mower hard to turn over after 6 months

[Oddjob]

"...when the bale is pulled back."

What is the "bale" ?- new term to me.

Yet to see an engine fitted with a flywheel brake?

Sorry, spelling error. The bail is the lever that you pull back to disengage the engine brake and the grounding wire, ie: it is part of the deadman switch that shuts down the engine and blade when it is released.

 

[sgkent]

by a borescope on Amazon and take a look inside the cylinder to see if it is rusty. That is where I might start. Next I would pull the starter assembly off and the spark plug out, then see if it spins freely with that. If it has electric start, also make sure the starter is not hung. Make sure no mice have built a nest, and no lines, ropes etc., are wound around the crankshaft.

 

[RevB]

I have a
Blackstock Wheeled Brush Cutter 173 V 137cc WGT 56-173. I used to be able to turn this over with just two fingers as it was so easy. After 6 or 8 months in the shed it is now heavy to turn over and when running only seems to be at half speed which is useless for a brush cutter. Anybody got any ideas. Gratefully received

This is what happens when you get older.