John Deere E170 "Ready Start" correct cold start procedure?

[MarkPalmer]

The Briggs and Stratton ELS Series V-Twin in my new JD E170 is clearly labeled as being equipped with the "Ready Start" no choke starting system. Yet JD still provides a choke position on the throttle lever (you have to hold it up, it's spring loaded) and states in the manual to use the choke position when cold starting. I watched the lawn tractor demonstration video from Briggs and Stratton regarding the Ready Start system, where they state you never need to use the choke when starting this engine at all. Which is supposed to be the correct cold starting process?

Thanks
-Mark-

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: to TBN

Try both ways, and take your pick which works best for you.

If both ways work, then use the one which is the easiest for you.

 

[MarkPalmer]

Thank you for the welcome Surprisingly, I got an actual e-mail response from Briggs and Stratton in regards to this. Holding the choke up is not necessary unless temperatures are at or below freezing. JD puts the choke hold position on these tractors for those who might use a snow blower or plow with them in the winter. Good to know, they should put that in the actual owner's manual.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

I've got a couple of B&S engines on different pieces of equipment... the same with a few Honda engines. They're fairly 'generic' = multipurpose/multi-application for the reasons employed. Indeed, one of my B&S engines is a "Ready Start" on the portable chipper... it's a pull-start with 'no need to choke'.

Enjoy the site.

 

[bigtiller]

I bought a Sears Craftsman push lawnmower in 1972. It had no choke and the throttle was pre-set from the factory. The manual stated, if it doesn't start in 7 pulls of the rope, it is broken. Take it to a repair shop. :laughing:

 

[Richard001]

I bought a Sears Craftsman push lawnmower in 1972. It had no choke and the throttle was pre-set from the factory. The manual stated, if it doesn't start in 7 pulls of the rope, it is broken. Take it to a repair shop. :laughing:

Well Sears is wrong. If it doesn't start with three pulls, something is wrong, no gas, bad plug, bad gas or something else.

Richard

 

[MarkPalmer]

Now for what men really do... If it doesn't start in 7 pulls of the rope, out comes the starting fluid! :laughing:

-Mark-

 

[Wagtail]

Now for what men really do... If it doesn't start in 7 pulls of the rope, out comes the starting fluid! :laughing:

-Mark-

If my Stihl brush-cutter doesn't start in 7 pulls... it's usually because I forgot to set the handle switch to "start". :laughing:

 

[Richard001]

If my Stihl brush-cutter doesn't start in 7 pulls... it's usually because I forgot to set the handle switch to "start". :laughing:

Wagtail, you maybe on to something there. I know it's happened to me. Dam thing wouldn't start, check the gas, push the primer button, pull the rope again, nothing.

Stand back, look it over, OH ****, I forgot to switch it on.

Something similar happened with my chain saw. I was up on a ladder cutting off branches, suddenly the saw stopped. Got down off the ladder, only to see that I had accidentally hit the off switch. The switch is on the handle and is way to easy to hit with your hand.

 

[beenthere]

Now for what men really do... If it doesn't start in 7 pulls of the rope, out comes the starting fluid! :laughing:

-Mark-

Never starting fluid.. may remove a plug and put in some fuel, but not starting fluid.

 

[Richard001]

Never starting fluid.. may remove a plug and put in some fuel, but not starting fluid.

I'm with beenthere, you should never use starting fluid on gas powered engines. Could easily cause donation and destroy a engine.

 

[jgayman]

Never starting fluid.. may remove a plug and put in some fuel, but not starting fluid.

A short little "toot" into the air cleaner compartment is not going to hurt a thing. Most starting fluid problems occur from folks having a heavy trigger finger.

 

[beenthere]

That is exactly why to not use starting fluid.. you hit the nail on the head..

Some "toots" are bigger than others.. LOL

 

[PAKraig]

So besides the whole choke thing, how's the machine work?? Considering one of these myself.

 

[MarkPalmer]

So besides the whole choke thing, how's the machine work?? Considering one of these myself.

I only have 3 mowing sessions and 6 hours on it so I can't vouch on reliability, but so far I'm pleased. Great power, VERY comfortable, steers easy and fairly tight, starts right up, runs and drives smooth, does all I ask of it, no problems at all thus far. I got mine with the rear bagger, and it too works great. The only thing that I don't care for is the mechanical gas gauge that bounces all around when mowing, but I suppose I can live with that.

-Mark-