TIPS

First and foremost, dirt and heat will damage any engine, 2-cycle or 4-cycle, big or small.

• Check your air filters often, at least once every other week during peak usage. If your air filter is clogged, your engine will not run properly and will get over heated. You should replace your air filter every year.

• Check your spark plug every month to see if it needs to be replaced. They usually only need to be replaced once a year unless your engine is having some trouble.

• After use, either blow your engine/equipment off with a blower or with a hose. Wait for your engine to cool before using a hose.

GAS

Ideally use pure gas, gas without any ethanol in it. Use Mid to High grade gas. Your owners manuals will tell you that you should use gas with 89 octane or better. Only buy what you will use in one month. Gas starts to loose octane after 30 days. You can use stabilizer in you gas throughout the year.

When you are not going to be using a piece of equipment for more than a month, totally drain all gas from unit and attempt to start it, to get any gas out of lines and carburetor. That will prevent the gas from gelling up and you will need to get your carburetor cleaned. This is the recommended way of storing equipment listed in most owners manuals.

When you have your equipment repaired, when you get it back, use FRESH gas in it. Many times you may have debris in your gas or older gas that has caused problems with your equipment to start with.

When you put your equipment away for winter, drain all the gas from your units and either use the gas you have in your gas can in your vehicles or dispose of it in an appropriate manner. Do not use that gas come spring. Always start your springtime equipment with FRESH gas.

2-cycle engines: They require that you use a mixture of gas and oil. Check your manual to know what your engine requires. Hint: We do carry a pre-mixed bottle of oil/gas. It also includes a fuel stabilizer. If you only use your 2-cycle equipment for short periods of time, then it would be convenient and practical for your use. If you use your 2-cycle equipment for longer periods of time, then it would be more economic for you to mix your own oil/gas mixture.

4-cycle engines: Check your oil level EVERY time you use your equipment. It is just like your car, if you run your car with low to no oil, you will damage your engine.

Lawn Mowers: Regardless of the size, keep your blades sharpened. Your engine will work less if you cut with sharp blades and your grass will look better too. You may want to have a spare blade so you always have a sharp blade on hand.

I promise that your lawn mowers will not dissolve if you wash them with a hose. You should wash your mower at least once a month. It will keep the grass and dirt from corroding the metal. Plus, once your mower has been washed, you will remember why you bought that mower. Pride of ownership.

On push/self-propelled mowers, clean under the deck, where the blade is, at least twice a month. Grass and dirt gets built up under there and will hinder your blades from doing their job properly.

On riding and commercial mowers, clean under the deck, where the blades are, at least twice a month. Grass and dirt gets built up under there and will hinder your blades from doing their job properly. You also need to clean the top of your deck too. Grass and dirt gets built up there and hinders your belts from working properly. Another reason is that the grass and dirt will corrode your metal deck. Once you get rust holes on your deck, you will need to replace your deck.