497680 Briggs and Stratton Rewind Starter Pull Start Assembly Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 6.75 Craftsman Toro Troy-Bilt Tb210 TB230 Lawn Mower Recoil Starter Replace Oregon 31-068, Rotary 12368 Review

Overview

The 497680 Briggs and Stratton Rewind Starter Pull Start Assembly is a direct replacement recoil starter designed to breathe new life into popular 6.75 ft-lb Briggs & Stratton engines found on Craftsman, Toro, Troy-Bilt TB210 and TB230 mowers, plus many others. At $18.99 with a strong 4.3-star average from nearly 500 reviews, this is a budget-friendly fix for homeowners whose starter rope snapped, the recoil spring let go, or the pulley cracked—no need to scrap the whole mower or pay a shop $80+ for labor.

Who Should Buy This

1. DIY homeowners with a dead pull start – If your mower’s rope won’t retract, feels like it’s catching, or the handle snapped off, this assembly is a fast, cheap fix. You don’t need a mechanic.

2. Owners of Troy-Bilt TB210/TB230 or Craftsman 6.75 mowers – These are the most common platforms this part fits. If you’ve got a 3- to 5-year-old mower with a Briggs 6.75 engine, this is likely your match.

3. Anyone tired of paying for labor – A shop will charge $40–$60 just to install this. Doing it yourself with a screwdriver saves real money and takes about 20 minutes.

4. People with a spare hour and basic tools – This is not for complete novices who’ve never touched a mower, but if you can change a car’s oil, you can swap this starter.

Key Features Breakdown

• Compatibility: Briggs & Stratton 6.75 engines (and others) – This is the heart of the part. It fits the 6.75 ft-lb torque engines found on many Craftsman, Toro, and Troy-Bilt models from roughly 2010 onward. Double-check your engine model number (stamped on the blower housing or above the spark plug) before buying.

• Replaces Oregon 31-068 and Rotary 12368 – These are the common OEM cross-reference numbers. If your old starter has one of these part numbers, this is a direct swap. No drilling, no modifying.

• Complete assembly with pull rope and handle – You get the entire housing, spring, pulley, rope, and handle pre-assembled. No need to wind a spring or tie knots—just unbolt the old one, bolt this on, and you’re done.

• Price: $18.99 – That’s roughly half the cost of an OEM Briggs part and a fraction of a shop repair. For a mower worth $150–$250, this keeps it running without over-investing.

• Rating: 4.3 stars from 477 reviews – High volume of feedback suggests consistent quality. Most failures are user error (wrong engine match) or occasional manufacturing defects, not design flaws.

Pros

1. True bolt-on replacement – No cutting, drilling, or adapting. The mounting holes line up perfectly with the engine shroud on compatible models. You’ll have the old starter off and the new one on in 15 minutes with just a socket or nut driver.

2. Saves a mower from the curb – A broken starter is often the reason people trash an otherwise good mower. This $19 part can extend the life of your machine by several seasons.

3. Pre-assembled and ready to go – The rope is already wound, the spring is tensioned, and the handle is attached. Some cheap knockoffs require you to wind the spring yourself—this one doesn’t.

4. Works on multiple brands – Fits Craftsman, Toro, Troy-Bilt, and others with the same Briggs 6.75 engine. If you have two mowers with the same engine, you can keep one as a spare.

5. Included rope is decent quality – The 1/8-inch nylon rope is thick enough to not fray quickly, though it’s not as heavy-duty as some OEM ropes. It’s fine for normal use.

6. Excellent value for the price – At $18.99, it’s cheaper than a single tank of gas for some mowers. You’d spend more on a new blade or air filter.

Cons

1. Not universal—check your engine model – The biggest source of negative reviews is people buying without verifying their engine’s model number. If your mower has a different Briggs engine (like the 7.25 or 8.75), this won’t fit. Measure twice, buy once.

2. Occasional manufacturing defects – A handful of reviews mention the rope snapping after a few pulls or the spring losing tension quickly. While rare (maybe 2–3% of units), it’s worth testing the starter before reassembling the shroud.

3. Plastic housing feels less durable than OEM – The original starter housing is often a thicker, more rigid plastic. This replacement is slightly thinner and may crack if you drop the mower or yank the rope at a severe angle. Treat it gently.

4. Rope length could be longer – Some users report the rope is about 2–3 inches shorter than the original, which can make starting slightly harder for tall people or those who prefer a long, easy pull. It still works, but it’s not identical.

Bottom Line

The 497680 Recoil Starter Assembly is a smart, cost-effective fix for anyone with a dead pull start on a Briggs 6.75 engine—especially owners of Troy-Bilt TB210/TB230, Craftsman, or Toro mowers. It’s not a premium OEM part, but at $18.99, it delivers exactly what you need: a working starter that bolts on in under 20 minutes. If you’re handy with a wrench and want to keep your mower running for another season or two without spending $100 on a shop repair, this is a solid buy. Just double-check your engine model number first, and don’t expect it to outlast the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this fit my Troy-Bilt TB230?
A: Yes, if your TB230 has a Briggs & Stratton 6.75 ft-lb engine (model series 12A or 12B). Look for the engine model number stamped on the blower housing near the spark plug. If it’s 6.75, this starter will bolt directly on. If you have a different engine (like a 7.25 or a Honda), it won’t fit.

Q: Do I need to wind the spring or tie the rope myself?
A: No. This assembly comes fully pre-assembled with the rope wound, the spring tensioned, and the handle attached. You just remove the old starter (usually three or four bolts), unclip the rope from the old pulley, and bolt this one in place. The rope is already threaded through the handle