How much oil do you put in your lawnmower?

Best lawnmower oils for 2021

A lawn mower is a very useful machine for mowing grass when there is a constant need to care for park areas or lawns. Thanks to them it is possible to give in a short time a smoothed look to the vegetation, which is rather difficult to do with a hand held grass mower. To keep your petrol lawnmower longer and without constant wear and tear, it has to be maintained properly. One of the regular procedures for this is changing the oil. Depending on the motor design, the lawnmower can run on pure fuel or use an oil mixture. The choice of appropriate oil and fuel for the garden unit in question is of qualitative importance, because the service life of the engine will directly depend on such materials.

Gasoline lawnmowers can be equipped with four-stroke or two-stroke motors (ICE). The rotation/movement of the cutting elements is provided by the power transmitted to them from the engine. Energy is produced by the expansion of gases in the combustion chamber during the explosion of gasoline or fuel mixture. The very compression of the created gases is provided by the movement of the piston. In general, the simple principle of an internal combustion engine.

In order for the proper functioning of such a system as a whole, there should not be too much clearance between its mating elements. If the size of gaps increased due to wear of working nodes, it will lead to deterioration of the entire engine, and over time and to the simple inability to start it. The problem will be associated with the fact that the system will not be able to achieve the required pressure for combustion of the fuel mixture mixed with atmospheric air.

Engine oil is designed to coat engine components with a thin film in order to slow down their wear process, as well as to prevent the formation of burrs on the metal surfaces of the mating parts. That is the main function of the oil in the gasoline or lawnmower engine. However, it is worth understanding that oil does not completely stop the destruction of working nodes, caused by their friction between each other, but only significantly slows down this process.

In addition to reducing the friction coefficient between the mating working parts of the engine, oil contributes to

• Providing better cooling of the drive unit during operation, while increasing the level of heat exchange processes between the atmospheric air and the metal;
• Keeping the motor running at its peak performance level, which increases efficiency and reduces operating time
• protecting the drive unit metal from corrosion when the machine is not in use during the cold season.

Engine oil is therefore a special material that can ensure trouble-free operation of the engine as well as other systems in the mower. If the quality of this material is neglected, the apparatus becomes more prone to various kinds of failures.

The design characteristics of a four-stroke or two-stroke engine

These engines have much in common in their operating principle. The only difference is that the two-stroke motor has two strokes, while the four-stroke has four strokes. One cycle means a single downward or upward movement of the piston. In this case, for one revolution of the crankshaft two strokes are performed. By the working stroke of the piston we mean its movement, during which the energy of the gases is converted into useful engine work (its rotation), as a result of fuel combustion.

Two-stroke and four-stroke engines differ from each other in terms of performance and design characteristics, according to the following criteria:

• The two-stroke engines have about 1.5-1.8 times more power per liter.
• They differ in the way of lubrication.
• Four-stroke engines are characterized by improved fuel economy (fuel consumption is reduced by 20-30%), and the exhaust gases contain fewer toxic substances.
• Different methods of feeding fuel mixed with air into the cylinder and evacuating exhaust gases. The four-stroke engines have a valve timing mechanism that opens/closes special valves at necessary moments, while two-stroke models do not have it. the “exhaust” simply flows out through stationary holes.
• The four-stroke models are characterized by less noise.
• The overall design is simpler with two-stroke models.
• Improved lubrication system in four-stroke models significantly extends their service life. Also, they have longer service life due to the fact that the crankshaft rotates at lower frequencies.
• Two-stroke engines have a quicker maximum rpm and are easier to accelarate.
• Periodic maintenance frequency will be easier for two-stroke models and can be done by yourself.
• Four-stroke motors weigh more and cost more.

IMPORTANT! it is the absence of a valve timing mechanism that makes two-stroke engines simpler and easier to design. The cylinder is filled with an air-fuel mixture, as well as purged of gas, when the mixture is compressed/expanded and vented/injected through special holes.

Lubrication methods in different types of engines

The use of oil in the different engine types for lubricating the internal parts is essential to the maintenance process, and consists in that two-stroke models are not filled with pure petrol, but with a mixture of petrol and engine oil in appropriate proportions. This mixture, when combined with air, wraps around in the piston assembly, thus lubricating the cylinder walls, together with the connecting rod and crankshaft bearings, as well as the pistons themselves. During the ignition of the fuel mixture the oil in its composition in minute drops will also ignite. The combustion products are converted into exhaust gas and vented to the outside through open holes.

IMPORTANT! There are two-stroke engine models, in which the flow of fuel mixture elements (oil and gasoline) is carried out separately, but these ICEs are not installed on lawn mowers.

Hammerflex 501-018 SAE 5W-30

Winter semisynthetic motor oil, designed for use in four-stroke gasoline engines of snow blowers, generators, motor blocks, mini-tractors and other garden and construction equipment, and even for lawn mowers. Provides optimum lubrication at cold start, excellent protection against deposits and corrosion, prevents premature wear of piston groups, keeps engines clean and prolongs engine life.

The role of oil in internal combustion engines

The energy transmitted by the engine shaft to the rotating mechanisms is derived from the adiabatic expansion of the gases at the moment of explosion in the combustion chamber. Through the movement of the piston in the combustion chamber, the gases are compressed. This means that the system works with minimum clearances, there is abrasion on the mating parts. the gap between the parts is enlarged and the compression is reduced, the necessary pressure for ignition of the fuel-air mixture is not reached.

This would be the case if the lapped parts worked without lubrication. lawnmower engine oil added to the gasoline or released from the crankcase onto the components puts a thin film between the parts, preventing wear, scuffing. Since absolutely no wear can be eliminated, the oil washes out the micro particles in the gaps, preventing them from destroying the surface.

The prepared fuel mixture must be used within 2 weeks, kept in a metal or polypropylene container. Do not store the compound with gasoline in polyethylene bottles. The products of decomposition will get into the mixture, the soot in the combustion chamber will increase.

The device of 2 and 4-stroke types is different and therefore the consistency of the lubricant, additives in it are different. Each type of mating assemblies in the mechanisms requires types of lubrication that correspond to the nature of the movement of that assembly. What oil to put in a lawn mower is recommended by the manufacturer in the instruction manual.

You can not pour oil, guided by the more expensive, the better. The use of ingredients depends on the class of equipment from the degree of grinding of the mating nodes, operating conditions. The composition of the combustible mixture for two-stroke engines depends on how the antifriction lube base is formulated. 2-stroke engine lawnmower oil has a specific composition. All oils are divided according to the method of production:

Meatball Former from China

How to choose a lawn mower for your garden

Their lubricating properties, ability to remain liquid at lower temperatures depend on it. But 5-15% of each compound is given to additives. This creates an effective composition that prevents

• corrosion of surfaces;
• temperature resistance;
• resistance to decomposition;
• increased alkalinity to prevent oxidation;
• stabilize viscosity.

Lawn mower oil used with 4-stroke engines has different additives, viscosity. It also serves to wash moving surfaces, but is not mixed with gasoline. Oil oxidizes, becomes contaminated with scale particles, and must be changed every 50 hours.

General recommendations for lawnmower oil selection

Based on the above design of engines, it is best to use a special lawnmower oil, and it must be suitable for the temperature conditions in which the machine will be used. A specialized SAE 30 grade grease is considered optimal. It is used at temperatures above 5 degrees.

If special is not available, then automotive grade greases can be used:

These lubricants are also designed mainly for positive ambient temperatures and a maximum value above 35 degrees.

Lubricant type. mineral and semi-synthetic acceptable. Fully synthetic would be too expensive. API performance level. “SF”, “SG”, “SH”, “SJ” and higher. For four-stroke garden equipment engines, the label should be labeled “4T”.

Top 5. LIQUI MOLY 2-Takt-Motoroil

26 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone, Ozovik

LIQUI MOLY is one of the best known motor oil manufacturers in the world. It is often called the best, and in the brand’s catalog there are also lubricants for two-stroke engines. The interesting thing about this product is that it can be poured into any engine up to 100cc. That is a very wide range. Simply put, the lubricant is not only suitable for a chainsaw or lawnmower, but also for a moped and even a motorcycle. That is why oil comes in a variety of containers from 0.5 to 5 liters. If the vendor paid more attention to anti-counterfeiting, this product would be in a much higher position in the ratings. But because of the huge number of fakes on the market, buyers treat it with distrust.

Pros and cons

• Used in engines up to 100 cubic meters
• Many types of containers of different volume
• A bottle with a convenient dispenser

• The most fake product
• There is practically no protection against copying

Choice of fuel

Having bought a new brushcutter, the owner, who has never used it, can’t know what kind of gasoline to fill the mower, how to choose the right fuel, how to change it. The first thing you need to clarify the type of engine, which is equipped with this technique. It is not advised to use two types of motor fuel that have the same composition. A petrol engine has to run on petrol which has to be diluted with engine oil. It will protect injectors and valves, and save them from rapid failure.

The right kind of oil for your particular lawnmower engine will ensure proper operation, which comes in a variety of forms:

Companies from various countries, including Russia, France, Germany, Sweden, and USA make high-quality four-stroke oils for power tillers. Wide price range and variety of products allows to choose the best option for any unit of small-sized agricultural machinery.

The table below shows the average of the most popular grades of lubricants for four-stroke internal combustion engines.

Price in rubles
CARVER SAE 30 (0,95 l)	290
Husqvarna SAE 30 (0,6 l)	400
Patriot Supreme HD SAE 30 (0.95 l)	550
G-MOTION 4T 10W-30 (0,95 l)	430
SKOUT 10W40 (4 liters)	1520

For a single-axle tractor or cultivator to be durable and perform its functions well, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for engine operation: timely troubleshooting and lubrication of friction surfaces. To lubricate the parts in the friction zones it is important to use only suitable engine oil. It should be purchased based on the technical requirements of the power plant and the actual conditions of its operation.

What gasoline to fill up

Lawnmower petrol is the second element in the fuel mix. Its brand should be selected according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, described in the machine’s passport. The higher the octane rating, the longer the fuel burns. Thus, at gas stations you can buy such brands of petroleum products:

AI-92 has a higher tendency to detonate.

Using fuel with a higher octane rating than specifies in the instruction manual will damage the engine in 2-stroke engines, while using a lower rating may damage the piston group.

The mixture is prepared before use in the proportions indicated on the cap of the gasoline tank:

This means that you need 20 ml of oil liquid per 1 litre of fuel.

Manufacturers of petrol mowers with a two-stroke engine (for example, Patriot PT 555 or Champion T336) specify the required proportion for preparing the fuel mixture in the instruction manual of the tool. A 32:1 ratio is suggested for the first model, 50:1 for the second.

Lawn mower with a 4-stroke engine does not require pre-treatment. There are 2 tanks in the device. Gasoline must be filled in the tank, and the oil liquid. in the drainage hole on the crankcase.

Requirements for lawnmower oil

Engines in small agricultural machinery are different from those in cars, so the lubrication fluid must be different. Mowers should not be mixed with fuel made for cars or motorcycles, as this could lead to malfunctions. Even without malfunctions, the lawnmower is likely to start working worse: a fluid that is not designed for this type of machine cannot perform its functions well. That is why it is recommended to use special oils designed for garden equipment.

Read the label on the oil

The SAE number is a code used to classify oil by viscosity. Viscosity is a measure of the fluid’s resistance to flow, sometimes called the “thickness” of the fluid. The lower the number, the easier the fluid flows. Motor oils are labeled from 5 to 50.

Temperature can affect the viscosity of the fluid, so different oils are rated for winter, indicated by the letter “W”. Different classes of oil (e.g. 10W-30) can be used at both summer and winter temperatures because the oil will not thicken at lower temperatures due to the additives.

Lawnmower oil types

So, what oil to put in a lawn mower? One factor to keep in mind is the climate of where you. Different oils work best at different temperatures, and not all of them are suitable for your equipment.

Be sure to check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations for your lawn mower. We’ve put together this guide to help you choose one of the most common oil types.

SAE-30

This is the most commonly used oil for lawn mowers, as it is ideal for temperatures between 4°C and 37°C. If it’s colder than 4 degrees outside, you’re unlikely to need to mow your lawn. Overall, it is the best choice for an inexpensive oil that can be used in a lawn mower from spring through fall.

SAE 10W-30

This oil has a wider temperature range, from.17°C to 37°C. Since this type of oil can withstand colder temperatures, it can also be used in other engines. For example in snow blowers. If used in temperatures above 28 degrees, oil consumption may increase.

SAE 5W-30

This oil performs best at temperatures below 4°C. So it’s perfect for your snow blower, but not for your lawn mower.

SAE 5W-30 synthetic

The synthetic version of the 5W-30 oil has a wide range of temperatures in which it can be used, from.28 to 48°C. This oil works year round. This oil helps start engines and lowers consumption, but is also more expensive.

Synthetic SAE 15W-50

This oil also has a high temperature range, from.6 to 54°C, but works best at higher temperatures. It is typically used for commercial lawn mowing equipment.

Motul Garden 4T SAE 30

Motul Garden 4T SAE 30 is specially formulated for small, four-stroke and diesel engines. Features high antioxidant, antiwear, non-foaming and anti-corrosion properties. Suitable for use in both summer and winter.

Where to Buy?

Buy a decent quality lubricant at a bargain price can be in the store Gardenshop. The owners of power tillers, power tillers and minitractors are offered the best analogue of SAE 30. high quality SKOUT 10W40 oil. It has good lubricating properties and high power efficiency, prevents formation of harmful deposits, and is resistant to high temperatures. Remember that changing the oil is a necessary maintenance for any engine.

Buy original motor grease at Gardenshop for the lowest price in the region at only 380 per liter! Who trusts the recommendations of professionals, buy SKOUT four-stroke oil!

Producers

When choosing an oil, pay close attention to the oil manufacturer. It’s better to choose the brand recommended by the manufacturer of the lawnmower. The instruction manual of the equipment can provide information on the oil filled, the frequency of its replacement, and recommendations regarding the choice of the working fluid.

Also, many lawn mower manufacturers produce their own oils, which will have to be used for replacement if you want to keep the warranty on the equipment. In addition, the manual provides general characteristics that the oil must comply with. When choosing a fluid for replacement, it is necessary to be guided by this list. This makes it possible to select the oil that best meets the manufacturer’s requirements.

Many self-respecting manufacturers of lubricants offer their customers a separate line of products that are designed for the maintenance of garden equipment. If it is possible to choose such a special oil, it is necessary to buy it.

• Among all the companies that represent their products on the Russian market the best is Shell Helix Ultra. These oils are popular in all countries. For 40 years Shell has been working on a unique technology to produce a synthetic-type oil from natural gas. The resulting product is characterized by an improved composition that has no analogues at this time. The manufacturer adds the necessary additives to the base composition, which allows getting products with different characteristics. Such oil should be bought only at specialized outlets, because low-grade forgeries are not uncommon.
• Also the company Liqui Moly offers quality products. The manufacturer produces several product lines, which have different purposes. This range includes products for servicing garden equipment. Such oils are designed for long-term operation of trimmers and lawnmowers, their technical specifications are developed in accordance with the features of modern equipment and manufacturers’ recommendations.

Liqui Moly adds additives to lawnmower oils in order to reduce equipment wear and tear and keep the engine clean. The main advantage of these fluids is the environmental friendliness, because they are created on a plant basis. Liqui Moly lawnmower oils comply with all environmental regulations.

Rasenmaher makes a good mineral-based lubricant that was especially developed for garden machines. This product can be used for maintenance of 4-stroke engines with different cooling systems. The substance from Rasenmaher can be used exclusively at plus temperatures. The manufacturer has carefully developed and selected additives for his product. The result is a broad list of functionalities:

The difference in the operation of 2 and 4-stroke engines

For 2-stroke engines, there are two ways to lubricate the piston system and crank mechanism:

In the photo: feeding of oil into the combustion chamber through a dosing plunger pump.

The second method is still the way of the future, but the first method. making up a combustible mixture. is still the way of doing things in the gardening machine. New engines are quieter, more economical, but more complicated.

To prepare the fuel mixture, you can use the table and dispenser.

A 4-stroke engine has an oil reservoir that is used to create protection for the moving parts. In this case, the lubrication system consists of a pump, oil filter and tubes that lead the compound to the nodes. Crankcase or reservoir lubrication may be used. In the first case, the oil is fed into the system from the crankcase and from there it is pumped into the feed tubes. with dry sump lubrication, oil droplets that have collected in the sump go back into the reservoir.

Wet sump lubrication and dry sump lubrication pictured here.

The differences in oil composition between the different engine types are fundamental. The oil for a lawnmower with a 4-stroke engine must keep its composition unchanged for a long time. Composition for two-stroke engines should have less mineral inclusions during combustion to prevent the formation of soot.

If you have a recommended oil, you should not experiment with a different composition. If it is not available, choose the one recommended for 2 or 4-stroke models. Use of gasoline that is higher than the recommended brand will prematurely lead to the replacement of burnt-out valves and other components.

An important characteristic when choosing a protective ingredient is its operating temperature. The additive must be resistant to heat but not thicken at low temperatures. That is why each machine has its own brand of oil, depending on the working conditions.

Producers

When choosing an oil, great attention must be paid to the oil manufacturer. It is better to choose the brand advised by the mower manufacturer. In the instruction to your equipment, you can find information about the oil fill, the frequency of its replacement and recommendations regarding the choice of the working fluid.

Also, many lawn mower manufacturers produce their own oils, which will have to be used for replacement, if you want to keep the warranty on the equipment. The oil’s safety features are listed in the owner’s manual, but the oil’s general characteristics are also described in the owner’s manual. When selecting a replacement fluid, this list should be used as a guide. This allows you to choose the oil that will most accurately meet the requirements of the manufacturer.

Many self-respecting manufacturers of lubricating fluids offer their customers a separate line of products that are designed for the maintenance of garden equipment. If you can select such a special oil, you should buy it.

• Among all the companies that represent their products in the Russian market, the best is Shell Helix Ultra. These oils are popular in all countries. For 40 years Shell specialists have been working on a unique technology of synthetic oil production from natural gas. The resulting product is characterized by improved composition, which has no analogues at this time. The manufacturer adds the necessary additives to the base composition, which allows obtaining products with different characteristics. Such oil should be bought only at specialized outlets, as low-grade fakes are often found.
• Liqui Moly also provides quality products. The manufacturer produces several product lines, which have different purposes. In this range there are products for the maintenance of garden equipment. Such oils are designed for long-term operation of trimmers and lawnmowers, their technical specifications are developed according to the features of modern equipment and manufacturers’ recommendations.

Liqui Moly adds additives to lawnmower oils in order to reduce wear and tear and keep the engine clean. The main advantage of such liquids is environmental friendliness, because they are created on a plant basis. Liqui Moly lawnmower oils meet all environmental regulations.

Rasenmaher produces a good lubricant of the mineral type, which was specially developed for garden units. This product can be used for maintenance of 4-stroke engines with different cooling systems. Rasenmaher can only be used at temperatures above zero. The manufacturer has carefully developed and selected additives for its product. The result of such actions is a wide list of functionalities: