So.. I have this lawn trimmer.

[slackwarelinux]

So, I have this trimmer. When I start it, it spins, and twirls this synthetic rope-like thing which cuts grass. I have been using my lawn this summer, and the person in the house that owns it moved out of state, and it ran out of gas. From what I can tell, the trimmer takes a mix of gas and oil. The little that is left looks pretty bluish. So, what sort of mix do you guys think I should use in the trimmer?

It is red, and says "Homelite" on it. I can't much more info, I am not exactly an expert on these.

cliffs: What sort of gas/oil mixture is typical in residential lawn trimmers?

 

[imported_weadjust]

40:1

 

[waggy]

half and half. half oil half gas.

 

[RGUN]

Originally posted by: waggy
half and half. half oil half gas.

LOL!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: weadjust
40:1

That's what my Cub Cadet is, I think.

 

[dawnbug]

Homelite's Website-- Trimmer section

Edit: Look under "Questions before you buy". Your question is there.

Mix Homelite Premium Exact Mix oil with unleaded gasoline. When using the 2.6-ounce Exact Mix oil, thoroughly mix the entire contents with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. When using the 16-ounce Exact Mix oil, squeeze the oil to the 2.6-ounce fill line in the reservoir. Mix this with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. Exact-Mix engine oil, when mixed with gasoline according to the instructions on the oil package, will provide complete lubrication protection for the engine. Additionally, Exact Mix oil contains an antioxidant fuel stabilizer. Under average conditions, fuel mixed with Exact-Mix oil will stay fresh up to 30 days.

 

[slackwarelinux]

Originally posted by: LadyBuggy
Homelite's Website-- Trimmer section

Edit: Look under "Questions before you buy". Your question is there.

Mix Homelite Premium Exact Mix oil with unleaded gasoline. When using the 2.6-ounce Exact Mix oil, thoroughly mix the entire contents with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. When using the 16-ounce Exact Mix oil, squeeze the oil to the 2.6-ounce fill line in the reservoir. Mix this with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. Exact-Mix engine oil, when mixed with gasoline according to the instructions on the oil package, will provide complete lubrication protection for the engine. Additionally, Exact Mix oil contains an antioxidant fuel stabilizer. Under average conditions, fuel mixed with Exact-Mix oil will stay fresh up to 30 days.

Thanks! I should of done that myself...
Uh.. ironically, you link sent me to the wikipedia definition of "HTTPS".

Edit: Edit fixed the link.

 

[Eli]

When in doubt, use 32:1.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Eli
When in doubt, use 32:1.

That's a smoke'n answer.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: Eli
When in doubt, use 32:1.

That's a smoke'n answer.

It'd be better to run 32:1 for a tank or three until you could find the proper mix than to run 50:1 and cook your engine.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: slackwarelinux

Originally posted by: LadyBuggy
Homelite's Website-- Trimmer section

Edit: Look under "Questions before you buy". Your question is there.

Mix Homelite Premium Exact Mix oil with unleaded gasoline. When using the 2.6-ounce Exact Mix oil, thoroughly mix the entire contents with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. When using the 16-ounce Exact Mix oil, squeeze the oil to the 2.6-ounce fill line in the reservoir. Mix this with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. Exact-Mix engine oil, when mixed with gasoline according to the instructions on the oil package, will provide complete lubrication protection for the engine. Additionally, Exact Mix oil contains an antioxidant fuel stabilizer. Under average conditions, fuel mixed with Exact-Mix oil will stay fresh up to 30 days.

Thanks! I should of done that myself...
Uh.. ironically, you link sent me to the wikipedia definition of "HTTPS".

Edit: Edit fixed the link.

Gee, do you phuckin' think!

Half of the bullsh1t in this forum is dumb question by lazy people. However, it takes more energy to post a thread than it does to find the information asked for.

 

[arcas]

I agree with Eli. 30:1 - 40:1 will usually work. This is the way to do it when you have several 2-cycle tools with slightly different "requirements."

Other random hints:

* there's a never-ending argument over whether or not it's kosher to use 2-cycle boat oil in a small engine (it's a lot cheaper). The argument is that the oil can break down in a weedwacker engine because it runs hotter. I've used it in my Stihl brushcutter and haven't had noticed any problems clearing out fence rows on my parents' farm.

* buy some Sta-bil fuel stabilizer. It'll keep the gas from going "stale" for a year or two which could be handy if you only use your gas mixture for the trimmer.

* if you don't want to keep the gas mixture over the winter or want to hurry up and use it so you can mix fresh, you can burn it in a lawnmower or other 4-cycle engine (don't put it in your car though...you'll foul up the catalytic convertor). Just fill the tank halfway with normal gas and then top it off with the 2-cycle mix so you'll be effectively burning a 60:1 or 80:1 mix. It'll run fine.

 

[Baked]

Bring your trimmer to the gas station next time you fill up your car and fill her up straight from the pump. Have fun.

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: arcas
* there's a never-ending argument over whether or not it's kosher to use 2-cycle boat oil in a small engine (it's a lot cheaper). The argument is that the oil can break down in a weedwacker engine because it runs hotter. I've used it in my Stihl brushcutter and haven't had noticed any problems clearing out fence rows on my parents' farm.

I never knew there was a debate about this? I always just assumed that "small engine oil" was expensive because it came in small containers. A gallon of synethic boat oil is $20 and that's what I have always used... but it will take you a LONG time to run 50 gallons of gas through your weed eater.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: arcas
I agree with Eli. 30:1 - 40:1 will usually work. This is the way to do it when you have several 2-cycle tools with slightly different "requirements."

Other random hints:

* there's a never-ending argument over whether or not it's kosher to use 2-cycle boat oil in a small engine (it's a lot cheaper). The argument is that the oil can break down in a weedwacker engine because it runs hotter. I've used it in my Stihl brushcutter and haven't had noticed any problems clearing out fence rows on my parents' farm.

* buy some Sta-bil fuel stabilizer. It'll keep the gas from going "stale" for a year or two which could be handy if you only use your gas mixture for the trimmer.

* if you don't want to keep the gas mixture over the winter or want to hurry up and use it so you can mix fresh, you can burn it in a lawnmower or other 4-cycle engine (don't put it in your car though...you'll foul up the catalytic convertor). Just fill the tank halfway with normal gas and then top it off with the 2-cycle mix so you'll be effectively burning a 60:1 or 80:1 mix. It'll run fine.

On point #1, do NOT use TCW-2/3 in an air-cooled 2-cycle engine! Ever!

Synthetic is a different story, it would naturally have a much higher heat tollerance.... But it'd still be bad practice. Use a good quality air-cooled synthetic and your engines will last much longer.

It could be that the reason you haven't noticed any problems with the Stihl is because it is a high quality piece of machinery. That would be unfortunate.

The only real way to tell would be to, for example, check the compression when it is brand new, and then every season after that.

2) Sta-Bil rocks.

3) Indeed. It won't hurt anything at all..

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff

Originally posted by: slackwarelinux

Originally posted by: LadyBuggy
Homelite's Website-- Trimmer section

Edit: Look under "Questions before you buy". Your question is there.

Mix Homelite Premium Exact Mix oil with unleaded gasoline. When using the 2.6-ounce Exact Mix oil, thoroughly mix the entire contents with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. When using the 16-ounce Exact Mix oil, squeeze the oil to the 2.6-ounce fill line in the reservoir. Mix this with 1 gallon (4 liters) of fresh, unleaded gasoline. Exact-Mix engine oil, when mixed with gasoline according to the instructions on the oil package, will provide complete lubrication protection for the engine. Additionally, Exact Mix oil contains an antioxidant fuel stabilizer. Under average conditions, fuel mixed with Exact-Mix oil will stay fresh up to 30 days.

Thanks! I should of done that myself...
Uh.. ironically, you link sent me to the wikipedia definition of "HTTPS".

Edit: Edit fixed the link.

Gee, do you phuckin' think!

Half of the bullsh1t in this forum is dumb question by lazy people. However, it takes more energy to post a thread than it does to find the information asked for.

tell me about it. i asked a question the other day that didn't have a clear cut answer and someone said that i could have found that on google. i just thought to myself, well, 90% of the posts on this forum could be answered by google, why is my post so different than those?

but yet, if you tell someone to use google, you practically get lynched for it. some people seem to get away with it while others don't.

seriosuly though, if you need to know something right away, wouldn't you maybe check the manufacturer's site 1st and then ask here? chances of someone knowing your specific question can vary.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Nitromethane FTW.