Push mower cable replacement. How to fix a lawn mower throttle cable

How to fix a lawn mower throttle cable

A well-maintained lawn is everybody’s dream. A lush, green garden adds up to your curb appeal and a yard with all the works can be the envy of the neighbors. Who wouldn’t want a lawn that’s functional yet appealing at the same time?

However, maintaining an impressive one can be quite a work, especially if your lawn mower throttle cable just got broken.

In this article, Tools Official gives you a guide on how to fix a lawn mower throttle cable.

What is a lawn mower throttle cable

Before we go to step one of fixing a lawn mower throttle cable, let’s describe what a throttle cable is and understand its function. Knowing more about your throttle cable will help you in times of trouble, like in what you’ve just experienced.

Your lawn mower’s throttle cable controls the machine’s engine. It’s the part that kick-starts the engine and commands the speed of your mower’s blades. If the engine dies down or the mower doesn’t respond to adjustments in the throttle handle, you may want to troubleshoot the throttle cable.

A throttle cable may be very small but it coordinates the functioning of your mower’s engine parts the moment you pull it.

Modern lawn mowers have automatic throttle cables. Old models have the manual ones. Whichever you choose, make sure to consider your preferences and budget before buying one.

Locating the throttle cable on a lawn mower

The throttle cable of a modern push mower can be found connected to the carburetor’s intake valve.

How does throttle cable break?

When the throttle cable breaks, there won’t be power being supplied to the mower’s engine. As you use your lawn mower over time, the cable gets stretched, resulting in breakage. You will notice your throttle cable is difficult to push, giving you an idea that it’s already quite old.

When the throttle cable gets damaged, you may order a new cable or make one yourself. Fixing it on your own can save you a lot of dollars. Should you choose to order a new one, you can check out some universal throttle cable sold on Amazon. It costs around 15-16 while a DIY one can cost you 2-3 dollars. Doing it yourself will also allow you to mow your lawn immediately as you wait for the parts, if you plan to buy a throttle cable online.

Creating the Z-bend

If you choose to purchase a new cable or make one yourself, you’d have to create a Z-bend at one end of the lawn mower throttle cable. Some universal throttle cables online don’t have this specific product detail.

Repairing a broken lawn mower cable

A broken lawn mower throttle cable can be given a quick fix by working on a 7-inch #16 wire size aluminum landscape cable to your old throttle cable and attaching it to your original throttle cable.

Step 1

Get a 7-inch #16 wire size aluminum cable and bend it in half. Since it’s made of aluminum, it will easily bend. Flatten it using a pair of pliers. If you have a wire flattener device, use it to press it together even more.

Step 2

Place the bottom two inches of the wire in between the wire flattener device (if you have one) or any device that can hold a #16 wire upright, so you can twist off the upper wire for a few times. If you don’t have any of the devices mentioned, you can hold the wire using a pair of big, sturdy pliers. Just twist it enough but be careful not to break it. Copy the Z-bend of the original cable by bending the top of the wire in a 90-degree angle using a pair of pliers. Then, take a pair needle nose pliers to hold the first 90-degree bend as you pull the other end to make a second 90-degree angle using the other pair of pliers.

Step 3

Take your Z-bend wire and snip off one of the aluminum wires at the bottom.

Step 4

The next step is to combine the old and new cables.

Before cutting and uniting your Z-bend wire to your original throttle cable, place your original throttle cable on a table. Put your Z-bend wire below the original one, so that, both of their Z-tip are parallel with each other. Use a marker pen to trace the part that you need to cut. Cut the original throttle cable just right at the marker. Snip a couple of centimeters more off from the marker of your Z-bend wire.

Step 5

Insert your original throttle cable to one of the holes of a wire union device or aluminum crimps, then, put in your Z-bend wire on the other hole. Tighten up the aluminum device to secure the placement of both wires. You may use a hammer or a wire flattener device to do so.

Now, you have replaced the broken Z-bend tip of your original throttle cable.

Adjusting throttle cable on lawn mower

You can adjust the throttle cable of your lawn mower if you notice the engine is idling or running on its highest level. If you think you have zero mechanical skill level, you can still do so. Just follow these steps before having your mower checked at the repair shop.

Tools required

• Wire Cutters
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Replacement Throttle Cable
• Z-bending Tool
• Measuring tool

Step 1

Turn off the mower. Take off the old throttle cable of your lawn mower by removing the cable housings with a pair of pliers or twisting off the screws using your bare hands. This action will remove the housings off the base, allowing it to go down the cable. Separate the cable from the throttle arm that can be found on the engine. Open the unit and remove the lock screw on the handle to pull out the cable.

Using your smartphone, you may take photos of the mower’s different parts before you remove some of them to help you put back some pieces together after fixing it.

Step 2

Place the new throttle cable on your mower’s handle. Weave the cable wire into the housing. Look for the wire base on the engine’s back. Insert the cable through the throttle base and the throttle arm.

When installing the new throttle cable on your mower’s handle, you may need a drill if there are no holes yet, and a bolt to fasten the new throttle cable. This will depend on your mower’s original throttle and design.

Step 3

Calculate the size of the cable and give it an extra inch (in case of mistakes). The extra measure will also allow it to be loose so the mower handles can be folded down.

Remove a few centimeters off of the cable’s cover to make a Z-bend. This will create a full throttle functionality, which you will need. However, since the cable cover is coiled steel wire, it can be easily cut, so, be careful taking it off. Perform the Z-bend using a pair of pliers or a Z-bender once the cover is removed.

Fasten the cable to the throttle handle by slipping it through the housing first, then, into the handle next. The cable should be tight for you to have the throttle all the way down. Using a pair of pliers, pull the cable tighter. Twist the lock screw and put back the housings.

Step 4

Restore the throttle to check if the tension is enough. Turn on the mower. When the mower is running too high in idle status, loosen the cable. Twist the lock screw a little and slide a bit more cable through the slot and tighten the screw.

Step 5

Test your new or adjusted throttle cable to check if it’s working fine.

Wrapping It Up

There are different kinds of throttle cable repair you can do if necessary. Learning how to do it by yourself is very important especially if you need to immediately groom your lawn as you wait for the arrival of your new throttle cable. You can learn a lot of basic tips and tricks online via blogs or through video blogs, even if you have little or no mechanical skills.

A broken throttle cable is inevitable and lawn owners should expect it from happening by the time they buy a lawn mower. No matter how efficient a lawn mower is, you have to be ready for any breakage or quick fixes that can be applied.

Just remember that fixing it may not always be enough. Having it checked regularly, especially by the experts, is also important to ensure the longevity and functionality of your lawn mower. Check-ups are also significant so you can avoid accidents from any damages on your mower.

Consulting your dealer is also one of the best things to do when you have to fix a lawn mower throttle cable. So go ahead and make a little time tending to your lawn mower and reap the rewards of having a neat yard after!

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 Parts

Search and shop all the parts you need for your riding lawn equipment and Gator UTV including lawn mower blades, filters, belts, spark plugs, oil, and home maintenance kits.

Find Parts

Search part numbers and John Deere parts diagrams to identify exactly what you need to keep your equipment running smoothly.

Quick Reference Guides

As a John Deere owner, when it’s time to maintain, service or repair your equipment we have easy-to-use information sheets that keep your John Deere equipment running well.

Home Maintenance Kits

Feel confident in tuning up your lawn mower or garden equipment this season with our Home Maintenance Kits. Easily find the right product so you can DIY and save!

Looking for your Serial Number?

Finding your lawn mower’s model number and serial number is as easy as locating the identification tag on your machine. As seen in the example, the model number will be displayed below the MODEL heading (Example: Z235), and the serial number will be underlined on the top-right corner of the tag (Example: 130002).

If you’re looking for the engine number, that can be found directly on the engine itself.

Home and Garden, eat your heart out.

Get the latest on how to care for and enjoy your yard and garden. The articles and videos are informative and the ideas are amazing.

MowerPlus Mobile App

MowerPlus is the app you need to keep your John Deere riding lawn mower running well and your lawn looking great this season. The app tracks and records yard tasks and serves as a one-stop shop for seasonal care tips and maintenance activities. Know your mower and know how you mow with John Deere’s MowerPlus app.

The Right Part. The Right Price.

At John Deere, you get the value of choice for your maintenance and replacement parts for all makes and ages of machines – at any budget.

Genuine Parts

Genuine John Deere Belts Blades are your best choice for your newer machines.

Alternative Parts

Alternative Parts are an economical solution for your John Deere equipment.

The John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System

Never drain engine oil again.

We’ve changed the oil change. Revolutionized it really. See how fast and easy changing your oil can now be on 100 Series Riding Lawn Tractors with the John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System. Only from John Deere. Included on the E120, E130, E150, E160, E170, and E180 models.

Step One. Take it off.

Lift the hood. Make sure the engine is cool, then, twist to remove. It’s that simple.

Step Two. Twist and lock.

Grab the new Easy Change™ Canister, twist and lock into place. Make sure the arrow on your Filter System aligns with the arrow on your engine.

Step three. Done.

Close the hood and mow. John Deere recommends the Easy Change™ 30-second Oil Change System every 50 hours or at the end of your mowing season. Don’t drain engine oil ever again.

Draining engine oil is so 2017.

The engine modifications and new technologies are in. The re-envisioned oil filter with a media designed to resist breaking down in oil over time is here. The thousands of hours of testing are done. The end result is an all-in-one, oil and oil filter system like no other. The first of its kind. And thanks to the new John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System (“System”), you’ll never have to drain the oil from 100 Series Riding Lawn Tractors again.

Here’s why: The new System captures contaminants and recharges your engine with nearly a quart (0.8qt) (0.76 l) of new oil. In fact, this System increases the amount of oil in the engine by nearly 40%. 2 Your engine likes that.

What do you mean, I will never have to drain oil from my engine again? How is that possible? The answer is simple. We have developed a better filtration system and filter design for our 100 Series Riding Lawn Tractors 1. This fully synthetic filter media has greater surface area which increases its capacity to hold harmful contaminants. What’s more, the filter media is designed to resist breaking down in oil over time. Which means you’ll get a cooler running engine. And a cooler running engine and better filtering helps increase engine oil life. John Deere’s recommended oil service for 100 Series Riding Lawn Tractors 1. is to change the System every 50 hours or once a season, whichever comes first. Remember, the System replaces a portion of your engine oil. And that’s plenty.

The System uses John Deere Turf-Gard™ Oil. Using John Deere Turf-Gard™ Oil ensures you are using the exact oil specified by John Deere engineers.

Testing. Testing. Testing. Thanks to thousands of hours of rigorous and extensive testing, you can feel confident your engine will run for years to come.

1 The John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System is available on E120, E130, E150, E160, E170 and E180 Lawn Tractors today.

2 Compared to similar V-Twin engine models that do not have the John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System. That includes equivalent Deere 2017 models and 2018 models without the System.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is new with John Deere Riding Lawn Equipment?

We are excited about the exclusive John Deere Easy Change™ 30 second oil change system. Exclusive to John Deere and only available on certain models of the new 100 Series Lawn Tractors. These tractors are designed for ease of use for both operation and maintenance. The John Deere Easy Change™ System (“Easy Change”) allows the user to easily complete the recommended engine oil and filter maintenance in 30 seconds.

What is this new oil change system?

We changed the oil change. The all-in-one oil and oil filter system gives the owner the ability to change a portion of the oil and the filter in less than 30 seconds.

What happens to the rest of the oil in the engine when the Easy Change system is replaced?

The Easy Change system replaces.8 quart of oil. The remaining oil in the engine is refreshed by the charge of new oil included in the replacement Easy Change system. Combined with 40% more engine oil capacity, improved filtration and cooler running temperatures which help extend oil life, it is no longer necessary to remove and dispose of all the oil in your engine during service.

What makes the Easy Change system unique from other filters?

It is not just a filter. It is a newly developed technology system that allows a new “filter” to come already charged with oil and allows you to remove an existing filter and the contaminants inside without tools and without making a mess. Beyond the filter, technology within the canister and on your engine makes this possible.

Models with the Easy Change oil system use a fully synthetic filter that has more capacity to trap and hold contaminants. The larger surface area of the Easy Change canister acts like a radiator helping the oil to stay cool.

Does the Easy Change system somehow decrease the life of the engine?

The John Deere 100 Series lawn tractor models, with and without Easy Change, are specified for the same lifetime and are rigorously tested to the same standards to ensure the life of the tractor meets expectations.

Can I add the Easy change system to an existing tractor?

Because this system also requires unique features within the engine, the Easy Change system cannot be added to an engine that was not equipped with it at the factory.

Can I change all the oil if I choose to?

You could if you wanted to. There is an oil drain plug. It is not required for maintenance.

How often do I need to change the Easy Change canister?

Every 50 hours or once a year. The 100 Series Lawn Tractors with and without the Easy Change system have the same maintenance schedule.

What type of oil is recommended?

We recommend only John Deere Turf-Gard™ 10W30 Oil. The Easy Change canister comes pre-filled with John Deere Turf-Gard™ 10W30 oil.

How do I recycle the old oil?

Many local government recycling programs, authorized retailers, auto repair stations, and auto parts stores will puncture and recycle used oil filters and oil.

Do I ever need to add oil?

Yes. Consistent with our service recommendations for this product, you should check oil level daily and add oil if required.

The best cordless lawn mowers in 2023

Looking for the best cordless mower? Browse our experts’ pick, from budget to premium models.

A lawn mower may be one of the first purchases we make when getting a garden of our own, but that doesn’t mean finding a good quality one is easy. There are so many models and brands on the market to choose from, including corded electric and petrol, but as their range increases and fall, cordless, battery-powered models are an increasingly popular option.

Light and compact compared with traditional petrol models, cordless mowers are simple to use, easy to manoeuvre around the garden, and have none of the maintenance and servicing needs or costs of petrol lawnmowers. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which charges up quickly and won’t lose power in storage, they’re also quiet and emission free.

To compare these cordless mowers against other types of mower, we’ve reviewed the best lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers and push mowers, too. And if your lawn needs a bit of attention, our experts have tested a range of the best manual and powered aerators and scarifiers.Keep edges looking neat with our pick of the best strimmers, the best garden shears and the best lawn edging, and if you’re thinking about somewhere to store your new mower, our comprehensive guide to choosing the best garden shed will be helpful.

For your next DIY project, have a look at the best cordless drills.

The best cordless mowers to buy at a glance

Cordless mowers. Buyer’s Guide video

Many thanks to Rosie Yeomans and Sparsholt College for their help in making this video.

Getting the best cordless lawn mower for you means ensuring it has the correct cutting width, range of cutting heights, and weight plus a battery run time that matches the size of your lawn. We’ve tested a range of cordless push mowers, putting them through their paces across a range of grass and terrains, to help you find the right one for your garden.

Each mower has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up and storage, handling, mowing and value for money. Every mower in our round up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.

In every review we award outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best cordless lawn mowers, below.

By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Best Buy cordless mowers

Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

• Quiet
• Cuts even long grass with ease
• Battery level visible while mowing
• Small and compact for easy storage
• Part of the POWER FOR ALL cordless range

Part of the new Husqvarna Aspire cordless range, which includes a hedge trimmer, pruner and leaf blower, this 34cm mower is powered by an 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery and charger. These are interchangeable with tools in other leading brands such as Flymo, Gardena and Bosch so if you also invest in tools in these ranges, you’ll only need to buy the bare tool and won’t have different batteries and chargers taking up space in the shed.Great for small gardens the mower comes ready to go, there’s no assembly or handles to attach, and it folds down to a compact size when you’re finished, with a telescopic handle that folds completely flat over the body of the mower. It can then be stood up against a wall or hung up, and even comes with a handy hook. The 30l grass bag also flattens down to take up very little room and can be hung on the mower. The Aspire is light, with a carry handle so that lifting it up steps or into other areas is easy and it has an adjustable handle to suit different height users. It’s comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around the garden and has just four cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25-65mm and changed easily with a single lever on the body of the mower. It cuts grass quietly and smoothly and has an automatic boost that increases blade speed when you’re mowing in tougher, longer areas that works well. You can hear it kick in when you push the mower into longer grass and unlike other cordless mowers that can cut out, just carries on cutting the grass. While you mow the battery charge level is always clearly visible so you know how much battery you have left and when it needs charging. It comes with a two year warranty and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2023 for ease of use.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 95 mins; run time. 500sqm. Cutting: width. 34cm; height. 25-65mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Buy the Husqvarna Aspire C34-P4A cordless mower from Husqvarna and Sam Turner

Greenworks GDG24LM33

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Easy to assemble and use
• Comfortable padded handle
• Choice of mulching or collecting clippings
• Interchangeable battery with Greenworks 24V family

Ideal for smaller gardens this sturdy, great value cordless mower is easy to put together, well thought out and simple to use. Thanks to a padded handle it’s comfortable to push, although it did feel a little short for our taller tester, and it’s light and easy to manoeuvre around trees and beds and borders. There are five cutting heights to choose from, adjusted with the simple lift of a lever and it offers the choice of collecting clippings in the 30 litre fabric grass bag or inserting the mulching plug and leaving them on the lawn to break down and feed the grass. It mows well but doesn’t like very long grass, with the battery cutting out occasionally but its long lasting brushless motor offers a a decent run time of 46 minutes and it charges in two hours. Plus, as part of the Greenworks 24V family, both the battery and charger are interchangeable with all the other tools in the range, saving you money if you invest in more in the future. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best budget cordless mower in 2023.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 120 mins; run time. 46mins. Cutting: width. 33cm; height. 25-70mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Yard Force LMG37A 40v 37cm

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

• Rear roller
• Double folding handle for easy storage
• Quickest charge time
• Part of the Yardforce GR40 cordless range

This sturdy mower has a 37cm cutting width and useful features including a rear roller for those much desired stripes. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for small to medium lawns, clippings are collected in the large 40 litre fabric grass bag. It offers a wide choice of seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm, and is easy to fold away at the end of the day. The 40V battery is quick to charge, taking just 50 minutes and when full it has the capacity to cut a 400m2 lawn.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 50 mins; run time. 400sqm. Cutting: width. 37cm; height. 25-75mm. Grass box. 40 litre.

Buy the Yard Force LMG37A 40V 37cm cordless mower from Yard Force, Amazon and Wickes