How do you change pull cord on john deere js20 push mower?

Answer 1

Without having specific instructions, I simply made the decision to change the pull cord on my JOHN DEERe JS63 mower. The concept is the same for all brands of mowers even though the covers and parts are different.

First, purchase eleven feet of puller cord. Any brand of cord will work. This is much more than you will need, but at only 20 cents per foot, it makes the job much easier.

I removed two screws and lifted the plastic cover. Next I removed four screws from the top and one from the lower side and removed another plastic cover. There was also a bolt that held the oil fill tube that also needed removed. Next, remove the screws that hold the recoil assembly to the top of the engine.

With the assembly removed, turn it over and remove the bolt. Remove the parts, being careful not to let the spring fall out. Look closely at everything because parts will fall out and will need to be put back in place.

Remove the old cord, install the new cord and tie a knot in the end to hold it in place. Wind as much cord as your can around the pulley. This extra cord will be used later to supply the proper tension.

Carefully place the pulley back into its housing, being careful to align the hook in the spring to a clip in the housing. Make sure that parts which are supposed to operate freely are able to do so. Re-thread the remaining cord through the housings and reinstall everything in the opposite way that you removed them.

After everything is assembled, gently pull a couple of feet of cord out of the mower. You may have to pull a couple of times. This becomes the return cord tension. Thread the cord through the handle and tie a knot such that that tension and handle resting location are in unison. Cut off the excess cord.

You can now start your mower and you will have saved $50 by doing it yourself.

Good Luck! ED from central Ohio. 8/21/2010