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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

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

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?

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

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?

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.

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

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

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

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.

-I had the 10201, which used the same V-Series engine. It must have had pretty high compression. If I tried starting it on the compression stroke, it would pull the front of the mower right off the ground just about every single time. If I eased the engine past the compression, it would start just fine without lifting the front up. Those V-Series engines are unrefined, yet torquey/powerful beasts! Mine would chew up anything I pushed it through.

L8R,
Matt

Rivets said:

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.

Click to expand...

Thank you,did as you suggested and checked the muffler..partially clogged,cleaned it pulls much easier now..then it didn't have spark, cleaned the rust off the magnito...now it fires..getting closer..thanks so much

I just tried starting my F Series engine yesterday with no blade, it kicked back like a mule..

I think no blade makes a bad balance issue. I could not even pull a full pull with out it jerking the rope out of my hands..

It may be my motor but with the blade attached it started right up, on the first pull...