What Oil You Need For A Gasoline Trimmer

What you need to know about the running-in and operation of four-stroke air-cooled gasoline engines installed on garden, construction and road moto equipment.

Air-cooled four-stroke gasoline engines are widely used in gardening equipment. tillers, motor-cultivators, lawn mowers, snow blowers, motor pumps, mini-tractors, on construction and road-building equipment. gas generators, vibrating plates, vibrating rammers.

READ THE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS before operating the engine. Unfortunately, many buyers do not. Therefore, the most elementary questions about the use of the motor arise.

TIP: READ ENGINE OPERATING MANUAL.

Secondly: what kind of oil to fill in the engine crankcase.

Many people consider famous brands of automobile oil to be the best for use in engines for a tiller (cultivator, snowmobile, electric generator, motor pump, etc.). This is absolutely not the case. Automotive oils are designed to work in water-cooled engines, not air-cooled ones. The boiling point of automotive oils is lower than that of oils that contain special additives for air-cooled engines.

Use oil with a quality class SF, SG, SH, SJ, CD or higher. Do not use oil additives. Select oil viscosity based on ambient temperature.

SAE 30 (5 ° C and above) is recommended for temperatures above 5 ° C. May cause difficult starting when used below 5 ° C.

10W-30 (-18 to 38 ° C) is recommended for variable temperatures. This oil provides a cold start to the engine, but can lead to increased oil consumption at temperatures above 27 ° C.

Check oil level more frequently at elevated air temperatures.

Synthetic 5W-30 (-30 to 40 ° C). Synthetic oil, provides engine operation over the entire temperature range, as well as easy starting and reduced oil consumption.

5W-30 (5 ° C and below) is recommended for work in winter conditions.

FILL ONLY OILS SPECIFIED IN ENGINE INSTRUCTIONS.

Always check the oil level. The level should be up to the last thread of the filler neck in the horizontal position of the engine (as shown in the figure). Fill and drain holes are located at the front and rear of the engine.

Engine oil fill level

On lawn mowers, pay attention to the dipstick. Vertical shaft motor dipstick has marks.

Different engines have different crankcase volumes. If you have a 4, 5.5, 6.5 or 7 hp engine then you need to fill in 600 ml. oils. Engines 7.5 hp 900 ml is poured. In motors with a capacity of 8, 9, 11, 13 and 15 hp. respectively 1.1 l.

The main causes of engine breakdowns

REMEMBER. Engine breakdowns occur mainly from improper operation.

Instruction for running in and operating a 4-stroke engine

Fourth: how is the engine running in.

Air cooled engines do not like idling. Start the engine, warm it up for 1-2 minutes. and run in at work. During the break-in, try to adhere to 50-75% of the load and take obligatory breaks in work after 20-25 minutes. After a break, when the engine has cooled down (15-20 minutes), you can continue working again. In this mode, the engine should run for the first 4-5 hours, after which it is imperative to change the oil. Running in finished.

Third: starting the engine.

At the first or cold start of the engine, there is an increased load on the piston system. High revs can damage the motor. Therefore, it is necessary to start the motor at 1/3 throttle position. And you need to run in at medium speeds.

First: what kind of gasoline should be used.

We recommend using clean, fresh, unleaded RON 92 RON gasoline. Air-cooled engines are not designed to operate with AI95 and AI98 fuel. The 95th and 98th gasoline contains additives that have a detrimental effect on the piston system of the engine, leading to overheating and breakdown.

Do not mix oil with gasoline. Doing so may result in engine malfunction which is not covered by the warranty.

USE FRESH AI-92 GASOLINE WITH A STORAGE LIFE OF 30 DAYS.

What to look for when choosing an oil?

Modern two-stroke engines of the lawn mower are fueled with a mixture of AI-92 gasoline and oil marked “2T”. Using fuels with a higher octane rating will increase the flash point and therefore burn out the lubricant.

Varieties of Stihl oils

Undoubtedly, the best trimmer oil is the one recommended by the manufacturer, but the owner does not always have the opportunity to purchase exactly the “branded” lubricant. Experts recommend Shell Helix Ultra, based on Pureplus technology, which improves the basic properties of the lubricant.

For gasoline trimmers of the German manufacturer Stihl, it is necessary to use oils Stihl HP Ultra, Stihl HP, Stihl HP S. A budget substitute can be Vityaz products, which in their properties are most similar to the recommended material.

Engine types

Gasoline engines can be grouped into several types depending on several criteria, including their application, fuel management method, ignition, piston and cylinder or rotor locations, strokes per cycle, cooling system, and valve type and location. described in the context of two main types of engines: piston and cylinder engines and rotary engines. In a piston-cylinder engine, the pressure created by the combustion of gasoline creates a force on the piston head that moves the length of the cylinder in a reciprocating or reciprocating motion. This force pushes the piston away from the cylinder head and does the work. A rotary engine, also called a Wankel engine, does not have conventional cylinders fitted with piston pistons; instead, gas pressure acts on the surface of the rotor, causing the rotor to spin and thus do the work.

Gasoline Engines Gasoline engine types include (A) opposed piston engines, (B) rotary Wankel engines, (C) in-line engines, and (D) V-8 engines. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Most gasoline engines are piston and cylinder types. The main components of a piston-cylinder engine are shown in the figure. Almost all engines of this type follow either a four-stroke cycle or a two-stroke cycle.

Typical piston-cylinder arrangement of a gasoline engine. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

How much oil to pour into the trimmer?

Depending on the number of engine strokes and the type of oil used, it is necessary to strictly observe the proportions when preparing the fuel mixture.

Gasoline and oil proportions

So, when preparing fuel with mineral oil, the proportions can vary from 1:25 to 1:35. For high-revving engines with synthetic oil, the lubricant and gasoline dosage can be 1:50 or 1:80. Fuel preparation consists in pouring a certain amount of oil into gasoline and then mixing.

The container is not suitable for long-term storage of the diluted PVC mixture, since when interacting with plastic, the solution loses its properties. Long-term storage of the prepared fuel (more than 2 weeks) should not be allowed, which leads to the formation of an oil film and malfunctions in the fuel system.

Trimmer oil: choices and proportions was last modified: July 4th, 2018 by Admin

Types of engine oils and their purpose

The choice of oil for the petrol trimmer

Gasoline trimmer engine oil is a lubricant that serves to reduce wear between the rubbing engine components.

The composition of the oil includes residual hydrocarbons and various additives that improve the properties of the final product. To ensure long-term and trouble-free operation of lawn mowers, experts recommend using oils that, in terms of their physicochemical properties, correspond to this type of motor.

Today, it is customary to distinguish between three main types of oils by the way they are obtained:

  • Mineral, created in the process of distillation of hydrocarbons;
  • Synthetic oils obtained by natural gas processing or synthesis;
  • Semi-synthetic, containing improved mineral oil with the addition of some synthetic components.

In order to prevent mixing of different types, the manufacturer adds a dye to the oils, which indicates the difference in the composition of the lubricant.

Choosing a lawn mower oil

For trimmer engines it is necessary to choose oils marked “2T”, which are used for internal combustion engines with a volume of 50 to 200 cm 3 and are air-cooled. First of all, when buying oil, you should pay attention not to the price, but to the protective properties of the material, since small savings can subsequently become a real headache for the owner and, as a rule, high costs.

Two-stroke lawn mower oil

The main factor in determining the quality of trimmer oil is the base number. It is this component that excludes oxidation of rubbing parts and slows down their destruction. During operation, the oil gradually loses its alkalinity and becomes oxidized. The optimal acidity level (Ph) should not be less than 8-9 units.

The viscosity of lawn mower oil also has a big impact on how a gasoline tool works. This indicator determines the ability to operate the trimmer at different temperatures. For example, summer brands of lubricants thicken even with a slight decrease in temperature. Due to the use of lawn mowers exclusively in the spring-autumn period, oil with summer marking would be an excellent option.

The flash point for trimmer oil must be more than 225C, otherwise the oil will burn out quickly and the piston group will be subject to intense wear.

Oil selection and fuel preparation for trimmer

Oil plays a huge role in the performance and durability of the gasoline trimmer, which protects the parts of the cylinder-piston group from rapid wear.

In order for a lawn mower to please its owner with trouble-free operation, a competent approach to maintenance is required. Currently, it is customary to distinguish between two main types of engine by the number of working strokes:

The principle of operation of two- and four-stroke engines

  • two-stroke engines, where oil is added directly to the fuel tank;
  • four-stroke engines with separate oil reservoir. The exception in this category is the STIHL 4-MIX engine, which runs on an oil-gasoline mixture, but at the same time has 4 strokes.

However, most of the trimmers on our market are equipped with powertrains that run on a mixture that has been previously prepared and poured into the fuel tank.

Which oil for two-stroke trimmer engines is better

gasoline engine | Britannica

Gas engine. any of a class of internal combustion engines that generate power by burning a volatile liquid fuel (gasoline or a mixture of gasoline such as ethanol) with ignition initiated by an electric spark. Gasoline engines can be manufactured to meet the requirements of almost any possible powerplant application, the most important of which are passenger cars, small trucks and buses, general aircraft, outboard and small onboard marine units, stationary mid-sized pumping units, lighting units, machine tools and power tools. Four-stroke gasoline engines are used in the vast majority of cars, light trucks, medium and large motorcycles, and lawn mowers. Two-stroke gasoline engines are less common, but they are used for small outboard marine engines and in many portable landscaping tools such as chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and blowers.

need, gasoline, trimmer

Cross section of a V-shaped engine. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Varieties

The oil that is poured into the engine may differ in the production method. According to this criterion, it happens:

  • mineral. this type is obtained during the processing of petroleum products;
  • synthetic. it is obtained by processing or synthesizing gas;
  • semi-synthetic. this type has better characteristics due to the introduction of synthetic-based components into it.

Lawnmower oil refers to formulations intended for use in air-cooled engines that have a combustion chamber volume of 50-200 cubic centimeters. In addition, any two-stroke oil can differ from analogs in additives that give it certain additional characteristics. They are of the following types.

  • Antiwear. The main task of the oil will be to reduce wear of parts during the operation of the device.
  • Antioxidant. They do not allow oxidation to occur and make it possible to maintain the performance of the oil for a long time.
  • Anti-corrosion. Their job is to prevent corrosion from forming on engine parts.
  • Friction modifiers. These additives can significantly reduce the coefficient of friction.

Two-stroke oil from different manufacturers may differ in the combination of additives used, which means that their properties will differ.

Recently, when purchasing oil for dilution with gasoline, users very often come across the fact that special letter abbreviations are applied to the cans. These designations are made within the framework of the API classification. Consider what types of oils exist in accordance with it.

  • The TA is used for air-cooled lawn mowers with an engine displacement of no more than 50 cubic centimeters. It can be used not only for mowers, but also for mopeds, lawn mowers and other types of machinery. For a petrol trimmer, this is the optimal solution.
  • TB is used to refuel a chainsaw, scooter, moped or motorcycle, the engine of which does not exceed 200 cubic centimeters. Can also be used for refueling petrol trimmers.
  • TC is suitable for thinning with gasoline and pouring into a snowmobile, motorcycle and other types of equipment.
  • TD is intended for refueling boats, yachts and hoverboards.

But in addition to this classification, other letter designations of the FA-FD type are often found. It should be said that the API is an American standard that is used in Europe. But there is a discrepancy between European and American smoke emission regulations. For this reason, additional letter designations should also be taken into account.

  • FA can be used in countries where minimum exhaust gas emissions are required by law. Barely noticeable smoke may be emitted when using oils with such markings.
  • FB. can be used in countries where the restrictions on the emission of smoke and gases are much stricter. In this case, the smoke will practically not be emitted.
  • FC. a transparent smoke appears here, which the human eye cannot notice.
  • FD is a special category of oils for 2-stroke engines, they do not create smoke at all. They have increased chemical properties. Usually this oil is used for mixing with gasoline and subsequent refueling of boats and yachts.

In addition, oils come in two more categories:

  • Selfmix;
  • Premix.

In the first case, this will mean that it is necessary to carry out self-mixing, which does not require shaking, and in the second case, you will need to do it too.

Petrol trimmer oil: types and recommendations for use

  • Appointment
  • Requirements
  • Varieties
  • Tips for choosing
  • How to use?

Gasoline trimmers are some of the most popular lawn mowing attachments. They are easy to use, mobile, allow a person not to depend on an outlet and show excellent results in their places of use. But for the stable operation of a gasoline trimmer, high-quality consumables are needed. In particular, we are talking about gasoline and oil. It is about the last component that we will talk about in this article.

Requirements

A quality oil that can be poured into a gasoline trimmer must meet a number of requirements and standards to ensure reliable operation of the device and its performance. The oil should:

  • provide an increase in wear resistance for various elements (in particular, the gearbox is especially susceptible to this);
  • ensure the formation of smoke and exhaust gases is as low as possible;
  • do not allow premature ignition;
  • mix well with gasoline when exposed to low temperatures;
  • have good viscosity and flow characteristics in various temperature ranges;
  • be as safe as possible in terms of environmental impact.

As mentioned, two-stroke engine oil will differ from four-stroke engine oil. It has higher power, which is why fuel for it is obtained by mixing a certain amount of gasoline and oil. The ratio will be different for each lawn mower. You can find out its meaning in the instructions for the device. These proportions must be observed with maximum accuracy. When adding additives, take into account the type of motor.

If mineral oils are used the mixing should be somewhere in the ratio of 1: 25, 30 or 35, depending on the type. If we are talking about a synthetic analogue, then the proportion will be 1: 50 or 80. That is, a certain amount of oil dissolves in the volume of gasoline.

Appointment

Engine oil is a special blend of solvent and friction-reducing additives. They form a certain viscosity and do not allow the composition to thicken when the temperature drops. Usually oils are specially colored in different colors: green, red or blue. This allows them not to be confused.

Please note that they may vary in composition, so petrol trimmer oil will be labeled “for gardening”. In addition, it may still differ in marking: “2T” or “4T”. The first is two-stroke oil, which is poured into the corresponding engine. And the second is intended for pouring into the crankcase.

In addition, you should be aware that under no circumstances should mineral and synthetic oils be mixed due to the fact that they have a different base.

Selection Tips

Now let’s try to understand how to choose a quality trimmer oil that runs on gasoline. The main feature to look out for is the base number. This moment excludes the oxidation of parts in which friction is observed, and slows down their deformation as much as possible. The more this compound is used, the faster it loses its alkalinity and becomes more oxidized. The optimal indicator of acidity (PH) is a value of at least 8-9 units.

The second important factor, which also has a serious impact on the performance of a gasoline trimmer, is the viscosity of the oil. This characteristic determines the ability to use the device at different temperatures. Summer brands of oils begin to thicken already with a minimal temperature drop.

But given that such trimmers are usually used in autumn and spring, it is best to use just oil with summer markings.

The third point, the importance of which should not be underestimated, is the flash point. This indicator should not be less than 225 degrees. Otherwise, the composition will burn out very quickly and the load on the piston group will begin to increase, which will cause its accelerated wear. Also, 4-stroke oil will not work with 2-stroke. Namely, the latter type of motors is used in the vast majority of lawn mowers.

If we talk about manufacturers, then you can make a small rating that will allow you to navigate the formulations offered by various manufacturers. For example, Stihl offers quality synthetic and mineral oils, which have already proven themselves as an excellent solution at any time of the year.

Shell Helix Ultra oil is considered very good. Experts note its high characteristics and excellent indicators of alkalinity and viscosity. In addition, the products of such brands as Oleo-Mac, Motul, Hammerflex, Echo are considered worthy. If we talk about the products of domestic brands, then you should pay attention to Lukoil oil. Its price is several times lower than foreign counterparts, but at the same time it has high quality and good technical characteristics.

In general, the ideal solution would be a synthetic or semi-synthetic oil labeled TB or TA.

How to use?

For the proportions of oil used, see above. We must say right away that you should not deviate from the indicated values ​​and dilute gasoline by eye. At best, you just need to change the oil, and at worst, engine damage cannot be avoided.

It is also important to be able to prepare the mixture correctly. It cannot be poured into the gas tank. It is better to pour the oil into a special container that already contains gasoline. A plastic bottle of mineral water is perfect for this. It is very important that it is clean, which is why beer or milk bottles will not work. And it is better that it be a liter or two-liter, since it will be difficult for many to calculate how much oil to fill in a 1.5-liter or 1.25-liter bottle. You will also need to have a syringe on hand that will function as a dosimeter. It is best to take a regular medical one for 10 or more cubes.

Now we will explain step by step how to make a good gasoline trimmer oil.

  • First you need to find out exactly what type of oil is required for a particular scythe model, as well as find out the exact ratio of gasoline and oil to create a mixture.
  • Then you need to fill the container. The container should not be filled with gasoline to the end, because oil must still fit there;
  • Now we draw the required amount of 2-stroke oil into the syringe and pour it into a bottle of gasoline. You can’t do the opposite, otherwise all ingredients will need to be replaced, and the mixture will need to be done again.
  • Close the bottle with a lid and stir. Here it is important not to forget that you need to stir the mixture if there are the words Premix on the bottle with oil. If it says Selfmix, then after mixing the substances, everything is poured into the tank.

Now all that remains is to refuel the petrol trimmer, and you can carry out the necessary work.

For information on how to choose oil for gasoline trimmers, see the next video.

Learn to dilute gasoline with trimmer oil if you overfill or overfill

If you bought a trimmer, lawn mower, lawn mower, chainsaw and other types of equipment, then you probably know that they use two-stroke motors as power units. These engines do not run on pure gasoline, like four-stroke engines, but on a mixture of gasoline and oil. In what proportion should gasoline be diluted with trimmer oil. every summer resident asks himself this question before preparing the tool for work. We will understand this issue in detail, since diluting gasoline with trimmer oil affects the service life of the tool, and improper preparation of the mixture will lead to rapid engine wear. What is the danger of excess or insufficient amount of oil in gasoline for a trimmer:

  • If gasoline is diluted with a large amount of oil (above the norm), then this will lead not only to the appearance of a large amount of smoke, but also to the formation of carbon deposits on the cylinder walls and a drop in power. This carbon deposit will cause piston wear, which will be diagnosed by a decrease in its performance.
  • If the gasoline does not contain enough trimmer oil, this is even more dangerous. After all, the working mechanisms of the engine will not be lubricated in sufficient quantities, which will eventually lead to their rapid wear (there is a rapid destruction of the piston rings and the engine jamming). With an insufficient amount of oil in gasoline, poured into the trimmer, engine wear will occur ten times faster

In order not to have to pay for mistakes with the cost of an overhaul of the engine or the purchase of a new tool, it is necessary to pour fuel of the correct consistency into the tank from the first day. You can find out the ratio in the instructions for the tool, since models from different manufacturers may give different recommendations. Usually this ratio is the following norms:

  • 1 in 25 or for 1 liter of gasoline 40 grams of two-stroke oil
  • 1 to 40 or 1 liter of gasoline 25-30 grams of lubricant
  • 1 to 50. this is 20 grams of oil per liter of gasoline

The standard value is 1 to 50 (indicated on cans of oil for two-stroke engines), but it is necessary to rely on it in the most extreme case, since the manufacturers indicate the recommended proportion value, and if it is not observed, then the service life of the two-stroke motor is reduced.

In addition to keeping the proportion, you also need to learn how to prepare the mixture. After all, the option of adding oil to the gas tank is categorically contraindicated, although some do so. If you bought a trimmer or lawn mower, you will need consumables that you will use to prepare the mixture. Instructions for preparing the fuel mixture in the trimmer are as follows:

  • Prepare gasoline and two-stroke oil based on the above recommendations for the selection of lubricant and fuel
  • In addition, to prepare the mixture, you need to take a container or container. Usually, a plastic bottle is used for this, and the selection of which requires an appropriate approach. It must be clean inside. It is not recommended to use a container for milk, beer and other drinks. The best option is a container of mineral water
  • It is very important that the container has an integer volume value, that is, 1 or 2 liters, so that you do not have to calculate how much oil to pour into a 1.5 liter, 1.3 or 1.25 liter bottle, because you can easily make a mistake
  • You will also need a syringe, which is used as a measuring device for dispensing oil. For such purposes, a conventional medical syringe for 10 or more cubes is suitable. It is desirable that the syringe has an accurate measuring scale
  • After preparing the necessary materials, you can start cooking

Instructions for preparing a fuel mixture in a lawn mower:

  • First you need to fill the plastic container. The container is not full of 2 fingers to fit the oil
  • The required amount of two-stroke oil is drawn into a syringe, and poured into a bottle with collected gasoline. You need to do this, and not vice versa.
  • After adding a lubricant to the bottle, it is required to close it tightly with a lid and stir. However, keep in mind that oils labeled “pre mix” need stirring. If the container with oil has the designation “self mix”, then you do not need to shake the container, and after combining the substances, you can pour them into the tool tank

After preparing the fuel mixture for the trimmer, it remains to fill the tool and start working. How to properly refuel trimmers, lawn mowers, chainsaws and other types of motor vehicles, we will consider in detail.

Small Engine Repair: How to Calculate or Mix 2 Stroke Oil with Gasoline or Petrol

Types of engine oils and their purpose

The choice of oil for the petrol trimmer

Gasoline trimmer engine oil is a lubricant that serves to reduce wear between the rubbing engine components.

The composition of the oil includes residual hydrocarbons and various additives that improve the properties of the final product. To ensure long-term and trouble-free operation of lawn mowers, experts recommend using oils that, in terms of their physicochemical properties, correspond to this type of motor.

Today, it is customary to distinguish between three main types of oils by the way they are obtained:

  • Mineral, created in the process of distillation of hydrocarbons;
  • Synthetic oils obtained by natural gas processing or synthesis;
  • Semi-synthetic, containing improved mineral oil with the addition of some synthetic components.

In order to prevent mixing of different types, the manufacturer adds a dye to the oils, which indicates the difference in the composition of the lubricant.

We deal with the choice of gasoline for lawn mowers AI-92 or AI-95

How many people, so many opinions, which applies not only to the choice of trimmer oil, but also gasoline. Similarly, in order not to make a mistake with the choice, it is recommended to use gasoline of the brand recommended by the manufacturer (indicated in the manual for the tool). However, everything is not so simple here, since at each gas station, the brands of gasoline are only called the same, but they have completely different composition. You need to figure it out and come to a common conclusion about which brand is better to pour gasoline into a two-stroke engine for your trimmer.

Manufacturers recommend using A-92 gasoline for their equipment, and some models require the use of A-95 grades, which do not contain ethyl alcohol. It is not recommended to use AI-90 and lower gasoline, as they will cause rapid wear of engine parts. When buying gasoline of one brand, you cannot be 100% sure that it corresponds to reality. The result is the following picture:

  • The manufacturer recommends pouring fuel into the AI-92 trimmer
  • The summer resident uses only gasoline of this brand, but buys it at gas stations, where the price is lower or where necessary
  • This negatively affects the internal details of the engine, since at one gas station it is really high-quality AI-92 gasoline, and at the second. at best, if it is AI-80, not AI-76

As a result, the engine suffers, and after a couple of years of operation of the new trimmer, it becomes necessary to overhaul it. In order not to have to analyze the quality of fuel or buy only expensive gasoline, it is recommended to refuel at only one filling station. At filling stations, gasoline is only poured into metal cans, not plastic.

There are manufacturers producing special purified fuel for two-stroke engines. If this option is chosen, then you do not need to choose the best gas station, the brand of gasoline and control its shelf life.

Choosing a lawn mower oil useful tips from professionals

If the instructions for the tool have been lost, and there are difficulties with choosing the right oil, then it is recommended to stop your choice on the following two options:

  • Semi-synthetic. they are cheaper than synthetics, but more expensive than mineral water. Suitable for equipment, both Russian and foreign. They have low smoke parameters, and adequately “take care” of the structural elements of the motor. Manufactured by ferrying petroleum products and hydrocarbons
  • Synthetic are expensive types of lubricants that are suitable for all types of equipment. If you use synthetics for your trimmer, then the engine of the tool will work like a clock.

When choosing and buying oils for dilution with gasoline, you may encounter the fact that some letter designations are indicated on the cans. These designations are an API classification, which will be useful to find out who wants to fill the tool with a lubricant that is suitable for the parameters. Let’s consider all types of oils according to API classification for two-stroke engines:

  • TA. intended for air-cooled units with a volume of up to 50 cm3. These include mopeds, lawn mowers, trimmers and lawn mowers. Optimal solution for lawn mowers and trimmers
  • TB. used for refueling engines of units such as mopeds, chainsaws, scooters and motorcycles. The engine displacement of such equipment ranges from 50 to 200 cm3. This type of oil is also suitable for trimmers
  • TC. intended for dilution with gasoline and filling in motorcycles, snowmobiles and other types of land equipment
  • TD. serves for refueling outboard motors, hydro-scooters and boats

API classification is an American standard that is used in Europe. However, when choosing, there are additional designations on oil cans for two-stroke engines, for example, FA, FB, FC, FD and others. This is the smoke emission classification of oils developed by the Japanese JASO standard. If such designations are found on the selected oils for trimmers and chainsaws, then their decoding must be taken into account:

  • FA. used in countries where the legislation provides for the minimum emission of smoke into the atmosphere. Emits an imperceptible fog of smoke during operation
  • FB. Designed for use in countries where there are strict restrictions on the emission of smoke into the atmosphere. Virtually no white smoke
  • FC. smoke emitted into the atmosphere is transparent and invisible to humans
  • FD are smokeless oils for 2-stroke internal combustion engines that do not emit smoke, but still have improved chemical properties. They are usually used for mixing with gasoline and refueling boats, boats and yachts.

If the container with the lubricant has the designation “self mix” and “pre mix”, then they mean. self-mixing with gasoline (the first option, which does not require shaking), and the need for forced dissolution (the second option).

Knowing the classification of oils by their types, it will not be difficult to choose the best option for your brand of lawn mowers. On the market you can find a variety of brands of oils for two-stroke engines, but it is better to pay special attention to such companies:

  • Stihl. produce mineral and synthetic, and semi-synthetic of this brand are rare
  • Shell Helix Ultra. Recommended by Specialists
  • Motul
  • Oleo-Mac
  • ECHO
  • Hammerflex
  • Lukoil is a Russian oil that costs 3 times cheaper than foreign analogues, but at the same time has excellent quality indicators

Product are not indicated as vary. There are many other brands, and if you still want to find the perfect trimmer lubricant for yourself, it is recommended to watch the test in the video below.

From the video, we can conclude that it is not always useful to buy expensive oils, since they may turn out to be of unsatisfactory quality, which can be seen in a real example.

Choosing a lawn mower oil

For trimmer engines it is necessary to choose oils marked “2T”, which are used for internal combustion engines with a volume of 50 to 200 cm 3 and are air-cooled. First of all, when buying oil, you should pay attention not to the price, but to the protective properties of the material, since small savings can subsequently become a real headache for the owner and, as a rule, high costs.

Two-stroke lawn mower oil

The main factor in determining the quality of trimmer oil is the base number. It is this component that excludes oxidation of rubbing parts and slows down their destruction. During operation, the oil gradually loses its alkalinity and becomes oxidized. The optimal acidity level (Ph) should not be less than 8-9 units.

The viscosity of lawn mower oil also has a big impact on how a gasoline tool works. This indicator determines the ability to operate the trimmer at different temperatures. For example, summer brands of lubricants thicken even with a slight decrease in temperature. Due to the use of lawn mowers exclusively in the spring-autumn period, oil with summer marking would be an excellent option.

The flash point for trimmer oil must be more than 225C, otherwise the oil will burn out quickly and the piston group will be subject to intense wear.

Requirements

A quality oil that can be poured into a gasoline trimmer must meet a number of requirements and standards to ensure reliable operation of the device and its performance. The oil should:

  • provide an increase in wear resistance for various elements (in particular, the gearbox is especially susceptible to this);
  • ensure the formation of smoke and exhaust gases is as low as possible;
  • do not allow premature ignition;
  • mix well with gasoline when exposed to low temperatures;
  • have good viscosity and flow characteristics in various temperature ranges;
  • be as safe as possible in terms of environmental impact.

As mentioned, two-stroke engine oil will differ from four-stroke engine oil. It has higher power, which is why fuel for it is obtained by mixing a certain amount of gasoline and oil. The ratio will be different for each lawn mower. You can find out its meaning in the instructions for the device. These proportions must be observed with maximum accuracy. When adding additives, take into account the type of motor.

If mineral oils are used the mixing should be somewhere in the ratio of 1: 25, 30 or 35, depending on the type. If we are talking about a synthetic analogue, then the proportion will be 1: 50 or 80. That is, a certain amount of oil dissolves in the volume of gasoline.

Trimmer Ready Mixed Storage Tips

After refueling the trimmer, many put aside the mixture in the bottle until the next time. Sometimes this next time does not come soon, and stretches until the next year. It is impossible to store the finished mixture for so long, as the oil decomposes. After preparing the mixture, it must be consumed within 1-2 weeks. In addition, it is also impossible to store the tool for a long time with the fuel mixture poured into the tank, since the effect will be the same. To prevent unforeseen circumstances, it is recommended to take into account the following recommendations for storing a ready-made gasoline-oil mixture:

How to Mix Gas and Oil for Weed Eater: Tips from Sears Home Services

  • Prepare the fuel mixture in the amount that will be used. If you don’t know how much fuel you use, then it is better to cook less
  • If a fuel mixture remains in the trimmer tank (when the tool is hidden until the next season), then it must be completely used up or drained
  • Before adding the prepared mixture to the tank, stir it thoroughly
  • Store the prepared mixture in a tightly twisted container, and also in a place limited to exposure to sunlight

Subject to all recommendations, the service life of the trimmer will be no less than indicated in the instructions. The use of high-quality consumables in pairs, observing the recommendations for preparing the mixture in the trimmer, will entail a long and effective service of the gasoline tool.

Gasoline trimmers are some of the most popular lawn mowing attachments. They are easy to use, mobile, allow a person not to depend on an outlet and show excellent results in their places of use. But for the stable operation of a gasoline trimmer, high-quality consumables are needed. In particular, we are talking about gasoline and oil. It is about the last component that we will talk about in this article.