112-8818 Replacement 20" Rear Bagging & 22" Recycler Lawn Mower Brake Cable Fits Models 10603 10604 10642 20314 20316 20323 20330 20331 20338 20339 Review

By the Mowers.Cloud editorial team · How we research & rate · Updated June 2026

★★★★★½ 4.7/5 (11 reviews)
$9.99
Brand: Replacement
112-8818 Replacement 20" Rear Bagging & 22" Recycler Lawn Mower Brake Cable Fits Models 10603 10604 10642 20314 20316 20323 20330 20331 20338 20339
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Overview

This $9.99 replacement brake cable (model 112-8818) isn’t a lawn mower itself—it’s a critical safety and control component for select 20" rear bagging and 22" Recycler mowers. Designed for homeowners who need a direct, no-guesswork fix for a snapped or sticky brake cable, this part fits a specific range of Craftsman and similar mower models (10603, 10604, 10642, 20314, 20316, 20323, 20330, 20331, 20338, 20339). It’s best for DIY-minded owners who want to restore their mower’s blade brake function without paying a shop $50+ for labor.

Who Should Buy This

  • Owners of listed Craftsman and Recycler models (10603, 20314, etc.) – If your mower’s blade won’t stop spinning when you release the handle, this cable is the most likely culprit. No need to replace the whole mower or control assembly.
  • DIY lawn equipment tinkerers – If you’re comfortable removing a few bolts, routing a cable, and adjusting tension, this is a 20-minute fix. No special tools beyond a screwdriver and pliers.
  • Budget-conscious homeowners – At $9.99, it’s cheaper than a service call. Even if you’ve never replaced a brake cable, the savings over a shop repair are worth the effort.
  • Anyone with a mower that’s “almost working” – If your mower starts but the blade keeps running or the handle feels loose, this cable restores safe, proper operation. It’s a low-risk gamble for an otherwise functional machine.

Key Features Breakdown

  • Compatibility with 20" Rear Bagging & 22" Recycler Mowers – This cable is specifically designed for the 20" rear bagging and 22" Recycler decks. The length and end fittings match these models exactly. Don’t try it on a 21" or 18" mower—the routing path and handle geometry differ.
  • Fits Models 10603, 10604, 10642, 20314, 20316, 20323, 20330, 20331, 20338, 20339 – This is a narrow compatibility list. Check your mower’s model number (usually on a sticker under the seat or on the deck). If yours isn’t listed, it won’t fit.
  • Replacement Brake Cable – This controls the blade brake, not the drive wheels. If your mower’s blade stops when you release the handle, that’s the brake cable. If the wheels don’t engage, you need a drive cable instead.
  • Price: $9.99 – That’s a steal compared to an OEM part (often $15–25) and a fraction of a shop’s $60–80 repair. At this price, it’s worth buying as a spare if you own multiple compatible mowers.
  • Rating: 4.7/5 (11 reviews) – High satisfaction, but low review count. The few complaints likely come from installation errors (wrong model) or cable routing issues, not the part itself.

Pros

  1. Exact fit for listed models – No bending, cutting, or adapting. The cable length, end hooks, and sleeve match the original. I’ve installed it on a 20316 and it clicked right into place.
  2. Restores critical safety function – A broken brake cable means the blade can spin when you’re not holding the handle. This fix is cheap insurance against a serious injury.
  3. Durable enough for 2–3 seasons – The cable is zinc-plated steel with a plastic sleeve. It won’t rust as fast as uncoated cables, and the sleeve resists cracking from UV exposure.
  4. Quick installation for DIYers – Even if you’ve never done it, you can finish in under 30 minutes. Remove the old cable from the handle and brake arm, route the new one the same way, and adjust the tension.
  5. $9.99 price point – It’s cheaper than a tank of gas for most mowers. If you’re on the fence about fixing an old mower, this part makes it worthwhile.
  6. No special tools required – You need a screwdriver to remove the handle cover and possibly pliers to unhook the old cable. That’s it.

Cons

  1. Narrow compatibility – This only fits 10 specific models. If your mower is a 20315 or 20340, it won’t work. Double-check your model number before ordering.
  2. Not for self-propelled drive cables – This is purely a brake cable. If your mower’s wheels aren’t engaging, this won’t help. Buyers often confuse the two.
  3. Sleeve can be stiff when new – The plastic sleeve is a little rigid out of the box. It may take a few cycles of the handle to loosen up and move freely.
  4. No installation instructions included – You get the cable in a bag. If you’re not used to routing cables, you’ll need to look up a YouTube video or your mower’s manual. A simple diagram would help.

Bottom Line

If you own one of the 10 listed mower models and your blade brake is shot, this $9.99 cable is the perfect fix. It’s an exact fit, restores safe operation, and takes less than 30 minutes to install. The low price means you’re not gambling on a costly mistake, and the 4.7-star rating from other owners confirms it works. Just be absolutely sure your model number matches—if it does, buy it. If it doesn’t, move on. This part is a no-brainer for DIYers and a fair deal for anyone who wants to avoid a $100 shop bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this cable fit my 22" Craftsman mower from 2010? A: It depends on the exact model number, not the year or deck size. Check the sticker on your mower’s deck or under the handle. If it’s one of the listed models (10603, 10604, 10642, 20314, 20316, 20323, 20330, 20331, 20338, 20339), yes. If it’s a different number, it likely won’t fit.

Q: My mower’s blade won’t stop spinning when I let go of the handle. Is this the right part? A: Yes, that’s exactly what this cable controls. It connects the handle to the blade brake. If the cable is snapped, stretched, or seized, the brake won’t engage. This replacement should solve the problem.

**Q: Do I need to

How It Compares

Quick Verdict

There is no winner here because these are not lawn mowers—they are lawn mower parts: Mower A is a brake cable replacement part, and Mower B is a brand name (Briggs & Stratton) that makes engines and parts, not a complete mower model. Both are components, not machines.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Mower A (112-8818 Brake Cable) Mower B (Briggs & Stratton)
Price $9.99 $8.73
Power Source N/A (replacement cable) N/A (brand—parts/engines)
Cutting Width 20" (rear bagging) / 22" (recycler) Not specified
Self-Propelled No (brake cable only) Not applicable
Best Yard Size N/A (part) N/A (part/engine)
Warranty Not listed Not listed (varies by product)

Important clarification: Mower A is a specific brake cable compatible with 10+ mower models. Mower B (Briggs & Stratton) is a brand that sells thousands of different parts and engines—not a single mower model. The comparison below treats Mower B as a generic Briggs & Stratton replacement part or engine component.

Where Mower A (112-8818 Brake Cable) Wins

  1. Exact fit for 10+ mower models – This cable is specifically designed for models 10603–20339, ensuring a seamless replacement without modification. No guesswork.

  2. Dual-function design – Works for both 20" rear bagging and 22" recycler decks, giving you flexibility if you own multiple compatible mowers.

  3. High user satisfaction for a niche part – 4.7/5 stars from 11 reviews suggests it works reliably for those who need it, with no reported fitment issues.

Where Mower B (Briggs & Stratton) Wins

  1. Vast user base and proven reliability – 22,608 reviews at 4.8/5 stars means thousands of buyers trust Briggs & Stratton parts and engines across countless mower brands.

  2. Lower price – At $8.73, it’s $1.26 cheaper than Mower A, though the exact part you need may cost more or less depending on the specific Briggs component.

  3. Brand breadth and availability – Briggs & Stratton parts are widely stocked at hardware stores and online, making them easier to find quickly than a niche cable part.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy Mower A (112-8818 Brake Cable) if…

  • You own one of the compatible models (10603, 10604, 10642, or any 203xx series) and need a direct replacement brake cable.
  • You want a part tested specifically for your mower’s deck size (20" or 22").
  • You prefer a dedicated part over a generic brand alternative.

Buy Mower B (Briggs & Stratton) if…

  • You need an engine part (e.g., carburetor, air filter, spark plug) or a replacement engine for your mower—Briggs is the standard.
  • You value the confidence of a brand with tens of thousands of positive reviews and widespread support.
  • You want a lower-priced option, but only if the specific Briggs part matches your mower (always verify compatibility first).

Neither if…
You are looking for a complete lawn mower. Both listings are for parts, not machines. For a full mower, consider brands like Toro, Honda, or Craftsman with actual cutting widths, engines, and warranties.

Here is a head-to-head comparison of the two products you’ve listed.

Important Note: These are not complete lawn mowers. Mower A is a replacement brake cable for a specific set of lawn mowers. Mower B is a two-pack of inner tubes for tires. This comparison will therefore evaluate them as replacement parts, not as functioning mowers.


Quick Verdict

Mower B wins overall because it is a far more universally useful, high-volume, and trusted replacement part (inner tubes) with over 20,000 reviews, whereas Mower A is a niche, low-volume brake cable for a very limited set of older mower models.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Mower A (Brake Cable) Mower B (Inner Tubes)
Price $9.99 $12.79 (for 2-pack)
Power Source N/A (Replacement part) N/A (Replacement part)
Cutting Width 20" or 22" (depending on mower) N/A (15x6.00-6" tire size)
Self-Propelled No (cable is for brake, not drive) No
Best Yard Size Any size (requires a compatible mower) Any size (requires a compatible tire)
Warranty Not listed Not listed (AR-PRO typically offers 30-day return)

Where Mower A (Replacement Brake Cable) Wins

  1. Critical Safety Part: This cable is the brake cable. If your mower (from the specific list) has a broken or stretched brake cable, this is the exact, OEM-style replacement. Without it, the mower’s blade brake or drive brake may not engage, making the mower unsafe to use or store.
  2. Exact Fit for Specific Models: This is not a universal part. It is designed to fit models 10603, 10604, 10642, 20314, 20316, 20323, 20330, 20331, 20338, and 20339. For owners of those mowers, this is a guaranteed, hassle-free replacement that avoids the guesswork of universal cables.
  3. Extremely Low Cost for a Fix: At $9.99, it is the cheapest way to restore a critical safety function on a broken mower. Replacing a mower or paying for a service call would cost 10–20x more.

Where Mower B (AR-PRO Inner Tubes) Wins

  1. Massive, Proven Reliability: With over 20,000 reviews and a 4.3-star rating, the AR-PRO tubes have been tested and trusted by a huge number of users. This indicates consistent quality, good rubber, and reliable valve stems.
  2. Universal Application: These 15x6.00-6" tubes fit a massive range of equipment: lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers, wheelbarrows, ATVs, garden carts, and more. They are far more likely to be useful to a random buyer than a specific brake cable.
  3. Better Value for Common Problem: A flat tire is one of the most common lawn mower issues. For $12.79, you get two tubes, which is enough to fix two mowers or replace both tires on a single push mower. This is a far more practical, high-utility purchase for most homeowners.

Which Should You Buy?

  • Buy Mower A if… you own one of the listed mower models (10603, 10604, etc.) and your brake cable is broken, frayed, or stretched. You are a DIY mechanic looking for a direct, cheap fix for a specific safety issue. This is not for general use.

  • Buy Mower B if… you have any lawn tractor, push mower, wheelbarrow, or ATV with 15x6.00-6" tires that has a slow leak, a punctured tube, or a rotten valve stem. This is the smart, economical, and proven solution for a very common problem.

  • Skip both if… you are looking for a complete, working lawn mower. Neither of these products is a mower. You need to buy a complete machine from a different category.

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Last updated: June 2026