Racing lawn mowers are a hobby that is growing in popularity. It was born when people played with their original equipment, created their own pieces, and tested their creations on others for fun. With the growing appeal, manufacturers jumped into the mix, and organized racing leagues were created with corporate sponsorship. The most important element that is needed to participate is a great racing engine. The components to build a great racing lawnmower engine are the governor, carburetor, pistons and connecting rods, flywheel, and camshaft. It is definitely worth buying high-quality durable parts.
There are a few necessary steps on how to attach the pull cord. However, these steps may vary from model to model. The standard action for all models is to reach the pulley located inside the starter. The pull cord can break as it ages or gets caught somewhere inside the pulley.
This blog post provides you with the essential details that you need to keep in mind in order to perform the pull cord replacement.
Main parts of the lawnmower pull cord housing:
You absolutely need to know what’s in the mower’s pull cord housing. Knowing exactly all the parts will help you do things the easiest way. The main parts of a lawnmower pull cord housing are:
Starter pull rope.
To sort out.
Spring.
Pulley.
Steps to Secure a Lawn Mower Pull Cord
1) Eliminate recoil
First, remove the recoil from the engine. Most are held in place with three to five bolts. After removing the recoil, remove the broken wire.
2) Measure and cut the old cord.
Then measure the old drawstring. Add about four inches to the total length to account for the knots you need to tie at each end. Add extra length if necessary if the cord has broken further from the handle.
Most of the time, however, the cord will snap at the handle. In this case, you can simply reuse the existing cable. However, consider replacing it with a high-quality nylon cord for added durability.
Cut the rope to the correct length. Then use a lighter to melt the ends together. This seals the fibers and makes threading the cord much easier.
3) Attach on the handle
Remove the old mower’s pull cord from the handle, thread it through the new cord, and tie a single knot. Make sure the knot is tight. Pull it through the handle to help tighten the knot.
4) Load the return spring
The next thing you are going to do is load the return spring. Turn the recoil in the direction that protrudes from the coupling legs. Coupling lugs connect the recoil to the engine and turn the flywheel.
Continue to turn the recoil, making sure to apply enough pressure to prevent the spring from loosening and bleeding your joints.
Once you feel the full tension on the spring, locate the hole in the pulley through which the starter cable passes. Line it up with the outside hole in the launcher’s body.
5) Thread the new drawcord
With the two holes aligned, run the new cable about 12 inches. Make sure the cable is not tangled, then slowly release the pressure on the recoil, letting it wind the cable for you until the handle is resting against the recoil.
Then tie a knot at the end of the cord. Pull-on the handle until the knot you just made snaps onto the recoil pulley. Let the cable retract slowly.
6) Attach the starter to the engine.
Finally, connect the recoil to the motor and you’re done. You have just attached the pull cord to your lawnmower.
What if the cable is too long?
You don’t have to go back and start all over again. Mark with a Sharpie marker where the wire meets the kick. This is where the handle should be.
Pull the cable while maintaining tension on the recoil. Tie a loose knot near the wrong side.
This gives slack to tie a new knot where you made your mark before. Tie a tight knot and pull on the cable, again maintaining some pressure on the recoil so that it does not break. Untie the temporary knot you made earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
How long should a lawnmower cord be?
The length of the mower cord depends on the mower model. The main thing about the size of the traction cable is that it should not be too thick, as a thick traction cable will not wrap around the pulley.
Usually, size 5, 5.5, or 6 pull cables are used.
- What is the function of a pull cord?
The pull cord is like a wrench, helping to start the mower. The pull cord wraps around a pulley inside the mower motor in the off state. When you push the pull cord, you turn the pulley and move a piston. As a result, a spark is produced which ignites the mower.
- How to reduce the length of the traction cable?
Sometimes a pull cord of the desired length is not available in the market. Then you need to cut it to the desired size. For this, you must first mark this rope to the desired length, and then cut it with a pair of scissors. Then, using a match, burn the end of the freshly cut string and twist it. This is done to prevent the rope from unraveling.
- Why is my pull cord stuck?
There are many reasons that can cause the drawstring to seize. Some of them are:
Old grass or debris can be stuck inside the starter pulley.
Broken return spring
Damaged pull cord
- Old grass or debris stuck inside the pulley:
Sometimes there is a buildup of mud and grass inside the starter pulley. To remove this dirt and grass, you need to open the mower starter housing by following the steps above and then remove the debris with a screwdriver.
- Broken return spring:
This is a rare scenario, but the return spring inside the starter housing can break in some cases. You need to check the starter housing, in this case, to rule out the problem.
- Damaged traction cable:
A lawnmower that has been in use for a long time will in most cases damage the traction cable. To solve this problem, you need to refer to the previous article.
Final remarks:
The pull cord of a lawnmower is one of the essential parts of a lawnmower. It’s like a car key, and without it, it’s impossible to start your lawnmower and mow your lawn. To secure the pull cord, you must reach the starter box located inside the mower motor. The above article is a step-by-step guide to attaching the drawcord. You should also wear safety glasses and gloves during the above-mentioned procedure to protect yourself from unnecessary injury. Also, be sure to properly maintain other parts of the mower to prolong its life.