How to Start a Push Mower the Easy Way Every Time
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How do you start a push mower? Check the fuel and oil, set the mower on level ground, prime it if it has a primer bulb, hold the handles together and pull the starter cord firmly. That is the answer for a gas push mower, which is the only kind that needs a pull start. Battery push mowers start with a button and have no cord or fuel to check, so the steps below are written for gas.
Quick answer
- Check the oil on the dipstick before every start, and top up to the mark with the oil the manual recommends.
- Use fresh regular unleaded gasoline, not a two-stroke mix, and do not overfill.
- Prime three to five times if the mower has a primer bulb; many newer models do not.
- Hold both handles together, then pull the cord firmly. If it does not start, stop pulling and check fuel and spark.
Before you pull the cord
Most start problems come from the step before the cord. Put the mower on level ground, not a slope, and make sure the area around the blade is clear.
Check the oil next. Unscrew the oil cap, which carries the dipstick, wipe the stick clean, reinsert it and read the level between the two marks. A gas engine with low oil will not run well, and the oil type matters. If the manual does not name one, SAE 30 is the common choice for many small gas engines.
Check the fuel. Use regular unleaded gasoline and a funnel, and avoid topping the tank to the brim. Old fuel is a common reason a mower will not start after it has sat through a season. If the fuel smells stale or has been in the tank for months, drain it and replace it with fresh gasoline before you try again.
If the mower has been sitting, let any spilled fuel evaporate before you start it. The guide cited below says that if fuel has spilled or flooded the engine, you should let it evaporate for at least 15 minutes before trying again. Exhaust from a gas engine is dangerous indoors, so do not start a gas mower in a closed garage.
Step by step: starting a gas push mower
- Confirm the mower is on level ground, the blade area is clear and the grass chute is free of debris.
- Check the fuel level and the oil level on the dipstick. Top up if needed.
- If the mower has a primer bulb, squeeze it three to five times. Skip this step if your mower has no primer.
- Set the choke or throttle as the manual describes. Some models have no choke at all.
- Hold the two handles together and keep them held. This is the safety bar that stops the blade when released.
- Grip the starter cord handle and pull firmly and steadily. The engine may take several pulls before it fires.
- Once the engine runs, let it warm for a few seconds and then set the throttle to the working speed.
When the mower will not start
Do not keep yanking the cord after repeated failed attempts. A flooded or badly tuned engine can be made worse by continued pulling, and a worn cord or a loose handle makes each pull weaker. Stop, then work through the usual causes in order: fuel, oil, primer, choke, the spark plug and the air filter.
Check the spark plug if the fuel and oil look right. A fouled or wet plug can keep the engine from firing. Remove the plug, dry it, and inspect the tip. Replace it if it is worn or heavily fouled, and follow the manual for the correct plug type.
If the engine fires but dies, the mower may be getting too little fuel or air. Check the air filter and follow the manual’s cleaning steps. Restricted airflow can make a cold engine stall as soon as the choke is released.
Gas push mowers in our product data
Three gas push mowers in our product data state their starting features, and they show the range you will see on store shelves.
BILT HARD 201cc Push Lawn Mower, 21 Inch, 3-in-1 Gas
The listing describes a 201cc 4-stroke OHV engine with 9.0 ft-lb of torque, a 21-inch steel deck and 10 cutting heights from 1.2 to 3.75 inches. It states “no choke, no primer design,” which means you start it without the priming step described above. It also lists mulching, side discharge and rear bagging, and 9.5-inch rear and 8-inch front wheels. Because the listing says no primer, skip step three when you start this model, and follow the manual for the fuel and oil checks.
BILT HARD 21 Inch Gas Push Lawn Mower, 144cc 3-in-1
This model’s listing describes a 144cc 4-stroke engine rated 3.4 HP with 5.75 ft-lb of torque, and a 27.1 fluid ounce fuel tank. It says the engine runs without the hassle of mixing oil and gas, which matches the four-stroke design. The deck is 21-inch steel, and the single-lever height adjustment offers six positions from 1.0 to 3.0 inches. The listing states that the mower comes with engine oil in the box, along with a grass bag, side discharge chute and mulching plug. The listing does not describe a primer or choke, so check the manual before starting it.
PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch Gas Lawn Mower, 144cc Walk-Behind
The PowerSmart model is listed with a 144cc 4-cycle OHV engine that has an auto choke for easy start and a primer for better starting. That makes it the only one of the three whose listing mentions a primer. Squeeze the primer as the manual directs, then use the choke setting as the listing describes. The mower has an 18-inch steel deck, a five-position height adjustment from 1.5 to 3.9 inches, side discharge, and 8-inch rear and 7-inch front wheels. It weighs 58.4 pounds according to the listing.
Safety checks before every start
Keep your hands and feet clear of the blade at all times. Do not put a hand or a stick into the discharge chute while the engine is running. Shut the engine off and wait for the blade to stop before you clear a jam. Keep children and pets indoors while the mower runs.
Check the cutting blade and the deck for damage before you start. A bent blade or a loose deck part can cause vibration or unsafe cutting. If you are unsure about a repair, ask a qualified small-engine technician or your dealer rather than working on a running engine.
FAQ
Do I need to prime every push mower?
No. Priming applies to mowers with a primer bulb. The BILT HARD 201cc listing says its design has no primer, and the PowerSmart listing mentions one. Check the mower in front of you.
What oil should I use?
Use the oil type your manual recommends. If the manual does not name one, a common choice for many small gas engines is SAE 30. Check the level before every start.
Can I use gas with oil mixed in?
Use regular unleaded gasoline, not a two-stroke mix, for a four-stroke push mower. The BILT HARD 144cc listing says it runs without mixing oil and gas.
How many times should I pull the cord?
It can take several pulls. Pull firmly and steadily. If the engine does not fire after a few tries, stop and check fuel, oil, the spark plug and the air filter instead of pulling harder.
Why does my mower start and then stall?
A cold engine often stalls when the choke is released too early, or when the air filter is clogged. Let the engine warm, check the filter, and set the throttle to the working speed.
Is an electric push mower started the same way?
No. Battery push mowers start with a push button and have no cord, primer or fuel. Models like the EGO Power+ cordless push mower in our pack use a push-button start. The steps in this guide apply to gas mowers only.
Bottom line
Check oil and fuel, use the primer only if your mower has one, hold the handles together and pull firmly. If it does not start after a few pulls, check the spark plug and the air filter rather than pulling harder. Always follow the owner’s manual for the exact choke, oil and plug settings.
Sources
Bob Vila, how to start a lawn mower
Related reading: how to start a battery-powered lawn mower and do electric lawn mowers need oil.
