WOTIAN 497680 Recoil Starter Assembly Compatible with Briggs and Stratton 497680 498144 Pull Start Assembly Toro Lawnboy MTD Snapper Lawnmower Replace Oregon 31-068 Rotary 12368 with Cord

What It Is

This is a replacement recoil starter assembly designed to pull-start small engines on walk-behind lawn mowers. It fits Briggs & Stratton engines commonly found on Toro, Lawnboy, MTD, and Snapper mowers, replacing OEM part numbers 497680, 498144, and equivalents like Oregon 31-068 and Rotary 12368.

Fitment & Compatibility

Before buying, confirm your mower engine is a Briggs & Stratton model with a 3.5–6.5 ft-lbs torque rating and a 3-inch bolt spacing (center-to-center) for mounting. Check the existing starter’s bolt pattern—this assembly has three mounting holes spaced 3 inches apart. Measure the rope length (usually 48–60 inches) and ensure the pulley diameter matches (typically 3.5 inches). Not compatible with vertical shaft engines on tractors or zero-turn mowers. Verify your engine’s model number (e.g., 10T502, 12F902) on the shroud or valve cover; this part fits most single-cylinder Briggs & Stratton engines with a horizontal crankshaft.

Key Things to Know

• Quality: Solid for the price—plastic housing is durable, but the rope may fray faster than OEM. Replace the rope with a 0.125-inch diameter one if needed.
• Installation: Moderate difficulty (30–45 minutes). Requires removing the engine shroud, disconnecting the spark plug, and realigning the recoil spring. Watch for spring pop-out; use safety glasses.
• Common Gotcha: The included mounting bolts may be too short for some mower decks. Have M6x1.0 bolts (20–25mm length) ready. Also, the rope handle is smaller than OEM—consider swapping it if grip is an issue.
• Torque Spec: Tighten mounting bolts to 5–7 ft-lbs; overtightening can crack the plastic housing.

Should You Buy It

This is a cost-effective fix if your old recoil starter is broken or slipping, and you’re comfortable with basic engine work. It’s best for DIYers with a single-cylinder Briggs & Stratton mower (Toro, Snapper, MTD) who want a quick, budget-friendly replacement. Skip it if you need a perfect OEM fit or have a vertical shaft engine—go with an OEM part instead.