Need advice from the Lawn Boy Club

[maytagmark]

A friend just gave me a selp propelled Lawn Boy that hasn't been used in 10 years, it was stored inside,the cable for the safety device is broken,I turned the blade to see if the motor was locked,it turned hard but then I realised it was the brake from the safety engaged on the flywheel,I moved the lever on the motor to release the brake and it turns very free. Should I do anything to the motor before trying to start it,like putting some lubricant on the piston and cylinder. I just picked it up last night,I havn't even unloaded it, Thanks for any advice yall have. Mark

 

[goatfarmer]

It wouldn't hurt to shoot some WD 40 down the spark plug hole. Otherwise, make sure it has fresh gas, and have at it.

I just bought this 1966 Simplicity that sat for about 8 years. Fresh gas, new battery, and it started right up. But the carb leaks, so a rebuild is next on the list.

kennyGF

 

[appnut]

Make sure it's the proper gasoline and oil mixture. Remember this is a 2-cycle engine.

 

[maytagmark]

Thanks Kenny, Nice tractor,I could mow my yard in about 5 minutes tops with that one. I took the spark plug out and it wasn't fouled and it wasn't totally dry either so I guess thats a good sign,neither one of my spark plug sockets would fit,had a spare Volvo lug wrench in my toolbox and it was a perfect fit,I'll go get some gas and 2 cycle oil and try to start it. Thanks, Mark

 

[accapp]

Don't shoot any ether-type or any other kind of starting fluid into it either. You could easily score the cylinder or worse. If the carb was stored full of gas it is probably gummed up real good and will need to be cleaned. I like lacquer thinner for this. Good luck.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Ken

Is that the starter in the front of that Simplicity, talk about overkill!!!

 

[maytagmark]

I put fresh gas and oil in and it wouldn't start,so I took the carb apart and cleaned it,still wouldn't start so instead of using starting fluid I put some gas and oil mixture in a spritzer bottle and sprayed that in the carb to get it started and now it's running pretty good,it does have kind of a miss with an exhaust sound, In another thread I think it was Tom that mentioned cleaning the exhaust ports,I only see one on the bottom,does this job require removing the blade and the bottom plate,I think the blade could use balancing as there is some vibration. Thanks, Mark

 

[goatfarmer]

"Ken
Is that the starter in the front of that Simplicity, talk about overkill!!!"

Yep, that's the starter/generator. Used that style for years. Starts the tractor, then charges the battery.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

I thought it looked

more generatory than startery, but since there were no
headlights it seemed like it wouldn't be that big. It looks
like it came out of a 1956 Buick!