Lawn mower with no fuel filter

[steppinthrax]

I have a Troy Bilt 6.5 HP 21" lawnmower. I was winterizing it this year and noticed I couldn't find the fuel filter. I contacted Troy Bilt. They indicated that this engine dosen't require a fuel filter. I took the caberator and float apart and noticed it was very clean. I'm kind of curious, is this a new thing with small engines. What happens if a piece of leaf or dirt goes down the fuel tank.

 

[Kaervak]

My 20+ year old Craftsman mower doesn't have a fuel filter either. I'm sure you could add one it if you wanted, but I wouldn't be too worried about it. I did have issues with starting the mower last year because of junk in the carb, but it was easily fixed by taking out the jet and cleaning it, cleaning the bowl, and replacing the fuel line that was on there with the proper stuff. At some point my dad replaced the fuel line with regular rubber hose that wasn't designed to handle gas. The gas essentially ate the fuel line and dumped junk in the carb. As far as leaves and whatnot, unless you're running without an air filter it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Greenman]

How much fuel goes through the system? I'd guess less than ten gallons a year. There isn't going to be much dirt to filter out.

 

[iGas]

My 10+ year old Craftsman mower doesn't have a fuel filter as well and still is going strong. Still startup every time on 1 pull on the original carb.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I got a Honda push mower I've been using for close to 8 years now without an air filter. It was bought in the winter time as is floor model and they couldnt find the air filter. Changed the oil twice in 8 years. Still runs strong.

 

[slag]

I hate small engines without fuel filters. I put inline filters on most of my push mowers as well as my old MF8 riding mower. Gives me peace of mind that nothing will get into the carb.