need very clear and detailed diagram of this lawn mower part
www3.sears.com (their diagram in too small)
I have a Sears Eager 1 (model 917-384011)
there is a mechanism on the handle bar on the right that controls the blade. Press the knob down toward the engine after the engine is turned on and the blade starts turning. There are multiple springs in that mechanism. One has come loose from where it belongs. I can not figure out how where it belongs. I am looking for a clear and detailed diagram of this blade control mechanism or maybe even someone who has been inside that part.
From their site it seems to be called "blade brake control."
I have a Sears Eager 1 (model 917-384011)
there is a mechanism on the handle bar on the right that controls the blade. Press the knob down toward the engine after the engine is turned on and the blade starts turning. There are multiple springs in that mechanism. One has come loose from where it belongs. I can not figure out how where it belongs. I am looking for a clear and detailed diagram of this blade control mechanism or maybe even someone who has been inside that part.
From their site it seems to be called "blade brake control."
ASKER
once the engine is turned on by pulling the cord, the blade does not turn. Up on the handle is a mechanism inside a plastic piece. There is a knob sticking out and there is supposed to be tension on it. When you push it down the blade engages and turns. I just changed the blade and there is a tight heavy spring between the blade and the engine, so the tension is pretty strong. On the handle, when this knob is pushed down, this causes the small cable to pull on a piece under the deck which makes the blade turn. If I had to, I might be able to find a way to lock this cable in place with enough tension to turn the blade. I can pull on this cable now with pliers and the blade will turn.
When you are ready to stop mowing you release the long handle that runs across the top of the main handle. This part and the way it stops the blade is also part of this plastic mechanism, because when you release the large handle, the blade stops turning so something is released inside. I opened it up and I see at least 3 springs, maybe 4. One is obviously out of place and loose.
That diagram on the Sears website does not look like it will show me how the springs fit. But, I can try to copy and save it and enlarge it.
When you are ready to stop mowing you release the long handle that runs across the top of the main handle. This part and the way it stops the blade is also part of this plastic mechanism, because when you release the large handle, the blade stops turning so something is released inside. I opened it up and I see at least 3 springs, maybe 4. One is obviously out of place and loose.
That diagram on the Sears website does not look like it will show me how the springs fit. But, I can try to copy and save it and enlarge it.
ASKER
I saved the diagram, and doubled it and doubled it again. It is just not clear or detailed enough to see what is and what is not a spring or what goes where.
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OH! One of those. : (
I will see if there is still one in the scrap pile I can look at.
I will see if there is still one in the scrap pile I can look at.
Sorry, it's gone. There was an older model out there, with a broken cable, that someone had tied "open" the "piece under the deck" with a piece of rope.
I will try to get a better look at it in the light, and see if taking the spring off the bottom section will make things easier.
A mower mech buddy of mine said: Good Luck. You will probably need to get a new part (or used), or rig a work-around.
I will try to get a better look at it in the light, and see if taking the spring off the bottom section will make things easier.
A mower mech buddy of mine said: Good Luck. You will probably need to get a new part (or used), or rig a work-around.
ASKER
I had to release my spring under the deck to change the engine. I thought this caused the cable to get off it's track inside that piece on the handle, but it did not. The piece that is up when the engine running and has tension on it, and then you push it down to engage the turning of the blade, well, that piece on mine is just moving freely with no tension. Unless some other plastic part inside that mechanism broke. There is one spring in there that is doing nothng and goes somewhere.
I understand. But without something to look at, I have no idea where it might go.
Have you double checked that the problem is not the parts next to the engine?
Have you double checked that the problem is not the parts next to the engine?
ASKER
no, I can pull on the cable with pliers, up near the handle and the engine begins turning.
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should be "sitting slighty differently"
ASKER
I had a chance to look at it closer. It looks like the cable needs adjusting. The new deck is a Sears but it was not like the one I had except that the engine fit and it was shaped so that there was room for the exhaust. There were no holes in the deck for the cable or for a spring that attatches near the front of the deck underneath. I drilled my own holes. On my mower there was a metal clamp bolted to the top of the deck real close to the engine. I have not been able to replace that clamp because to get it off the other one I had to break it. The issue I thought I had inside the lever mechanism on the handle was that the lever just moved forward and backward with zero tension. I found a place where the loose spring appears to go. My mower also has a separate bar at the top of the handle and while mowing you have to hold that down or the blade stops turning. So, I will get a new clamp today, two if needed. I do not know what I did but the lever finally has minor tension. It is supposed to be hard to push forward because it is works the clutch. There was too much slack in the cable underneath the mower. It takes a strong pull on pliers to get that blade turning. That is why it may take more than one clamp. Another option would be to drill another hole further from the underneath end of the cable. I should have it finished in the next day or two and report back. It looks weird having to be in the 4 or 5 wheel height position to have the blade at the right height to cut grass. There is a space of maybe 3-4 inches from the ground level to the bottom of the deck. Looks strange.
>> I found a place where the loose spring appears to go << That's good to hear. : )
For adjusting the cable, try it with the Lever in the disengaged position, and pull the Sheath away from the Clutch until the Cable is starting to just pull on the Clutch. This should put you close to where the bottom anchor should be. Try holding the Sheath with one hand while moving the Lever to Engage the Blade. It might take a little tinkering with it to get the correct spot, then you can lock it down.
For adjusting the cable, try it with the Lever in the disengaged position, and pull the Sheath away from the Clutch until the Cable is starting to just pull on the Clutch. This should put you close to where the bottom anchor should be. Try holding the Sheath with one hand while moving the Lever to Engage the Blade. It might take a little tinkering with it to get the correct spot, then you can lock it down.
Thank you much. : )
Happy mowing. : )
Happy mowing. : )
The diagram is <insert dirty word>.
Have you tried copying/saving it, and open it in another viewer program?
Is the spring on the handle section or down by the engine?
I will be glad to try and help figure this out, but if it is in the handle section, the place it hooks to might be broken.
From what you describe, it sound like this is part of the PTO (power take-off). Is it "not" doing anything that it "was" doing before it came loose? You might be able to live without it. I'm very fond of disabling "saftey" devices on my equipment. But then, I'm a Pro. ; )