Recently purchased this small MTD and an echo srm-225 trimmer to keep on site at one of my properties for grounds maintenance.
Not having used anything other than commercial wright standers and scags (which I was/am not in control of maintaining) I have not cared much for small engines. This is a mower which I would like to keep going at least three years if possible, it was purchased new at a steep discount ($95) assembled. After I checked the assembly and sharpened the blade properly (it was unused but I am a sharpening nut) I had her running like a dream. She has done about 4 hours of lawn now after a month and I am going to go ahead and change the oil.
As far as the website of briggs and stratton advises:
sae30 straight for 40f and higher (but will cause hard start at below)
10w-30 for o to 100f (but says oil consumption will increase above 80f
synthetic 5w-30 for -20f to 120f (says best for all temps)
5w-30 (winter or cold conditions)
-------------------------------------------------------------
(from website)
our in the correct amount and approved type of oil for your engine, based on this oil capacity chart , or your operator manual. If you have two oil fill plugs (normally yellow or white in color) on each side of the engine, either one can be used to fill the engine with oil to the correct level. Please DO NOT fill the engine with oil without using the correct measuring device as illustrated in your operator’s manual.
To optimize engine performance, use Warranty Certified Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Oil. Briggs & Stratton offers a Synthetic 5W-30 oil that provides the best protection at all temperatures as well as improved starting with less oil consumption.
For optimum performance, you should change the oil in your small engine after the first five hours of use and then annually, or every 50 hours of use (whichever comes first).
Use Briggs & Stratton SAE 30W Oil above 40°F (4°C) for all of our engines.
Check oil level regularly.
Air-cooled engines burn about an ounce of oil per cylinder, per hour.
Fill to mark on dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL.
----------------------------
What type of 10w30 or synth 5w30 should I be looking at for this application?
I like the idea of an hdeo like a rotella or something. Is this a bad idea?
I do want to advise that this mower is used weekly or twice a week and does blow a small PUFF of smoke upon its first start of the day. I push the prime button two or three times and first or second pull she blows an initial puff of smoke out, but no smoke while running at all. I am not worried, but I am assuming that is oil burning? I am guessing from my research that this will use about an ounce of oil per hour?
The echo srm-225 weedwacker (highly recommended in the straight shaft models) runs like a dream on standard mixed fuel, and this little mower loves straight premium 93octane. The Filter is nice and clean and oiled and for the $ this is a great little mower I would like to keep going well.
I purchased this model because I did not want a self propelled, or a large wheel or a bagging model. I sharpen the blades so well for my friends and family that the grass is just cut clean like a razor. My other mower is a push model 6.5hp briggs engine sears craftsman, purchased new in 2004 and cutting as good as ever.
JC
Not having used anything other than commercial wright standers and scags (which I was/am not in control of maintaining) I have not cared much for small engines. This is a mower which I would like to keep going at least three years if possible, it was purchased new at a steep discount ($95) assembled. After I checked the assembly and sharpened the blade properly (it was unused but I am a sharpening nut) I had her running like a dream. She has done about 4 hours of lawn now after a month and I am going to go ahead and change the oil.
As far as the website of briggs and stratton advises:
sae30 straight for 40f and higher (but will cause hard start at below)
10w-30 for o to 100f (but says oil consumption will increase above 80f
synthetic 5w-30 for -20f to 120f (says best for all temps)
5w-30 (winter or cold conditions)
-------------------------------------------------------------
(from website)
our in the correct amount and approved type of oil for your engine, based on this oil capacity chart , or your operator manual. If you have two oil fill plugs (normally yellow or white in color) on each side of the engine, either one can be used to fill the engine with oil to the correct level. Please DO NOT fill the engine with oil without using the correct measuring device as illustrated in your operator’s manual.
To optimize engine performance, use Warranty Certified Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Oil. Briggs & Stratton offers a Synthetic 5W-30 oil that provides the best protection at all temperatures as well as improved starting with less oil consumption.
For optimum performance, you should change the oil in your small engine after the first five hours of use and then annually, or every 50 hours of use (whichever comes first).
Use Briggs & Stratton SAE 30W Oil above 40°F (4°C) for all of our engines.
Check oil level regularly.
Air-cooled engines burn about an ounce of oil per cylinder, per hour.
Fill to mark on dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL.
----------------------------
What type of 10w30 or synth 5w30 should I be looking at for this application?
I like the idea of an hdeo like a rotella or something. Is this a bad idea?
I do want to advise that this mower is used weekly or twice a week and does blow a small PUFF of smoke upon its first start of the day. I push the prime button two or three times and first or second pull she blows an initial puff of smoke out, but no smoke while running at all. I am not worried, but I am assuming that is oil burning? I am guessing from my research that this will use about an ounce of oil per hour?
The echo srm-225 weedwacker (highly recommended in the straight shaft models) runs like a dream on standard mixed fuel, and this little mower loves straight premium 93octane. The Filter is nice and clean and oiled and for the $ this is a great little mower I would like to keep going well.
I purchased this model because I did not want a self propelled, or a large wheel or a bagging model. I sharpen the blades so well for my friends and family that the grass is just cut clean like a razor. My other mower is a push model 6.5hp briggs engine sears craftsman, purchased new in 2004 and cutting as good as ever.
JC
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