Reliable manufacturers build their machines to give you at least 10 years of normal use. Yet, so many times, power equipment gets less attention between usings than an ordinary paintbrush.
For instance, normal weekly care of a mower, takes far less time than it does to cut your lawn—and can save big repair bills—while season’s end care takes less time and effort than washing your car.
Here are a few tips that should add several years and many miles of use to any piece of gasoline-powered equipment. But first, always remove the wire from the spark plug or plugs before checking or storing your machine.
How To Care For Your Gasoline-Powered Equipment
Lawn First
In the case of a mower, always go over your lawn first for any sticks and stones you might hit, and be careful around fuel oil plugs and water shut-offs.
They can do quite a job on blades and crankshafts.
Oil is good in the crankcase or gasoline tank, but it quickly fouls up spark plug connections and soon collects enough dirt to reduce the efficiency of fans and cooling fins greatly.
Always wipe off any excess.
Filling Gasoline Tank
When filling the gasoline tank, ensure no dirt particles or other foreign matter get in. Even the smallest bits can clog the needlepoint valves, and if any grit ever gets into the cylinder, it is guaranteed to cause undue wear.
Always clean the cap, intake, and can top before filling the tank.
In 2-cycle engines, the usually recommended internal lubrication is SAE 30 oil mixed with the gasoline.
Caring For The Motor’s Life
During the first 5 hours of the motor’s life, add 34 pints to each gallon of gasoline.
After that, reduce the amount to 1/2 pint per gallon and continue this proportion as long as the machine lasts. Don’t worry about oil and gasoline separating. They won’t.
Before you start your machine, always look it over for loose nuts, bolts, or screws; see that no adjustments have shifted.
One slip-up here can cost you a lot of money if it is in a strategic part.
When Using 2-Cycle Engines
Especially with 2-cycle engines, always shut off the pet cock on the bottom of the gas tank and let the motor run until the carburetor and gas fine are empty when you finish working for the day.
This removes the danger of gumming up from the oil in the gasoline.
If you have pneumatic tires, frequently check to ensure they are kept at the recommended pressure.
Never use high-test or premium gas unless your instruction book clearly calls for it.
Removing of Spark Plug
Remove your spark plug or plugs occasionally and look for signs of cracks, fouling, or wear. On a large percentage of machines, the gap should be .030.
If you have a muffler that can be removed and cleaned, do that after every 50 to 60 hours of use.
Scraping or washing with gasoline will usually do it but be sure it is completely dry before you reassemble it.
Cranking The Engine
On some engines, you can also clean the exhaust ports.
Crank the engine until the piston is at the bottom of the stroke, and scrape out the carbon from there and around the exhaust chamber.
Then crank the engine again until the carbon falls out.
However—and this is big —don’t try this unless you know what you are doing and your motor readily lends itself to such cleaning.
Winter Storage
If you have any doubts, take your machine to a reliable repairman instead.
When the time comes to put your mower or tractor up for the season, be extra concerned. Be sure the gas tank, carburetor, and feed line are empty.
Remove the spark plug, squirt oil into the hole, crank the engine several times and replace it with a new spark plug.
Crankcase Machine
If your machine has a crankcase, drain it while the oil is hot to remove the maximum amount of sludge.
Then refill it with clean oil. If you have any gearboxes you can get at, do the same thing.
Clean, lubricate, and return any drive chains. Then clean and wipe off the entire machine with a lightly oiled cloth.
Cover with a plastic or heavy cloth cover and store in a dry place. A garage or cellar is still better than a tool shed.
Premium Space
If space is at a premium—and you can lift the machine—a good place to store it is to hang it out of the way on a wall.
Lastly, if there is any reason at all to believe your machine would benefit from a little professional servicing, take it to your nearest dealer at once.
He can then work on it at his leisure and do a much better job for you than when he is rushed in the spring.
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