Admit it, you've done this

[EasyT]

I'm the owner of a new Echo 590. I had only used it once and when I went to use it again the other day, the damn thing would not start. I tried everything, I mean everything. Choke, pull, off choke, pull, nothing. Used the decompression valve just like it says in the manual, etc. Read and re-read the manual, followed the instructions EXACTLY.

I do know how to cuss and I used that talent to excess. I was about ready to throw it in the river and then noticed the one thing I had not done.

I had not switched it on.

Looked around to make sure the wife hadn't noticed. Flipped on the "on switch," pulled the cord, started right up.

I've done stupider things, but right now I can't think of any.

Lesson: always start with the simplest solution.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

Hahaha hell yes!!! Made that error a ton of times and still do. I now try to remember when I kill the saw to position the switch to the on or start position for next time.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I like watching my wife do it with the weed eater.... I usually just watch the frustration unfold and when she walks away and I start it she gets mad at herself thinking I have the magical touch... Lol. It's fun for me!!! Not so much her ..hehe

 

[ammoaddict]

I'm sure we all have done it.i know I have more than once.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Did the instructions not say to switch it on? Sounds like lawsuit time for emotional damage.

 

[Backstage]

That’s why the Orange H went to all-in-one springloaded momentary off switches.

 

[grizz55chev]

That’s why the Orange H went to all-in-one springloaded momentary off switches.

 

[Zaedock]

I've done it a couple of times if I'm swapping saws. A couple of WTF pulls and it hits me. Shutting my Husky off is also more natural to me (thumb down instead of up) and works better in the cold with big gloves.

 

[rob066]

I pulled and pulled my saw once I choked it unchoked it. Poured gas down the carb. I couldnt remove the spark plug because it was one of them 5/8 ones and I had a standard 13 and 19 mm scrench. Long story short was that the spark plug wire vibrated loose but did not fully come off.

 

[Canyon Angler]

Reminds me of one of the first times I took my Dad out in one of my boats. We unload the boat from trailer, and get in, get situated, and crank crank crank crank no start.
Dad: "Did you squeeze the primer bulb on the fuel hose?"
Me: "Yup."
Crank crank crank crank crank crank crank crank. Nothin
Dad: "Did you squeeze the primer bulb on the fuel line?"
Me: "I told you once, I squeezed the dam bulb and it's as hard as a rock! The fuel bowl is FULL!"
Crank crank crank crank crank crank crank crank. Not even a sputter.
Dad: "Maybe it would help if you attached the fuel hose to the motor."
Me:

 

[buzz sawyer]

Have to admit, I've NEVER done that. Also have never put my flippy caps on wrong or put a chain on backwards.

 

[camel2019]

I still do it all the time just like forgetting to put the ground clamp on when welding

 

[Pioneer]

Several times, longest duration about 30 seconds. By then the saw is nicely flooded if it was on choke and you waste just about as much time and pulls to clear it out, IF it doesn't require pulling the spark plug. Will never happen on the Stihl during a cold start.
Easy enough for little things like this to happen if you get distracted by something, distractions during cutting are the ones you want to avoid as they can put you in the hospital.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Not me, I have never owned an Echo.

 

[KASH]

I am guilty as charged more times than I care to admit.
At our fishing resort a lot of guests were towed back to camp because they could not get the motor started.If they were going out for a full day you gave them a spare tank of MIXED GAS
and explain to them how to attach the hose many were towed back and a lot were mad saying the motor is hunk look at the blisters on my hands.I would check the connector at the motor push it on secure pump the ball and one or two pulls it would start.
Another problem was the gas hose would get pinched because they had the tank sitting on it.
You would think they would have payed attention to you when you told them what to before they left for fishing.
Kash

 

[Canyon Angler]

Another problem was the gas hose would get pinched because they had the tank sitting on it.

Another problem I ran into more recently (you can thank the EPA for this) was when I tried to start a more modern outboard a couple years back. Brand new motor. Wouldn't start at the ramp no-how. The outboard was fuel-injected (new motor to me, my first FI motor) and it didn't have a choke, so I didn't think it could flood.

Turns out that the tank that came with it would allow air IN to the tank, but not allow air OUT of the tank because OMIGAWD GASOLINE FUMES GLOBAL WARMING WHAT ABOUT THE POLAR BEARS!!!!!!!!! So if you took the boat out on a sunny day (who ever does THAT???), the sun heating the tank would vaporize the fuel and create pressure in the tank that couldn't escape because of the stupid fu$king one-way duckbill valve, and the pressure in the fuel tank would flood the engine. I don't think I stopped cussing that brain-dead design all weekend.

 

[anlrolfe]

Most of my equipment has the kill switch or kill function incorporated into operating lever of some type, EXCEPT my RedMax trimmer.

I like to call this absent minded method of starting "extra priming" or "extra lube"....
What REALLY $uc#$ though is when the plug gets so saturated that you've got to pop it out to clean AND dry it thoroughly. Oh well, just a little bit more preventative maintenance.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I think the counterintuitive Stihl switch having to move it up to shut off and down for on is weird but always makes you think WTF for? The newer husky spring loaded switch on the 5 series is nice tho!

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I think the counterintuitive Stihl switch having to move it up to shut off and down for on is weird but always makes you think WTF for? The newer husky spring loaded switch on the 5 series is nice tho!

Uh oh... I mentioned Stihl lightly negatively.....ok I'm ready.... Lets hear it

 

[Old2stroke]

I get used to trimmers that have a "momentary off" kill switch and never think about turning it on, then one day pick up one that has a regular switch and ...........you know the rest.