May 14, 2023, 01:14 PM
GustoferAnybody have a Mantis 4-cycle tiller?
My throttle cable was sticking, so I thought I'd put a drop of oil down it to lube things up. When opening up the trigger/throttle assembly, all of the parts fell out of the housing, including three plastic trigger/throttle parts with three springs, and now I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get it back together.
I've got the one piece with it's spring where it should be, but the main trigger and trigger release I can't figure out for the life of me how those dang springs go back in.
I cannot find a schematic online or any instructables on Youtube. And, of course, it's Sunday so there's nobody to call.
Any suggestions?
May 14, 2023, 07:53 PM
PeteFDo you have a picture of the other side of the handle?
My first guess is the spring to the left is the throttle return spring, the one to the right is for the "deadman".
I have a 4cycle mantis, but youve scared me from opening the handle up.
May 14, 2023, 08:22 PM
GustoferNothing on the other side of the handle. The springs definitely go on this side. And, yeah, the left spring is for the throttle trigger.
If you do open one up, do it gently and have it laying right side down.

I'd sure hate to have to buy a whole new handle just because I can't figure out how to get the damn springs back in, but I have to get the garden in.

May 14, 2023, 09:45 PM
400mThe spring in the handle looks like it’s for the trigger block.
May 14, 2023, 09:51 PM
OzarkwoodsThe spring on the left looks like the center goes down on the middle screw tower with one leg going down in the small hole to the bottom and the other leg against the throttle. The larger spring centers on the pivot of the deadman’s switch one leg on DMS one leg on the top handle surface just above the pivot point.
May 15, 2023, 12:45 AM
GustoferFigured it out. A buddy has an older one that he let me borrow and take apart. 400m was right, I had the springs backwards...no wonder I couldn't figure it out. The one in the handle goes to the trigger. I'm glad I don't work in that factory. Putting them things together all day long would drive me into the nuthouse.
May 15, 2023, 09:06 PM
signewtI have an old 2 stroke handle laying about from a mechanical misstep I made in the decades I wrassled with the Mantis. Great little soil churners. Trigger assembly looks similar from the outside.
July 30, 2024, 09:10 AM
GavinHi there has anyone got a picture of how the springs go etc im slowly losing my mind with this many thanks
August 03, 2024, 01:30 PM
MuvLuvquote:
Originally posted by Gustofer:
Figured it out. A buddy has an older one that he let me borrow and take apart. 400m was right, I had the springs backwards...no wonder I couldn't figure it out. The one in the handle goes to the trigger. I'm glad I don't work in that factory. Putting them things together all day long would drive me into the nuthouse.
Can you post the complete picture after you figured it out?