Engine Start Guide, with a couple of other helpful tips too

I know this sounds ridiculous, but hey it needs saying. 

Turn Fuel to on position

Of the 3 Control Levers on the face of the engine this is going to be the bottom one

On Honda style engines that means fuel lever need to be pushed all the way to the right of the engine  

On Robin style engines that means lever is straight up and down

We honestly can’t figure out why no engine manufacturer can find a way to label this function clearly but they can’t.  Getting this mixed up is a common problem so don’t feel bad if it happens to you.

Honda

This is the middle lever.  Facing the engine, choke ON is to the left

This step is not generally necessary for a engine that has warmed up and turned off for only a short period of time

This is the top lever.  When facing the engine Full throttle is towards the left.  Some units have this function fixed at a set level for proper operation.  So don’t try to force the lever if it doesn’t move easily

A few notes on this one
-This assumes that there is not a trigger type throttle on the unit.  Units with trigger throttles start operating once the engine gets up to full speed.  You want to make sure you are in full control when that happens.  Think power auger turning into helicopter.
-A limited number of other items also operate the same was as mentioned above with centrifugal clutches but without a trigger throttle, those should be started at idle position as well.  This mainly applies to plate compactors, so you don’t have to chase them down after they fire up.

Most of the engines in our rental fleet start after only a couple of pulls, if it does not, double check the items in steps 1, 2, and 3.

This is also the point where you should verify that if there is a 2nd on/off switch on your particular unit that it is in the correct position.  Yep they both need to be on.

Again its the middle lever. Choke Off is to the right.  

Yeah, they all made it complicated here too.  Wouldn’t it be nice if the run position on every lever was pointed the same direction but NO.

See Step 2 above.  These engines can run upwards of 5 minutes with the fuel lever in the off position.  Its an easy step to forget above but you’ll find out your mistake pretty quick.

Just like your car, these little guys need Gasoline to run as well.  So if it’s not starting, particularly if it just randomly died after you have used it a little while.  This is a great place to start, and don’t worry they will run on anything from regular to super it doesn’t matter.  Just make sure that the fuel is fresh, bad or stale fuel that has been sitting around for a few months can create other problems.

For everyone’s ease we do not track fuel in rental units with an under 5 gallon capacity.  So no need to top it up prior to return and best of all no extra charge if you don’t.

Small Engines just like large ones are only designed to operate within a certain amount of tilt.  Tilting an engine more than its designed to be able to that can effect both proper carburetor function, and potentially trigger shutdown from a low oil safety

This will prevent possible engine flooding and hydrolock problems, and allow for easy starting if its a unit that needs to be restarted for unloading.

You really don’t want to try to physically pick up that big roto-tiller that you just rented, or have that trencher become a trailer ornament.

OK- We know this isn’t engine related but if you have read this much and are trying to do your due diligence, we would be remiss not to remind you.  We already have enough dirt here, so we ask that you keep your own.  I know its not as catchy as “please be kind rewind” but to get that deposit back its still what you want to do.