Proper engine speed zero turn motor

[oldcodger]

What speed should the engine run (full throttle setting and blade engaged) on a zero turn mower? I put a cheap tach on my and the speed is about 3,000 rpm,

 

[GMBoy]

Wide open or close to it. You need enough RPM to spin the blades fast enough for your conditions and enough to propel the mower. I keep mine a hair below max and it does fine and saves some fuel. I believe the max setting is not true max to save the motor.

 

[Cujet]

Most of the OPE engines create rated HP at 3600RPM. I recently adjusted the governor on my JD235 to 3600, per the manual. It was down to 2800! Most likely due to the governor spring rusting and getting weak. I don't often need to run the eng at full RPM, but it's nice to have when mulching leaves, as it does a much better job.

NOTE: I think this thread belongs in the Lawn Mower section, not Motorcycle.

 

[walterjay]

I run my JD at 3,150 rpms. Perfect for my application.