What Type of Gasoline Does Your Small Engine Equipment Need?

Posted July 14, 2017 by Jacks Small Engines 5 Comments

Not sure what type or grade of gas to use in your outdoor power equipment?

Yes different types of equipment may need different types of fuel. That lawn mower of yours isn’t gonna use the same type of gasoline as your generator would. Below we list the most common types of power equipment people own along with the gasoline they should be using for each one.

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL FOR FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS.

Lawn Mowers

Most lawn mowers have a four-stroke engine, these require fresh unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. You can use gas with ethanol, but more than 10 percent ethanol is typically not recommended.

Powerful Chainsaws

Most regular grade fuel has an octane rating of about 87. For chainsaws that’s not enough, they need gasoline that has an octane rating at 89 or higher. Chainsaws have high performance engines, some produce more power per pound than many race car engines, so they need gasoline that has a high octane rating.

For chainsaws they require an oil/gas mixture since they have two-stroke engines. Most two-stroke engines require a either a 40:1 gas-to-oil ratio (2.6 fluid ounces of two cycle oil for every one gallon of gas.) or 50:1 gas-to-oil ratio.
 

String Trimmers, Weedeaters, Brushcutters

For trimmers you can use unleaded gasoline with an octane level of around 87. Never use gasoline with an octane rating lower than 87 or diesel fuels. Its always preferred to use fresh gasoline if you can get it.

Since most trimmers have a two-stroke engine they require a oil/gas mixture. Most two-stroke models require a 40:1 gas-to-oil ratio, (2.6 fluid ounces of two cycle oil for every one gallon of gas.) Some manufacturers (Honda, Husqvarna) have now started making 4-stroke trimmers, which wouldn’t require you to mix the gas and oil.

Generators

Use regular unleaded gas with at least 87 octane for your gas powered generator. If your generator is running turn it off and allow it to cool for about 2 minutes before refueling. You should never put gas into a generator while the engine is running.

Snow Blowers

For snowblowers, gasoline with 87 octane is sufficient. The more expensive higher octanes are unnecessary. Standard gas station fuel will have about 10% ethanol which is fine, but stay away from fuel with more than 10% ethanol. This will gum up the carburetor and ultimately begin to corrode the engine parts.

Its important to use the right gasoline in your power equipment, after all that power equipment wasn’t cheap purchasing in the first place. Make sure you get the most out of your equipment and take care of it by providing it with the necessary gasoline.

Warranty Alert: Most manufacturer warranties do not cover malfunctions or repairs that are a result of improper fuel usage.