184 (Cub) Lo-boy carb/govenor issues

I've got one that starts really easy but doesn't seem to be able to get the full rpm range out of the engine. The manuals call for 600 @low idle, 2300 rated speed, and 2510 at full load. My new digital tachometer initially showed a low idle around 850-1000 and about 1725 at full throttle. I set the carb/governor linkage per the IH service manual and got the low idle down between 580-640 by adjusting the idle air needle. At full throttle it's still around 1700. I can manually pull on the carb/gov. link and get the engine up over 2500 rpm. I'm operating a 60" finish mower and would rather have the top end and live with a higher low idle speed if that is the case. Even at 1700 rpm, kicking the mower into gear (elec. pto) will stall the tractor. However, If I goose the link to get the higher speed the mower starts and the engine runs on the governor. This machine hadn't been used much in the last 3-4 years. Could this also be a case of just needing run in as well?
 
Second on cable, also there is a bolt on top of the governor that will limit the speed. Lastly the governor weights, shaft bearings and or spring could be worn as well.
 
(from post at 10:58:50 04/13/18 ) Did you adjust the throttle cable?
ook where the front end of the cable is attached. It is an L-shaped part that pivots on a pin. The cable is at one end and the governor spring at the other. Make sure this part can pivot freely. If not, the cable may not be able to put enough tension on the spring for high speed. Be careful working with this part as it is easy to break!
 
You will probably find the problem is at the throttle cable anchor under the dash panel. What I mean by the "anchor" is where the outer conduit of the throttle cable is mounted to the throttle lever assembly. It is probably bent. On one of my 184s, I anchored the cable with a small piece of angle iron to the sheet metal for additional support.
I finally got feed up the poor design and replace the cable with a fabricated mechanical rod mechanism.

KMo
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The governor arm on mine has two holes on the upper lever. The clamp for the throttle cable is in the lower hole instead of the top. I'm figuring this would make a difference as well. Adjusting the throttle cable to the high idle stop leaves it running around 1500 rpm at low throttle, 2000 rpm at full. I'm thinking that the governor is pretty well done in. Any ideas where I might find parts or a rebuild kit?
 
Update: Wound up replacing the throttle cable. The old one was kinked and then actually broke. Adjusted the new one per the manual. That didn't really change anything. Still dealing with the narrowed throttle range. I can 'force' the governor by hand to get enough rpm's to start the mower. Once it is started, the governor takes over on the high end.
 
I know this is an old thread but I wanted to share for anyone else who needs help.
I built the same thing and it works great.
Thank you to the original builder.
 

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I know this is an old thread but I wanted to share for anyone else who needs help.
I built the same thing and it works great.
Thank you to the original builder.
I'm struggling to understand the original issue? My 154 or 185 has the issue?
 
So the original issue was the tractor would not hold correct rpm at full throttle. Pushing the throttle would bend the bracket that holds the cable under the dash. A new throttle cable would help fix the problem for a while but it continued to be an issue. I think rust in the cable didn't help.
 
So the original issue was the tractor would not hold correct rpm at full throttle. Pushing the throttle would bend the bracket that holds the cable under the dash. A new throttle cable would help fix the problem for a while but it continued to be an issue. I think rust in the cable didn't help.
👍 Thanks.... I guess the new cables on mine made a difference
 

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