How to choose an oil
Engine oil depending on the chemical composition is:
- mineral. made from petroleum distillates and designed for low-powered, air-cooled machinery;
- semi-synthetic: it is a mixture of mineral and synthetic oils and is suitable for 2T and 4T oils, as well as for air and liquid cooling;
- synthetic. produced on the basis of esters and can be used in powerful machinery, as well as for work in difficult climatic conditions.
Important! Two-stroke and four-stroke oils differ in their ability to dissolve, burn, and evaporate. In order to distinguish the liquid lubricant from gasoline, it is painted in different colors: blue, green, red.
How to Mix Petrol Oil for 2 Stroke Engine Whipper Snipper / Weed Whacker
Depending on the API classification, we can distinguish the following groups of oils for trimmer motors:
- TA. for low-powered machinery with an engine capacity of up to 50 cm³ and air-cooled;
- TV. for powerful equipment with a motor volume of 50-200 cm³ and air cooling system;
- TC. for powerful two-stroke equipment (brushcutters, chainsaws, lawnmowers, etc.).) with engine volume of 50-200 cm³;
- TD. for boat engines with liquid cooling.
In order to choose the right oil for a certain model of grass trimmer it is better to take into account the recommendations given in the manual. API-TV and API-TC oils are generally used for 2T brushcutters.
For your information! In addition, there is a JASO classification for two-stroke engines and SAE30 for four-stroke engines.
The leading manufacturers of gardening equipment design and produce their own oils. Such lubricating compositions most fully satisfy all the technical and operational characteristics of specific trimmer series. You should use STIHL HP or STIHL HP SUPER oil for your STIHL FS 5 brushcutter and Husqvarna 143R for your Husqvarna HP or Husqvarna LS. But for the Patriot brand, the conventional mineral oil M-8B is also suitable.
Choice of oil and gasoline for grass trimmer
Two-stroke engines work differently than four-stroke engines. The lubrication system of these units also differs. Oil on the friction surfaces of two-stroke devices does not come from the crankcase (they have none), but from a fuel tank, where it is poured together with petrol.
Oil for two-stroke engines has its own peculiarities. it dissolves well and burns completely.
For trimmers and similar garden equipment is better to use specialized lubricants labeled TA, TV or TC. The designation “self mix” on the container with oil means self-mixing with gasoline (not requiring shaking), “pre mix”. the need for forced dissolving.
Oils for gasoline blowers can be any. mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic. the main thing is that they should be designed for 2-stroke engines and meet the tool manufacturer’s recommendations.
Only unleaded 92 or 95 octane gasoline should be used. The fuel must be fresh. it can be stored for no more than 60 days after purchase. There is also on sale a special purified gasoline for two-stroke power units.
How to Dilute Gasoline and Grass Trimmer Oil
Dilute gasoline for grass trimmer must be in the correct proportion. Insufficient oil can result in poor lubrication of the mower, causing rapid wear and tear. In case of more oil than is given to the trimmer, soot will form on pistons and spark plugs. Carbon deposits on the moving parts of the engine obstruct proper operation and cause premature engine damage.
What proportion is required for a particular model of grass trimmer can be found in the enclosed instructions. more often 2-stroke petrol motors of power tillers use fuel mix of 50:1 proportion, where 50 is a part of petrol and 1 is a part of oil. That is, 20 ml of oil should be added to 1 liter of gasoline. The table below shows which oil to use in which ratio.
To correctly measure proportions, use measuring containers with a milliliter scale. A special double-neck canister is particularly well suited for this purpose. it is designed for mixing and storing oil and gasoline. For example, the oil can be filled with a medical syringe without a needle. Before mixing fluids, be sure the container for the fuel mixture is free of water, dust, and debris.
Do not mix petrol and lubricant directly in the fuel tank. If you ignore this rule, then the work of the grass trimmer engine can be unstable, due to which it will quickly fail.
It is not recommended that plastic bottles or canisters be used for this purpose. It is connected with the fact that gasoline tends to dissolve plastic, and that means that some plastic can get into the fuel tank, which can lead to carburetor failure. Although there are special plastic canisters marked “flame”.
- gasoline;
- oil suitable for two-stroke engines with air cooling system;
- A canister, preferably a metal canister;
- A container for mixing, preferably also made of metal;
- gloves;
- respirator.
In addition to protective equipment, do not forget about fire safety rules, because gasoline and motor oil are easily flammable:
- It is better to work outdoors to avoid the accumulation of gasoline fumes in the room;
- Do not smoke and do not create situations associated with the emergence of sparks.
To make a mixture of petrol and oil, do the following:
- Pour 1 liter of gasoline into a container, add half of the required portion of oil. Mix thoroughly, taking great care to avoid sources of ignition.
- Add the rest of the oil to the grass trimmer gasoline and mix thoroughly again. Fuel can now be poured into the fuel tank of the grass trimmer.
The mixture can be stored for up to three months, so it is better to dilute the gasoline in such an amount that is enough for several uses.
For dilution, only quality oil can be used, and it is recommended to buy it only from trusted stores, such as specialized hypermarkets.