We have owned a Yard Machine Chipper/shredder by MTD, 5.5hp for several years. It has always been difficult to start. We have done the expected maintenance, but doesn't seem to help. Anyone out there with a real clue? Bad owners or bad machine??

Hard to start or hard to pull? Sometimes on a chipper we need to lube bearings and eliminate as much drag as possible then work on the starting. The Briggs is a notoriously hard engine to start and put on a chipper it makes it worse.

Once you have eliminated as much drag as possible make sure the fuel is fresh, do not go by smell alone. Replace the spark plug and check for ignition spark by hooking up the plug wire to the new plug and laying the plug on its side able to view electrode. If you do not have spark you may have a safety switch telling you something is open or just a bad switch.

If you have spark and fresh fuel prime the carb with a little gas to help the engine along.

If this works it is not a bad idea to have a small plastic bottle (shampoo) handy to make it a little easier. I think that should be standard equipment on a briggs/chipper

Don