Installing recoil starter or rope starter to late model B&S

[turbofiat124]

One thing I miss about my old Snapper is that if the battery was dead, I could pull start it.

Both my Husqvarna (Craftsman) 21hp and Troy Bilt (MTD) 17 (or 18?) B&S don't have recoil starters. Not a big deal as long as the battery is up. Maybe I need to invest in a couple of more trickle chargers like I have on my vintage cars.

Anyway, what parts would I need to convert these mowers so I could use a rope to start them if need be. I don't think B&S makes a recoil starter for the 21HP Intek but may make one for my other engine.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Engines with a recoil starters have a different crank shaft.
It is longer to take the Briggs Starter clutch.
There is a possibility of fitting a Honda, or Vanguard starter that use a cup on the crank and pawls in the starter.
However they would bolt onto the plastic blower housing which on an intek would not be strong enough so you would have to rig up some sort of steel mounting

 

[Tinkerer200]

B&S has an extension which screws into the end of the crankshaft in place of the bolt holding the flywheel. This will then accommodate the standard B&S recoil starter. Besides having threads to screw into the end of the crankshaft the extension also has threads for a nut which then holds the flywheel in place. Of course IF your engine is old enough that the crankshaft has threads for a nut rather than a bolt, you can not do that. You will then need to remove the flywheel screen and install a spool for a rope. You may be able to adapt the old screen, cut it or find a screen with the necessary hole to accept the spool. It will be very difficult to pull start a 15 hp and up using a typical rope spool, not quit as hard using a std. B&S recoil.

Depending on WHICH 21 hp you have, this will work on it as well.

Walt Conner

PS: Most late model B&S engines 12 or so up which come equipped with recoil start have this extension installed rather than having one pc. crankshafts with the extension as part of the crankshaft. You may be able to salvage an extension from one of these.

ALSO, some at least B&S engines of 10 years or so old and newer have a completely different recoil system which utilizes the standard crankshaft without the extension. I have one in the shop now, model 28B702 1154-E1 010911ZE

 

[bertsmobile1]

There is something I did not know.
That says something about the age of the engines I usually play with.
So the different cranks only applies to the older flathead engines with external threads on the crank.

 

[Tinkerer200]

There is something I did not know.
That says something about the age of the engines I usually play with.
So the different cranks only applies to the older flathead engines with external threads on the crank.

Yes, you have to look closely to tell that the extension is screwed into the crankshaft. Later flatheads used the screwed in extension as well as OHV engines. I am about to use one on an engine. Did you look at the IPL for the engine model I posted?

Walt Conner

 

[bertsmobile1]

Certainly did thanks Walt.
Went to the USA B & S site downloaded the IPL, read it then filed it .
Now it should be firmly emplanted between the ears.
Like to learn something every day.
Even better when it is useful.