Want to learn how to make a lawn mower faster?
There's a number of straightforward solutions to increase the speed of your mower without having to buy a faster model.
Let's take a look at these 15 ways to make your existing lawn mower faster!
Safety Warning
Before going any further, there needs to be a safety warning.
Going too fast on a lawn mower is a really dangerous activity.
Be really careful and use your judgment as you’re riding a souped-up lawn mower.
Additionally, don’t forget your PPE during the building process and when you ride.
Jump to:
- Safety Warning
- Why Do You Need a Fast Lawn Mower?
- Fastest Type of Lawn Mower to Start With
- #1: Routine Maintenance
- #2: Inspect the Tires
- #3: Use the Right Fuel
- #4: Look for Leaks or Damages
- #5: Check Your Oil Level
- #6: Take a Look at the Air Filter
- #7: Replace the Tires
- #8: Replace the Mower Blades
- #9: Ditch the Governor
- #10: Put in a Bigger Pulley
- #11: Increase Engine Airflow
- #12: Inspect the Muffler
- #13: Pick the Right Mowing Pattern
- #14: Regularly Cut Your Grass
- #15: Don’t Cut More Than It Can Chew
Why Do You Need a Fast Lawn Mower?
There are two answers to this question.
- First, it’s fun to go fast.
- Secondly, the faster you mow your lawn, the less time it takes and the more time you have to yourself.
A lot of people hate the chore of mowing the lawn, so a fast lawn mower can get rid of a lot of headaches.
Fastest Type of Lawn Mower to Start With
If you want to get the fastest cut, you need to start with the fastest option.
If you feel like sprinting around with a push mower, you came to the wrong place. We’re talking about riding mowers here.
The fastest option is a hydrostatic lawn mower.
This type of mower doesn’t use belts in the transmission to achieve its speed.
It uses fluid to get the power from the engine to the wheels.
Husqvarna makes a number of hydrostatic lawn mower models, like this one:
- 18.5 hp Briggs and Stratton Intek engine offers powerful performance
- Foot pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission allows you to change speed and direction, which lets you keep both hands on the steering wheel for optimum driving control
- Tight 16 in. turning radius allows you to mow in tighter spaces and navigate around obstacles.
It’s only fair that you learn some different ways to get a faster lawn mower. You can pick and choose your way through this list.
#1: Routine Maintenance
The biggest way to keep your lawn mower going fast is to keep up with your maintenance. This piece of machinery has a lot of moving parts that need to be maintained.
Not only will it make your mower ride faster, but it will also reduce the downtime you have to deal with thanks to things breaking or malfunctioning. It means that you don’t have to stop mid-cut.
#2: Inspect the Tires
The tires are the reason your mower moves at all in the first place.
Before cutting your lawn, take a look at your tires.
Check for wear, measure the pressure, and make sure that the tread looks okay. Defective tires do nothing but slow you down.
#3: Use the Right Fuel
Another part of the “going fast” process is your fuel. Using the right fuel means that the engine can work at max speed and power.
For best results, we suggest using clean gas that is 92 octane or higher.
#4: Look for Leaks or Damages
When things leak, your lawn mower slows down.
This can refer to any part of your machine. If you see any damage at all, you should correct it as soon as possible.
#5: Check Your Oil Level
The oil in your lawn mower will lubricate the moving parts.
Without lubrication, friction leads to parts getting worn out and destroyed.
Your mower should always have the correct level of clean oil.
#6: Take a Look at the Air Filter
If your air filter is clogged, your engine won’t get enough airflow.
It can choke out the engine and lead to performance issues.
You’ll find the air filter towards the top of the engine. It might be inside of a plastic or metal shroud, fastened with some snap fittings.
Replacing it is really easy and affordable – just make sure you get a compatible filter for your mower.
#7: Replace the Tires
If you’re not satisfied with the speed or performance of your mower, maybe it’s time for an upgraded set of tires. Y
ou can get fancy tires that maximize the speed of your mower for some extra money.
Old Lawn Mower Tire Stuck? Check out The Best Way Remove a Stuck Lawn Mower Wheel HERE
#8: Replace the Mower Blades
One of the biggest upgrades you can put in your mower is a new set of blades.
Your blades are often the limiting factor when it comes to how fast you can successfully mow your lawn.
If they’re too dull or cheap, they won’t be able to keep up and your lawn will look terrible after getting mowed.
You can start by just sharpening your blade first and seeing if that helps.
Check out our full tutorial on How to Sharpen and Balance your Lawn Mower Blades HERE.
#9: Ditch the Governor
The governor is a piece of your engine that limits how fast it goes.
If your engine can’t go faster, then your mower can’t go faster.
If you want to remove it, then just grab a wrench, and take off the flywheel housing. Now you should be able to access and remove the governor.
Don’t forget to put the housing back on!
#10: Put in a Bigger Pulley
Another piece that limits your speed is your pulley. Going for a bigger pulley can mean more speed for your mower.
Make sure you step up in size gradually to see what your mower can handle.
Check your manual to see what you currently have and then go up in half-inch increments.
#11: Increase Engine Airflow
If your engine gets more airflow, you’ll be able to go faster through your yard. It helps cool things down and keeps you moving.
To get the most airflow, ditch the hood of your mower. This also reduces the overall weight which makes you go faster.
Most models of hydrostatic mowers allow you to remove a few bolts and take the hood off completely.
Just make sure you are properly storing your mower away from the elements and not leaving it exposed to the weather if you do this.
#12: Inspect the Muffler
Your muffler is another problem child for your mower.
If there are holes or damage to your muffler, there will be back pressure in your exhaust system.
What does this mean for you? A slow mower.
Make sure your muffler looks good and has no damages whatsoever before you start mowing.
#13: Pick the Right Mowing Pattern
Some people don’t realize that your mowing pattern can speed up the entire process. If you want the fastest results, you should design for the fewest turns.
Always aim to cut in long, straight lines.
This might mean that you have to ditch the creative pattern you mow into your lawn. It’s up to you to decide which you would prefer.
#14: Regularly Cut Your Grass
The more often you cut your grass, the less time it will take each cut.
Your blades will glide through the grass without a problem. You won’t get bogged down with overgrown grass.
#15: Don’t Cut More Than It Can Chew
Finally, make sure you aren’t trying to cut too much grass at once.
This plays nicely with tip #14.
If your blades are cutting more than they can chew, then you’ll have to reduce your speed to get an even cut. In the name of going fast, reducing your speed is the last thing you want.
If your grass is overgrown, you might have to do a few passes to cut it well.
Thick, long grass will bog down your blade, tires, and engine.
