Small Engines - » 5 HP Briggs and Stratton Governor Linkage Diagrams (2023)

Here are actual photos I took to explain how to set up the governor linkage for Briggs and Stratton 5hp horizontal shaft engines. Setup is pretty easy after you've done a few of these. Please don't email me about this unless you still don't understand how it works. The most important thing is to pay attention to everything when you defuse it.

Small Engines - » 5 HP Briggs and Stratton Governor Linkage Diagrams (1)

The image above is an overview of the link. The only thing you can't see clearly is the governor arm and where the governor spring goes.

In this picture I highlight where the governor linkage goes and where the governor spring connects. The connection goes to the hole at the end of the arm (blue arrow). The long end of the spring (later models) connects to the "T" side tab on the adjustment arm.

On older engines there will be a slight variation in this setup. There is a hole drilled in the arm in place of a tab that hangs on the side of the arm for the governor spring. Spring will be different too. Older nibs don't have a long finish. They have a short curve on both sides.

The control connection and the regulator connection are highlighted in this picture. The governor link is blue and the control link is red.

This image highlights where the control link is connected. It is connected to the pivoting wishbone on the underside of the tank mount. The governor springs are connected to the opposite end to which the linkage is connected.

Here's the top end where it all comes together. The blue link is the governor's link. It connects the regulator arm to the black plastic crank (highlighted in black). The red link is the control link and is connected to a metal bracket (highlighted in yellow). The link is pressed into a white hub/plug (highlighted in white).

The pin in the throttle valve control fits into the hole in the control gate (arrows).

Finally, this is the top view of the assembled governor and throttle linkages.

Heim|Questions?updated on 07/23/02

23 Responses to “5 HP Briggs and Stratton Governor Linkage Diagrams”

Antonio Dice:
May 26, 2016 at 4:45 p.m
Hello. I have an older 5hp B&S motor mounted on a walking tractor. I got it for free and the link was never correct. One of the first things that struck me is that I do NOT have the "mechanism" on top like you do in your last photo. I have no idea how the link fits into mine or what, if anything, is missing. Two days ago I went to my local parts supplier and got some gaskets to fix the carburetor and bought a new governor spring (a short one with evenly bent ends) to try and get this tiller working. That's what they said fits my engine. I only have one connecting rod going to the governor arm. It connects to the throttle arm at the top. I have no idea where to connect the spring I just bought. I plugged it in where I thought it should go, but the throttle didn't work. I started the engine but had to turn the idle adjustment screw on the throttle all the way in to get gas. My engine number is 130202. Any ideas? I've been looking for a diagram on the internet, but haven't found it yet. Thanks
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erich Dice:
Aug 2, 2016 at 10:25 p.m
Hello Anthony,
Wow almost at my wit's end with the exact same problem! I found this link on small motors in the Award Gardening chat room
to chat "
Team Shed (Moderator: JayG) »
Resolving Briggs and Stratton+ Small Engine Problems" [Allotmentgardening.com UK website]
I had a problem with it not booting, so now power. I got some good carburetor tips and pictures from "JustAnswer.com" suggesting that I disassemble the carburetor and clean the jets etc which I did and replaced the fuel pump diaphragm. Also the B&S UK Mountfield rudder handbook and the B&S 130000 series handbook from the allotment site, but so far NO INFO on how to adjust this regulator where I think the problem is. Now I can start the machine, but strangely with the throttle fully "open". I can't get any real speed/performance. I think this linkage/spring setup is key and am looking for more info
Here. Like you, I don't have the red/yellow control link. Missing or not installed?? You were lucky? There is another link on this page to the B&S governor link, you must check it out.
I could send you a picture of the spring connection etc. Eric, Nottingham, UK
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- Of the Dice:
  April 27, 2020 at 7:29 p.m
  I also have a single vertical link. I found pictures of where the spring goes but the throttle body doesn't affect any link.
  This worked last year but I had to remove the carburetor and clean the connections.
  Now the link is meaningless and all references show 2 vertical links.
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canyon Dice:
Apr 19, 2017 @ 4:42am
I'm not sure about the photo due to clarity issues, but most of these engines I've worked on (I've been doing this for ten years) only have a link that goes to the gas control panel, which is on the side of the governor spring . connects, and the governor's own arm, to which the other joins somewhere between above and below, nearer the middle. The reason for this is that the other linkage that most people see on outboard motors is the choke. The linkage for the choke on gas tank mounted carburetors is usually always at the top of the assembly and is controlled by a separate (user) panel at the top of the tank... you adjust the governor spring pressure via the long link the lower and the other adjusts the choke (both are located on top of the tank). Hope this clears things up for you.
(Video) Choke, Throttle & Governor Linkage Configuration on Briggs & Stratton 4-5Hp Engines
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Gary Btady Dice:
Jul 12, 2017 @ 9:44pm
I'm working on a Troy Bilt Junior tiller and I'm missing some of the links. I am thinking of bending some new ones, if you could provide a picture and measurements I would be grateful.
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Gary Btady Dice:
Jul 12, 2017 @ 9:47pm
This was the best information I found including the pictures provided to understand the issues.
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gen passmore Dice:
Feb 27, 2018 @ 3:11am
the most informative site I have ever found. and I surfed the old interweb here for hours. I've found a new home for little motor information. thanks guys GREAT WORK
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Peter Macadam Dice:
April 7, 2018 at 9:35 p.m
Hello friends
Is there a solution to this problem?
I have a B and S rudder, 5 hp. It has a fixed jet pulse jet carburetor. This only has the single joystick that reaches up to the controller arm. I can't figure out how it works either.
The throttle appears to be closed when it is furthest from the adjustable stop.
There is only one governor spring with a short coil section and a looped end that fits into the "T" slot in the governor arm.
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- Jim Lunsford Dice:
  May 31, 2020 at 1:45 p.m
  You will probably need to replace this spring. Once they stretch, they stop working and you won't get high speed. I hope it helps.
  (Video) Briggs and Stratton 5HP - Carburetor Linkage Setup - 130212
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Larry Dice:
Apr 28, 2018 @ 3:43pm
Hello, I'm working on a Troy Bilt pony tiller, it has the single rod from the plastic linkage to the governor arm and over the top to the throttle. That's the only link on the rod that goes to the speed controller. The governor spring has a loop on one end that connects to the tank mount, the other end is a long loop that fits the T-bracket on the governor's arm. The choke is controlled by a tank-mounted single lever control. The engine model is 130292 type 3016-01. Now the problem is that when the engine starts the governor arm moves up, the governor spring doesn't pull against the arm, the throttle goes to the idle position and that's all I can do. runs in peace. When I push on the governor arm the motor revs up and seems to settle to a constant speed, the governor spring seems useless, it doesn't pull against the arm in any position. From the governor arm, the spring is attached to the bottom bracket of the rear tank when viewed from the recoil starter side. I can't find any diagrams online for this regulator setup, I can only find two rods coming down from the carburetor. So all I can get is idle speed from this setting only, something isn't hooked up properly. Any help would be appreciated
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- Jim Lunsford Dice:
  May 31, 2020 at 1:37 p.m
  I had the same problem, found the spring was stretched, replaced the spring with a new one. Be careful not to stretch the spring when replacing the tank. I hope it helps. The spring attaches to the back of the tank and the square top of the spring attaches to the T-shape on the governor arm.
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and McGarry Dice:
September 2, 2018 at 9:10 am
Can anyone tell me the part number for the governor spring listed above? One with the long end like a clip and a short hook on the other.
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- Jim Lunsford Dice:
  May 31, 2020 at 1:42 p.m
  I believe the spring you're looking for is part number 690376. That's the Briggs part number.
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crisis Dice:
February 24, 2019 at 3:19 p.m
(Video) Throttle, Choke, And Governor Configuration | Briggs 3.5HP Engine
Thanks for posting this. I allowed my 12 year old son to try and fix our rudder. It got frustrated, so my work now. Pictures say more than 1000 words. Thank you Chris
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bartley ives Dice:
April 22, 2019 at 7:47 p.m
Replacing the governor spring is fairly easy if you remove the fan housing, the one with the pull cord. I tried a bit to install a new spring while the case was still on and found it almost impossible. Remove the fan housing, three screws and all is good to see. New spring nearly 1/2 inch shorter than stretched governor spring. Significant difference in top speed and digging ability. Do it! Next up are the new crankshaft seals.
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Ron Dice:
January 19, 2020 at 10:46 p.m
Wood chipper with 5 hp Briggs. Bought a new carburetor on the secondary market. Starts well when cold with full choke. If the choke slide resets even slightly and the choke begins to open, the engine will stall immediately. Any ideas ? Thanks in advance.
Ron
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- Jim Lunsford Dice:
  May 31, 2020 at 1:44 p.m
  I bought one of those aftermarket cabs and had to replace the air/fuel mixture screw with the one from my old carburetor. I hope it helps.
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Felipe Milne Dice:
June 18, 2020 at 4:49 p.m
My problem is that the spring fell off so I don't know what it looks like or how/where it fits.
My motor's drawing, a 130212-3245-01, shows a long spring running alongside the links (691818/262288).
That's what I have, but I can't see where it fits.
I've now ordered another one that's more like the one that fits the links below (690376/262282).
I'll report back to you on how well this works.
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Top Dice:
September 5, 2020 at 10:31 p.m
(Video) #16 - Carburetor Linkage Setup - Briggs and Stratton 5HP - 130202
My engine has seized on my old chipper/chipper and I am considering getting a Harbor Freight 6.5hp "Predator" engine; I wonder if I will be able to transfer the controller settings. Nobody knows?
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- Top Dice:
  September 5, 2020 at 10:58 p.m
  Actually, I see that the Predator motor has a governor 🙂
  But any advice or feedback on this exchange would be appreciated!
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James Osmond Dice:
Jun 3, 2021 at 8:22 am
hello i have mtd model 215 340 500 a friend of mine removed all the connections to clean the carburetor and couldn't reassemble it he brought me the parts in a bag i prepared everything i just can't figure out the regulator connection .. . and I can't find any diagrams here please if you have a picture or video I'd love to see it...thanks
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Juan E Farbe Dice:
June 3, 2021 at 6:15 p.m
I fell into a can with the same problems, what a pleasure to read now, maybe I'll find out how the spring connects. Sent for some feathers that don't look like the photo. Thanks to everyone involved for posting your issues. Mine is a B&S 130292 on a Pony Tiller model 15009. If anyone has the correct measurements I'd appreciate it. Wire size, length, spool size and number of spools. The prices for these pens with shipping are getting very expensive so I think I'll start making my own.johner1944@gmail.com
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Kevin Dice:
Jul 5, 2022 at 1:04 am
I have a 5hp Briggs that seems to be missing the spring. What part number do I need? Not sure if mine is like the picture above or different?
engine information
130202…..model
3129-01….like
91012407….Code
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