Find Your Engine Starting Solution
Not sure which engine starter is right for your application? Use our interactive selector to find the right Powerstart solution — pneumatic, hydraulic or spring — matched to your engine size and operating environment.
Find Your Starting Solution
Answer two quick questions to find the right Powerstart solution for your engine and application.
Not sure of your engine size? Talk to our team.
Unsure which model fits? Talk to our team.
Multiple spring starters cover your engine size? Our team can advise on the best fit.
Bespoke Starting Systems
If your application doesn't fit a standard off-the-shelf starter, our engineering team can design a custom system around your exact requirements — engine, environment, power source, and installation constraints.
Tell us about your application and we'll come back with a solution.
Specification
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Mining
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Marine
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Power generation
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Firepumps
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Which Engine Starter Type Do You Need?
Choosing the right non-electric engine starter depends on your available power source, installation environment, engine size and torque requirements. Here’s a quick guide to each technology.
Pneumatic Starters
Pneumatic starters use compressed air or gas to crank the engine and are the most widely used solution in hazardous and remote environments. They’re lightweight, reliable in extreme temperatures and carry full ATEX certification — making them the go-to choice for offshore oil and gas, petrochemical and mining applications. Powerstart’s Jetstream range covers engines from small diesels up to large industrial and marine units.
Hydraulic Starters
Hydraulic starters draw on an existing hydraulic system to deliver high cranking torque in a compact form factor. They’re well suited to mobile plant, heavy construction equipment and marine applications where hydraulic power is already available. The Powerstart M-Series covers a torque range from 30 Nm up to 216 Nm.
Spring Starters
Spring starters store mechanical energy in a pre-wound spring, releasing it on demand with no external power source required. They’re ideal for remote or unmanned installations — standby generators, fire pumps and emergency systems — where reliability without a power supply is essential. The Powerstart S-Series covers engines from 1 litre up to 12 litres.
Bespoke Starters
For non-standard engines, unusual installation constraints or specialist certifications, Powerstart’s engineering team can develop a custom starting solution. Get in touch with your engine make, model and application details and we’ll come back to you with a recommendation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a non-electric engine starter?
A non-electric engine starter cranks an engine without relying on a battery or electrical system. Instead it uses compressed air (pneumatic), hydraulic pressure (hydraulic) or a pre-wound spring (spring) to deliver the cranking torque needed to start the engine. They’re used where electrical systems are impractical, unreliable or hazardous.
Are Powerstart starters ATEX certified?
Yes. Powerstart pneumatic starters are ATEX certified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, making them suitable for Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas in oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical applications.
What engine size do I need a hydraulic starter for?
The Powerstart M-Series hydraulic starters cover engines from 1 litre up to larger industrial units, with torque outputs from 30 Nm (M10) to 216 Nm (M66). The right model depends on your engine’s displacement and minimum cranking torque requirement.
What information do I need to specify a starter?
At a minimum: engine make and model, engine displacement (litres), required cranking torque (Nm), available power source (compressed air, hydraulic, none), and installation environment (standard or hazardous area). The selector tool above will point you in the right direction, and our team can confirm the right model from there. For non-standard requirements, see our bespoke starter solutions.