You do not need to keep on adjusting your handlebars.
Sometimes, it feels like your handlebar is always loose. You tighten them, but they come loose again.
I have serviced my commercial mowers monthly for years, and I have found the four most likely causes, and I have listed them here from the most common to the least.
The main four reasons for loose handlebars are
- The handle tightening knobs are worn.
- The handle has a hairline crack.
- Missing or loose bolts where the handle meets the mower.
- There is a crack in the mower’s body.
Some of these issues are easily fixed, and some of them require more work. There is one trick that I worked out and used on my mowers with great success but I will talk more about that later on.
The handle locks are worn.
Most lawnmower handles come in two pieces. This is a feature for easy transport and storage of your mower. This comes in handy if you want to take your mower somewhere, but it has a downside. It creates a weak point in the frame. The join is constantly under pressure, and it creates a weak point in the Handel, putting a strain on the fittings.
There are generally two types of handle locks that you come across.
A Cam Lock Lever
I personally don’t like these fittings. Once they start slipping, it is the beginning of the end. You are supposed to be able to tighten them when they begin to move, but I have found that the tighter you go the harder it is to click them into the lock position.
These fittings are usually found on cheaper or battery-powered mowers, although Masport is still using them on their machines. If you have an issue with these fittings, you will need to replace them. You can find them in the big box stores or get them directly from Morrison.
A Cam-lock lever, as seen here
Handle tightening knob
These are the standard bolt and knob fixtures that you find on most mowers. You can get these in a few different shapes
- Triangle
- T bolt
- Star
These are far easier to use and to fix if they start coming loose.
I have used all of these on different machines and there is not a lot of difference in the way they work. I have had a point break off the triangle knobs on occasion. This is annoying but does not affect the functionality of the tighter. However, it’s enough to make me prefer star-tightening knobs if I can get them.
If they are constantly coming loose, the easiest fix I have come up with is by using a spring washer and placing it between the handle and the knob. Nine times out of then that will solve your problem.
If they do need replacing, you can get Universal handlebar tighteners. They fit most mowers and save you paying top dollar for the genuine part.
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A couple of quick fixes.
If you just want to get out and finish a lawn, then here are a few quick options.
A bolt and nut – I have replaced the handlebar fixture with a standard bolt and nut. This is never a good long-term fix, as you will always need a spanner to drop your handlebars in the future. I would also recommend using a spring washer as well. This will keep the nut tighter.
A pipe clamp – This is the same kind of fitting you would use on a hose. If you have a couple of these lying around, then they may solve the problem. I have used this before, but it is not a permanent fix. It will last you a few mows while you sort out the correct part.
A couple of warnings.
Throttle cable – When playing around with your handlebars, watch out for the throttle cable. It is easy to catch when tightening up your handle fittings. If you accidentally catch the throttle cable and kink in it, then it will no longer work.
Tightening knob – A couple of things to watch out for. Don’t cross thread, and don’t over-tighten.
Hairline cracks in the handlebars.
Hairline cracks usually appear at the stress points on the handle. The easiest way to spot them is to apply downward pressure to the handlebars. Can you feel any movement in the handle? If so, you should be able to find the crack by pushing down and looking at the stress points. If you can feel movement but cannot see the crack, try getting someone else to push down on the handle while you examine them.
A hairline crack is not as uncommon as you would think. I have had this happen quite a few times over the years.
There are a few ways to fix this problem.
- Welding – This is usually the first thought that people have, although it is sometimes easier said than done. Some handlebars are made out of very thin metal and are not easily weldable. You usually get this issue with the cheaper mowers. If you have a commercial mower, then welding may be an option for you.
- Glue – This will probably be the easiest option. Do make sure that you use a metal glue. I have added a link to a glue that will do this job, but if you don’t want to wait, then your local hardware should have something similar. Make sure that you clean the surface before gluing, and give it a bit of time to set.
- Replace – Sometimes, the Handel is so far gone that you may need to replace it. This is quite uncommon, and the last time I had to replace a handlebar was when one of my guys lost the mower off the back of a trailer while traveling. He forgot to secure the mower. The handle looked ok, but it was bent and unusable.
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Missing, loose, or damaged bolts where the handle meets the mower.
Check where the bolts attach to the mower body. Are any of them damaged, loose, or missing?
If so, then they will need replacing.
Sometimes, some of the nuts are inside the grass chute. If so, they could be caked in grass and a bit hard to find. Another thing you may need to watch out for is that sometimes there are no nuts on the other end of the mower handle bolts. There may be a small flat steel fitting that sits inside the mower body and has the thread for the bolts built-in. This may drop out when you unscrew the bolts, so it would pay to work on concrete so you can find them easily if they drop.
If you cannot find anything wrong with the bolts, then it may be the bottom of the handlebar where it meets the mower. They are typically half-round in a tight half-circle. If the circle widens, then you will get play. Take the handle off and use a hammer to knock the edges so the curve is tighter, and that may solve your problem. If you are not sure how to do this, there is a video of this below.
There is a crack in the mower’s body.
Check the area where the handlebars meet the mower. If the bolts are correct and there is still play then you may have a crack in the body. I have had this happen before, but I have left it to last because it is not shared. If this is the issue then welding may be your only option. I have never had good results with glue doing this job.
It is possible to make a small steel plate and bolt it to the mower body to reduce the play, but this can be pretty time-consuming to build, and it doesn’t always work.
A final reminder.
If you do end up going to the shop for parts, then remember to take a photo first.
This will help a great deal when explaining the problem and getting the correct part.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How Steep Can You Mow With A Push Lawn Mower?
Can You Store A Lawnmower Vertically?
Do lawn mower blades need to be timed?
How do you Service a Lawn Mower?
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