Cub Cadet 1320 Hydro Kohler Command 12.5 hp: Governor fix & adjust

rickpaulos

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My cub was having issues last winter, gas ran in to the crank. That has been fixed. Shut off valve added to prevent a repeat. Carb rebuilt too.

Next issue is the engine speed and lack of power.

I bought a cheap electronic tachometer so I could monitor the engine speed. My original manual says 3400 rpm +/- 75. The tach can be programmed for many engines up to 8 cylinders. I set it at 1 spark every engine rev to get the correct number. This model of engine, like many small engines, sparks every time the crank turns once even though one spark is when the valves are open. This cheap tach has far too many features. I suspect it was designed by a committee, yeah, add everything. All I want is rpm. I don't need time of day, hours of operation, hours til next service, auto light mode, and about 12 more useless features.

I took the cables and linkages off and cleaned everything.
I found the plastic clip that connects the governor arm to the throttle linkage had come loose and was jammed up against the "ceiling" so it would not freely move.

Reassembled, that's a trick as you have to connect the governor spring, throttle cable, choke cable and choke linkage all at the same time. There are numerous holes to connect everything so which is right? It took me 3 tries. My parts manual does not show the linkages. Every photo on the www was for different models. I finally got it right and took a photo for reference. I marked the related bits. If anyone has a 1320, please post a photo for comparison.

Adjusting the governor. Several vids on youtube for various engines. Some say turn clockwise, some counter clock wise. Depends on the exact engine model.
So I tried both. What worked was turn the governor shaft fully counter clockwise, (I used a bent bicycle spoke in the hole at the end of the shaft), push the governor arm clockwise, then tighten the bolt. That worked well. Engine no load idle is close to 3400. Runs great and mows great.

The new "Cub Cadet" branded deck belt I installed last month shredded 5 minutes later. I'm suspecting it was a cheap clone despite the labeling.

Cub.Cadet.choke.throttle.linkage.JPG
 

rickpaulos

Active Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2012
Threads
31
Messages
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Thanks, Rivets. I read through that manual and it matches what I did to adjust the governor that worked.
 
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