LAWNBOY MODEL 10301- HARD TO PULL, ANY IDEAS?

[amherst62]

Hi, picked up a used lawnboy model 10301 cheap from an estate, doesn't start, the thing I notice is the pull is extremely hard, the lawnmower lifts when pulling
like its catching. One person suggests maybe the auto stop when you release the handle isn't releasing it fully? Any help would be appreciated, I don't want to go deep into this mower to find out is too costly to repair. Thanks

 

[rarebear]

Is there a brake you have to squeeze the handle bars together?

 

[amherst62]

Yes there is,I decided to pull the spark plug out and look at it,noticed it has never been fired...going to check to see if it's the correct one. When I pulled the cord without the plug in, it moved freely..if it's the correct plug , I assume that's very bad?

 

[lewb]

Having wrong plug should not lock up piston unless it is too long.

 

[amherst62]

It was the wrong plug but same length , same result,I assume it must be a bent piston/crank since it pulls very hard with a spark plug installed?

 

[Rivets]

That unit has a reputation of pulling over hard. I doubt you have a bent or broken internal parts. I would pull the muffler and look to see if the ports are plugged. Clean if they are. If they are not, try starting the engine with no muffler. If it starts easier, you have a plugged muffler. This can be cleaned.

 

[amherst62]

Thank you, I will examine the muffler tomorrow and let you know.

 

[rarebear]

Make sue your brake cable hasn't stretched or something..
Pull the gas tank off and give everything a wash down..

 

[Rivets]

Why, he said that with the plug out it pulled over easy?

 

[Phototone]

If it pulls easier with the spark-plug out, it is a compression issue in a good way. The Muffler on this model is very simple, stamped steel under the deck with a baffle plate that sits between the muffler and the aluminum muffler plate. Its quite easy to see and to clean, no sealed compartments-but you have to remove the blade and blade adaptor to remove the muffler. Your handlebar brake kill lever cable "could" be stretched or mis-adjusted to the point it doesn't pull far enough to release the spring-loaded brake pad from under the flywheel. If it doesn't pull the brake pad enough, then it probably is not disengaging the shorting contact that kills the ignition either. You can see all this on the side of the engine. This is very visible on the outside of the engine, no dis-assembly required. Some of these late model engines DO pull hard, though.