OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum The Old Soap Box STARTERS- Foot Lever Cranking

I remember watching a youtube video where someone used a foot cranking lever to start a small engine.
That is the robustness that is missing from modern cranking technology.
Here is just one example of a video I found on youtube, of an engine with a foot operated crank.

[video][/video]

Hello xhall

Yep, you're quite right.
Before WWII the main method of starting many power powers was via Hand Crank.

Post WWII, many manufacturers adopted the Foot Crank system for small to
mid-size lawnmowers. Foot cranks were used on a number of imported and
Australian makes - both reel and rotary!

Here are a few Records I prepared earlier:-

Greens Master Lightweight:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=63730

Mobilco Power Reel:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=62153

Ransomes Minor Mk.7:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=61628

Ransomes Matador Mk.1:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=60444

Austral Villiers Adaptomatic:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=65537

Scott Bonnar Spin-Cut:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=61365

The rest is history.
--------------------------------
JACK

Hi All,

Atco produced their first foot pedal start mower in 1935 - the 1935 model Atco Lightweight (see below). This was replaced the more traditional lever arm foot pedal arrangement the next year.



Cheers,
Sir Chook

Hello Sir Chook

Much appreciated. I have not seen that advert before.
That first design seems quite awkward - working in a linear way.
I guess that's why they changed it to the more 'natural' lever action.

All very Atco.
---------------------------
JACK

Why did they move in favor of the recoil starter? Was it to reduce maintenance, weight, cost of manufacturing or something else? I don't think there is much advantage to a plastic recoil starter if you have to spend days waiting for new parts to arrive or if it has to be returned to the dealer to get repaired. I definitely agree with recoil starters for handheld power equipment like chainsaws, trimmers etc., but for big heavy equipment like mowers it doesn't make as much sense especially for larger engines. I think the pull start can be more dangerous especially if your engine suffers from kickback, such as from worn valves or a sheared flywheel key.