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The biggest issue with the TS is that the carb on the FE290 engine is nearly always set too lean to handle the California lawn equipment smog rules. If your power is lacking, ie. stumbling and no poop, from start to about a quarter throttle, you need to increase your pilot jet size. If the power is lacking from 1/4 to 3/4 throttle, then you need to increase the main nozzle size. If the power is lacking at 3/4 to full throttle then you need to increase the main jet size.

If you can find a local Kawpower dealer, they will stock the different jets needed. Because jetting is dependent on altitude and climate, I can make no size recommendations for your area.

If you go to buykawpower.com, the official Kawasaki engine distributor's site, you can follow the parts links to your engine designation. If I remember correctly, John Deere is what is referred to as a SSO or self servicing OEM. So, just select an engine in your model sequence without the SSO suffix, and you can find a good parts diagram.

Then take a look at the control systems and you will find the governor. If you move the governor spring closer to the fulcrum you can increase your available RPM's. Just keep in mind that this is an industrial engine, so do not exceed the current governor limit by much. But, a good jetting job and small tweak to the governor makes a huge difference in usable power.

Regarding your clutch. Go to a snowmobile dealer and pick up a can of Comet Clutch Lube. Then lube the sliding parts, but nothing that the belt touches, with that lube and let it dry. Use no other lube, the Comet lube is a spray molly lube that drys and is specifically made for the belt drive torque converter systems and anything with graphite or oil will create problems.

Gator TS needs power
Utility Vehicles UTV/ATV
Replies 8 Post by RCWells

The gas gator uses a Kawasaki engine. The governor arm and tension spring are found under the triangular cover into which the throttle cable is connected.

All that is necessary to increase the engine operating range is to relocate the tension spring hole farther toward the fulcrum of the governor arm, and that will reduce the spring tension and increase RPM.

Be real careful. These are industrial engines and should not be taken above 3,850 rpm for very long periods.

If you are going to modify the governor, I seriously recommend you invest in a Tiny Tach and get it installed before you start tweaking.

4X2 Gator govenor modification
Utility Vehicles UTV/ATV
Replies 4 Post by RCWells