A Handy Thing to Have

DelMN · Mar 13, 2014

I use a go-kart starter for starting many of my small motors that I have. I have started motors as large as 12 hp vertical engines. It is self contained unit and a little spendy $200 new. You can find them for less on ebay, cl, etc. I have several of these. They have a 3/8 socket drive on the end so you can put any 6 point socket on it to match the flywheel nut of the motor. I just put a little black tape around the shaft and socket to ensure it won't fall off while starting.

DelMN · Mar 13, 2014

Oh yea, didn't tell you that will kick back when starting if you don't hold tight with both hands!

ken house · Mar 13, 2014

picture is a bit fuzzy. what powers the starter?
i saw a man use a battery power drill, do the same thing.

Tom Arnold · Mar 13, 2014

You need to have a fully charged 12 volt battery close by to hook the power leads from the starter motor to.

Units like this are fine for vertical engines of small displacement but usually cannot be used on horizontal shaft engines because you cannot access the flywheel end of the crankshaft.

If you were handy, you could likely build your own by making use of an appropriate sized starter motor from a car at the wreckers.

retired farmer · Mar 13, 2014

Never seen one. Neat idea.

DelMN · Mar 13, 2014

It does have a motorcycle-type battery in the unit. Yea, one could make one from a used starter motor.

IA Roy · Mar 13, 2014

I used a 3/8" drive craftsman drill to try to get a Stihl chainsaw going. With the occasional backfire, it took the gears out of the front end.

A Handy Thing to Have

DelMN

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DelMN

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ken house

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Tom Arnold

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retired farmer

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DelMN

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IA Roy

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