How to Set the Governor Setting on a Kohler Engine

by Tom Fritchman

Your Kohler engine's governor regulates, or governs, the speed at which your engine operates. It uses a mechanical centrifugal flyweight system that holds the engine speed constant even when load conditions change. You can set the settings on your Kohler engine governor in a few simple steps.

Step 1

Locate your governor. It is located on the left side of the engine as you face it if mounted on your vehicle. This side is also called the "starter side" because your engine's starter system connects here.

Step 2

Verify the throttle linkage rod is connected to the lever on your governor. You can identify the throttle linkage rod by tracing its length; the other end will be connected to the throttle lever on the carburetor.

Step 3

Loosen the nut that holds the governor lever to the cross shaft with your hex wrench. The cross shaft is located directly above the governor spring, which is the only spring on your governor so it's easy to identify.

Step 4

Push the governor lever towards the carburetor. This will cause the throttle to open wide. Hold the governor lever in this position.

Step 5

Insert your nail into the hole that has opened up in the cross shaft. Rotate the nail counterclockwise until it will not turn any further.

Step 6

Remove the nail. Pull the governor lever back towards the governor. Tighten the hex nut to a setting of 60 inch-pounds using your hex wrench.

Step 7

Adjust the governor's sensitivity by turning the hex bolt on the right-side of your governor spring. To increase sensitivity, turn the bolt to the right, which will move the spring closer to the cross shaft; turn the bolt to the left to decrease sensitivity.

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