A lawn mower pull cord breaking can be a pain, to say the least. Would you like to know how to start a lawn mower without the pull cord? Well, we have researched this topic and have the answer for you. It is vital to know how to start a lawn mower without the pull cord, so if it ever breaks, you can still mow your grass.
To start a mower without the pull cord, wrap a thin rope around the flywheel. Now, pull the rope off the flywheel, and the mower will start.
In this article, we will learn how to start a lawn mower without its pull cord. We will also learn the answers to other interesting related topics such as what causes a pull cord to lock up and which mowers don't need a pull cord. Keep reading to learn more!
How To Start A Lawn Mower Without The Pull Cord
Most lawn mowers get their power from combustion engines. While a combustion engine can deliver a lot of energy quickly, it does have the drawback of requiring a lot of force to get it started.
The primary method to start a lawn mower engine is a pull cord. A pull cord is just a thin rope that wraps around a flywheel connected to the engine. When you pull the cord, it starts the combustion engine.
Since the pull cord on a mower endures repeated high stress from being pulled regularly, it will eventually wear down and break. Once the pull cord breaks, you won't be able to start the engine without finding a way to turn the flywheel.
The best way to turn the flywheel without the pull cord is to wrap a rope around it and pull. To wrap a rope around the flywheel, you must first remove the plastic guard covering it.
The plastic guard covering the flywheel is held in place with two to four screws depending on which mower you have. Once all the screws on the plastic guard are removed, you can lift it off and see the flywheel.
The flywheel will have a raised metal ring in its center, called the flywheel nut. The flywheel nut is the part of the flywheel you will want to wrap your rope around.
Wrap your rope around the flywheel nut, leaving enough rope unwrapped so you can pull it. Next, pull the rope off the flywheel fast enough to start the engine.
You will notice that the rope comes off the flywheel once the mower is started. The rope comes off because it isn't attached to the pull cord starter which automatically retracts the cord after starting. Be sure to store the new start cord where you won't lose it so you can quickly start your mower when you need to.
What Causes A Lawn Mower Pull Cord To Lock Up?
One of the most likely causes of your mower's pull cord locking up is a hydraulic lock. A hydraulic lock is when oil floods the cylinders in your mower's engine and makes pulling the cord and turning over the engine nearly impossible.
One of the most common causes of hydraulic lock is tilting the mower while it's on. Sometimes, your mower may suffer from a hydraulic lock while mowing a steep hill.
Whatever the cause for your mower's hydraulic lock, you need a way to remedy the issue quickly. To fix the hydraulic lock, you will need to release the pressure built up in the cylinders.
To release the pressure in the cylinders, remove the spark plug from your mower. Next, pull the mower's cord, and the excess oil in the cylinders will be forced out.
Once the cylinders have been drained, you will be able to pull the cord again. It may take a few pulls to ensure enough oil is drained to start the engine.
What Mowers Don't Need A Pull Cord?
While most mowers need a pull cord, there are some types of mowers that don't. The two main mowers that don't require a pull cord are electric start mowers and electric mowers. Let's look at each type of mower and see its advantages and disadvantages.
Electric Start Mowers
Electric start mowers use a battery to turn the starter for your engine, allowing you to turn it on with just the press of a button. Not only is turning on an electric start mower easy but you also don't have to worry about the cord breaking and not being able to start it.
There are also a few disadvantages associated with electric start mowers, primarily that the battery for the starter will occasionally need to be replaced.
Also, since self-starter mowers are more complex to build, they cost more. You can expect to spend twenty to thirty percent more for an electric start mower over a standard mower of the same size.
Electric Mowers
Electric mowers are similar to electric start mowers in that they are both started with the press of a button. The key difference between electric mowers and electric start mowers is their power source. While electric start mowers use a battery to start the engine, electric mowers use a battery to start and power the engine.
Not only are electric mowers easy to start but they are also quieter. While a typical gas mower may run at 90 decibels, an electric mower will run at 70. The softer sound of electric mowers makes them safer for your hearing than gas mowers.
Also, electric mowers don't require gasoline which can cost a lot and has hazardous fumes.
While there are some significant advantages to using an electric mower, there are disadvantages. One of the main drawbacks to electric mowers is charging the battery.
While the battery in an electric mower may have enough power to mow your front and back lawn, you will have to wait for the battery to charge if you have a particularly large yard or need to mow multiple yards.
Some electric mowers try to get around this by having a power cord, but then you have the drawback of needing to drag a power cord around your yard.
Should I Get A Mower With Or Without A Pull Cord?
Now that we know the advantages and disadvantages of different mowers without a pull cord, we can answer whether you should get a mower with or without a pull cord.
One indicator that you may be best with a mower without a pull cord is if you find it challenging to start the mower with the cord. If you aren't physically capable of starting your mower with the pull cord, it may be time to upgrade to a mower without one.
If you have a smaller yard, then an electric mower may be an excellent choice for you. It is easy to start, and you won't have to worry about filling it with gas.
There are situations where an electric mower may not be powerful enough for your yard, but this doesn't mean you have to get a regular mower. If you need the power of a gas mower but still have a difficult time starting a mower with a pull cord, try an electric start mower.
Electric start mowers are great for when you need the power of a gas mower but need an easier way to start it. If you need help starting your mower with a pull cord, then it would be best to choose one of these two mowers without a pull cord.
There are still situations where a mower without a pull cord may not be the right choice. Professional yard maintenance is one of the best examples of a place where a mower without a pull cord may not be the right choice.
When a landscaping crew performs professional yard maintenance, they often mow several lawns during the day. If you need to charge your mower's battery between yards, it will significantly reduce how much you can earn in a day.
Now it may seem that the solution is an electric start mower that runs on gas, but this isn't ideal for professional yard maintenance either. Electric start mowers aren't suitable for professional yard maintenance because they are more expensive to buy and repair than standard mowers.
While being able to start your mower easily is convenient, the additional maintenance costs for repairing the extra parts on an electric start mower outweigh the advantages. There is also the fact that most people who work on a professional yard maintenance crew have the strength to start a pull start mower quickly.
As you can see, if you only mow your residence and find starting a mower with a cord difficult, then a mower without a cord is best for you. And if you are running a landscaping business, it would be most economical to purchase mowers with a pull cord.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we learned how to start a mower without the pull cord by manually using its flywheel. We also learned how a hydraulic lock can cause your pull cord to lock up. Remember, keep your mower as level as possible to prevent hydraulic lock.
We hope you enjoyed this article. If you want to learn more, check out some of these other posts:
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