Pull cords for lawn mowers replacement

It’s necessary to replace pull cords for lawn mowers once they have given up.

We all know that these things won’t always last and may need to be changed many times over before your lawn mower itself requires to be replaced.

One thing I love about the accessory is that the installation is fairly simple and you require very basic skills to complete the process.

But you’ve to buy a genuine replacement starter rope for your mower to work.

Below you’ll find our 3 most recommended pull cords for lawn mowers to replace your broken starter cord.

I will, later on, take you through the simple steps to follow when fitting the new pull cord into your mowing machine.

3 Top pull cords for lawn mowers – product reviews

While they all share some aspects of design and features, these pull cords for lawn mowers differ from one another in terms of essentials like length, general construction, etc.

Read on for a detailed look at each model. 

1.     Briggs & Stratton Starter Pull Rope and Grip 5042K

This Genuine Briggs & Stratton starter works like a charm for walk-behind mowers.

The length and diameter is perfect for most machines and the handle both easy to grasp and very comfortable to hold.

Installation is easy-peasy too and you should be done in no time- Just follow its YouTube installation instructions.

This rope is also built strong (it’s made of nylon) and should outlast cheaper models.

Even the handle seems very pretty durable.

Pros

• Nice length.
• Quite strong.
• Works extremely well.

Cons

• No major issue whatsoever.

2.     Hipa Recoil Starter Rope Pull Cord for Husqvarna Craftsman Stihl Sears Poulan Briggs Stratton Lawn Mowers

This is 10 meter long and 4.0mm in diameter and fits lawn mower models such as Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, McCulloch, Homelite, and Poulan lawn mowers.

The fiber material matches the quality and strength of most OEM parts and could be the perfect replacement for your mower.

It also feels good and works for many other machines including weed eaters, snow blowers, etc.

Pros

• Sturdy cord.
• Sturdy construction.
• Easy to pull.

Cons

• Installation a bit involving.

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3.     Stens  Starter mower Handle with Rope, 140-301 4 1/2, 88in L

This handle with rope fits the bill as well for most lawnmower engines thanks to its universal design.

The cord is 88 inches (or about 7 feet, 4-inches) long and about 1/8” thick so it’s a standard mower pull rope.

Given that it’s again constructed from quality materials- the universal handle is made of rubber and the rope of superior fabric- we reasonably expect this product to last for many seasons.

Pros

• Excellent quality.
• Soft grip.
• Convenient length.

Cons

• Assembly instructions a bit lacking.

Continue reading to learn how to install your rope..

How to replace pull cord on lawn mower

Overall, the starter rope cord isn’t that difficult to replace.

Here’s how to fix pull string on lawn mower:

Preliminaries

• Ensure that the mower stands on a perfectly flat and level ground.
• Locate the machine’s spark plug and disconnect the plug wire. You don’t want to do anything else before this (I shudder to imagine what would happen if the engine starts accidentally).

Step-by-step guidelines

Stage A: Removing the old cord

STEP 1: Remove the hex-head screws from the top, which is where the rewind starter assembly and pull cord are located.

STEP 2: Pull the rewind starter assembly out of the mower. Keep it turned upside down.

STEP 3: Remove the remainder of the old rope from the assembly (Your pair of pliers will suffice for this but you may have to use a screwdriver to dig out the remaining cord if stubborn).

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Stage b: Preparing to add the replacement cord

STEP 4: While holding the rewind assembly in one hand, rotate the inner rewind pull cord spring counterclockwise until it won’t rotate anymore.

STEP 5: Line up the pull cord’s hole in the inner spring with the matching hole in the assembly part.

STEP 6: To ensure that the holes hold this position, slip a screwdriver through them.

Stage C: Fixing the new cord

STEP 7: Feed the first end of your new cord through the pull rope hole in the rewind starter assembly then through the hole in the inner rewind spring.

STEP 8: Pull the rope through, tie a reasonable knot (in its end) and melt it a bit with a lighter.

STEP 9: While holding the rewind assembly, ease out the screwdriver. Now allow the rewind spring to gradually wind the cord until it is slack.

STEP 10: Next, thread the other end of your cord via the bottom of your starter cord handle.

STEP 11: Proceed to run the cord via the top (of the handle), tie and knot it, and finally secure the knot firmly against the handle.

STEP 12: Bring back the rewind assembly and fix the bolts. Remember to tighten them.

STEP 13: Return the spark plug wire and test the pull cord by starting your mower.

One last thing……

How to fix lawn mower pull cord spring

Some people wrongly blame the pull cord for their lawn mower starting problems when the real culprit is the starter spring.

Here is how to approach the matter…

First, you can tell that the starter spring has issues if the lawn mower pull cord wont retract after pulling it.

The other telltale sign is when the lawnmower feels extraordinarily difficult/rough to pull.

There are two steps you can take when you bump into this scenario:

1. Replace the spring.
2. Rewind the spring (usually, it may have lost its tension).

Replacing the spring

This is way easier if you don’t have previous experience with rewinding springs.

Steps:

1. Unscrew the engine cover to access the recoil assembly.
2. Unscrew the recoil assembly and get it out. It should be turned over.
3. Remove the pulley (use a screwdriver or a socket wrench to unfasten the bolt holding it).
4. Now remove the malfunctioning starter spring below the puller.
5. Mount your replacement spring onto the lawn mower’s recoil assembly where the old was.
6. Reinstall the pulley and fasten the bolt that secures it well.
7. Wind the pulley (usually counterclockwise) to re-tension the spring.
8. Once it has been adequately re-wound (you’re likely to need to pull it a couple of times to achieve this),
9. All that remains at this point is to insert the recoil assembly back onto its housing and reinstalling the engine cover.

Rewinding the spring

1. Repeat steps 1-4 above.
2. Have a good look at the center of the removed spring. You don’t want the spring to show any signs of being broken.
3. Grab the spring between your thumb and index fingers.  The index finger should be at the center (of the coil) while the thumb compresses the coil at an appropriate point.
4. Pull the loose tip of the spring firmly to make it tighten (in diameter) while lengthening on the loose end.
5. The next step is shortening the loose end by rolling the coil. Ensure that it doesn’t unwind by continuing to pinch it even as it rolls.
6. Persist in pinching and winding (rolling) the spring until the coil’s diameter reduces to fit again into the coil’s housing.
7. Replace it into the housing (ensure proper alignment) and slowly release the pressure such that it settles into position.
8. Put some tension by winding the spring to a good degree (in the direction you prefer the starter string to unwind once released). 
9. Return everything else now to the engine (as per your owner’s manual) including the recoil assembly and screw them firmly.
10. Test if the machine starts.

Note: These steps may differ in your specific model. It’s best to refer to your operator’s manual before starting.

You just found out which pull cords for lawn mowers you should consider and why.

Hopefully, this has made your purchase decision easier.

Remember to check your starter chord size carefully before buying.

You can simply measure the length of the old rope and work with the same size (and diameter), if unsure.