Brand new Craftsman Briggs & Stratton starter cord won't pull

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mlagrange56

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• Apr 9, 2021 / Brand new Craftsman Briggs & Stratton starter cord won't pull

• #1

Hello - just got it home, got the handle assembled, filled the oil, gas, went to start it, and the cord won't pull.
Strange, though - I can pull the cord in short, light taps, and it will gradually inch out to it's full length.
But when I let it retract, and try to pull fully, it's still locked up.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

R

Rivets

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• Apr 9, 2021 / Brand new Craftsman Briggs & Stratton starter cord won't pull

• #2

First, are you disengaging the engine brake by pulling back the brake bail handle when trying to start? Second, if so then remove the spark plug and try again. If neither of these solves the problem, time to return the unit, you have a major problem.

 

Scrubcadet10

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• Apr 9, 2021 / Brand new Craftsman Briggs & Stratton starter cord won't pull

• #3

Not going to lie, i made this mistake before.. pulled a new Briggs push mower engine out of the box,i put the blade adapter on, and it took me 5 minutes to figure out why the dang motor was so hard to turn over even with the plug out.
Finally hit me like a ton of feathers " the Blade brake is engaged you jackass".... (not you, OP. Me.)

 

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JDennis

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• Aug 19, 2021 / Brand new Craftsman Briggs & Stratton starter cord won't pull

• #4

I just did this! Look under the mower. You will notice handle poles are pushed down to stop blades from turning. Once you pull handle to fully set position you are good to go.