Hi Norm,
Yes but we haven't compared the ignition timing on a standard mower compared to an engine with a V belt drive on the PTO.
It's got to be a simple fix after checking out what the problem is caused by.
When using an engine with an edger, it is often beneficial to retard the ignition timing to help prevent kickback during starting. This is particularly important in devices like edgers, which typically have an engine that may be used in a different orientation than a lawn mower.
Retarding the ignition timing means that the spark plug fires later in the compression stroke, which reduces the likelihood of the engine trying to "kick back" against the starter mechanism. Kickback occurs when the engine's compression forces the starter rope and handle backward, making it difficult and potentially dangerous to start the machine.
On a lawn mower, the engine is generally designed to minimize kickback due to a different starting mechanism and configuration, so it may not need the same ignition timing adjustments.
As we know spark timing and a weak spark can cause kickback.
A weak spark from a mower's ignition system can potentially contribute to starter kickback during the starting process. Kickback typically occurs when the engine does not start smoothly and ignites the air-fuel mixture at the wrong time, causing the engine to kick backward rather than rotate forward.
Here are some factors related to a weak spark that can lead to this situation:
Incomplete Combustion: A weak spark may result in incomplete combustion or misfiring, which can lead to backfiring or delayed ignition. This can create a pressure wave that causes the starter to kick back.
Timing Issues: If ignition timing is off, a weak spark can exacerbate the problem, leading to premature ignition of the fuel mixture. This can increase the likelihood of kickback since the engine is trying to rotate in the wrong direction.
Fuel Accumulation: A weak spark might not ignite the fuel-air mixture effectively, leading to fuel accumulation in the combustion chamber. When the spark does ignite, the sudden release of energy can cause the engine to lurch backward.
Cheers
Max.
