Lawn tractor performance is one of the most important aspects to consider when purchasing a machine. Not only do you need to make sure it’s powerful enough to handle the job at hand, but you need to find one that is also fast. This article will teach you how to make lawn tractor faster and more efficiently. I’ll also provide tips on improving your lawn tractor’s performance and making it easier to use.
How to Make Lawn Tractor Faster?
1. Air Filter Replacement
One of the easiest ways to increase the speed of your mower is by changing your mower’s air filter. The air filter is located on top of your engine and filters out dirt, debris, and bugs from the air being pushed into the engine. If you find that it takes a long time for your mower to start or runs rough, it might be time to change this part.
The following three tips can help you get an extra boost in your mower’s speed:
1. Change Your Mower’s Air Filter at Least Once Every Year – Many people think they need to change their mower’s air filter more often than once a year. I disagree—if you keep up with maintenance on your lawn tractor, you’ll be able to get at least one full season out of your mower before having to filter it. However, it might be time to change your air filter if your lawn tractor starts to run a little rough or feels sluggish after starting up in the morning.
2. Measure how Often You Have to Change Your Mower’s Air Filter – Instead of guessing how often you need to change your mower’s air filter, measure how often this occurs on average by taking the following steps:
3. Remove the Air Filter Cover – When the tractor is properly stopped, remove the air filter cover by gently pulling it up. It’s held on with four Phillips head screws on each tractor’s side.
4. Remove the Air Filter – After the cover is removed, you can see and easily remove your mower’s air filter. This part should be replaced every time you change your oil or spark plug because it cleans these parts and filters out dirt, debris, and bugs from the engine.
5. Write Down When Your Mower’s Air Filter Needs to Be Changed – Once you have successfully removed your mower’s air filter, note the date and time so you don’t forget. This will help to ensure that your mower has its regular air filter changed and keeps your tractor running smoothly.
2. Oil Check and Change
The second easiest way to make your lawn mower go faster is by checking and changing the oil. You can do this yourself, but you’ll need a few tools: an oil drain pan, some wrenches (allen or regular), and a funnel.
First, remove the plug in the bottom of your lawn mower’s engine (usually located near the handle). Next, pour some motor oil into the pan—a quart should be enough for most people. Once it’s full, replace the plug in your lawn mower.
Now you can check how much motor oil level is left in your lawn mower’s engine. Some people recommend pouring a little bit out at a time until you see that it.
3. Governor Spring Length Change
A governor spring can also be used to make your lawn mower go faster. The governor is a device that regulates the speed of your mower, and it has a spring that’s designed to slow the machine down if you suddenly increase the pace. This way, it won’t keep running at full power all day long—thereby burning out or damaging its engine.
This is why changing the length of the spring can help. A longer spring will mean less friction between the two pieces—and, therefore, more power when you want to accelerate quickly. It’s not as simple as this, however, as other factors are involved, such as how old your engine is and how much fuel you use per time (which I’ll discuss later).
4. Regularly Refill Your Oil Tank
It’s important to keep the tank full of oil to prevent engine corrosion. However, if you do find that you need to top up your oil, remember not to overfill the compartment, or it will leak out and ruin your mower. You can also use an inexpensive automatic oiler for a more convenient experience.
A common issue with many lawnmowers is dirt in the fuel line. If this happens, simply remove the tank from the machine and look at it for any signs of debris blocking the fuel flow. If this is indeed causing your mower not to run properly, then you may need to take further action by replacing or cleaning the entire fuel line (not necessarily just the part near the carburetor).
5. Replace the Mower Blades
If your lawnmower blades start to become blunt, it’s time to replace them. Blunt blades can cause the mower to be less efficient and make it more difficult to control the machine while you’re mowing. It’s a good idea to sharpen your lawnmower blades every two or three months—or as needed.
6. Inspect the Muffler
If your lawnmower is making a lot of noise, it may be time to take a look at the mower’s muffler. This part can often become clogged with debris, which will cause the engine to overheat and make more noise. If this is the case, you may need to replace the muffler entirely.
7. Clean Your Carburetor
The carburetor is situated on the interior of the mower body. It is responsible for mixing air and fuel to produce maximum power from the engine.
The carburetor can get clogged with dirt over time, especially if you use it often. If that happens, you might notice a reduction in performance and an increase in emissions. In this case, you should probably check your carburetor for debris settlements and clean it thoroughly using soap water if it appears serviceable. Otherwise, changing your carburetor altogether is a good idea.
8. Routine Maintenance
Finally, ensure regular maintenance on your lawn tractor to keep it running smoothly. This includes oiling the engine and checking for leaks, adjusting the blade if needed, and cleaning debris from the mower’s chassis. Use the right oil for your lawn tractor, clean your fuel line, and check engine problems regularly. Doing all of these things will help make your lawn tractor faster and easier to operate.
Read more: Do Lawn Tractor Tires Have Tubes? [Tubeless vs. Tubed]
How to Make a Riding Lawn Mower Faster?
There are several ways you can improve the speed of your riding mower, but here are a few simple methods:
1. Bigger Tires
The second thing you can do to increase the speed of your riding lawn mower is to replace the original tires with larger ones. This will allow for better traction and less wear on the tires, which will, in turn, lead to a longer lifespan for your mower.
2. Better Airflow
Another thing that can improve the speed of your riding lawn mower is to use a mulching plug. This reduces the resistance caused by grass and debris, allowing more airflow to flow through the engine and out of the exhaust.
The dirt you mow up gets stuck in the mesh or rubber filters, slowing the airflow. A good filter will keep this debris out and provide more airflow. You should also ensure that you clean your filter regularly and oil it (this is where most people go wrong).
3. Reduce Weight
One of the best ways to increase the speed of your riding mower is to reduce its weight. Lighter lawnmowers tend to accelerate faster and stop faster, leading to a smoother ride. This can be done in a few ways, such as removing some of the unnecessary parts and materials from the lawn mower or even opting for lighter-weight wheels.
4. Bigger Pulley
The pulley on your mower should be at least 1/2 inch in diameter. The bigger, the better, as this will help increase airflow to the engine and allow it to reach its maximum speed potential.
5. Pick the Right Mowing Pattern
You can also make your riding lawn mower faster by choosing the right mowing pattern. Choosing a shorter, faster cut will help reduce the time you spend mowing and make your lawnmower more efficient.
Related post: Best Lawn Tractor For 5 Acres
Final Thoughts
This is the end of our article. Hope now you know how to make lawn tractor faster using simple techniques. You can use any of the techniques mentioned above or combine them as per your needs. In case anything goes wrong, just contact skilled tractor repairmen in your area with years of experience repairing tractors.
Now that you know how to make your riding lawn mower go faster, it’s time to get out there and put this knowledge into practice!
How to Make Lawn Tractor Go Faster (FAQs)
Is a bigger pulley going to increase my mower speed?
Yes! Bigger pulleys are a major increase in power, which can translate into better speed for your mower. There is one caveat to this: you need to be careful not to over-rev the engine, as that will create too much heat and risk melting your gears.
The extra power from a bigger pulley comes at the cost of increased wear on your transmission, so keep an eye on how often you change the oil and replace it if necessary.
Why do you need a faster lawn mower?
A fast mower can help save time and money.
You may have to make several passes across your lawn, cutting the grass on one side and then going over it again on the other. This means you’re wasting time that could be used for something more productive such as cleaning or doing yard work.
Additionally, it may take a long time for your regular mower to cut through thick or wet grasses that require more power than a standard model can provide.
This is where having a fast mower comes in handy because it allows you to complete your task quickly while providing more power than the average machine.
Why does my lawnmower engine speed up and slow down?
There are several factors that can affect your mower’s speed. Here’s what causes it to slow down and why it happens:
1. Your fuel tank is dirty or full of debris
2. Old carburetor
3. Dirty filter
4. The spark plug doesn’t get the spark
5. Insufficient airflow
6. Insufficient fuel
How to adjust RPM on a lawnmower?
You can increase your RPM by presetting the spring with nose pliers. This lets in more fuel and increases your speed. However, you can adjust the spring accordingly if you want to decrease your speed. That is, either lengthen it or loosen it.
How to fix a lawnmower that runs rough?
1. Check the gap on your spark plug with a spark plug gap gauge. Incorrect gap settings will lead to a carbon buildup because they do not fire correctly.
2. Clean or replace your lawnmower’s air filter if necessary. Dirty air filters prevent the engine from getting the oxygen it needs to run well.
3. If necessary, clean the fuel filter on the mower to ensure the flow of gasoline to the engine is not restricted.
4. The carburetor of lawnmowers can get clogged by gas with 10% ethanol. Using ethanol-free gasoline in lawnmowers is the best choice.
Can you modify a lawn mower?
You can make the necessary modifications to your lawn mower to make it faster, up to 50 mph. Increasing the engine’s speed by adjusting the spring, air filter, or spark plug gap. However, modifying your lawn mower may void its warranty and could also damage other components. So it is wise to get professional help if you decide to modify your lawn mower.
Chris has 15 years of experience using all the latest technologies, machinery, and equipment available on the market today. His diverse experience allows him to provide homeowners with the best possible results while saving them a lot of time and money. When it comes to Lawn Tractors, Chris knows every model there is – so if you’re looking for advice, he’s your man!