Suggestions/ideas/recommendations for gas line primers

[ronhatch 406]

Has anyone installed a marine style primer bulb in their gas line? If so, how did it work?  I have a C-101 that I only use for mowing and I would like to be able to prime it after it's been sitting for awhile so I don't have to crank and crank for 30 sec or more..  I installed an electric unit inline that is only used for priming on one of my 'other' tractors that I only use for clean up in the spring and fall because it has a great vacuum system on it. That works great but it was a little $$$$. A bulb primer would be a lot cheaper (under $10), simpler and accomplish the same thing.  I also looked at a plunger style primer which mounted in the steering tower, would be cool and a lot handier to use, but the gas line would end up with a lot of fittings = possible leaks.   Any thoughts, recommendations?     

Edited December 14, 2020 by ronhatch

[ebinmaine 67,711]

[wallfish 17,020]

Get a primer bulb with 1/4" or 6mm barb fittings and you'll be good to go, (assuming your fuel pump is still working).

This is a common issue with the under the seat fuel tanks

I have an electric fuel pump on a 418-C but went primer bulb on the 520 HC. Works like a charm

[ebinmaine 67,711]

5 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Get a primer bulb with 1/4" or 6mm barb fittings and you'll be good to go, (assuming your fuel pump is still working).

This is a common issue with the under the seat fuel tanks

I have an electric fuel pump on a 418-C but went primer bulb on the 520 HC. Works like a charm

Been thinking about doing this in Cinnamon Horse. 

If ya don't runnitt for a couple weeks it takes a bit to start. 

 

Where do you put the bulb?

Close to gas tank?

 

[wallfish 17,020]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Been thinking about doing this in Cinnamon Horse. 

If ya don't runnitt for a couple weeks it takes a bit to start. 

 

Where do you put the bulb?

Close to gas tank?

 

You can locate the bulb anywhere. It's designed to pull fuel as well as push it unlike an electric pump. Mine is right up in front of the tower on the left side as that's where the existing fuel line was and it's very easy to access. Don't put it in a place you can't easy grab it. Couple of squeezes and it's ready to go. 

[ebinmaine 67,711]

1 minute ago, wallfish said:

You can locate the bulb anywhere. It's designed to pull fuel as well as push it unlike an electric pump. Mine is right up in front of the tower on the left side as that's where the existing fuel line was and it's very easy to access. Don't put it in a place you can't easy grab it. Couple of squeezes and it's ready to go. 

Nice. Thanks. 

 

Is flooding the carb something I need to be careful of?

I assume I don't want to offer up too many squeezes...?

[wallfish 17,020]

The float in the carb should close the fuel off when full so just don't gorilla pump the crap outta that bulb! LOL

You can certainly create quite a bit of fuel pressure with it but you'll easily figure it out and what works

[ebinmaine 67,711]

3 minutes ago, wallfish said:

don't gorilla pump the crap outta that bulb

Daheck makes you think I'd do that????

[wallfish 17,020]

Because you were already thinking of how hard do you pump it until it floods!

And I already did it

[JCM 9,207]

46 minutes ago, wallfish said:

 

I have an electric fuel pump on a 418-C but went primer bulb on the 520 HC. Works like a charm

Not to get to far off topic, John   @wallfish you holding out on us. Pics please sometime on those 2 desirable models or I will keep both your chairs.    

[SylvanLakeWH 25,609]

Did it couple years ago and just put new one on because old cheap one cracked... works like a charm... fuel filter between tank and bulb...

 

As always, things go better with pics:

 

 

[Ed Kennell 38,272]

I have primer bulbs on all mine.    Same location as in Jim's picture so I can reach it from the seat.     They all start with a bump of the starter...no cranking at all.

Your battery and starter will thank you.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,060]

Here the primer bulbs for snow machines are about 30% less expensive than the marine bulbs.

 

Garry

[953 nut 55,351]

       Anything sold by a boat dealer will be priced higher and if they are located at a marina you can add another 10 %.    

[WHNJ701 4,165]

I have one on my case, I added a clear fuel filter past the primer once it's full I know I am good to start.  I gotta find better primers, gotta love china's finest, I bought a pack of 3, 1st one lasted 8 months!!

[Racinbob 11,100]

I put an electric on my 2005 Classic and absolutely love it. But........................I really like the simplicity of the primer bulb. I'm not going to change it but if something goes wacky with the lectric I'm going primer bulb. 

[Lee1977 6,673]

My 520I will never have nothing but an electric pump on it as long as I own it. It was easy to flood and I never new whether It wasn't getting gas or it was flooded. 

With the electric pump I turn the switch on let the pump hit 3 or 4 time turn it to start come up with the choke and right back down and it's running.

[slim67 2,735]

8 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

My 520I will never have nothing but an electric pump on it as long as I own it. It was easy to flood and I never new whether It wasn't getting gas or it was flooded. 

With the electric pump I turn the switch on let the pump hit 3 or 4 time turn it to start come up with the choke and right back down and it's running.

I put an inline electric on our ST16 and my dads GT18 with an Onan. Both made a huge difference but the primer bulb is a good idea . Same principle as carb primer button.

[slim67 2,735]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

       Anything sold by a boat dealer will be priced higher and if they are located at a marina you can add another 10 %.    

Especially fuel

[clueless 3,005]

Put one on my 312-8 a few years ago under the seat, hole in the middle of the seat pan lift the seat about three squeezes and it fires right up. If you use the tractor often you really don't need to even squeeze it, if it feel firm then it's ready to go (the bulb I mean ) I've gone as long as 6 months with out starting the tractor 3 maybe 4 squeezes, choke on fired up in less than 4 seconds as opposed to the 12 to 15 seconds it use to take. 

[Mickwhitt 4,642]

This is mine, grafted into the fuel line beneath the engine cowl.

Works really well but as some have said before, only needed if the tractor has been stood a while. 

[ronhatch 406]

Any particular brands to recommend or stay away from?  To my surprise,  most only have a single check valve.  I would think 2 check valves would work better but maybe not??  Also I would prefer metal barbs/ends rather than plastic ones.. Is rubber the best material for the bulb itself?  Opinions please,  Thanks.

[Mickwhitt 4,642]

The one I got has metal ends and its rubber. It was advertised as a marine priming bulb. Just a single valve to make it work one way. 

Mick 

[formariz 11,987]

There is a man that knows how to treat his tractors nicely with fluffy mats under their sore feet. Mine are now jealous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,609]

8 minutes ago, formariz said:

There is a man that knows how to treat his tractors nicely with fluffy mats under their sore feet. Mine are now jealous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m just really cheap and can’t stand throwing out perfectly good bath rugs when the “decor” needs changing!!! And they do really feel good on the old knees when I’m farting around with stuff on the WH... (added bonus when I spill stuff really bad I just roll it up and throw it out...) 

 

Oh, and yes she does like the cushion under her tired feet... she told me... but I only discuss that with her occasionally though... people might talk otherwise...