engine speed for kawasaki 14hp?

[Nathan]

Our ransome 36 with the kawasaki 14hp(fc420v)has always seemed a little slow. We just got a new tt 36 and it seems the engine is screaming compared to the ransome. Even though the new engine is a 15 twin kawasaki the manual says 3600 rpm no load. Our ransome dealer is far away and not very good(part of the reason we switched to exmark)and has been no help with specs for the 14. Does anyone have a manual for the 14, and if so can you tell me the proper rpm setting. BTW we have a mini tach and it is runnning at approx. 3440 right now.

[TLS]

I have a 14 Kawi on my SCAG 48". The Kawi manual, all 4 fold out pages of it!, doesn't say what the max RPM should be. All that is mentioned is "Slide base plate (E) horizontally to obtain no load maximum speed specified by manufacturer of equipment on which engine is used." However, my SCAG manual says on all troubleshooting sections that deal with poor cut...."Run engine at full 3600 RPM" I have mine set at 3710 free load and it takes it down to 3650 or so when the blades are engaged. I have had mine set like this from new and no problems so far. I wish I had a twin!

P.S. When I took delivery, it was set at 3450!!! There needs to be more QC at the factories in regards to engine RPM.

[LWNMWRMN]

For max engine life I wouldn't run it over 3600 rpm, although you would get more peformance ( higer blade speed) by running it at say 3750 rpm.

[Nathan]

thanks guys, I am going to try it at 36 and see what happens.

[T-Bone]

Nathan

Kawasaki FC420V Owners manual tune up specs say.
High Idle speed 3250-3450 rpm.

Although I would agree with you sometimes they seem like a dog. In my case its not enough HP with a 48" deck in heavy grass.
Let me know what rpm you decide on and how it works, I may have to tweek mine also.

[Richard Martin]

All Kawasaki 14 hp engines except for code S-13 and S-17 are 3600 no-load rpm. S-13 and S-17 are 3350 no-load rpm. For more info see http://www.kawpowr.com .

[Eric ELM]

Has anybody figured out how to get more rpm's out of a 6 hp Kawasaki? I have one on a JD 21" and it seems like the idle and top rpm's isn't much difference. It cuts like crap too, so I figured I would crank it up a bit. It isn't like working on the Kohlers though.

[T-Bone]

Richard

After seeing your post I went back to the owners manual and came across something I over looked, below the tune up specifications theres a NOTE- High and low idle speed may vary depending on each equipment on which the engine is used. If this is the case then I guess it shouldn,t hurt to turn it up a bit.

Thanks for the post.

[TLS]

T-Bone,

My manual didn't mention anywhere what the free load max RPM's should be. Is your manual a 4 page fold out type?
All they talk about are idle RPM's at 1550. I wish they gave a # to call to get shop manuals for these small engines, just like you can with trucks.

[T-Bone]

dixie1

Yes its the fold out type with 18 categories,part no. 99920-2094-01. If I find someone who sells a real manual I'll let you know.

[Edited by T-Bone on 03-26-2001 at 02:48 PM]

[TLS]

T-Bone,

I must have an older manual as mine is a 99920-2070-02. Like I said, this one doesn't list high idle suggestions.

I put in a request for a shop manual for my engine to the local Kawi distributer, I'll let you all know what I come up with.

Upon snooping around Kawi's website, I found that the high idle speed for my 27hp LC Kawi is 4000 RPM's!! WOW !! Its time to bump them up a bit.

[bababooie]

how do you turn up the rpms,and know where your at when your done?

[TLS]

Bababooie,

Cool name!... F-Jackie. Anyway, you adjust high idle rpm's as per instructions in the owners manual. That is by loosening the control linkage base plate bolts and moving the base plate away from the carb.. You will need a tachometer to determine rpm's. Ex. Tiny-Tach. There are also handheld tachs available for this purpose. Just be careful as you can ruin your engine real quick with too many rpm's.

[Nathan]

Hey thanks guys for all the double checking. I bumped mine up to 3620 no load(the highest I can get it under load is 3510, so I didn't see the point of running it any faster under no load)it seems to be a much more reasonable speed over 3440. I'll let you know what happens.
As far as how you do it, there is a screw in front of the carb it is the highest one situated on the front side of the engine, clockwise makes the speed increas. The only way for a true ready is a tach, so either get a tiny tach/hourmeter or get a small equipment tach from your dealer. I recommend the first just because it's nice to know hours on your machines.

[TLS]

Nathan,

If you are talking about a 14hp Kawi, there is no screw anywhere on the carb that will allow for higher no load rpm's. There are two screws on the carb, one (the highest one) is the throttle stop, this adjusts idle speed only, NOT high idle speed. The lower one is the idle mixture screw, dont mess with this one! This also does NOT affect high idle speed or WOT. You need to adjust the throttle linkage where the throttle cable meets the choke and throttle linkage. This is the only way of adjusting the WOT free load rpm's.

[Kirt Shore]

Hey Nathen, if your are short a few RPM's I think you should start with the basics. Set the valves to the proper clearence. Try a new spark plug. Clean the air filter. Make sure that your gasoline is fresh. I know that Scag no matter what engine they use wants a "NO LOAD SPEED" of 3700 RPM on a 48". This should give you about a 3610 to 3580 when the blades are engaged. I agree with the other gentelmen. As cheep as tiny tachs are add one to your machine and you will know what's going on. The Kawasaki and for that matter all the engines today are good, but some are better. If your engine is starting to us oil then you will not get that little extra you are trying for. Next look to see if your pulleys and idlers are in good shape. It's amazing how well these machines run when they were new. Good luck. I continue to rebuild old machines and it always amazes me how a few new parts and setting the machine up right will make an old dog cut like a new pup.

Good cuttin' More RPM's will get the job done better.

[bababooie]

i'm clueless, where can i find the tiny t

[Nathan]

I know you can get it in the momore catalog. It might also be at lanscapesupply.

[bababooie]

thanks nate