Redneck Lawnmower repair - AGAIN!

It is one of my specialties. One time it involved a C-clamp to hold the handle onto the broken base bracket.

This time, it was the throttle lever cable - the one you have to pull to keep the mower running. The cable corroded and broke. There's a spring holding the throttle in the closed position. I removed that. I ran a bolt with washers and a wing nut through the throttle lever sticking out and hooked a spring from the throttle stop to the wingnut. Basically, I completely bastardized it and reversed its function. It is now normally ON and you have to pull back on the bolt to stop the engine. Mr. Safety here. It works, and the engine won't just restart. At least I can finish mowing and use it until I can get a replacement cable.

If it should move and doesn't, use WD 40.

If it shouldn't move and does, use duct tape.

Works in most social situations, too.

Repair Rule #2

When calculating the amount of time needed for repairs, also cost, select a number, multiply by two and add ten percent.

:-)

Hey, sarge, remember '100m.p.h.' tape?

If it wasn't painted 1505 blue, it was duct tape grey.

I have the el cheapo model mower, and it's the best I've ever had.

Basically, the only truly important feature on a mower is for it to have large rear wheels, which make it easy to push (even easier to handle, imo, than self-powered mowers).

I don't bag clippings, so fancy bag attachments don't help me. In fact, I recently had to use a self-tapping metal screw to lock down the plastic flap where the clippings exit if you have a bag.


I guess an adjustable throttle would be nice, but I'm ok with a single throttle setting.

I could do without the power drive - it moves too slowly for my tastes. I'm the same - screw bagging, just cut the damn stuff.

I just pulled the lever out and stuck half of a wooden clothespin behind it to keep it open and then pulled the rope to start it. When it was time to turn off the mower, all I had to do was pull it out.

Damn man down at the filling station tried to tell me the old system was dead, and fixing it would cost more than what the car was worth. Well, I gave him a few choice words and just threw a few things together. It works great but I would suggest spending some big bucks on real duct tape instead of the Scotch® tape I borrowed from the library. Same with the library paste, I got me some real goo that's guaranteed water resistant and holds on the new taillight real good.

I posted in the DIY section but it doesn't get that much traffic.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=287&topic_id=7918&mesg_id=7918

Any ideas? I love these sorts of solutions!