When a petrol lawnmower gets old, the cable pull first shows signs of fatigue by tearing. Resourceful home gardeners with a penchant for creative tinkering tricks have found out how to start a lawn mower without a cable pull. Read here how the trick works.
A lawn mower can also be started without a cable pull
What function does a cable actually have?
Tools with small combustion engines are usually started with a cable, also known as a recoil starter. The purely mechanical starting function has the advantage that there is no need for complex components such as an alternator or starter. The traction cable is wound onto a cable drum, which is located on a freewheel hub on the tailshaft of the lawnmower engine.
Pulling the rope vigorously will start the engine by allowing the crankshaft to rev up to the appropriate speed. The rope is then automatically pulled back to its original position using a spiral spring. If the cable on the petrol lawnmower breaks, an alternative must be found to set the crankshaft in motion.
How to start a lawnmower without a cable
First remove the torn cable, since it has become unusable for the start. For the further procedure you need a drill (97.00€) or a cordless screwdriver and a socket wrench that fits on the crankshaft stump. To start the engine:
- Attach the socket wrench to the drill
- Set the throttle lever on the lawn mower to a maximum of half power
- Place the drill on the crankshaft stub
- Start drill
As soon as the rotating drill starts the motor, remove the socket wrench. It is important to note that you are using a drill whose speed is higher than the speed of the lawnmower. Otherwise there is an increased risk of injury because the drill could be snatched from your hands or the socket wrench could be thrown around. For this reason, the throttle lever on the lawn mower must not be set to full throttle when you start.
tips
If the lawn mower does not start, it is usually not due to a broken cable. A lack of fuel, dirty spark plugs or a clogged carburetor are among the most common causes of a striking lawnmower engine.