Farmall Regular Govenor

1. How do I confirm that the govenor is operating correctly?

2. How do I check the adjustment? I do notice a round tail (aluminum piece extension) in the rear of the govener which when turned makes no difference.

3. Could the throddle linkage be worn enough to cause the govener to not operate? How do I check it?

4. Suppose I will need to retime her if I remove the govenor?

5. At what throddle speed is best for cutting? I am cutting at approximately 3/4 throddle speed.

Full-load speed on both these tractors is 1200 rpm. I used to check this by putting a little rev-counter on the belt pulley, which on the F-20 turns at 654 rpm when the engine is turning at 1200. The no-load governed speed for this engine is 1290 rpm, so you would have to calculate the pulley speed as a ratio of the engine speed (in other words, divide 1200 by 654 to get the fraction, then apply that number to whatever you get from the pulley at full-throttle no-load speed; does any of this make sense???).
I have this information buried in a bookcase in the basement, and would be happy to find it and give you the numbers on pulley rpms in relation to engine rpms (will need to check the Farmall operator's manual to see if the pulley speed is the same as on the F-20; the 3-speed gearbox on the Farmall MIGHT have slightly different gear ratios for the pulley). Write me at: fieldrahilly @adelphia.net. I'll probably enjoy doing this, even. I drove "Regulars" and F-20s for a good 10 years back in the forties and early fifies. Loved them, I guess, but they sure are brutes to ride on in the field.

Early (if not all) Regulars were governed at full throttle only. Yours may be this way. To identify, mine has the throttle linkage that cross to the left of the engine and connecting to a pod in front of the carb. Also, since you describe the adjustment knob, I believe yours falls into this category.

1. How do I confirm that the govenor is operating correctly?

> If yours is governed at full throttle, open it up and drive up a hill. You should hear the engine growel more. Apply brakes for a short period to load futher.

2. How do I check the adjustment? I do notice a round tail (aluminum piece extension) in the rear of the govener which when turned makes no difference.

> This piece (pot metal actually) sets the full throttle speed. Counter clockwise is slower. You can use this to set the desired throttle speed for wood cutting.

3. Could the throddle linkage be worn enough to cause the govener to not operate? How do I check it?

> Yes, but more likely broken weight or worn weight pins, etc... I would remove the oil fill casting. Shine a flashlight and inspect while some one turns the engine. Take a screwdrivers and work the linkage.

4. Suppose I will need to retime her if I remove the govenor?

> Yes, but this is not too tough ;)

5. At what throddle speed is best for cutting? I am cutting at approximately 3/4 throddle speed.

> Sounds reasonable, but for the governor to work you need to run wide open throttle. Adjust the desired speed with the adjustment knob. I think max rated speed is 1100 rpm, turn to set to ~900 or so.

Hope this helps. Email is open if you have more questions.