Ratcheting Adapter: I've often thought about something like this for starting my generator. It's hard to pull the starter cord, and when I do, it lifts the machine. I have to pull the...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've often thought about something like this for starting my generator. It's hard to pull the starter cord, and when I do, it lifts the machine. I have to pull the cord while holding a wheel down with my foot. Awkward, to say the least.

Last night, I saw a guy on YouTube start his generator using a cordless drill and a ratcheting adapter. Imagine doing that with a straight socket! The engine would rip the drill out of your hands and break more than the drill.

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-12109-2-Inch-Ratchet-Adapter/dp/B0B8TH67J2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2Y2UE48J4DWTU&keywords=ratcheting+adapter&qid=1706972541&sprefix=ratcheting+adapter%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-7

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=start+generator+will+drill

Any opinions?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I had one OLD mower that I sometimes started with a drill and socket if it got ornery.
Feel and timing of removing the drill. Gotta be quick. Never had a problem.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

I had one OLD mower that I sometimes started with a drill and socket if it got ornery.
Feel and timing of removing the drill. Gotta be quick. Never had a problem.

When Project Farm (YouTube) was doing more testing using a lawnmower engine, he would often start it with a drill, but a generator is a bit more powerful - and dangerous. The ratchet should help.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

When Project Farm (YouTube) was doing more testing using a lawnmower engine, he would often start it with a drill, but a generator is a bit more powerful - and dangerous. The ratchet should help.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Just like the Model T.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tradio wrote:

Just like the Model T.

I had a 1952 MG TD and a 1949 TC. They both came with cranks. They came in handy for adjusting valves, but I never used them to start the engine. The nut in the crankshaft had a cutout to allow the engine to spin without breaking the user's arm.

tuatara Loc: Orig. NZ - currently SF area

Longshadow wrote:

I had one OLD mower that I sometimes started with a drill and socket if it got ornery.
Feel and timing of removing the drill. Gotta be quick. Never had a problem.

When I was growing up back in NZ, all the mowers we ever had and quite a few small portable engines had spring starter on them. Basically, a large spiral spring, like a clock spring, on the top of the mower that you would wind up tight with a ratchet stop. When it was tight you would just release the ratchet lock and the spring would unwind, presto the mower was off and running. This was standard equipment and not some after market attachment.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tuatara wrote:

When I was growing up back in NZ, all the mowers we ever had and quite a few small portable engines had spring starter on them. Basically, a large spiral spring, like a clock spring, on the top of the mower that you would wind up tight with a ratchet stop. When it was tight you would just release the ratchet lock and the spring would unwind, presto the mower was off and running. This was standard equipment and not some after market attachment.

When I was a kid, my family bought one of them. It would have been quicker to pull a cord. It would have been okay if the mower started on the first try, but even with the pull-cord, it takes a few attempts. New motors usually start on the first pull, though.

tuatara Loc: Orig. NZ - currently SF area

jerryc41 wrote:

When I was a kid, my family bought one of them. It would have been quicker to pull a cord. It would have been okay if the mower started on the first try, but even with the pull-cord, it takes a few attempts. New motors usually start on the first pull, though.

I agree a cord is generally quicker, providing to engine co-operates and back in the late '50s and '60s when I was using them engine were not as reliable or as well made as now. I think the major selling point though was safety. When using a pull cord it is a lot easier to jerk the mower and accidently get your toenails trimmed really short.
With the wind up starter there is a lot less possibility for feet under the mower type of accident when starting.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

tuatara wrote:

When I was growing up back in NZ, all the mowers we ever had and quite a few small portable engines had spring starter on them. Basically, a large spiral spring, like a clock spring, on the top of the mower that you would wind up tight with a ratchet stop. When it was tight you would just release the ratchet lock and the spring would unwind, presto the mower was off and running. This was standard equipment and not some after market attachment.

A friend of mine had one of those way back.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I notice that Stihl is now offering a wind up spring starter option on many models

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

jerryc41 wrote:

I've often thought about something like this for s... (show quote)

Try a Milwaukee hole shooter, they come with an adjustable 'break' on the chuck, so that you don't over drive any screw, works both forward and reverse.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jerryc41 wrote:

I've often thought about something like this for s... (show quote)

I use an Impact !!! Let go of the trigger and the socket spins with the engine!!

apacs1 Loc: Lansdale, PA

jerryc41 wrote:

I've often thought about something like this for s... (show quote)

https://alpgenerators.com/products/remote-electric-start-stop-alp-generator-1000-w-blue-black?variant=46807058219304&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAiP2tBhBXEiwACslfnnAZsii9ls0q04wMigXuZsFWa_zpCrbQ_hgYd-yxxKN9gwYIy1e2gBoC1roQAvD_BwE

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TriX wrote:

I notice that Stihl is now offering a wind up spring starter option on many models

I think professionals would make fun of that. It's not very hard to pull a chain saw cord. Of course, that rumored V8 chainsaw might be a challenge. I think it's going to be called The Redwood. 🤣