Abstract: A foldable control lever for use with a riding mower comprising a main lever tube having a lower end, an upright section and a grip portion. An upper weldment is affixed to the lower end of the main lever tube. The upper weldment comprises a support flange and a plurality of outwardly projecting ears. A lower weldment connected to the mower drive unit is adapted to receive the lower end of the main lever tube. The lower weldment comprises a receiver flange having a plurality of notches spaced about the circumference of the flange. The notches are configured so as to engage the outwardly projecting ears of the upper weldment. When the outwardly projecting ears are engaged with the notches, the main lever tube is prevented from rotating relative to the lower weldment. When the outwardly projecting ears are not engaged with the notches, the main lever tube can be rotated downward and on to the top of the mower.