Here in Michigan, it is that time of the year where the weather is breaking and the grass is starting to grow again. I went to rearrange the garage and get my Toro TimeCutter SS5000 mower fired up just to have the choke cable snap on me.
You can still get the TimeCutter to start by manually holding the choke open with your hand but in my opinion, this is just a temporary fix. In this guide I will walk you through the steps with photo’s on how to replace Toro’s SS5000 choke cable.
What’s Needed to Replace Toro TimeCutter SS5000 Choke Cable
- 15 mm Wrench for the nut under the control panel
- Adjustable wrench to hold the top of the control panel nut
- Philips screw driver
- New choke cable
How to Remove the Old Toro TimeCutter SS5000 Choke Cable
On the control panel where the key, blade engagement, throttle and choke are located there should be three Philips head screws. Remove these.
Place a 15mm wrench on the bottom choke cable nut which is located on the underside of the control panel.
Use an adjustable wrench to hold the nut on the top and remove the lower nut in a counterclockwise direction.
On the other end of the choke cable, loosen the cable support screw enough to free the choke cable from the bracket.
Once the cable is out of the support bracket you can then remove it from the bracket throttle.
Pull the rest of the choke cable back through the TimeCutters control panel being careful to not lose the locking washer or nut.
How to Install the New Toro TimeCutter SS5000 Choke Cable
To install the new choke cable on the SS5000 mower, you will basically be doing the first step in reverse.
Start out by putting the new choke cable through the hole in the control panel, add the locking washer and then the nut.
Then run the choke cable back through the underside of the frame as it was previously ran. Be careful to not allow the locking washer and nut to fall off.
Insert the choke cable into the bracket, this is done easiest by keeping the cable roughly 90 degrees out and going straight into the hole.
Once connected, tighten the cable support bracket back up to prevent it from falling out. This should just be a snugged screw, don’t over tighten it and crush the cable.
Back on the control panel side, screw the nut on the side of the control panel and hand tighten.
Grab the 15 mm wrench and adjustable wrench and make sure it is snugged up without over tightening.
Finally, place the control panel back down. Line the three screw holes up and insert the screws. This completes the SS5000 Toro TimeCutters choke replacement process in which everything should be back in working order. Good luck!
How to Replace Toro TimeCutter Zero Turn SS5000 Choke Cable
Unfortunately when I pulled my mower out from storage this winter the choke cable snapped on me. Luckily though, this is an easy fix that even a beginner can handle. Just follow this guide on how to replace a Toro's TimeCutter Zero Turn SS5000 Choke Cable.
Materials
- New Choke Cable which can be found here
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LC7HPM4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mybackyardlife-20&linkId=0ab99218e474ef7b20ce22a66f59def8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Tools
- 15 mm Wrench for the nut under the control panel
- Adjustable wrench to hold the top of the control panel nut
- Philips screw driver
Instructions
- On the control panel which is where the key, blade engage, throttle and choke are located there should be 3 screws, remove them.
- With a 15 mm wrench on the bottom and an adjustable wrench on the top, remove the nut and locking washer.
- On the other end of the choke cable, loosen the cable support bracket and remove the choke cable from the throttle assembly. Pull the choke cable out while being careful to not lose the locking washer or nut.
- Repeat this process in reverse with the new choke cable.
- Insert the new choke cable through the control panel, add the locking washer then the nut. Feed the new choke cable down through the underside of the frame as it was previously ran.
- Make the connection at the throttle assembly and snug the cable back up to the support bracket on the motor.
- On the control panel, snug up the choke to the control panel.
- Place the panel back into the Toro, line the three holes up and insert the scews. This should complete
Toro's TimeCutter Zero Turn, SS5000, chocke cable replacement.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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Peggy Greathouse
Sunday 22nd of August 2021
I have a Toro SS5000 zero turn. My choke cable broke and I had just been reaching back and turning the little silver thing to get it started. There is a small black plastic piece that has broken off where it was attached to a small wire that moved when I’d start it. Can I find that small black piece anywhere and what is it called?
Ben Esman
Monday 23rd of August 2021
Assuming you're talking about the "knob" on the control panel of the mower? If it is threaded, you can probably just swap that out but mine wasn't. I ended up having to replace the entire cable which was less than $20. It is a cheap fix when all is said and done. I also have a video that I'm editing and will be posting to my YouTube channel on how to swap this cable. Hope this helps, good luck!
Jay
Friday 28th of May 2021
Hey Ben, this will be really useful when my choke cable comes in. It's taking longer than expected, and my grass and weeds aren't waiting... you mention you can manually choke the engine for a cold start. How and where?
Ben Esman
Monday 31st of May 2021
Hey Jay, Yes, please reference this photo here that I just took for you. The top lever is your choke and if you slide it all the way to the right it is the same as when you pull the choke on the control panel of your mower. Once it is running you'll slowly need to move it back to the left as the engine warms up in which you should be good to continue mowing. Good luck!