What kind of oil to put in a lawn mower

If gasoline lawn mower quickly becomes unusable, many try to find the cause on their own. They blame it on a faulty spark plug, a crankshaft that has long stopped spinning, or a failed carburetor. But the issue may not be a breakdown of some part of the device, but rather its incorrect use.

Many people are accustomed to opening the box when purchasing a device, carefully turning it on, and figuring out the device themselves, 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, which is a waste. For example, the wrong oil for a lawn mower can cause damage to almost the entire system.

Why is oil needed in a gasoline engine?

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

1. Using an oil pump, the product is sucked out of the crankcase.
2. It enters a filter that cleans the substance from solid particles and sediment.
3. Then it is fed into the pump and passes through the lines to the crankshaft bearings, and then to all other moving parts of the engine.
4. The excess flows off on the gas distribution and crank mechanisms.
5. The lubricant continues to enter the crankcase, washing away contaminants from it, after which it goes back and flows in a circle.

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

If you use bad oil or one that is not intended for a specific engine, the engine will slowly fail. First, a cracking sound is heard, indicating that the crankshaft journal is in contact with the bearings. After a little more time, the crankshaft will stop spinning, and the engine will require serious repairs, since most of it is already broken. Saving oil only increases equipment costs.

How to choose the right oil for a lawn mower, its types

Let's start with the fact that 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 engines for trimmers, manufacturers remove the oil pump. The lubricant that is optimal for a car will be very different from what is used in lawn mowing equipment.

In it, the crankshaft is responsible for oil distribution. The substance itself must be mixed with gasoline in proportions 1 in 50. In other words, 2% of the fuel composition should be oil. Although this figure may differ on some lawn mowers. There is information about this in the instructions. Even if it is lost, you can find the necessary manual on the Internet. Based on their chemical composition, there are three types of oils:

1. Mineral created from petroleum products. The substance is very viscous and is designed for low-power engines (mixing ratio with gasoline is 1:32).
2. Semi-synthetic It is based on mineral oil, but has the addition of artificial additives. They provide protection for moving engine parts, reduce the risk of breakdowns, and perform especially well in the cold season. Semi-synthetic oil is excellent for lawn mowers. This is a middle option between mineral and synthetic, but cheaper than the latter (1:35).
3. Synthetic fluid created using 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 an even larger number of additives that show themselves in both warm and cold weather. This oil is an expensive option when compared with analogues (1:50).

Classification API created in order to separate motor oil by quality and technology that uses it. For lawn mowers you can use:

1. T.A. – for two-stroke engines of trimmers and mopeds with a small engine (no more than 50 cm³).
2. TB – for scooters and motorcycles with a little more power (50–200 cm³).
3. TC – for engines with high requirements for oil quality, perfect for a trimmer.
4. T.D. – for two-stroke outboard boat motors, also good for lawn mowers.

When choosing oil, you cannot be guided by the rule “more expensive is better”. The fluid should be selected only according to API classification and oil type. You definitely need to look at the numbers 2t and 4t. Marking 2t – for a two-stroke engine, 4t – for four-stroke.

These oils are very different from each other, so in no case should you take a four-stroke for a two-stroke and vice versa.The ash remaining when oil is burned will settle inside the engine. When mixed with lubricant during operation, it forms a substance that can easily injure the motor.

Choosing an oil manufacturer

Shell Helix Ultra has already proven itself in the market for a long time. This is a synthetic oil created from natural gas. Contains a large number of additives that help the trimmer wear out much less.

Rasenmaher creates good mineral lubricants, specially developed for garden tools.

Liqui Moly makes high-quality oils with additives that differ from others in their environmental friendliness.

Oils must be distinguished by 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 to change the oil in a lawn mower

Replacement process for device with two-stroke engine:

1. Select the desired ratio of oil and gasoline, mix in the correct proportions in the canister. This mixture cannot be stored for more than two weeks: after that it loses its properties.
2. Warm up the engine for at least 20 minutes.
3. We unscrew the crankcase plug and drain the used product.
4. Pour new oil into the engine.

You need to remember: if you do everything correctly, according to the instructions, you can reduce the likelihood of breakdown, loss of time and money. It's worth thinking about this before you throw the manual in the trash again.