How can I replace a start pull string on a lawn mower?
How do one replace a broken pull string on a lawn mower?
Comments
5 Responses to “How can I replace a start pull string on a lawn mower?”-
Lawn Mower Guides
Lawn Mowers on eBay
Lawn Mower Ratings
Loading ...
Custom Search
It depends a bit on the engine make of mower that you have, but the process is generally always the same. You start by removing the recoil unit from the mower, on older Briggs & Stratton engines, that was accomplished by taking out 3 bolts, and often a clip for the throttle cable. (If thats the case, mark the spot where the cable is before removing the clip’s bolt.) Once the unit is off, you need to remove the old cord.
Now here is where it gets a bit trickier, you need to add some tension to the spool that the cord winds on to. To to this, you need to turn the spool in the direction that the cord turns then you pull it; try turning it 1/2-1 turn, it should move easily and when you release it, it should want to turn the opposite direction.
Now that you have figured out the direction to wind it, adding the cord is usually one of following two possibilities:
1. You turn the spool the number of turns that you need to hold the required cord length, plus about 1-2 turns extra to give it some extra tension to make sure it rewinds all the way. Once you have done this, hold the spool and thread the new cord in. Make sure to put a knot on the end, often you add two knots to make sure the cord doesn’t slip through, you can start from the inside of the spool where the old cords knot was and work your way out through the outer hole in the recoil unit. Or, start from the outer hole of the recoil unit, and work you way into the center of the spool and through the hole in the center of the spool. This can be tricky, but on some engines it works best. Again, once through the center of the spool, put a knot on the end. Make sure you know the other end of the new cord through the handle. Now, slowly release the spool, and it should rotate and wind the cord automatically.
2. You thread the new cord through the center of the spool and add the know to the end, then you wind the new cord on to the spool all the way. (Do not put the handle on the other end before doing this.) Once you have wound the cord on to the spool, you may need to give it and extra turn to give it a bit extra tension to ensure a complete rewind. Then, thread the other end through the outer hold in the recoil unit, and add the handle.
Once done with either method, you can test it by slowly pulling it out, and letting it rewind. If it rewinds too slowly, or not completely, you way need to add a bit more tension by giving it a few extra turns. (see above)
*** Note: on lawn mowers where the pull cord is on the handle of the mower, not right at the top of the engine, not all the cord needs to go on the spool, as a lot of it hangs out to get the pull handle to the push handle of the mower. Hondas often do this. Lawnboys and Briggs & Stratton engines usually have the pull engine on the top of the motor.
Hope that helps, its not as hard as it may appear above, i am just trying to be thorough.
Pretty simple, and you can reuse what’s left of the cord. It probably snapped at the end that attaches to the mover, so you should have a good bit of length left.
Look at the top of the mower where the cord was attached. You should see 4 or 5 screws (or small hex head bolts) that hold down the part that houses the spring coil that the cord wraps around. Remove these screws and you should be able to lift off the assembly in one piece.
That a look at the part and you should see where the cord attaches. Cut the damaged cord about one inch back from where it broke, so you will have a clean (not shredded) cord to work with.
Feed the cord end through the hole then tie a knot in it once you pass it through the cord "wheel". Rotate the wheel so that all the cord wraps into the cord groove in the wheel.
Reinstall the housing and you should be go to go!
They can be a real pain. Take it in to have it fixed. Be quicker in the long run.
You remove the rope and spring assembly from the mower, usually about four maybe five bolts or screws then rewind the spring and attach the new ROPE and reinstall. Sounds easy, but it’s not. You have to rewind the spring really tight and attach the rope to the pulley so that the spring winds the rope around the pulley. Just keep fingers out of the way of the spring.
Remove the section of the mower with the pull starter and take it to a Small Engine repair shop. Trust me, this is an easy job, once you have done it a few dozen times. Otherwise, it is very frustrating.