Pullstarting

Pullstarting, also known as recoil starting or rope starting, is a common method for initiating the operation of an internal combustion engine, particularly in smaller, portable equipment. It involves manually drawing a cord or rope, which is attached to a mechanism within the engine's flywheel assembly, to rotate the crankshaft. This rotation creates the necessary suction and compression cycles for the engine to ignite its fuel and begin running under its own power.

The pullstart mechanism typically consists of a pulley or drum that the starter rope is wound around. When the rope is pulled, it engages a starter dog or ratchet with a corresponding notch on the flywheel. This engagement allows the user's pulling force to spin the flywheel. As the rope is fully extended or released, a spring-loaded mechanism retracts the rope and disengages the starter dog from the flywheel, allowing the engine to operate freely.

This starting method is prevalent in lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and small generators due to its simplicity and portability, eliminating the need for electrical components like batteries and starter motors. While generally reliable, pullstarting can sometimes require multiple attempts, especially on colder engines or if the starting procedure is not followed correctly. The force required can vary depending on the engine's size and compression ratio.