Governor System
24 690 37 Rev. B
KohlerEngines.com
27
GOVERNOR
Engine is equipped with a centrifugal flyweight
mechanical governor. It is designed to hold engine
speed constant under changing load conditions.
Governor gear/flyweight mechanism is mounted inside
crankcase on oil pan, and is driven off gear on camshaft.
Governor Components
A
B
C
G
D
E
F
H
K
J
I
Inside Engine
M
L
N
O
A
Control Bracket
B
Choke Lever
C
Choke Linkage
D
Throttle Shaft
E
Throttle Control
Lever
F
Governed Idle
Bracket
G
Governor Spring
H
Governed Idle Spring
I
Governor Lever
J
Linkage Spring
K
Throttle Linkage
L
Regulating Pin
M
Governor Gear
N
Locking Tab Thrust
Washer
O
Governor Gear Shaft
Governor works as follows:
● Centrifugal force acting on rotating governor gear
assembly causes flyweights to move outward as
speed increases. Governor spring tension moves
them inward as speed decreases.
● As flyweights move outward, they cause regulating pin
to move outward.
● Regulating pin contacts tab on cross shaft causing
shaft to rotate. One end of cross shaft protrudes
through crankcase. Rotating action of cross shaft is
transmitted to throttle lever of carburetor through
external linkage.
● When engine is at rest, and throttle is in FAST
position, tension of governor spring holds throttle plate
open. When engine is operating, governor gear
assembly is rotating. Force applied by regulating pin
against cross shaft tends to close throttle plate.
Governor spring tension and force applied by
regulating pin balance each other during operation, to
maintain engine speed.
● When load is applied and engine speed and governor
gear speed decreases, governor spring tension moves
governor lever to open throttle plate wider. This allows
more fuel into engine, increasing engine speed. As
speed reaches governed setting, governor spring
tension and force applied by regulating pin will again
offset each other to hold a steady engine speed.
Governor Adjustments
NOTE: Do not tamper with governor setting. Overspeed
is hazardous and could cause personal injury.
Initial Adjustment Procedure
Make this adjustment whenever governor arm is
loosened or removed from cross shaft. Adjust as follows:
1. Make sure throttle linkage is connected to governor
arm and throttle lever on carburetor.
2. Loosen nut holding governor lever to cross shaft.
3. Move governor lever toward carburetor as far as it
will go (wide open throttle) and hold in this position.
4. Insert a long thin rod or tool into hole on cross shaft
and rotate shaft counterclockwise (viewed from end)
as far as it will turn, then torque nut to 6.8 N·m (60
in. lb.).
Sensitivity Adjustment
Governor sensitivity is adjusted by repositioning
governor spring in holes of governor lever. If speed
surging occurs with a change in engine load, governor
is set too sensitive. If a big drop in speed occurs when
normal load is applied, governor should be set for
greater sensitivity. Adjust as follows:
1. To increase sensitivity, move spring closer to
governor lever pivot point.
2. To decrease sensitivity, move spring away from
governor lever pivot point.
