Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I am having a small issue with my fall project, a 1980 Toro 724.  The engine RPM under no load increases ~500 RPMs (no surging).  This is making governor idle speed adjustment difficult.  The adjustment is made by opening or closing a loop in the linkage.  Does anyone have some advise for me before I open this "classic" up and inspect the governor. 

Thanks

If the governor arm is moving at all then the insides are probably ok. Inside is just a simple mechanism to push against the internal governor arm. If it's moving outside of the machine then it's probably ok.

Have you tried to re-set the external governor arm? The procedure was posted here a few days ago so should be easy to find.

I think your carb may have the top plate with the linkages under it. If so then there is a small screw under the plate to set the high end.

Are you sure you have the governor links in the proper holes? Spring tension can be a factor also.

Are you sure the low idle screw is not pushed out too far?

 Thanks trouts2

After reading your post I beleive my problems are being cause by spring tension and the holes I am using on the governor arm and for the spring (farthest ones out).  Earlier I did replaced the old spring,  I do not know which holes to use as the linkage was not assembled when I began the project.  I will try moving the governor linkage and the spring in one hole which will reduce th leverage available to the spring.  I will post back with results.

Photo

I complete what I mentioned above and adjusted the arm; it worked.  Before the fix the governor did not have enough headroom to lower the speed under no load.  

 I moved some wet EOD pile up.  This thing is a beast.