Bullwhip Idler Throttle Control for Gas Air Compressors - 24, 36 and 60 in, Small or Large Cylinder
The bullwhip is the throttle control on an engine-driven air compressor: the cylinder and cable that pull the engine down to idle when the tank reaches cut-out pressure, and let it back up to speed when pressure drops to cut-in. It is why a gas compressor on a service truck runs all day without the engine stopping and restarting against a loaded pump every few minutes.
It is also a wear item. The cable stretches, the cylinder seals dry out, and the first symptom is usually an engine that will not come back off idle quickly, or will not drop to idle at all and sits screaming at full throttle against a closed unloader. Either of those is a bullwhip, not an engine problem.
Sizes
- M5543, type S-24: small cylinder, 24 in, fits 5 to 6 HP
- M5541, type S-36: small cylinder, 36 in, fits 5 to 6 HP
- M5546, type S-60: small cylinder, 60 in, fits 5 to 6 HP
- M5542, type L-24: large cylinder, 24 in, fits 8 HP and up
- M5540, type L-36: large cylinder, 36 in, fits 8 HP and up
- M5547, type L-60: large cylinder, 60 in, fits 8 HP and up
Choosing cylinder size and length
Two decisions, and they are independent. Cylinder size follows engine horsepower: small cylinder for 5 to 6 HP engines, large cylinder for 8 HP and up. A bigger engine has a heavier throttle return spring, and a small cylinder will not reliably pull it down. Length follows the geometry of your machine, the run from where the control air is picked up to where the cable reaches the throttle lever. Measure the route your existing cable takes, with the bends, rather than the straight-line distance. If you are between sizes, go longer: a cable with a gentle extra loop works, a cable pulled tight around a corner binds and will not return.
Replacing one
Note how the existing cable is routed and clamped before you pull it off, and reproduce it. A bullwhip that rubs on a hot exhaust or chafes against a belt guard will fail again quickly. Check the control air line and the pilot valve at the same time, because a slow or sticky signal looks exactly like a tired bullwhip.
Related parts
The bullwhip works with the engine idler assembly, which is matched to your specific engine, and we stock those for the Honda GX390, GX620 and GX630 and for Kohler K Series, Magnum, Command and CH440ST. For Kohler diesel machines we also carry the complete idler kit and its service parts.
Not sure which one
Tell us the engine and horsepower, and the length of the cable currently on the machine, and the Warthog Air Compressor Store team will confirm the right bullwhip before you order.
Bullwhip idler throttle controls for gas engine driven air compressors, in 24, 36 and 60 in lengths with a small cylinder for 5 to 6 HP engines or a large cylinder for 8 HP and up.
NOTE: Actual product may be different from pictured!
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