is ok.

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

the recoil is where I would start. yes the Pawls could break eventually but not until the rope is fully wound back in. have taken many apart that where assembled wrong from the assembly line.

timing is certainly a possibility also

As a general rule Big Box stores do not fully set up equipment. A proper setup requires a fair amount of time. Usually why the equipment is a bit higher price at the local retailer.

 

[ErikR]

Directly from the Briggs & Stratton website's FAQ...............................................


Why does the engine pull cord yank my arm back when I try to start my engine? (Kickback)
Typically, engine kickback is caused by improper ignition (spark) timing. Timing problems can be caused by striking an object (i.e. lawnmower blade hitting a hard object) while the engine is running, resulting in a sheared flywheel key and/or bent crankshaft. Timing problems are also the cause of hard start or no start concerns and is the cause of serious performance problems.
Your best option may be to have the engine examined by a Briggs & Stratton (broken link removed). Your local dealer can determine if the crankshaft has become bent, and if so, if it can be replaced. In some cases a short block is necessary.