6 Tips from OPEI on Preparing Your Lawn Tractor and Mower for Spring

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute cautions consumers to avoid putting 15 percent ethanol fuel in any lawn and garden equipment. My comments are in italics

by: Paul Sikkema

Alexandria, VA – March 20, 2013 – Spring has sprung, and that means the annual cleaning and preparation of lawn and garden equipment.  Whether it’s a mower, trimmer, blower, chainsaw or pruner, if it runs on gasoline, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) recommends a series of steps to avoid fuel-related problems and ensure a smooth-running engine.

“Many are so eager to pull out lawn and garden equipment once spring arrives that they sometimes forget basic steps to ensure the powerhouse of the equipment – the engine – is in good working order,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI.  “One challenge is that most fuel contains some level of ethanol, which contains corrosive alcohol, so you want to make sure that fuel does not sit in the tank for more than 30 days, and especially not over winter.”

To avoid fuel related problems as you pull out your lawn and landscaping equipment, OPEI reminds consumer to check the following:

• If fuel has been sitting all winter long in the fuel tank, don’t use it in the spring.  Drain it responsibly and put in fresh fuel. (Your car doesn’t care about old fuel. Use your gas can to put stale fuel from your small engines into your car) Need a new one! Briggs & Stratton 5 Gal Enviro – Flo Plus Gas Can – EPA / CARB Compliant

• Do not use gas with more than 10 percent ethanol (E10).  Some gas stations may begin to offer 15 percent ethanol (E15), but this higher ethanol fuel is dangerous – and is in fact illegal – to use in any small engine equipment, such as chain saws, snow throwers, generators, lawn mowers, lawn tractors and all other lawn and garden equipment.For more information on E15 and why you can’t use this in lawn and garden equipment, go to www.opei.org/ethanolwarning. 
• Don’t leave fuel sitting in the tank for more than 30 days. Untreated gasoline (without a fuel stabilizer) left in the fuel system will deteriorate, which may cause starting or running problems and, in some cases, damage to the fuel system. ( I recommend using Sea Foam Motor Tune – Up all the time)
• After finishing mowing, turn the fuel valve OFF and leave it OFF until it’s time to mow again. Fill the mower’s fuel tank between uses to minimize air in the tank. (Many mowers do not have a fuel valve. I recommend using Sea Foam Motor Tune – Up all the time)
• Store gasoline in a clean and sealed plastic container approved for fuel storage, and store the container away from direct sunlight. (Keep your new gas can in the garage or shed. If your gas can is not self closing like these new B&S cans be sure you put the cap on tightly and close the vent.)
• Keep the air filter properly serviced and check it before each use. A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the carburetor. (Use the searspartsdirect banner to your right to order a new filter for your mower)

About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing 90 small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers of consumer and commercial outdoor power equipment such as lawnmowers, garden tractors, utility vehicles, trimmers, edgers, chain saws, snow throwers, tillers, leaf blowers and other related products.  OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety and performance standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.