How to Make a Lawn Mower Faster to Go Up to 30-50 Mph
A typical lawn mower maintains a speed of 5-10 Mph(Mile Per Hour) to cover all the mowing purposes. But someone might want to increase the mower speed to 30, 40, or even 50 mph if they wish to use their mower for transportation or even for racing on tracks. Riding mower engines are capable of outputting greater speed with various modifications to their pulleys, the engine, the gearbox, the wheels, the brake system, and so on.
How to Make a Lawn Mower Go 30-50 Mph
Increasing the speed of a lawn mower requires special modification to most of the parts of the mower. This can include modifying the belt and pulleys, upgrading the engine, changing the gearbox, changing the wheel axles, changing the wheels, upgrading the brake system, and many more. These modifications increase the regular mowing speed for the purpose of transportation and for track racing.
How to Make a Lawnmower Go Faster
Mowers are specifically designed to run at a much lower speed to cut grass but it can run at a much higher speed with proper modification to their components.
Performance Upgrades
These are direct upgrades of the mechanisms that increase the output speed of the mower. The main components that control the power of the mower and ultimately the speed of the mower are the engines, the transmission, the belt and the pulleys.
Engine Modifications
Modifying the engine will result in higher power output and enable the mower to reach greater speed. The ways this can be achieved are listed below.
- Install a performance air filter: Engines are basically air pumps that compress the air and expand it to move the cylinders inside the engine. Performance air filters provide much cleaner airflow for better compression.
- Install a performance exhaust system: A better exhaust system increases the airflow through the machine and ultimately works to increase the overall speed.
- Install performance throttle bodies: Throttle bodies control the amount of air that flows in the engine. Swapping the regular throttle body with a performance throttle body will work to increase the airflow and the overall speed output of the engine.
Transmission Enhancements
Transmission controls the gear ratio between the engine and the wheels. Regular riding mowers have a lower configuration on their transmission to keep the speed at a low level. Increasing the gear size of the mower transmission will give a larger output and enable the machine to run faster.
Fuel System Improvements
Fuel systems control how much fuel enters the engine while operating. Mowers typically use fuel systems that trickle fuel at a much slower rate because mowers do not require substantial power. Switching the fuel system to a superior one will increase the fuel supply to the engine and increase the horsepower of the engine.
Structural Modifications
Modification to the engine system will not be enough to increase the overall speed of the mower. Substantial modifications to the body of the machine have to be done to make sure that the machine can handle this increase in speed and can be operated safely.
Chassis and Frame Considerations
You will need to modify the chassis and the frame of your mower to handle the jerking and the movement of the mower at a higher speed. The regular configuration of the mower can only handle 5-10 mph speed but at higher speeds, the chassis and the frame will have to be modified to handle the extra jerking motions. The newer parts might require metal bars, axles, bolts, screws, and even welding to stay in their correct position when the mower reaches 30-50 Mph.
Suspension Upgrades
Regular mowers usually do not come with a quality suspension system as it is not designed to run on rough terrain at high speed. However, the wheels will require a suspension upgrade if the machine is modified to run at a faster speed.
Suspensions can be installed separately on the wheels or they can be bought with their own wheel attachments. Choose the correct suspension upgrades to keep your mower balanced when it runs at high speed.
Belt and pulley system upgrades
Belts and pulleys convert the engine’s motion to the wheel. Typically a mower has several belts and pulleys to also use the engine’s motion to the blades. Blades will not function on a mower running at 30-50 mph and thus these mechanisms need to be removed. Installing belts and pulleys at higher ratios will also enable the machine to run at a much faster speed. These belts and pulleys might require extra metal bars and bolts and screws to keep them in place.
Tire and Wheel Enhancements
Regular mower tires cannot handle high-speed operation and will require wheel enhancements.
Choosing the Right Tires
The correct types of tires will depend on the type of surface on which the mower will run. The three types of tires are lug tires, smooth tires, and turf tires.
- Lug Tires: These types of tires have wide, raised bars running horizontally across the tire. These tires provide better traction on loose soil as it dig in and pushes up on the ground. Lug tires are not suitable for higher speed and might require replacements if you modify your mower for speed.
- Smooth Tires: Smooth tires have minimal notches on the tires and are perfect to run on smooth surfaces like hard soil or asphalt roads. Choose this type of tire If you decide to drive the mower on regular roads.
- Turf Tires: These are in between the lug tires and the smooth tires as they have small lugs to help with the traction but are smooth enough to run properly on normal roads. Install these types of tires if you choose to ride on dirt tracks and rough terrains.
Upgrading Wheels
Just changing the tires might not be enough when it comes to upgrading your whole machine to run at a much higher speed. The whole wheel arrangement will need modifications. Wheels on mowers usually have little moving space because they run at a very low speed. This becomes a huge safety concern as turning becomes difficult at higher speeds. Modify the wheels to make sure they turn properly and do not wobble.
Brake System Upgrades
Upgrading the engines or the transmission will also require upgrades to the braking system for safe operation at high speed.
Ensuring Effective Braking at Higher Speeds
Regular mowers run at very low speeds and only require very light braking components to stop the machine. This system will not be sufficient at higher speeds and will require upgrades.
Upgrading Brake Components for Improved Stopping Power
Regular mowers use cable brake systems to decrease the speed or stop the mower. This is not enough to stop a mower running at 30-50 mph. Install a better gas brake mechanism that can be controlled with a peddle and connect it to the wheels. Make sure to check that the brake is properly engaging and disengaging to avoid accidents.
Aerodynamics and Bodywork
Increasing only the performance capacity of the mower engine and other parts will not be ample to increase the overall speed of the mower. The body of the mower might also require modification to decrease air resistance and improve aerodynamics.
Reducing Air Resistance
Mowers are not designed to run at high speed and so, air resistance is not kept in mind while designing the body. This is why most mowers have a very square shape and size which is not ideal for higher speed. The top cover of the engine of the mower can be modified to be more rounded off to ensure less air resistance while riding.
Rider Position for Improved Aerodynamics
Rider position also affects the aerodynamics of the performance of the mower. The rider can cause air resistance at high speed due to improper seat adjustment. Adjust the seat to the level where there is the least air resistance on your body.
Safety Measures
Always follow proper safety precautions while driving mowers at a high speed. Accidents at 30-50 mph can be very severe and cause serious damage to both the machine and the rider.
Braking and Handling
Check and double-check the brake, the throttle, the clutch, and the wheels before taking it out for a spin. Check if the brake is properly engaging and disengaging properly. Make sure that the throttle is supplying the correct amount of fuel to the engine. Ensure that the transmission box is functioning correctly and shift between all the gears is happening smoothly without any mechanical obstruction.
Make sure that all of the parts that you have taken out did not leave any loose screws or bolts dangling with the machine. Also make sure that all the new components that have been installed are properly held together with sufficient screws, bolts, bars, or welding.
Protective Gear
Always wear protective gear like gloves, face masks, full-sleeved shirts, and eye protection while modifying the mower parts. These parts are rusty and dirty and can cause cuts and infections if handled without proper protective gear.
Wear helmets when the mower runs at 30 mph or higher for maximum protection. It is recommended to install seat belts mounted on the mower to avoid accidents.
Roll Cage or Roll Bar Installation
A roll cage or roll bar is a metal skeleton that is installed on the main body frame or chassis of any vehicle for extra protection. This is done to racing cars to keep the driver safe in a situation like an accidental collision or crash. You can install a roll cage or roll bar on your mower chassis to ensure the utmost safety of the driver.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Your mower will be able to run at 30-50 mph with the proper adjustments and modifications and you might also be able to avoid all mechanical problems while operating the machine, but you can still run into legal or ethical problems.
Checking Local Laws and Regulations
Every state has laws and regulations about operating all types of vehicles on the street. Even if your mower matches the speed of regular cars on the street, it might not be street-legal. Check with the local laws and make sure to carry all necessary paperwork to avoid all legal troubles if you choose to take it out on the road.
Responsible Use of Modified Equipment
Modified components on the machine generally put a lot of strain on all of the parts because they run the machine at a higher performance rate than for which it was designed. So, regularly check all of the modified components on your mower to avoid damaging all the parts. Run the mower with caution and keep track of the condition of all the parts on the mower.
Testing and Fine-Tuning
Modifications are most of the time wild guesses when it comes to measuring how much power or speed it has increased. Installing a new air filter or new pulley system has no guarantee of increasing the power by an exact number.
Gradual Speed Increases and Testing
Take the mower out on a test run after installing each part to see how much speed or power has increased on the machine and how it is handling. Test and fine-tune them accordingly to ensure the best performance out of your mower.
Gradually increase the speed by installing different parts or modifying the transmission or the belt and pulley system. Gradually replacing and modifying the parts will make sure that the speed does not suddenly increase and put too much of a strain on the machine.
Monitoring Engine Temperature and Performance
Regular mower engines are not built to run the machine at such high speed and could overheat with the operation. Keep track of the engine and turn it off if it overheats. Overheating will result from improper air circulation and will require upgrades to the air filter and the exhaust system.
Making Necessary Adjustments Based on Testing Results
Adjust the other parts based on the test run. Tighten all the screws and bolts if the operation is not smooth and it jerks around too much. Adjust all the gears of the transmission to achieve your desired speed.
Maintenance and Longevity
Modifying a mower to run at such high speed will put a strain on the machine’s engine and all the other parts and might affect its longevity.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance includes
- Checking the airflow: Regularly check the air filter and the exhaust pipe to make sure that the airflow is at the desired level.
- Checking engine oil: Regularly perform oil checks to make sure that fuel is flowing properly and the machine is lubricated well.
- Checking the transmission: Modified transmissions require regular checking. Make sure that the gear teeth are in pristine condition and are engaging properly.
- Checking the new components: Check if the new components are held properly in their correct position with the nuts, bolts, and screws.
Monitoring Wear and Tear
Running the mower at a higher speed than its regular capability will cause strain on all the parts and cause damage to them. Check for wear and tear on all the parts before and after every run. Replace the parts if they show substantial signs of damage on them.
Addressing Any Issues Promptly
Any mechanical issue can become deadly at a high speed on a mower. This is why all the issues should be addressed and solved immediately. Stop the mower at once if you hear squeaking noises, feel unwanted jerking motion, feel the wheels not turning enough or turning too much, or feel difficulty while shifting gears. Adjust or replace the parts properly and solve all the issues before restarting the machine.
What Is the Maximum Speed of a Lawn Mower?
Regular mowers are designed to run at 5-10 mph. But it can reach the maximum speed of 50 mph with sufficient modification to its engine, belt and pulleys, clutch, and transmission.
What Affects the Speed of the Mower?
The engine, the belt and pulley systems, the transmission, the air filter, the exhaust system, and the tires affect the speed of the mower. Modification to these parts will increase the overall speed of the mower.
Can Modifying a Lawn Mower Affect Its Warranty?
Yes, modifying a lawn mower can affect its warranty. This will depend largely on the manufacturer and the seller of the mower and their policies regarding the mower. The warranty will become void if modifications to the mower result in damages to other parts of the mower.
Where Can I Find Experts for This Kind of Modification?
You can find experts for this kind of modification at mechanical workshops and car workshops. Modifying all types of vehicles fall under the same category and experts in these fields will be able to provide professional care to your modification.
Do I Need a Special License to Operate a Modified, High-Speed Lawn Mower?
Yes, you will need a special license to operate modified lawnmowers. Depending on the state laws, you will be required to register the mower as a regular vehicle and obtain a driving license to operate your modified mower.
Can I Still Use My Modified Lawn Mower for Regular Lawn Mowing Tasks?
No, modified lawn mowers can not be used for regular mowing purposes as the blades and various other components will get removed and replaced. To use the mower again for regular mowing purposes, those components have to be reinstalled.
Are There Any Alternative Options to Increase the Speed of a Lawn Mower?
No, there are no alternatives to modifying the engine, airflow system, belt and pulley systems, and gear transmission to increase the speed of a lawn mower. Modification to some or all of these parts is absolutely vital to increasing the speed of the mower.
So, modify the parts on your mower to make it suitable to use as a regular vehicle or for a fun racing experience on the track. Follow all the safety precautions and regularly maintain all the parts of the machine to ensure proper function and avoid accidents.
