TO35 Govenor

My governor is attached as it supposed to be but doesn't work. What could be wrong????
Thanks, gregjo1948

Most governor problems I have encountered are the length of the rod from the governor arm to the carb.

The gov doesn't have much travel, the rod needs to be the right length to make it work.

Need to look some things over. First, with the engine off, set the speed lever on the dash to idle position. Look at the carb linkage, the throttle should be against the idle stop. Next, push the speed lever to full fast. The carb should now be spring loaded to the full open position. If this is happening, the linkage is somewhat in adjustment.

Next, have the engine warmed up and ready to start. Best to have a trusted assistant for this, just for safety sake.

Take the pin out of the link where the rod from the carb attaches to the governor arm. Set the speed lever at about 1/3 throttle. Holding the disconnected rod in your left hand, hold the carb link toward the rear of the engine, against the idle stop. The governor arm should be all the way forward, nearly touching the belt.

Now, BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL!!! Have the assistant start the engine. Remember, you are in control of the engine speed, and have your hands near the fan and belt, so be very careful. Tell your assistant to be ready to shut the switch off in case of a runaway!

Again holding the carb at idle speed, notice the position the governor arm. Slowly and carefully, start bringing up the RPM and watch the governor arm. It should begin to move back, away from the belt. This should happen fairly quickly, no need to over rev the engine, try to keep it below 2000.

If the arm does not move, something is wrong. Either the spring loaded linkage from the speed control lever is assembled wrong, or there is an internal problem with the governor.

If the arm moves, carefully note the position of it's farthest travel to the rear. That position is where the carb linkage should be against the idle stop. Stop the engine, adjust the length of the linkage to that length, reinstall the pin and cotter key.

Then repeat the first test with the engine off. Carb against the idle stop when the lever is at idle, spring loaded wide open when the speed lever is at fast.

Now try it with the engine running. If it works, check the RPM at full throttle. Should be around 2300. If it's not, loosen the U bolt on the shaft above the governor, turn the linkage rocker to adjust the tension on the governor spring until the RPM is right.

A final test, with the engine running at governed speed, push the governor arm back to idle the engine. Release it, the throttle should instantly spring wide open, then throttle back as the engine comes up to speed.

Let us know...

Thank you for the extensive reply. I'll follow these instructions and see the results before I take the governor apart.

I am having similar trouble with my to 20. The linkage from the governor to the throttle seems to be too long. This can't be true however because it is the same linkage I disconnected. I can't seem to get it to the right length. I have a diagram but nothing I do seems to be right. Is the rod suppose to be in tension, if so how do I do that? The manual says to run engine. The engine fires but will not stay running due to fuel starvation I guess. Any thoughts?? Thanks Gene

Gene, I think the TO20 is the same basic governor as a 35.

Be sure the rod is connected so pushing back closes the throttle, forward opens the throttle.

Some times the carb gets replaced, have more than one hole for the link, aftermarket universal, just be sure the link is going in the right direction and isn't binding or the throttle plate flipping over past center.

That has to be the best description I've seen for adjusting the linkage Steve. Thanks for posting it!
I have it working properly on my 202, but I have always fought with my 35, going by the instructions from John (UK). I know there is movement from the governor when I change RPM but if my carb to gov. rod is not the right length that would make sense as to why it's not working properly. I've even gone as far as replacing the front cover as the old lever was binding a bit.
I gave up on it a couple years ago out of pure frustration and have just been using it as is but having the governor working properly would sure be nice!
Now with your advice I might give it another try. I also now have another tractor (a 204 forklift actually) with a working governor that I can swap some parts from if necessary.