[grandpajay]

Anybody else have this issue? Possible solutions? I have it lubed but somehow moisture is finding it's way to spot that doesn't get warm. I can warm up the shed to get it to work when starting, but during a snowblowing session it freezes again. Kinda irritating. I also need a steering wheel warmer like the grip warmers on my atv. I know...cab... Jay

 

[knottyrope]

which machine is having the issue?

is it the governor or the speed control lever

 

[threeeighteen]

Jay--I had the very same problem on a Super Cub I had 3 years ago. The throttle cable would freeze up. For the first half hour of plowing I would have to do it at little more than idle, then it would finally free up. What a pain! I was too cold and I was too disgusted to fix it, which would have entailed taking the thing off, and greasing it all up. Bought that tractor so I would have plenty of power to push snow and then that happens. I should have kept my LX176. It worked fantastic.

 

[grandpajay]

Knottyrope-It's on my 400. It's the speed control wire. Last night, after snowblowing, I went to throttle down and (with the cable-actually wire) pushed the cable sheath out of it's crimped-on holder at the lever end. So I need to take off the lever assembly to restore that end. I was just looking online and I see there is a shrink tube cover that may be a possibility. It must freeze under the battery somewhere and it wasn't that far below zero last night.

Also, any tricks to removing the orange plastic lever handle besides a heat gun? Jay

 

[sreynolds]

Same thing. I grit my teeth and just go for it. I have been all over this thing; head to toe and there is nothing left to fix. You'd think it would be more reliable, but it ain't.

Try electrical tape...... I guess.

 

[knottyrope]

maybe you could cover it in dipit rubber aka tool handle rubber paint stuff

 

[bob_wallner]

I took the one cable end out far enough so I could get the droop out of it. Then I soaked it with PB Blaster penetrating oil (with the straw) until the juice ran out the bottom end. Once free I put some spray lithium on both ends. It has stayed free since for me.

 

[ron_white]

I have heard of slipping the cable inside of a rubber hose such as a windshield washer or vacuum hose and filling with oil then clamping with cable ties.

 

[threeeighteen]

My problem, I am assuming, was moisture inside the throttle cable housing--likely from having power washed things. Sometimes you just have to power wash a tractor, but I am of the opinion that it is the worst thing you can do to equipment. Water can get into places it was never supposed to. I am assuming you have water inside the cable housing. You might get lucky if you blast it good with WD-40. WD-40 is supposed to displace moisture. If not, you will have to disassemble the cable and work on it.

As far as your question about removing the throttle lever handle, I'd say forget it. You will only break the brittle plastic. Just read about this same question on an old forum archives thread. The answer was to unbolt the lever's pivot bolt to remove the lever and cable from the tractor with the plastic handle left intact. Hope this helps you!

 

[mikeduwe]

Yup, I have broke 2 cables on my 420 over the last 3 years. Run it at full speed while blowing then when I drive it in the shop I try to idle down and it just bends the cable and eventually its unusable or breaks.

I'm using a John Deere 430 cable, and I believe it has seals on the ends.

 

[ab318]

When I did the repower of 318, I replace the throttle cable with few rods, bushings, and miniature ball joints...

Temporary setup during the fabrication process:

Complete linkage assembly, view from the right, ready for the installation:

Rear view to see the transition from the push/pull movement into rotation to match the original Honda throttle:

For the choke, I made a good improvement but it's not perfect then I'm looking carefully at your idea.
Thanks to share your solution!
Andre

 

[grandpajay]

A solution is at hand and thank you all for your advice!

Poking around the local motorcycle/snowmobile/atv supplier, I found a replacement generic motorcycle throttle cable for $2.75. It has an exterior sheath and an interior plastic liner. My thought was pull out the cable and re-use the JD wire.

The throttle lever holder needed to be modified to work with the screw type end on the new cable but a TIG is a beautiful machine to weld tiny stuff. It may be a little overboard (though didn't take much) was to make some little felt buttons (heat shrink in place) to help seal the ends. They are soaked in the cable lube. All is smooth and should be able to handle the moisture.

 

[neil]

My 430's cable was frozen today. After opening the front window on the cab and lifting the hood, I noticed that I could reach under the side panel and get me hand on the cable. I gave it a wiggle, heard the sound of ice breaking, and sure enough, I could now move my throttle. I still put a bit of Wd40 where I could but now that I know I can break the bond by wiggling the cable, I'm golden.
Cheers,
Neil.

 

[2popper]

Jay,
Great idea using the felt and the heat shrink. Keeps the dirt and water out.

 

[mikeduwe]

Going to give this a whirl:

http://www.scootertherapy.com/clubepage.html

Got the luber, just need to pick up some teflon spray.



Heat shrink would be a good idea as well.

 

[jdmaninlouky]

Mike -

While reading through this post , I was actually trying to remember just who has my little cable luber as shown in the link above . I bought the exact same one back in around 1985 for when I was into dirt bike racing . It is a great tool that amazes most people I help with it . Something so critical as brake and throttle cables should never be taken for granted .

Last I remember using it was at my daughters house flushing the grandkids 4 wheeler cables , so I guess I left it over there

Dave

 

[mikeduwe]

Used the luber and shot the cable full of teflon spray.

Time will tell if it will prevent freezing.

 

[oldeere318]

I wonder if heat shrink for wiring...on the end of the cable would help keep the water out....

 

[mikeduwe]

The 430 cable I have on my 420 repower has rubber seals on both ends, but they are not 100% sealed.

 

[klt88yj]

The same thing happened to my 400 today. I went out to push snow and upon trying to start it, I noticed that neither one of my cables would move (choke or throttle). I was finally able to get the throttle freed up (more or less luck), however i wasnt soo lucky with the choke. I had to manually push back on the lever at the carb, which i didnt care to do. Once i got it started I was hoping the engine heat would free it...but it never did. I tried to pull it out again..but I didnt want to stress it and break it. This is the first that my 400 has done this...im attributing it to the extreme cold...at least I hope!