Lawn mower wire replacement. Cheaper Alternatives to the Robotic Mower Boundary Wire

Cheaper Alternatives to the Robotic Mower Boundary Wire

Does the boundary wire for the robotic mower seem too expensive to you? Do you suspect there could be cheaper alternatives? You are not completely wrong. The manufacturers of the common brands are already ing a certain amount of money as profit, so it is not wrong to look for cheaper alternatives that do the same job. What alternatives are there to the original robotic mower boundary wire? As an alternative to the original boundary wire made for robotic mowers, most other types of weatherproof cables can be used. As a proven, low-cost alternative, military resale Field Telephone Wire are a great choice. The most important aspect of a replacement cable is a suitable, hardy insulation. In general, you can use any type of electrical cable that is designed to conduct electricity in place of the typical boundary wires for robotic mowers. However, if you are looking for a cable that can withstand the weather conditions outside and at the same time is cheaper than the standard robotic mower boundary wire, the choice is already limited to a handful of cable types. In the following I will discuss these cables.

What Must the Cable Be Capable Of?

The best insulation suitable for this is PVC. This is tough enough to withstand the weather conditions outside for a relatively long time.

Although silicone is even more resistant to chemical weathering processes, it is damaged by even the smallest physical impact, such as stones in the ground along which the cable rubs.

Even small cracks in the insulation can cause the cable to rust through after a very short time. Therefore, the insulation material must be of a reasonably robust material.

The electrical resistance of the cable is determined by the material with which the cable is made, as well as the thickness of the cable. The longer the cable, the greater the resistance. It adds up over the length of the cable, so to speak.

For example, silver has a very good conductivity. However, since it is a very expensive material, it is not used very often. Copper, which is much cheaper than silver, conducts almost as well. Other metals like aluminium or zinc also have good conductivity. Only metals or alloys that have good conductivity properties are used in electrical cables.

What Are the Alternatives to the Original Boundary Wire?

The best way to compare between cables is to look at the price per foot. For the original cable of your robotic mower, simply divide the price in dollars by the length in feet to get the price per foot.

Values between 0.40/ft and 1.00/ft are usually obtained. Here are the alternatives:

Single Conductor

This is a very simple, PVC isolated single wire cable. This cable is also called a control cabinet cable. These cables are available in different thicknesses. With 1.5 mm² thickness you can’t go wrong.

You can find such cables in every hardware store and at various online retailers. They usually retail at around 0.14/ft. This is a much alternative than the original cables.

The cable is available in flexible and rigid versions. But which one should you use? The rigid wire has the advantage of being a little more corrosion-resistant, but they are not so good for “crimping,” which is the principle on which the cable connectors work. Small teeth press themselves into the metal surface of the cable.

This means that rigid cables will corrode slightly less, but may have major problems with the cable connectors. They are also harder to lay than flexible cables. I would therefore advise that you use flexible cables.

Field Telephone Wire

Another alternative to the typical boundary wire is Field Telephone Wire, which you might also see labeled as “DR-8-B Wire” or just “Field Wire.” These are cables that are laid out, used, and rolled up again in military operations. After being retired from military use, they are then sold in large quantities and bought up by resourceful dealers.

They then resell the cables at very reasonable prices. There are usually many listings for this wire on eBay, where you can find it as low as 0.08/ft, or perhaps even lower, which is of course much cheaper than the original cables.

While there is not much long-term experience with using these cables as boundary and guide wires for robotic mowers, it seems to work well.Since the cables are used by the military, a certain robustness and weather resistance can be assumed. But how long they can withstand the permanent weather conditions in your garden is unfortunately not yet clear.

If you are a person who likes to experiment, this can definitely be another cheap alternative.

Comparison of Alternative Cables and Original Cables

So is it worthwhile to switch to cheaper alternatives instead of the expensive original cables? This question is unfortunately not so easy to answer, as there are very different opinions on this. While some people have had very good experiences with alternative cables, others think that they will become obsolete after a shorter time.

Eventually you’ll just have to take some chances here. Since I’m personally quite an experimental person, I’d definitely try the cheaper versions.

Original cables have the advantage that they are definitely made for the weather conditions in the yard and can last for many years if they are not accidentally damaged. In addition, they come in a color that is not so noticeable in the lawn.

Alternative cables are available in all imaginable colors, red, yellow, (light) green, blue, brown, black, purple. Unfortunately, they are rarely available in the shade of green that would blend in well with the lawn. But, they are much cheaper.

While many robotic mower owners have already had very good experiences with the H07V-U, for example, there are also some dissenting voices who claim that such cables would rot somewhat faster.

In addition, alternative cables have the advantage that they sometimes come in much longer lengths than boundary cables, which you have to extend over long distances with cable connectors. Cable connectors offer a certain, albeit small, problem potential.

Unfortunately, even with alternative cables I have no personal experience that I could share with you.

If you want to save on the boundary wire, in my opinion the Field Telephone Wire is the best alternative.

There Are Also Alternatives for Cable Connectors

There are also all kinds of creative alternatives for cable connectors. Instead of the standard cable connectors, for example, so-called “butt connectors with shrink tubing” or “end connectors with shrink tubing” are used.

Also so-called Scotchlok cable connectors can be used. These work very similarly to the typical robotic mower cable connectors, but are much cheaper.

Cable connectors offer a certain potential for problems. For some, they do not cause problems for a long time. However, water can sometimes seep through the cable connectors and cause the cables to rust.

That is why some rely on the combination of shrink tubing hot melt adhesive. By the way, a heat shrinkable tube is a tube made of a special plastic that shrinks when exposed to heat. It is used to electrically insulate material inserted into the cable. As a result of the contraction, almost no liquid can penetrate. Hot-melt adhesive then provides additional protection.

Related Questions

How can money be saved when buying a robotic mower? When buying a robotic mower, money can be saved by buying cheaper B-goods, for example. Very good bargains can often be made here. Even if an older model is used, a better price-performance ratio can be assumed.

How is the boundary wire laid? The boundary wire is laid once around the entire lawn from the charging station. It must be a certain distance from the edge, which will change depending on the boundary surface or object. The cable can be laid either above or below ground. Laying the cable above ground facilitates subsequent adjustments, while laying it below ground reduces the risk of damaging the cable.

How To Find And Repair Perimeter Wire Of Your Robot Mower

I’ve got to admit, a break in the perimeter wire of your robot lawn mower can be frustrating.

It’s happened to me a few times over the years. Thankfully, I’ve picked up some awesome tips which make finding and repairing a damaged perimeter wire really easy, and actually a bit of fun!

Although the perimeter wire for robotic lawn mowers is fairly robust, it is not immune to damage. Breaks in the loop wire are usually the result of unintentional physical damage to the wire such as when gardening. In countries with ground frost, sharp stones that move in the ground due to freeze-thaw conditions can damage the wire, particularly if the wire has been stretched excessively during installation.

It is possible for the mower itself to damage the wire if not installed properly, or for pets or burrowing animals such as rabbits and moles to damage the boundary wire.

Thankfully, breaks in the boundary wire do not happen very often, but is an issue that really concerned me when I first installed my robot lawn mower, as I thought it could result in me having to rip up large sections to boundary wire to find and repair the fault.

The good news: There’s a few simple techniques that can be used to help you to find a break in the perimeter wire and easily repair it. I am going to explain how to make finding the break and repairing the wire a pain free process.

What To Do First

If you discover that your mower is not working and realize that the perimeter wire signal is the problem, the first thing you should do is to check that the boundary wire connections to the charging station. It is possible that one of these has come loose or has been damaged. Once you have tried this, check to see if this has solved the problem.

The next step, regardless of whether you have chosen to bury the boundary wire or simply peg it to the grass, is to walk around the perimeter of the grass, looking for any sign of exposed wire, or disturbance to the grass or soil, which may have led to damage to the wire.

I had one early break in my boundary wire at a time when I had the wire pegged to the ground. I had set the boundary wire too close to a flower bed and the mower toppled into the flower bed. This tilted the cutting blades, which came into contact with the ground and the boundary wire, resulting in a break.

Thankfully on this occasion, the wire was recently installed, the grass had not yet grown over the top of it, and locating the break was easily done as two ends of broken wire were poking up out of the ground.

However, if you have done a loop of your garden and cannot locate a break, what do you do next. Is this the time to start digging, or pulling wire up, starting at the charging station.

The short answer is no! There are a few options to help you find the broken wire, but I am going to tell you about the best one first.

Option One – The Easy Way – This M ethod Isn’t In Any Robot Lawn Mower Manual!

I was amazed to discover that you can use a portable AM radio to locate the location of a break in the perimeter wire. The reason for this is that a functioning perimeter wire will cause short range interference to an AM radio signal, so you can literally walk around your garden, with a portable AM radio and follow the sound of the interference until it stops, locating the break. If you don’t have one, you can pick one up on amazon for next to nothing.

The steps involved in this are as follows;

Tune an AM radio to approximately 700khz, ensuring that there is no station tuned to this frequency, only static.

Disconnect one end of the boundary wire from the charging station, so there is only current running through one end of it. This will mean that the part of the wire after the break will produce no interference, but the part of the wire before the break will make a repetitive beeping.

Follow the path of the boundary wire around the perimeter of your lawn, listening carefully for the AM radio interference signal. When you move away from the wire, the signal will fade or stop. This will help you to stay directly over where the perimeter wire is.

Once you reach the point of the break, the signal will fade and stop very quickly, which will enable you to pinpoint the position of the break. If the perimeter wire is pegged to the ground, it will simply be a matter of digging down with your fingers until you find the wire and locate the break. If the wire is buried, you will then only have to dig a small section of grass to locate the broken wire.

Option 2 – The Manufacturer’s Recommended Method

This is the option recommended by most manufacturers. If is more complicated and time consuming, but will work well.

The first step is to switch the connections between the guide wire and the boundary wire in the charging station.

This will allow you to see which section of the boundary wire contains the fault.

If on switching the connector for the guide wire and the boundary wire, the error message for the boundary wire is gone, then you know that this section of the boundary wire is intact, and the error must lie in the other section of the boundary wire.

If the suspected boundary wire is short then it is easiest to exchange all of the boundary wire in the identified section. If the fault lies in a long section of boundary wire, then it would potentially take a long time to pull or dig up all of this wire to identify the fault and then peg it down or bury it again.

It wouldn’t be a job I would look forward to.

One way to make this slightly easier is to run a section of boundary wire from the charging station to the mid point of the section of boundary wire where the fault lies.

This will involve using a new piece of boundary wire. You should connect one end to the terminal on the charging station for the section of boundary wire where you have identified the problem. You will need to attach the other end of the wire to the boundary wire at approximately the mid point of the problem section.

To do this, you will need to cut the boundary wire and use a connector to link the new section of wire and the existing boundary wire.

The diagram below is from the manual of my robot lawn mower and explains the idea. Basically, it halves the section of wire where the problem lies.

Once you have connected up this shorter loop, you should check the control panel of the robot mower to see if the error for the missing boundary wire signal has disappeared. If so, you know that the break lies in the other section of wire. If not, then the break lies in the section of wire you are testing. You can then repeat this process with the new shorter section of wire that has been identified to have the fault in it.

Obviously, this process is time consuming and involves intentionally cutting your boundary wire at several points.

Fortunately, it is very quick and easy to use the spare connectors, and spares can be purchased cheaply. The connector and exposed boundary wire can be buried, so there will be no visible evidence of the work you have done to the boundary wire. The process for connecting boundary wire with connectors is very simple.

There are some differences between connectors for different manufacturers, but the principle is exactly the same. You just take a new connector and insert the boundary wire in each of the holes in the connector. It does not matter which holes are used for each end of the boundary wire.

Check that the wires are fully inserted into the connector so that the ends are visible through the transparent area on the other side of the connector.

Use a polygrip or a pair of pliers to completely press down the button on the connector.

In my opinion, I feel that the manufacturer recommended method for identifying the break in the boundary wire is excessively complicated and time consuming. I would strongly recommend using the AM radio method. You can purchase a portable AM/FM radio online or in a local shop for almost the same price as a few spare connectors.

After a quick search of Amazon, I found suitable radios for less than £10/15, which would let me pinpoint the break. Not only would this barely cost more than the official repair method, but it is really quick to do, so the time saving is well worth it in my opinion. There are a number of videos on YouTube which can also show you the exact method for using the AM radio method.

Preventing Breaks In The First Place

Whatever way you look at it, a damaged of broken perimeter wire is annoying, and avoiding it in the first place is by far the more preferable option. You don’t want to be in a situation where your boundary wire is littered with connectors due to repair activity.

Each of these connectors could potentially be a point of failure for your perimeter wire, increasing the risk of perimeter wire problems in the future. There are a few simple measures which you can take to reduce the risk of perimeter wire problems.

Ensure A little Slack Is Left In The Wire When Installing The Wire

If the perimeter wire is under tension when it is installed, or develops tension as a result of movement in the ground over time, it increases the chance of failure at any weak points in the wire.

Sharp stones, or connectors could become points where the wire will fail. Freeze-thaw conditions over the winter can result in quite a lot of movement of stones in the soil, and if one is pressing against the perimeter wire, it can lead to a break over time.

The remedy for this is to leave just a little slack when you are installing the perimeter wire. If you are burying the perimeter wire, this is very simple to do. If you are pegging the wire down, you will still need to ensure that the wire sits flush with the ground, to prevent the mower from cutting a bit of exposed wire, but it will also enable the grass to grow over the top of the wire quicker.

Although you want to leave a little slack, you should not leave a redundant loop or coil of wire along the path of the perimeter wire as this can interfere with the functioning of the mower.

Leave The Cutting Height High At First

After you first install the perimeter wire and get your new mower up and running, the temptation is to set the cutting blades to your desired height and start enjoying a perfectly cut lawn. This is not advisable, as it is very common in the first few weeks of operation for there to be a piece of boundary wire which is sitting up from the grass, or gets pushed up over time by the growing grass.

You should set your mower to the highest cutting setting and slowly reduce the height to the desired level over the space of a few weeks, while periodically walking around the perimeter of the grass to identify any sections of boundary wire which do not remain flush with the ground.

This is more relevant for perimeter wire which is pegged to the ground, but even shallowly buried perimeter wire can sometimes peak up from below the soil in the first few weeks. After a few months, the grass will grow over the top of the perimeter wire and you will not see it at all and should not have any issues.

Ensure You Lay The Perimeter Wire At The Recommended Distance From The Edge Of The Lawn

I read the instruction manual of my robot lawn mower carefully before installation, but then thought I knew better, and installed my perimeter wire a little closer to the edge of flower beds in my garden. I did this to try to avoid any strips of grass from being left uncut by the robot lawn mower.

Unfortunately, this led to my mower falling into my flower beds on a regular basis when first installed. As it tilted at a slight angle when getting stuck in the flower beds, it would often result in the cutting blades coming into contact with the ground. There were two occasions when the blades came into contact with my boundary wire.

On one occasion, the wire was cut, and on another occasion, it was slightly damaged, but still worked without issue.

I learned my lesson, and subsequently re-sited the boundary wire at the correct distances from the edge of the lawn.

In fact, I initially pegged my boundary wire down, but following these incidents, I buried the boundary wire. This wasn’t actually that much more time consuming that pegging it down, as I just used an edging tool to create a narrow slit in the grass, in which I inserted the boundary wire.

Thankfully, I have had no issues since. I would strongly recommend following the instructions in the manual of your robot lawn mower exactly, to avoid similar problems.

Ensure You Keep Some Spare Perimeter Wire And Connectors For Your Robot Lawn Mower

If the worst should happen, and your perimeter wire gets cut or damaged by something, it is really frustrating to have to wait for a delivery of new perimeter wire or connectors to fix the problem. Most robot lawn mowers come with a small number of spare wire connectors and manufacturers normally provide enough perimeter wire to have a little left over.

There are a few exceptions. If your lawn is a very unusual shape, or has a lot of obstacles within the body of the lawn that need to be marked out, you may need to do a quick check to make sure you have enough wire before you start the installation process.

All the different robot lawn mower manufacturers will provide their own wire and connectors, but often there is no difference between them other than the packaging. Manufacturer branded spares tend to be a lot more expensive than perfectly acceptable generic alternatives.

After I got my current robot lawn mower model, I bought a multi-pack of compatible connectors and spare blades off Amazon and a spare pack of wire. It saved me a lot of money compared to the official spares. This means if I have a break or if I want to move the boundary for my robot lawn mower, then I have plenty of spares to make this an easy process.

What About Getting A Robot Lawn Mower That Doesn’t Need Perimeter Wire?

This would be great, but unfortunately there are no good options yet for robot lawn mowers that don’t require perimeter wire.

The edge detection technology is getting better with every new model that is released, and I’ve no doubt that perimeter wire will be a thing of the past in a few years, but for now, perimeter wire is the best option. I’ve written an article all about robot lawn mowers without perimeter wire here.

Hopefully you don’t have to worry about boundary wire problems too often when using your robot lawn mower, but if you do, I hope this information has been useful. Let me know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев section about your experiences with damaged perimeter wire. If you have any questions about robot lawn mower perimeter wire, I’d be glad to try to answer them.

How To Fix A Lawn Mower Throttle Cable?

A working gas lawnmower is essential for a gardener to keep the grass immaculate. Because modern lawnmowers work so reliably, it is easy to assume that they will continue to work; it is frustrating when they don’t work well.

If the throttle cable breaks, cut off the broken end and use a shorter throttle cable, or if broken further along, replace the cable core. If the throttle cable has stretched, you will need to shorten it, and if it becomes obstructed or bent, you need to replace the throttle cable.

The lawnmower throttle cable is arguably the most straightforward part of the engine; however, it needs to work optimally, or it will have a disproportionate impact on the machine. If it is broken, the engine won’t run, and if it is stretched or obstructed, the Lawnmower will not generate full power.

Ways To Fix A Lawn Mower Throttle Cable [Depends On The Problem]

Two areas can break, each requiring a different action to fix it.

If the lawnmower throttle cable breaks very near either end of the line, there is a good possibility that you can fix it.

If the cable breaks further away from either end, you must follow the steps below.

Fix Lawnmower Throttle When Cable Is Broken Close To Either End – Step By Step Installation

If the cable snaps near the end of either side of the cable, follow the steps below.

• Remove the side which is not broken.
• EITHER remove the cable from the throttle control. It is usually a “Z” joint that can be maneuvered out of the attachment point.
• OR remove the throttle cable from the attachment to the throttle arm on the carburetor.
• Check the end which is broken and measure it. If it has snapped off less than an inch from the end, you can fix the throttle cable.
• When the cable is removed, carefully slide it out of the sheath covering it.
• Cut one inch of sheath off.
• Squirt WD40 oil into the sheath until it starts to flow out of the other end.
• If the broken end of the cable is frayed, cut the frayed ends with a pair of sharp wire cutters, carefully cut the frayed part off.
• Feed the cable back into the sheath until each end sticks out.
• Identify the broken end of the cable.
• Using two pairs of needle nose plyers, carefully bend the end into the same shape “Z” bend as the broken piece.
• Reattach the throttle cable and test the action.

Fix Lawn Mower Throttle Cable [Broken Further Away From The End]

If the cable has snapped further than one inch from either end, you will have to replace the line.

You can purchase a new lawnmower throttle cable, which comes pre-attached to a new throttle lever assembly [Amazon], or fabricate a new one by taking the following steps.

• Purchase a roll of stainless steel braided wire.
• Remove the old wire from the protective sheath.
• Carefully measure the correct length the new cable needs to reach.
• Squirt WD40 oil into the sheath until it starts to flow out of the other end.
• Thread the cable into the sheath until each end sticks out.
• Study the ends of the previous cable and replicate the shape onto each end of the new line.
• If you struggle to bend the same shape into the cable end, preformed versions are available on Amazon.
• Reattach the throttle cable to the Lawnmower and confirm the action is correct.

Fix Lawnmower Throttle Cable Stretches

Over time throttle cables stretch, bend, and move resulting in the cable not rotating the throttle arm sufficiently. The result will be a lawnmower engine that does not achieve full RPM and seems underpowered.

You can test this by manually manipulating the throttle arm. The throttle arm is attached to the throttle cable at the engine. Pull the throttle arm entirely back with the engine running and verify that the machine can run at maximum revs.

If it revs at full power, the throttle cable is not pulling it far enough.

Depending on the model lawnmower, you can adjust the cable position or lawnmowers that do not have an adjustment mechanism; you will need to shorten the cable manually.

If your Lawnmower has a cable adjustment mechanism, consult the lawnmower manual to determine how to adjust it.

If there is no way of adjusting the cable length on your Lawnmower, take the following steps.

• Remove both ends of the cable from the Lawnmower.
• Choose the end of the cable you will cut. The best way to choose is to study the cable end attachments and determine which one you can best replicate.
• Cut the cable an inch away from the chosen end.
• When the cable is cut, carefully slide it out of the sheath covering it.
• Cut one inch of sheath off.
• Squirt WD40 oil into the sheath until its starts to flow out of the other end.
• If the broken end of the cable is frayed, cut the frayed ends with a pair of sharp wire cutters, carefully cut the frayed part off.
• Feed the cable back into the sheath until each end sticks out.
• Identify the broken end of the cable.
• Using two pairs of needle nose plyers, carefully bend the end into the same shape “Z” bend as the broken piece.
• Reattach the throttle cable and test the action.

The Lawnmower Throttle Cable Movement Becomes Obstructed

If the lawnmower cable does not show any apparent damage, but the action is very stiff, check if the line is bent or obstructed.

• Remove the cable from the throttle arm and test the throttle arm for free and precise movement.
• If the throttle arm moves smoothly, check the cable by sliding the braided wire up and down the sheath.
• If it is restricted, the cable may be bent and rubbing against the sheath, or contaminates have entered it.
• Pull the wire out of the sheath and check its condition.
• If there are no bends or fraying, squirt WD40 oil into the sheath until it flows out of the other end.
• Rethread the wire into the sheath and check if the movement has improved,
• If the action hasn’t improved, the most cost-effective way to fix it is to purchase a new throttle cable.

What Function Does A Lawnmower Throttle Cable Serve?

Depending on the lawnmower model, the lawnmower throttle cable’s purpose is usually two fold.

• The lawnmower throttle cable acts as the off and on switch for the engine
• The throttle cable controls the speed at which the motor runs and, therefore, the rotational speed of the lawnmower blade.

The Lawnmower Cable Acts As The On/Off Switch

With most lawnmowers, pulling the throttle completely back will starve the engine of the fuel and cause it to cut out.

The Cable Controls The Speed Of The Lawnmower Engine

The Lawnmower’s throttle cable connects the throttle control attached to the handle and the throttle arm on the lawnmower carburetor.

Pulling or pushing the throttle cable changes the angle of the throttle arm.

The throttle arm is attached to the butterfly valve (throttle plate) inside the carburetor.

When the angle of the butterfly valve is changed, the amount of gas entering the carburetor is varied. The result is that the amount of fuel entering the piston chamber through the inlet valve is adjusted.

It results in less fuel/air mix for the combustion cycle and reduced engine revolutions.

These are the circumstances in which a lawnmower cable cannot correctly adjust the angle of the throttle arm.

Is it better to repair or replace a lawn mower throttle cable?

It is always better to replace a lawn mower throttle cable when the cable wears out. Also, using a new cable is always better than a repaired one.

How long do lawn mower throttle cables last?

A throttle cable generally lasts for around 5 years. However, it also depends on how much your lawn mower is being used. The more you use the lawn mower, the more wear you would see.

What does a throttle cable do?

The role of throttle cable is to control the engine and blade speed. Using your mower at full throttle makes it more efficient.

Conclusion

A broken, damaged, or tight lawnmower throttle cable will prevent the lawnmower engine from operating optimally. The great news is that each of these issues is easy to fix, and the cost involved is minimal.

You don’t need to be a licensed lawnmower technician to fix a throttle cable that isn’t working.

You need to follow a few basic diagnostic processes to trace the root of the problem and undertake the steps in this article to correct the situation.

Author

Jason is an expert writer and is passionate about Smart Homes and Home Improvements writing as well as lifestyle and Lawn Care. He spent the past twelve years living in Hawaii, where he worked closely alongside event planners and resort owners to perfect his knowledge of luxury products and aesthetics. He discovered his passion for DIY projects and home improvement there. Currently, he lives in Washington D.C with his family and 2 pets. View all posts

How To Fix Self Propelled Lawn Mower Cable? [Solutions]

A self-propelled lawnmower is really a helpful tool for any house owner. If you are an owner of a self-propelled lawnmower, then you surely know the immense benefit of this type of mower.

But what about a damaged cable of it? with a damaged cable, you won’t be able to control the mower properly. It also leads the mower to run poorly.

Now come to the main fact. Are you suffering from the same problem? If so, then throw all of your worries. I have a perfect guideline that you are actually looking for.

In this article, I will try to give you a complete guideline on how to fix self propelled lawn mower cable. Believe me, after reading this article, fixing a self-propelled lawnmower cable will be a piece of cake to you.

In this content you’ll learn:

A Complete Guideline To Fix The Cable Of Self-propelled Lawnmower

Basically fixing the problem of self-propelled lawnmower cable is not a troublesome task. You approximately need 20-25 minutes to complete the entire task.

Let’s see the required tools at first before entering the fixing process.

• A new cord
• A plastic bag
• Needle nose pliers
• Screwdriver
• Socket wrench
• Hand gloves
• Goggles

Now you are ready to fix the issue of your self-propelled lawnmower cable. Follow the instructions outlined below to get rid of this issue.

Steps to follow:

Step #1: Remove The Spark Plug

Unplug the mowers’ spark plug. Every lawnmower has a spark plug and before doing any repair, you must unplug it. It will save you from being electrified at the time of repair.

Step #2: Release The Drive Cable Lever

Locate the drive cable of the mower. You will find it near the lawnmower handle. A lever is attached to the cable and releases the lever from the cable.

You will also need to depress the release tab. After depressing it, pull out the drive cable zone control clip. Cut down the ties of the drive cable to secure it.

Step #3: Remove The Drive Cover

Now, it’s time to remove the drive cover. A few simple steps help you to remove the cover. Let’s see what they are.

• Locate the mower fuel tank and remove the lid of the fuel tank.
• Place a plastic bag in the mouth of the fuel tank and replace the lid at its previous position.
• Lift the mower front wheels upwards and secure the lawnmower with its handle. Lift the mower to access the mounting screws at the bottom of the mower. Use a socket wrench to remove the mounting screws.
• These screws basically hold the mower drive cover. Unscrew the screws and carefully lower the lawnmower.
• Release the mower height adjustment bar. Now, you can easily remove the mower drive cover.

Step #4: Bring Out The Drive Cable

Find out the anchor post to remove the end of the mower drive cable. Depress the release tab to access the sheath of the drive cable. Now, it’s become a facile task for you to bring out the entire cable.

Step #5: Install The New Drive Cable

Take the new cable and install it starting from the anchor post. Follow the reverse process to install the new drive cable.

Step #6: Replace The Drive Cover

Replace the mower drive cover in its previous position and rearrange the bar of height adjustment.

Again lift the mower front wheel upwards and replace the mounting screws to attach the cover properly with the mower deck. Tighten the screws using the socket wrench.

Now, open the lid of the fuel tank and take off the plastic bag from the mouth of the fuel tank. Replace the lid again and tighten it by rotating clockwise.

Step #7: Reconnect The Spark Plug

You are in the final step of the fixing process. Reconnect the mower spark plug and your mower is completely ready for mowing now.

Final verdict

Are you ready for fixing the cable now? I think you are. It’s really not a difficult task. But without a perfect guideline, it is not an easy task to do.

You can easily do this at home. If you do this at home, surely you can save your few bucks.

Hopefully this article has given you a perfect guideline on how to fix a self propelled lawn mower cable.

So, without hesitating, do it yourself.

Lawn Mower Replacement Parts You Can DIY

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Lawn mower letting you down? A little repair know-how can go a long way. Learn which lawn mower parts you can fix yourself and save cash on repairs.

Like other machines, lawn mowers need regular maintenance to work optimally. Keeping the blade sharp, changing the oil every 50 hours of use (or once a season) and cleaning underneath the mower deck to prevent grass buildup are all important parts of mower ownership.

But even diligent mower owners eventually deal with failed parts that need replacement. Learn the benefits of making mower repair a DIY job, and which parts you can probably replace on your own with a little know-how.

Why Repair or Replace Lawn Mower Parts?

Replacing or repairing lawn mower parts makes sense because you can save money and time.

Today it’s easy to find replacement mower parts online. With just a few clicks, you can have the particular replacement blade, cable, pull cord or other part you need shipped to your door. Parts are getting less expensive all the time, too.

Professional repairs cost more because you’re paying for the technician’s time, and repair shops often charge more than online retailers for the same parts. Non-DIY repairs take longer, too, because you’ll spend time carting your mower to and from the nearest repair shop. For many of these repairs, you could easily do it yourself, finish mowing and move on to other things.

Lawn Mower Replacement Parts

These are the parts that require replacement most often:

Blade: Mower blades are always getting dull, rusty and bent. Luckily, they’re easy and inexpensive to replace. Disconnect the spark plug wire for safety before doing any repairs. Flip your mower on its side (it’s best to do this when the gas tank is empty), then use a wrench to loosen the nut holding on the old blade. Replace it with the new blade, and tighten up the nut.

Be sure to buy a replacement blade of the right length and hole spacing to fit your mower. Online shops and local hardware stores often carry various mower blades, usually costing 20 or less.

Drive Belt: Some self-propelled walk-behind mowers have a drive belt that powers the wheels. These are vulnerable to stretching or cracking over time. If you notice your mower doesn’t drive itself as usual, a bad belt is likely why. Buy a replacement of the right length and thickness (refer to your owner’s manual for this), then remove the belt cover and pull the old belt from the transmission and drive pullies. Pop the new belt on, then button everything back up.

Pull Cord: Repeated friction from frequent yanking often causes mower pull cords to fray and break. Order a replacement for your specific mower to ensure it’s the right length and diameter, or get a generic pull cord kit and carefully trim it to length yourself, matching it to the old one. Remove your mower’s starter assembly. Unwind the old cord, then cut it at both ends to remove it. Thread the new cord into the starter assembly and handle, then tie it at both ends and wind it back up.

Spark Plug: Although modern spark plugs don’t fail often, if your mower has serious trouble starting, a bad plug could be why. Find out the type of spark plug you need in your mower’s manual, then buy one online or in store for a few bucks. Disconnect the spark plug wire, then use a socket wrench to loosen and remove the old spark plug. Carefully thread the new one in, then snug it up with your wrench, taking care not to overtighten. Reconnect the spark plug wire and you’re good to go.

When to Replace Your Lawn Mower

Although most parts on modern lawn mowers are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace, some repairs are difficult enough that buying a new mower makes sense. One example: serious engine damage from low oil levels or failing to change oil often enough. Major lawn mower engine repairs are not something the average homeowner can do, and a repair like that will almost certainly cost more than buying a new mower. That’s when it’s time to start shopping and replace your mower.