I have a 4hp push mower .It has a Briggs on it.One day when I pulled on the rope it just about broke my hand.It kicks back really bad.So the way I have been starting it is I pull slowly on the rope until feel it strart to kick back and stop and then pull and it starts.What is making it kick back?

jimmy.p.:confused:

Jimmy,

Sounds like you may have hit something with the blade and sheared the flywheel key.

Remove the starter/recoil assembly then the flywheel to install a new key.

Thank you sir I will check it ,and will post back if it cures it,,,I tell ya what my hand hurt for two weeks when it fist kicked back on me..I don;t believe a small block 350 kicks back much harder..

jimmy.p.:thumbsup:

may be just the exhaust valve out of adjustment. Honda's will do that, not sure about Briggs but would think they operate the same.

Also make sure the blade adapter is not broken and the blade is tight and not slipping on the crankshaft.

if it is starting, it may not be the flywheel key

just my 2 cents

Remove the spark plug, tie the safety bail down, with the carb. up tilt the mower on its side enough to turn the blad by hand with a referance on the deck somewhere see if the other end of the blade come to the same mark, sound like a bent shaft, Light Mechanic