“Farmers and ranchers use a variety of small engine equipment daily,” said Mark Larose, service manager at S&H Farm Supply, Rogersville, Mo. “ATVs, UTVs, chainsaws, log splitters, chippers and a variety of lawn equipment keep a farm running.”
According to Larose, ethanol is foremost a biofuel used in place of gasoline. “As ethanol travels in a fuel system it will act as a cleaning agent dislodging rust, sludge and dissolve the metal coating in fuel pumps and carburetor bodies,” he added. “The fine material will go into solution and in time pass through fuel filters plugging fuel passages and damaging fuel injectors.”
Larose said most instances will occur with chainsaws, “The ethanol will harden up the rubber diaphragm parts affecting engine starting and performance. Older saws are more prone to this rapid failure faster than new models.”
“In two stroke machines with a gas/oil mixture for lubrication creates a separation problem and in turn premature wear between metal parts,” Larose said.
James Williams, service manager at Maus Implement in Damascus, Ark., said, “The main concern is the time period a machine can set without being started, or whether or not to treat your fuel.”
Williams recommended that any owners that don’t plan to remove and store their battery off the machine, to start their machine every 30 days to charge the battery and lube all internal engine parts.
The following are pre-winter maintenance suggestions made by Williams:
1. Clean the machine, then run engine for five minutes to dry all belts and pulleys.
2. Apply a light coat of grease to all pivot and wear points.
3. Lubricate grease points and check tire pressures.
In order to treat the fuel, Larose recommended a sea foam fuel additive. “Run the engine until the lines and fuel system have the treated fuel, stop the fuel supply and let engine carb run out. Charge the battery and disconnect. If conditions are harsh removing the spark plug and fogging the cylinder is recommended.”
After the previous cleaning process, do the following for machines that have been treated with fuel stabilizer:
1. Make sure the fuel tank is completely full. “This reduces the amount of air in the tank and helps reduce deterioration of fuel.
2. If a machine will not be used for 60 days or more it is advised that the oil and filter be changed, the air filter serviced, and fuel shutoff valve closed.
3. Check the charge in your battery and store in a cool, dry place where it will not freeze.
The following are what Williams recommended for a machine that has not used a fuel stabilizer.
1. Place the machine in a well-ventilated area and crank the engine to run it completely out of fuel.
2. Mix a fresh fuel mixture, using a recommended fuel stabilizer.
3. Fill the fuel tank and crank engine allowing machine to run for several minutes, to be sure fuel has circulated through the entire system.
4. Refill the tank and shutdown.
When in doubt you should always read your owner’s manual. “Have your machine maintenance done by qualified technician,” Larose said.
