I bought this in 2013 specifically because it was a 4-cycle engine -- no need to mix oil and gas. I also paid extra to get the drill bit so I could use a hand drill to start this; no pull cords!

The first year, this worked well. It only accepts up to about 10 feet of string, so it runs out fairly fast. It vibrates something awful. I have mild carpal tunnel, and the weight/balance plus the vibration means I cannot use this thing at all without padded work gloves to help absorb the stress.

Last year, the engine had gotten where it would no longer idle. I had to keep the accelerator trigger pressed at least a little to prevent stalling.

This year, it's third season, the thing will not start at all. Even with the powered starter, I've spent over an hour trying to get it to crank. The best I could do was make it pop a few times. No starting at all. Dead. It appears (from checking the internet) that I likely need to rebuild the carburetor. This is not something I expected to do with a 3-year-old engine.

Seriously considering a switch to electric. And NOT a troy-bilt brand.
I bought this in 2013 specifically because it was a 4-cycle engine -- no need to mix oil and gas. I also paid extra to get the drill bit so I could use a hand drill to start this; no pull cords! The first year, this worked well. It only accepts up to about 10 feet of string, so it runs out fairly fast. It vibrates something awful. I have mild carpal tunnel, and the weight/balance plus the vibration means I cannot use this thing at all without padded work gloves to help absorb the stress. Last year, the engine had gotten where it would no longer idle. I had to keep the accelerator trigger pressed at least a little to prevent stalling. This year, it's third season, the thing will not start at all. Even with the powered starter, I've spent over an hour trying to get it to crank. The best I could do was make it pop a few times. No starting at all. Dead. It appears (from checking the internet) that I likely need to rebuild the carburetor. This is not something I expected to do with a 3-year-old engine. Seriously considering a switch to electric. And NOT a troy-bilt brand.