I have seldom used the choke and when I do it is only to get it to idle for about 5 min. I am guessing that as the cold weather comes that may change. I have never used the primer. Has anyone used the Rancher in below freezing temperatures , and what is your routine for starting in cold weather? How much choke and how long do you leave it on? Do you gradually ease the choke off overtime like Grampa's old pickup? Any information on the primer use? Just thinking about those cold early morning drives to the Deer stand......and even more about backhome at night.

 

When I need the choke, I use it for only minutes until it picks up speed on the idle. I'm not using it even 5 minutes. Once the speed of the engine picks up, I start to back off on the choke. I don't remember ever having to drive it last winter with the choke pulled. I use mine every day of the week. Mostly work but I always can turn that into play!

 

I have had to use the primer on mine on a couple of occasions, -22c or so the primer button makes a big difference on how much the engine turns over. When it is real cold out I found using the pimer button makes cold starting alot easier. Also when it is real cold turn the key on and leave it on for a few minutes to let the carburator heater do its job first. I find about a minute or so with the choke on is all you need.

 

Never needed to use the primer to get them started, they will start with just the choke. However we do use the primer in the winter because of less cranking of the engine and thats a good thing.

 

Mine needs choked only for a very short period of time......I prime it only when it hasn't been started for several weeks or when the temperature is somewhere around 0 degrees Farenheit.
When it's very cold, it's nearly impossible for mine to start without a prime.