Tips on gas
Good info on today's Gas
Husqvarna has issued the Ethanol Challenge... a contest aimed at helping
educate customers on the ins-and-outs of ethanol.
What is ethanol? Where is ethanol found? How do I prevent problems with my
Husqvarna equipment?
Link to
Husqvarna's site
This is Honda's info on gas.
As you can see today's gas is a big problem with storing in equipment and gas cans.
Best to run them dry in the fall, no gas to go bad, also empty can in the car (unless you have water in it), store both mower and can inside, out of the weather. (under the eve or deck does not count).
Also we cannot be held responsible with your gas, or your gas and mower storage habits. (or any other habits for that mater)
Example " You fixed it last summer and now it wont start (spring time), its your fault, you did not do a good job." (as you can see who is frustrated the most)
Harmful effects of ethanol on small engines
Ethanol attracts water and separates (phase separation) in fuel to create a
corrosive mixture that settles on the bottom of fuel tanks. Over time,
ethanol-blended gasoline can corrode metal fuel components and deteriorate
plastic and rubber fuel system components. In addition, oxygen in
ethanol-blended fuels causes gasoline to decay faster, leaving varnish and
sludge deposits over time.
These and other ethanol-blended fuel-related issues may result in engines
that will not start or that run poorly, and may even ruin engines and other fuel
system components. In extreme circumstances, an engine running on
phase-separated fuel may run out of control, posing serious danger to the
operator.
The following symptoms may occur when using E15 fuel:
Softening, cracking, swelling, drying of rubber and plastic components
Corrosion of the metal fuel system components
Water absorption which leads to fuel becoming more corrosive
Phase separation, which can completely ruin engines and fuel systems
Shorter life of the fuel with higher amounts of oxygen
Leaner running, causing heat problems
Tips on not rusting the deck out.
Seen some nice mowers ruined because of lack of care.
Clean underneath deck after using it.
Wet grass and some fertilizer will rust or corrode the deck.
Use the washout port while running on a hard surface if it has one.
Or run it on a hard surface and just aim the water next to the left side rear of the deck (front of the wheel) so the water will be sucked up inside the deck, kind like a dishwasher would. (do it till the water is clear)
Or disconnect the spark plug, tip with the air cleaner side up, use your gloves or scraper to remove most of it, does not need to be perfect to keep it from rusting. (do not turn the blade while doing so).
Read the users manual for more info.
Tips on improving bagging grass.
When it does not bag as good as it used to, its bag cloth is most likely plugged up with grass.
Air needs to go thru the cloth to bring the grass into the bag.
Hose or take off the bag off the frame and soak in bucket of water, bleach, soap for a week and then hose it out good. (washing machine not a good idea, ask the wife)
Also make sure the deck is clean, see above tip info.
Tips on not having wheel ruts in the lawn.
When you go in the same direction week after week its starting to look like you have railroad tracks in your lawn.
Best to change your directions every time you mow go North South, East West SE NW etc. and go back and forth not in a circle only.
Tips on keeping your mower a long time.
Buy a good one to start out with, not the cheapest thing you can find.
Keep it clean, keep it dry, get it serviced least every 1 or 2 years instead of just fixing it when it breaks.
In other words take care of it, seen 20 year old mowers still in service
Tips on you able to mow grass, first thing in the spring.
Don't wait till spring to get your mower fixed, especially if it broke in the fall, you had all winter to get it taken care of it.
We even have Fall/Winter rates to save you money, Grass always grows every Spring you can count on it.