Starting your tractor

[Buzz 502]

This was brought up in the "Engines" section but many of you probably didn't see it. When starting your engine, is your throttle in the idle position or full throttle? Mine is at full throttle when it starts then I slow it down. My reasoning is that with the choke closed and the throttle wide open you get more fuel and it's easier to start. I also remember the older cars with carburetors and automatic chokes. You stepped on the gas pedal which caused the accelerator pump to give it a shot of fuel and set the choke and high idle cam on the choke. You took your foot off the gas and started the engine. The engine ran at a high idle until it warmed up then dropped off the cam and idled normally. Like I said I start at full throttle, how do you start yours? :thumbs:

[wheelly 0]

no more that 1/4 throttle for my horses.

[rmaynard 16,299]

I always start at about 1/4 throttle until the engine has had a chance to throw some oil around. I never start in full throttle.

Bob

[bo dawg 518]

Oh no, never full throttle. I thought in the manual it says 1/2 throttle, which is what I do.

[Operator 7]

I don't shut them off at full throttle, and I never start them above idle.

Give the oil time to run around and catch up to itself.

Randy

[HankB 16]

Half throttle, full choke. As soon as it catches - belching black smoke - I start pushing the choke in and it comes right up to speed. (That's reduced speed - part throttle.) In winter weather, I have to be careful not to push the choke in too fast. I find that if I leave it almost off for a few seconds, I can push it the rest of the way in. In really cold weather, I pull the declutch lever to avoid driving the hydro while starting. After I have the clutch fully in, I let it run a few more seconds - probably no more than a minute from first firing - and release the declutch lever. Another 5-10 seconds and it's ready to roll off slowly. In summer, I don't bother to declutch and It seems that I can't push the choke in too fast to kill it. The 14 Magnum on my 314-H is a great starter!

[tranders 0]

About 1/4 throttle and full choke until she fires off. Never full throttle.

[rickv1957 75]

About 1/4 throttle and full choke until she fires off. Never full throttle.

The same for my tractors,Rick

[MikesRJ 558]

Ditto! 1/4 throttle, full choke.

[wheel horse 1045 2]

half here 2 with full choke

[Roger from southern Iowa 1]

I agree with 1/4 throttle.

I also let them warm at at idle for a minute or so after starting.

[Redbird 1]

1/2 throttle---full choke and almost all our horses. Full choke and throttle on my Suburban---

She can be a pig to start sometimes :thumbs:

[stevec 0]

can't remember, mine never shuts off :thumbs:

[W9JAB 156]

About 1/4 throttle and full choke until she fires off. Never full throttle.

I also let them warm at at idle for a minute or so after starting.

I pull the declutch lever to avoid driving the trans while starting.

[stevasaurus 23,281]

I'm the same as you Buzz. I crank at full throttle and choke, pushing the choke in as I crank until it starts. I throttle down to 1/4 as soon as she pops, and always let them warm up to no choke before moving. Sometimes the clutch is in and sometimes not...depends on outside temperature.

On every push lawnmower I have ever had...when you put the throttle to the start position you are at full throttle and full choke. I always throttle down here also after it starts. :D

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,610]

Most owner's manuals I've seen recommended starting on low idle. But.....

I believe it depends on the engine, weather, and other factors. I have one K301 Kohler that I can start at idle, even on the first start of the day. I have another K301 that I have to move the throttle to full on the first start of the day to get it to start. These old Kohlers are all not the same, some may require a different starting technique than another one, even in the same model Kohler, like my two K301s I've mentioned above.

[dcrage 630]

I try it at half throttle and full choke (I think that is what the owners manual says) -- But if it has been a few days since the last time it ran, that setting won't get any action -- I end up at 90% throttle and full choke -- And it takes 3 trys (letting the engine turn 5-10 times each time) to get it going -- Been that way for as long as I can remember

[hoppy 0]

my original owners manual for an 856 says 1/2 throttle out when starting

dcarage........ever clean your carb? mine was the same way until i really cleaned the carb. now she fires first turn every time. easiest starting machine i own. just a thought maybe you can try.

[Butch 194]

Owners manuals? I haven't read an owners manual in over 30 years. I thought they were for women! But that probably explains why I don't know half of what the idiot lights are for in my truck, why I can't figure out my cell phone and why I don't know how to operate my tv remote control. Maybe if I did read an owners manual I wouldn't have to rely on repair manuals so much.

Butch

S. Jersey

[Gene_S 93]

I don't shut them off at full throttle, and I never start them above idle.

Give the oil time to run around and catch up to itself.

Randy

Bob and Randy are 100% right...

People start there cars and rev the hell out of them and then next thing you know the motors knocking... Tractors fit the same bill if you ask me.

[Audioshot 2]

1/4 throttle and full choke then instantly to half choke once it fires. Then close the choke after about 10 seconds. No smoke and starts great.

I read in another OPE forum the the reason the Kohler manual says half throttle is to throw the heavy 30w oil on the cylinder wall and wrist pin as fast as possible. Some have stated that they get about 4000 hours out of these engines by using 15w40 HD diesel rated oil. Any thoughts on this?