Notice to old Butler users

I found out today that the accelerator cables used on the 96-99 machines are obsolete and are no longer available from Butler. This is the cable that connects the van's throttle to the vacuum pods and without it, your machine will not go to fast idle.

In addition, the conversion kit to switch to the modern set-up will cost you almost $550.....and that is also obsolete and will not be supported once supplies run out due to Chevy's change to drive by wire set-ups.

Want to guess what part I needed to order today?

What ?? You should sue them !! Seriously, that's ridiculous Rob !! Sorry to hear that

I guess that makes me obsolete as well.

Time to get creative with a hand throttle off a military generator that I have in the garage.....never throw things away, they become useful eventually.

Their propriatary parts is why I never bought one.

I recall them bragging how its the same machine as 100 years ago....it was a big selling point that things havent changed! whoopsie!


Sorry Rob.

Too you bad you dont have a Judson TNT you can use and were you can just buy parts at your local hardware or auto parts store

That would be nice wouldn't it Mo?

I still like Butler units and they really haven't changed their design. It is the Chevy vans that change and required updates to fit.

I guess this is probably why most Butler users sell off their units and buy new every 5 years. Doing that just never made any financial sense to me, but maybe it does now.

What is funny is that I was still able to purchase replacement vacuum pods for these older machines, but not the cable that they attach to. I wish I knew that before spending the $100 on them a week ago.

Hopefully, I can find the proper cable after-market or else convert it to the hand throttle design (which might work better anyway).

My biggest gripe is that I have a few days where the temps will be in the mid-40's and was hoping to get this matter repaired and machine active to take advantage of this very rare event in December.

Looks like I will have to give up those plans and focus on the TNT project which will get the new propane tank carrier installation, cargo box heater, and some access valves to let me feed the fresh water and apo pumps with antifreeze when I shut down.

Ok Rob let's get creative. If you check with your local small engine shop for a couple of broken throttle / choke cables. What you want is the outer covering. Now get some wire leader like you use for fishing. You will have to figure out what size. I'm guessing 50 lb or so just as long as the leader will go thru the coverings. I think you can figure out the rest. After all that's really all it is anyway. Call me if you need to.

Ace is the place!

I like that idea ACE, I hadn't thought about that.

I believe shark line would be about right and I can get it from my Brother wholesale.

Good tip!

Get the crimps and crimping tools also.