What kind of oil to pour into the mower, selection criteria

If petrol lawn mower quickly becomes unusable, many try to find the cause on their own. Blame for everything is the idle spark plug, the crankshaft, which has long ceased to spin, or the failed carburetor. But the point may not be at all in the breakdown of some part of the device, but in its improper use.

Many are accustomed to opening the box when buying this or that device, carefully turning it on and dealing with the device yourself, relying only on their knowledge. The problem is that there are not always enough of them, but you don't want to waste precious time on instructions, but in vain. For example, the wrong mower oil can cause damage to almost the entire system.

What is oil in a gasoline engine for?

What happens to the substance during operation? It looks like this:

1. With the help of an oil pump, the agent is sucked out of the crankcase.
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2. It enters the filter, which cleans the substance from solid particles and sediments.
3. After that, it is fed into the pump and passes through the highways to the bearings of the crankshaft, and there already to all the other moving parts of the motor.
4. Excess flows down to the gas distribution and crank mechanisms.
5. The lubricant continues to enter the crankcase, washing away impurities from it, after which it goes back and flows down in a circle.

Thus, with the help of oil, the engine easily cleans itself from sediments and other dirt, protects itself from corrosion, cools heated parts, taking away heat, and lubricates many elements that use friction during operation, which means that it protects them from breakage.

If you use bad oils or not designed for a particular motor, the engine will slowly fail. At first, a crackling sound is heard, indicating that the crankshaft journal is in contact with the liners. After a little more time, the crankshaft will stop spinning, and the motor will need serious repairs, since most of it has already been broken. Saving oil only increases the cost of equipment.

How to choose the right lawn mower oil, its types

To begin with, the principle of oil movement in a conventional machine engine described above will differ from that used in a lawn mower. To reduce the cost of the device in the production of trimmer motors, manufacturers remove the oil pump. The lubricant that is optimal for the car will be very different from that used in lawn mowing equipment.

In it, the crankshaft is responsible for the distribution of oil. The substance itself has to be mixed with gasoline in proportions 1 in 50. In other words, 2% of the fuel composition should be oil. Although on some mowers, this figure may differ. There is information about this in the instructions. Even if it's lost, you can find the guide you need on the internet. By chemical composition, there are three types of oils:

1. Mineral is created from refined products. The substance is very viscous and is designed for a low-power engine (mixing ratio with gasoline - 1:32).
2. Semi-synthetic based on mineral oil, but with the addition of artificial additives. They provide protection for moving parts of the motor, reduce the risk of breakdowns, and perform especially well in the cold season. Semi-synthetic oil is excellent for lawn mowers. This is an average option between mineral and synthetic, but cheaper than the latter (1:35).
3. Synthetic fluid created with the help of hydrocarbon components and ethers. The latter are the result of complex chemical reactions of acids. Such a complex substance justifies its composition: excellent solubility in gasoline, strong fluidity. Easily lubricates the engine and contains almost no ash components. It has even more additives that show themselves both in warm and cold weather. Such oil is an expensive option when compared with analogues (1:50).

Classification API designed to differentiate motor oil by quality and the technique that uses it. For lawn mowers, you can use:

1. TA - for two-stroke engines of trimmers and mopeds with a small engine (no more than 50 cm³).
2. TB - for scooters and motorcycles with slightly higher power (50-200 cm³).
3. TC - for engines with high demands on oil quality, perfect for a trimmer.
4. TD - for two-stroke outboard boat motors, also good for a lawn mower.

When choosing an oil, one should not be guided by the “more expensive is better” rule. Select a fluid based on API classification and oil type only. Be sure to look at the numbers 2t and 4t. Marking2t - for a two-stroke motor, 4t - for a four-stroke.

These oils are very different from each other, therefore, in no case should you take a four-stroke for a two-stroke and vice versa. Ash remaining from burning oil will settle inside the engine. Mixing with lubricant during operation, it forms a substance that easily injures the motor.

Choosing an oil manufacturer

Shell Helix Ultra has long established itself in the market. It is a synthetic oil made from natural gas. Contains a large number of additives that help the trimmer wear much less.

Rasenmaher creates good mineral lubricants specially designed for garden appliances.

Liqui moly makes quality oils with additives that differ from others in their environmental friendliness.

Oils must be distinguished by their viscosity.Suitable for ambient temperatures from -10 ° C to + 35 ° C SAE 15W40 or 15W30. For colder weather, it is better to use SAE 5W20, SAE 5W30, SAE 10W30.

How is the oil change in a lawn mower

Replacement process for a device with a two-stroke engine:

1. We select the desired ratio of the amount of oil and gasoline, mix in the correct proportions in the canister. You cannot store such a mixture for more than two weeks: after that it loses its properties.
2. We warm up the engine for at least 20 minutes.
3. We unscrew the crankcase plug, drain the spent product.
4. Pour new oil into the engine.

It must be remembered: if you do everything correctly, according to the instructions, you can reduce the likelihood of breakdown, loss of time and money. It is worth thinking about this before throwing the manual into the trash again.