wrote:

Many of the small 2-stroke engines appear to have the recoil
starter positioned so that as one faced the engine the starter
is on the right and the prop on the left. With this configuration
when right-handed person uses their right hand to start the
engine the rest of their body is between the starter and the
prop. This seems to be sub-optimal for safety. Would it
not be better to have the recoil handle on the other side of
the engine so that when pulling the cord the right arm is the
part of the body closest to the prop with the rest of the body
farther away?

Is it possible in general to reposition (rotate) recoil starters
during installation so as to have a choice in the matter?

Also, many volksplanes are routine hand-propped. Is there
any reason why the small 2-cycle engines could not be hand
propped?

Most engines such as the popular Rotax, have the starter bolted on with
many optional positions for the handle.

There are even optional starters for the 532.582/618 that require less
effort than the standard starter.

No reason to get in the prop.

Also, rerouting the starter rope via some smooth ball beraing pullies of
sufficient diamter helps with starting from the seat.

Hand proping is also done but as a last resort when the battery is dead.
They do start easily when hand propped, but it takes a healthy pull on a
blade, then staying out of the way.

Some pushers with tails make getting away from the prop a physical
excercise too.

Benn there, so that, safely !
--


Mark Smith
Tri-State Kite Sales http://www.trikite.com
1121 N Locust St
Mt Vernon, IN 47620