Ryobi Start Lever Repair

Our Model Engineering Club purchased the excellent Ryobi Petrol Line Strimmer, model RLT30CESA.  It has performed reliably and is heavily used during the summer on our 7 acre site.

Missing Start Lever

Missing Start Lever

Sadly its one design defect is the plastic start lever.  This is not robust enough to survive the rough handling that Model Engineers are known for.

Broken Start Lever

Broken Start Lever

The plastic shaft splits when it is forced too far back against the stop, the handle then falls off and the machine is hors de combat.

Speaking to Ryobi they do not supply a replacement start lever, instead you have to purchase the full carburettor assembly (Part Number 5131-008533) at a cost of £36.87 plus postage.  Now I found that rather expensive for what would be an inexpensive plastic piece.

So I came up with a much more robust solution made out of brass.

Replacement Start Lever

Replacement Start Lever

Turn out a brass collar 0.410” Ø by 0.265” deep.  Next turn out a handle 0.187” Ø by 1.0” long.  Silver solder the handle to the collar.

Then drill a 5mm Ø hole across the collar to take the shaft from the carburettor choke butterfly.  At 90⁰ to this drill and tap a hole 8 ba to take a locking grub screw.

Place the new start handle over the shaft, apply some stud lock to the grub screw and then tighten up to hold the shaft.  Replace the air box cover and violà a working Ryobi Strimmer once more.

Ryobi Start Lever In Run Position

Ryobi Start Lever In Run Position

Ryobi Start Lever In Start Position

Ryobi Start Lever In Start Position

The repair also works for the:

OEM # 308054015
RBC30SESA (Petrol Brush Cutter)
RBC30SBSA (Petrol Brushcutter)
RHT2660DA (Petrol Hedge Trimmer)
RLT30CESA (Petrol Line Trimmer)
RLT30SESA (Petrol Line Trimmer), ORLT30PRT and the RPR3025JA (Pole Pruner)

If you wish me to make one for you then please contact me for price.

This is what a purchaser wrote about the replacement lever