petrol lawnmower

[jackie08]

Hi ive just had my power devil lawnmower serviced and it is working perfectly (when i can get it started lol). I have a problem with the cord..... it is too long. Is it possible to shorten it?

[Clanad]

How dexterious are you with a few simple tools? I expect (I live in the U.S.) that your starter is the recoil type... that is, it winds itself up (not unlike alot of people on this site) after each use.
The recoil mechanism is simple but if not taken apart carefully reacts much like one of our 4th of July fireworks... and you'll be picking up pieces all over the place and trying to reassemble them. The coil spring is the most troublesome part. Once you get it apart, you'll generally find the rope is simply threaded into a retainer of some kind. You can easily cut the rope and rethread it. If you've been ubercarefull you can then reassemble the whole shebang (no pun intended)
Loads of luck!

[jackie08]

Hi Clanad thankyou for answering.
My problem is not that the cord is broken, but it is too long and i dont have enough strength to pull it out far enough to make the engine start. i was wondering if i can just cut off some of the cord to make it shorter.

[Clanad]

Sure... pull it all the way out and mesure how far is comfortable for you. cut the end off at that point and refit it into the handle. Probably a knot will do. You may wish to assure the handle isn't molded onto the cord though...

[Panic Button]

Personally I wouldn't cut it, in case you regret it later. I would slide the handle along the cord a bit and put a knot in it.

Alternatively I would buy a small rubber ring (dog toy) and tie it in the position I wanted and use that as the handle.

[Clanad]

You know, Panic Button... that's an excellent suggestion, sorry I din't think of it...

[jackie08]

Thankyou for your suggestions.
I will try your suggestion Panic Button :)

[buildersmate]

A fine solution indeed - can't be faulted.
But it's the problem definition that I find bizarre.
If the engine is going to start on pulling the cord, it starts. One doesn't HAVE to pull it right out - the engine starts when it has been turned over adequately.
So shortening the cord may have the effect of reducing the number of engine rotations per pull, but I don't see how THAT impacts whether or not the engine starts from a shorter pull.

[Panic Button]

Buildersmate is absolutely right.

[jackie08]

Hi buildersmate the person who repaired my mower brought it back to me and showed me how best to start it up, and when he pulled the cord it started for him, but when i tried to start it myself i couldnt turn the engine enough to make it start. I dont think i have enough arm power ...lol

[AB Editor]

Just in case you wanted to pick up a new Lawn-mower: http://www.gardenlines.co.uk/lawn-mowers

I've used them before - the do free next day delivery to mainland UK.