Toro Recycler with Briggs and Stratton engine - bogs down

I have a 4 or 5 year old Toro Recycler that bogs down in thicker grass. I typically mulch and never had issues until recently.

My question is about compression. I did a compression test and the highest I got was 50.3. Is that enough compression?

I run non-ethanol gas, changed the carb, changed the blade, spark plug, breather cap, air filter, muffler, gas cap, woodruff key, changed the oil, gas is fresh. I used a Honda mower at the same height and had no issues.

Thanks

Please post the model and serial numbers for the unit. Depending on which model you have, I’m thinking that the RPMs may be low.

Rivets said:

Please post the model and serial numbers for the unit. Depending on which model you have, I’m thinking that the RPMs may be low.

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Thank you for the help.
I have pushed the little metal bar forward for more RPMs, but am happy to push it more to make it faster. How do you know the proper RPMs to set it at?

Model number: 21465
Serial number: 412618508.

On those mowers I set the governed top speed at 3200 RPMs.

Rivets said:

On those mowers I set the governed top speed at 3200 RPMs.

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How do you know how fast you are setting it? The mower has a bar I can push forward or backward to make it faster or slower, but nothing that tells me the actual RPMs. Thanks again for the help

There are reasonably priced tachs that just use a wire you wrap around the plug wire. It's not the most accurate thing, but will get you in the ballpark. Here's the one I have, it's not great, but it's cheap and gives a decent reading.


The ones that use a photo sensor can be difficult with mowers

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Count said:

I did a compression test and the highest I got was 50.3.

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Did you use a tester for car engines or small engines?

Most likely the cam has a compression release so you can start it easier. 50 is fine for a Briggs. Unless it is smoking profusely leave it alone. I'd be more worried about keeping the cooling fins CLEAN and the oil ON the FULL mark.

What cc is the engine?

What type of grass do you mow? Makes a huge difference. Is your lawn a salad bar or a beautiful lush lawn with no weeds?

Is it very dry as in no rain or plenty wet?

Did you lower the deck and now all of a sudden it won't mulch for you?

All those new parts you installed will require TESTING. New doesn't mean new anymore. Might have a weak ignition coil losing hp.