[bamamaiden]

I tried to start my mower today and after a couple of pulls on the rope it locked up. I can not pull the rope nor can I turn the blade. Can someone help? Thanks

[thebriggsdude]

Sounds like the rope, jumped the pulley and jammed it. How old is it? Older ones used a starter clutch, newer ones use a starter bowl, activated by ( starter dogs) that catch and turn it over, when released let go. Either way, the shroud has to come off, you may be able to pop it back in with a flat head.

[bamamaiden]

I hate to admit this , I don't know much about it. A friend gave it to me about 5 years ago. It was used then but not real old. All I know for sure is that it is a B&S 3.5 classic motor on a murray push mower. It doe,s have a primmer bulb on it. Thank you so much for the reply.

[thebriggsdude]

Have the same type myself, very reliable little thing... well for sure, your going to have to have someone take the shroud off, (its what the rope goes into) should be 4 bolts. Then check the recoil pulley, sometimes the rope can jump off and jam it, and well the rope won't go in, or come out, since these have flywheel brakes, the blade won't move, it will with a lot... of resistance, for safety issues... if the lever on the handle is not depressed, or course here in lies another thing that can go wrong, the cable that takes the brake off the flywheel, if it breaks. The rope won't come out but so far on newer ones with starter bowls... it won't at all with the older clutch. Which acts like a ratchet, but only goes one way, and that's inwards, it engages when you pull on the rope... if your not comfortable with it, have a friend do it, or a small engine shop. Oh and another thing... if you are able to spin the blade, with the handle lever pressed down, that would be working, but do remove the spark plug wire, on the classics they are not shielded with rubber, so keep it away from the plug.