How a govenor works??

First I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination. Most of the mechanical knowledge I've aquired has been out of nessecity and to a large extent from asking questions here on this or the Oliver/Cockshutt forum. Anyways a govenor has always been this mysterious thing on the front of the engine that is best left alone so that you don't screw things up. Well recently I had to remove one in order to replace a front seal on a tractor I'm trying to restore. After removing it and seeing whats inside there I'm thinking I have an inkling of how it works. If I have this right as the engine spins it is attached mechanicaly through a gear which spins the govenor which in turn causes this disc type plate weighted with 6 steel ballbearings to slide on a shaft do to centrifical force which in turn is attached by a series of levers to the carberator and controls the flow of gas to the carberator which in turn controls the speed the engine is turning at, which controls where this weighted disc in the govenor is sittuated on this shaft and so on and so on. I'm sure this is a very basic understanding and there are other factors involved and also that there may be other models that differ inside or that are more modern. I have to say that it don't seem near as mysterious anymore but figured I'd ask you fellas to inlighten me if I'm missing anything. On the same subject it seems to me that these 6 balls in there are out of round, not that I can see it but seems I can feel it. Is this possible or is it my imagination? Thanks Rocko.

Sounds like you've got it. It's pretty much as simple as it sounds. Spin it faster weights move out more, closing down the carb a bit so the engine slows.

That constant feedback loop keeps the engine at one steady speed, whether you're pulling a plow, driving uphill, or just idling.

As for the bearing feeling funny - it's probably a 6 dollar part - I'd order a new one and not worry about it. Ball bearings don't last forever and, at least on farmalls, can fall apart and get into the oil system.

Better safe than sorry.

As a general rule - ANY rotating part should feel silky smooth. Go with your instincts.

Yes, I agree with JR, it sounds like you basically have it. I will add that it's a balancing act between the action of the weights, being effected by speed/centrifugal force, etc. and a spring. That balancing act allows you to set different "governed" speeds, and for your engine to respond to try to maintain those speeds.

The governor spring opens the throttle & the flyweights close it.

You have it pretty much figured out. A governor is basically an RPM limiter. It is always trying to close the carburetor butterfly back to idle. This is over come by the governor spring as it is pulled by the hand throttle lever to the desired RPM. To the point that you have the HP to do it, as the RPM drops the governor weights slow and the governor spring will attempt to hold the RPM's from dropping. You find a lot of miss understanding of this simple process. I read where people blame their governor for a lack of HP (horse power)

From what I have seen they just show up at the office every now and then sign something without reading it then tell us all what a great thing it is.
Walt

If it's Texas then he just takes the credit for good things and blames someone else for bad things.

One of the few things I'm thankful about NOT being a Texas resident anymore is NOT having to have anything to do with RP.

OH NO! Then I should cross TX off the list of possible places to escape from this abundant northeast???

Yeah--and if they are anything like our governor, then I'd have to add, "Not very well!"

Well a lot of former Illinois govenors end up making license plates.
Sorry I couldn't resist

Our guv here in Maryland, Owe'Muttley, is one of the newer, stealth types. Money starts getting low, rather than raising taxes, he just comes up with some new 'fees'. Our taxes no longer go up, we just get 'fee'd' more.......

Bob you're making a list too?

I'm just waiting for kids to finish up with school!

(MA here)

donjr,
AMEN... all "fees" from the guv are simply taxes!! Some people don't get that fact.