- Joined
- Dec 18, 2019
- Messages
- 7,501
It's actually more complicated than that. Actually its a paddle/lever that controls the drive to the wheels. I suspect I broke it because it got caught on a low hanging branch of my apple tree. When you push down on the paddle the mower goes forward. When you let go the spring makes the paddle go upwards. I had let go of the paddle and was pulling the mower back. Loud crack, then some pain as the plastic lightly stabbed my hand. Bled a little. Couldn't find the missing piece of the handle. Put on a glove on one hand and finished the lawn. As I was emptying the bag, I saw the broken piece, and it was intact, save for the break. That was lucky, in a way.
Hmm, well lets try to look this part up. It's a Honda, so I found a place online that sells parts and attempted to find it. Honda has some odd conventions for their part numbers. If I enter exactly whats on the name plate, really a sticker, the part locator finds nothing. So I picked some lawn mower part number that seemed to have the most common intersection of the official number and what I had on the mower itself. Gee guys, why make this hard?
Of course, I didn't know what this thingy was called. Eventually located the handle area and found a little blurry picture of some piece resembling what I had. Official name is "Grip, Clutch (Upper)" 54443-VH7-L00. The place where I bought the mower in turn was bought out by a different company and the moved their facility further away. I filled out an online part request thinking I'd have to call them tomorrow. Surprisingly, while I was out in the garage, removing the handle assembly, someone called me. Said he didn't have it in stock, but it was in stock at a nearby store. Said he would have it transferred to the local store and would give me a call when it arrived. Since the part was under $9, I readily agreed. I can assure you it would take a whole lot of tries to duplicate this part and I'd spend a whole lot more time than $9 worth.
That sharp long point stabbed me at the base of my thumb. The break was quite clean, there's only two pieces and they fit together perfectly. I will glue it together to have as a spare, although I don't know how long it would last. Epoxy maybe?
When I get the replacement piece, I'll show the assembly. It's put together right now so I will remember how it goes, the black piece under the orange is spring loaded, and engages with the clutch assembly in the handle, which is still on the mower. It's kind of interesting, so I'll photograph it when I get the part.
Strangely, after mowing, when I turned around to face the house, I momentarily saw a racoon go up the steps and then dive between the granite steps and the porch. Mid day - thought that was odd. There's also a burrow under the lattice work surrounding the farmers porch. Probably going to have to deal with that rascal a little later.
Hmm, well lets try to look this part up. It's a Honda, so I found a place online that sells parts and attempted to find it. Honda has some odd conventions for their part numbers. If I enter exactly whats on the name plate, really a sticker, the part locator finds nothing. So I picked some lawn mower part number that seemed to have the most common intersection of the official number and what I had on the mower itself. Gee guys, why make this hard?
Of course, I didn't know what this thingy was called. Eventually located the handle area and found a little blurry picture of some piece resembling what I had. Official name is "Grip, Clutch (Upper)" 54443-VH7-L00. The place where I bought the mower in turn was bought out by a different company and the moved their facility further away. I filled out an online part request thinking I'd have to call them tomorrow. Surprisingly, while I was out in the garage, removing the handle assembly, someone called me. Said he didn't have it in stock, but it was in stock at a nearby store. Said he would have it transferred to the local store and would give me a call when it arrived. Since the part was under $9, I readily agreed. I can assure you it would take a whole lot of tries to duplicate this part and I'd spend a whole lot more time than $9 worth.
That sharp long point stabbed me at the base of my thumb. The break was quite clean, there's only two pieces and they fit together perfectly. I will glue it together to have as a spare, although I don't know how long it would last. Epoxy maybe?
When I get the replacement piece, I'll show the assembly. It's put together right now so I will remember how it goes, the black piece under the orange is spring loaded, and engages with the clutch assembly in the handle, which is still on the mower. It's kind of interesting, so I'll photograph it when I get the part.
Strangely, after mowing, when I turned around to face the house, I momentarily saw a racoon go up the steps and then dive between the granite steps and the porch. Mid day - thought that was odd. There's also a burrow under the lattice work surrounding the farmers porch. Probably going to have to deal with that rascal a little later.
