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Robert Coats Robert Coats is offline
Retired in Georgia
 
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Posts: 1,401
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by wdfifteen View Post
Why at idle? Most machines are designed to work at full governed speed.
True dat. Always run the engine at its full, rated RPM to keep the blade(s) spinning at the speed optimal to make a clean, instant cut. A slower spinning blade will usually shred/tear the grass (uneven cut, poor finish, etc.). Many walk-behind mowers don't even have (or need) a throttle for this reason.

I recall most 18-21" single blade walk-behind mower engines run about 3,100 rpm. Because not all mowers have the blade bolted directly to the crankshaft, the federal rules don't limit the engine speed, but the blade tip speed.

-Lawn mower Man-
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-Robert Coats
Old 04-30-2021, 01:22 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #108 (permalink)