How To Make A Lawn Mower Go Faster

If your lawn mower feels like its moving through molasses, you might be wondering how to make a lawn mower go faster. Getting a bit more speed from your machine is a common goal, and it can often be achieved with some straightforward checks and adjustments. A faster mower means you spend less time cutting grass and more time enjoying your yard. Before you start, remember that safety is the top priority. Always disconnect the spark plug before working on your mower to prevent any accidental starts.

This guide will walk you through the practical steps, from simple tweaks to more involved modifications. We’ll cover everything from basic maintenance to engine adjustments. You’ll learn what’s safe, what’s effective, and what might be pushing things too far. Let’s get your mower moving at a better clip.

This main section covers the core methods. Start with the simplest solutions first. Often, a lack of speed isn’t about power but about something simple holding you back.

Start With Basic Maintenance and Troubleshooting

A slow mower is often just a dirty or poorly maintained one. These steps can restore lost speed without any risky modifications.

Check Your Tire Pressure: Soft, underinflated tires create drag. Inflate them to the PSI listed on the tire sidewall. This is the easiest and fastest fix for sluggish rolling speed.
Clean the Undercarriage: A thick layer of caked-on grass acts like a brake. Scrape it off thoroughly. A clean deck allows grass to discharge freely, reducing strain.
Sharpen or Replace the Blade: A dull blade tears grass instead of cutting it. This makes the engine work much harder, slowing everything down. A sharp blade reduces load and can improve efficiency.
Change the Oil and Air Filter: Old, sludgy oil causes friction. A dirty air filter chokes the engine. Fresh oil and a clean filter let your engine run at its designed power level.
Use Fresh Fuel: Old gasoline loses its volatility and can leave gummy deposits. Drain old fuel and use fresh, ethanol-free gas if possible for best performance.

Adjust the Governor Setting

The governor is a device that controls the engine’s maximum speed. It’s designed to protect the engine from damage. Factory settings are conservative. A small adjustment here can yield a noticeable increase in RPM.

Warning: Do not bypass or remove the governor. This is extremely dangerous and will likely destroy your engine quickly. We are talking about a slight, careful adjustment only.

Locate the governor arm and shaft on your engine. Consult your mower’s manual for the exact location.
You’ll see a spring connected to the governor arm. This spring is what controls the tension and, thus, the max RPM.
To increase speed, you typically need to increase the tension on this spring. This might involve bending a metal tab or adjusting a screw.
Make adjustments in very small increments—a quarter-turn or a slight bend. Reconnect the spark plug, start the mower, and observe the change.
Do not exceed recommended RPMs for your engine model. If you don’t know them, err on the side of caution. The engine should not sound strained or scream.

Change the Drive System on a Push Mower

For manual push mowers, your walking speed is the limit. But you can make pushing easier, letting you walk faster. The key is reducing friction in the wheels.

Lubricate the wheel bearings and axles with a light machine oil. Worn-out bearings create drag.
Ensure the height adjustment levers are not dragging or binding against the wheels.
Consider upgrading to mower wheels with better bearings if yours are old and plastic. Sometimes the simplest parts wear out.

Modify the Pulley System on a Riding Mower

Riding mowers and lawn tractors use a system of pulleys and belts to transfer power from the engine to the transmission and wheels. This is a more advanced area for speed gains.

The principle is simple: change the pulley sizes to alter the gear ratio. A smaller drive pulley on the engine or a larger driven pulley on the transaxle will result in higher top speed. However, this almost always reduces torque, meaning you may lose power for climbing hills or cutting thick grass.

Identify the current pulley sizes. You’ll need to measure their diameters.
Source a replacement pulley that is slightly smaller (for the engine) or slightly larger (for the transaxle). Don’t go too extreme.
Replace the pulley, ensuring the belt alignment is perfect. A misaligned belt will wear out rapidly.
Test cautiously. Be aware that your braking distance may increase, and low-end power will be less.

Consider Engine Swap or Upgrade (Advanced)

This is a major project for experienced tinkerers. Swapping in a larger, more powerful engine can provide more speed and torque. This is not a beginner task and involves fabrication, welding, and precise mechanical work.

You must ensure the new engine physically fits the mounting plate.
The crankshaft size must match your current pulley or clutch system.
Throttle and choke linkages will need to be adapted.
Remember, more power puts more stress on the frame, transmission, and spindles. You might be creating new points of failure.

Important Safety and Legal Notes

Chasing speed must be balanced with responsibility. A lawn mower is not a go-kart or a race car.

Stability: Higher speeds increase the risk of tipping over, especially on slopes. Riding mowers have a high center of gravity.
Control: Your mower’s steering and brakes are not designed for high-speed operation. Stopping distance will be longer.
Cutting Quality: Going too fast, even with a sharp blade, results in a poor, uneven cut. You’ll leave streaks and miss grass.
Engine Longevity: Continuously running an engine above its designed RPM drastically shortens its life. Valves can float, and connecting rods can fail catastrophically.
Liability: If a modified mower causes an accident or injury, you could be held legally responsible. Operate only on your own private property.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re uncomfortable with any of these steps, take your mower to a small engine repair shop. A pro can:

Properly adjust the governor to a safe, optimal level.
Diagnose underlying issues like a weak compression or a failing transmission that mimic a lack of speed.
Perform a true engine tune-up for peak performance.
Advise you on the feasibility and safety of modifications for your specific model.

Alternative: The “Two-Mower” Strategy

For large properties, sometimes the best solution isn’t a faster mower, but a second, dedicated machine. A zero-turn mower is built for speed and efficiency on open lawns. Keeping your tractor for hauling and rough areas might be the most effective overall upgrade.

Final Performance Checklist

Run through this list before considering any major mods. Most speed issues are solved here.

[ ] Tire pressure is correct.
[ ] Deck is scraped clean.
[ ] Blade is sharp and balanced.
[ ] Air filter is clean or new.
[ ] Oil is fresh and at the right level.
[ ] Fresh fuel is in the tank.
[ ] Governor is set to factory spec (as a baseline).
[ ] Drive belts are in good condition and tensioned properly.

FAQ Section

Can I just remove the governor to make my mower faster?

No. This is very dangerous. The governor prevents the engine from over-revving and destroying itself. Running without one can lead to immediate engine failure or even the flywheel shattering, which is a serious safety hazard.

Will bigger wheels make my riding mower faster?

Yes, larger rear wheels will increase top speed because they cover more ground per revolution. But, like changing pulleys, this reduces torque. Your mower may struggle to move from a stop or handle hills, and the speedometer (if equipped) will be inaccurate.

Is it safe to adjust the governor myself?

It can be if you are careful and make tiny adjustments. The key is to not get greedy. Increase the RPMs just a little bit at a time and listen to the engine. If it sounds like its screaming, you’ve gone too far. Always reference your engine’s manual for the proper procedure.

Why does my mower slow down in thick grass?

This is normal and a sign the governor is working. As the blade load increases, the engine bogs down. The governor responds by opening the throttle to try to maintain RPM. If it slows down alot, your blade might be dull or your engine might need a tune-up to restore its power.

What is the easiest way to get more speed?

For a push mower, ensure the wheels spin freely and the deck is clean. For a rider, checking tire pressure and doing a full engine tune-up (air filter, spark plug, oil, fresh gas) is the easiest and safest first step. You’d be surprised how much speed is lost to simple maintenance issues.

Can I put a bigger engine on my mower for speed?

Physically, it is often possible, but it’s a complex project. You need to match mounting points, shaft size, and consider the added stress on the frame and transmission. It’s usually not a bolt-on job and requires custom fabrication work. For most people, it’s not the most practical solution.

Getting more speed from your lawn mower is about working with its design, not against it. Start with the simple, free maintenance tasks. They often make the biggest difference. If you proceed to adjustments like the governor, do so with patience and respect for the engine’s limits. Remember, the goal is a quicker, more efficient cut—not to create a racing machine. A well-tuned, properly maintained mower operating at its intended peak will serve you well and last for many seasons. So grab your tools, start with the tire gauge and a scraper, and you’ll likely find the performance boost you were looking for.