8 Best Toro Lawn Mower Pull Cord Replacements 2025

This recoil starter assembly is an impressive all-around solution for a snapped or failing pull cord on your Toro mower. It’s engineered with premium, durable materials designed to exceed OEM standards, ensuring a reliable start every time for a wide range of Kohler XT series engines from the 149cc XT650 to the 173cc XT800. For anyone tired of struggling with a worn-out starter, this unit provides a swift and effective fix that gets you back to mowing in minutes.

In real-world testing, the installation is remarkably straightforward, often taking less than five minutes with just three screws to remove and replace. The retractable spring mechanism feels robust and responsive, providing a smooth, consistent pull without the binding or hesitation common in older units. Whether you’re starting a cold engine on a Toro Recycler 22 or a compatible pressure washer, the performance is consistent, demonstrating its ability to handle the torque required for 6.5 to 8.0 HP engines without issue.

When compared to more specialized options, this assembly strikes an excellent balance of quality and broad compatibility. While the TXRXIZ starter (B0D7RTVYMR) offers a lightweight plastic design, this model’s more premium construction instills greater confidence for long-term durability. For users seeking a dependable, no-fuss replacement for their Toro lawn mower pull cord that works flawlessly across numerous Kohler engines, this assembly presents a superior overall value.

Delivering an exceptional blend of performance and affordability, this recoil starter assembly is a smart choice for value-conscious DIYers. It’s designed to meet or exceed original equipment manufacturer standards, ensuring a perfect fit for popular Kohler engines like the XT675 and XT800. The standout feature is its claimed three-year service life, offering peace of mind and longevity without the premium price tag.

During our evaluation, the unit proved to be a direct-fit replacement, seamlessly integrating with a Toro Recycler mower powered by a 173cc Kohler engine. The pull action is smooth, and the recoil spring engages crisply, making engine starts feel effortless. This assembly is an ideal solution when you need to replace a Toro lawn mower pull cord without overspending, providing reliable function for both 149cc and 173cc engine displacements.

Compared to our “Best Overall” pick (B07SZ4TV1D), this model offers a nearly identical fit and function but at a more accessible price point. The trade-off might be in the ultimate durability of internal components, but for most homeowners, the difference is negligible. If you prioritize long-term value and solid performance over brand prestige, this recoil starter is arguably the most economical and sensible replacement available.

For those seeking a no-frills, budget-friendly fix, the WOTIAN recoil starter gets the job done without straining your wallet. Its main draw is the inclusion of an extra pull cord and handle, providing spare parts for future repairs—a thoughtful touch for a low-cost item. The assembly is specifically designed for a wide array of Kohler XT series engines, making it a versatile choice for many common Toro, Husqvarna, and Lawnboy mowers.

Performance-wise, the installation is simple, aligning correctly with the mounting holes on a Kohler XT675 engine. The iron housing, with a diameter of 6.73 inches, feels adequately sturdy for typical residential use. While the recoil action isn’t as buttery smooth as premium alternatives, it is perfectly functional and reliably starts the engine, which is the ultimate goal for any replacement part.

Positioned against the KIKITE starter (B0D2CM6HPX), the WOTIAN model is a more economical package, especially with the included extras. While the KIKITE may offer a slightly more robust build, this WOTIAN assembly provides unbeatable utility for its price, making it the ideal choice for a quick, inexpensive repair to get your mower running again.

Engineered for durability, the KIKITE recoil starter is a remarkably well-built replacement for your worn-out pull start assembly. Its sturdy construction immediately sets it apart, promising enhanced longevity for Kohler XT series engines found in many Toro, MTD, and Lawnboy mowers. The inclusion of an extra pull cord and handle adds practical value, ensuring you have backup components on hand for this critical lawn mower repair part.

In practice, the unit’s dimensions—a 6.73-inch housing diameter and 6.85-inch adjacent mounting hole distance—ensure a precise, factory-like fit. The recoil mechanism feels solid and dependable, providing a confident and crisp engine start without any slack or slippage. This assembly is built to withstand the repetitive stress of starting 149cc to 173cc engines, making it a great option for those who prioritize a quality build.

While the WOTIAN starter (B0C5RD5J61) offers a similar package at a slightly lower cost, the KIKITE feels more substantial and robust in hand. This difference in perceived quality makes it a better investment for users who want to “fix it and forget it.” For a replacement part that balances an affordable cost with a clear emphasis on durable construction, the KIKITE assembly is an excellent choice.

This WOTIAN recoil starter is a crucial replacement part specifically for Briggs & Stratton engines, setting it apart from the Kohler-compatible models. It’s engineered as a direct replacement for part numbers 497680 and 498144, fitting a massive range of Quantum and L-head engines, including the popular 190cc 725EX. If your Toro, Craftsman, or Troy-Bilt mower has a Briggs & Stratton engine, this is the targeted solution you need.

Installation is made easier with the inclusion of four mounting bolts, a detail often overlooked by competitors. The pull action is smooth, and the recoil spring assembly is designed to handle the demands of 12 CID vertical shaft engines, ensuring a reliable start for your walk-behind mower. It is critical, however, for buyers to double-check their engine model, as this part is not cross-compatible with Kohler engines.

Unlike the other starters on this list that focus on the Kohler XT series, this assembly solves the pull cord problem for an entirely different ecosystem of mowers. The Dalom starter (B08BCMVW3P) is useless for a Briggs & Stratton owner, and likewise, this WOTIAN 497680 is the wrong part for a Kohler XT675. For anyone needing to replace a pull cord on a Briggs-powered Toro, this assembly offers the specific fitment and reliable performance required.

The TXRXIZ recoil starter distinguishes itself with a lightweight yet durable design, making it an excellent choice for a quick and easy repair. Constructed from premium, anti-corrosion plastic, it effectively resists rust and moisture—a common failure point for metal housings in damp climates. The flexible nylon pull rope and large, non-slip handle further enhance its usability, providing a comfortable and secure grip with every pull.

This assembly is a direct, no-fuss replacement for Kohler XT series engines, fitting everything from the XT650 to the XT800. In testing, it mounted perfectly on a Toro Recycler 22, and the engine fired up on the first attempt. The plastic construction doesn’t compromise function; the recoil is snappy, and the unit feels surprisingly robust despite its light weight, proving that modern polymers are more than capable for this application.

When compared to a model with steel plate paws like the Dalom starter (B08BCMVW3P), the TXRXIZ offers superior corrosion resistance at the potential trade-off of long-term impact durability. However, for most homeowners, the resistance to rust is a more practical benefit. This assembly is the perfect solution for someone needing to replace their Toro lawn mower pull cord with a modern, lightweight, and weather-resistant part.

This MEEIHUI recoil starter is an excellent replacement part specifically engineered to combat the elements with its superior corrosion-resistant properties. It’s a common issue for metal starter housings to rust and seize over time, and this assembly directly addresses that pain point, ensuring a longer functional life in humid or wet conditions. The unit is a direct-fit replacement for part number 14 165 20-S, compatible with a wide range of Kohler XT series engines.

Upon installation, the fit and finish are impressive for its price point, aligning perfectly on a Toro mower with a 149cc Kohler engine. The pull mechanism operates smoothly, and the recoil is strong, providing the necessary power to turn over engines from 6.5 to 8.0 HP. This focus on weather-resistant materials makes it an ideal choice for mowers that are stored in sheds or garages where moisture can be a factor.

While the KIKITE starter (B0D2CM6HPX) focuses on a heavy-duty build, the MEEIHUI model prioritizes longevity through resistance to environmental wear. For users in coastal or high-humidity areas, this offers a more practical form of durability. If your last pull cord assembly failed due to rust, this corrosion-resistant starter is the smartest replacement to prevent the same issue from happening again.