Fred W. Hargis Jr Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 I've had nothing but problems with my small engine stuff the last few years and I blame a lot of it on the gasoline now being as the ethanol blends have taken over. This seems especially true of the 2 cycle engines, the string trimmer, chain saws, etc. So I've searched for a non-alcoholic gas and for a while the nearest available was further than I wanted to drive. Recently, a small gas/general store chain from IL has moved into the area (Casey's General Store) and they have a spot on their pumps dedicated to alcohol free gas. It's the high octane stuff, and they are really proud of it; $3.54/gal versus $2.78 for the crappy stuff. But I'll have to say, it seems to have made a difference with my lawn gear. So far it's seems to have made a difference, especially with the string trimmer. So I'm choking when I buy it, but smiling when I'm running the tools. HARO50, steamshovel, p_toad and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 Fred, an alternative that "may" be worth considering - My leaf blower gave it up earlier this spring. As I started the shopping around for a replacement I looked into the new battery operated models. I reasoned that my first b.o. screwdrivers were pretty pathetic, and they did keep me from actually buying a good b.o. drill for a long time... I bought an 18 volt Milwaukee blower/trimmer combo kit. The trimmer is great, and I do not see much difference between the b.o. and the gas model for my chores. The leaf blower is definitely not as powerful as the gas model it replaced. It works great in the shop to do final "cleanup" with no lingering exhaust smell - and whole bunches quieter to boot! If the grass clippings are fairly dry it does a reasonable job on the driveway that I have decided is acceptable. It gives me a good reason to take a break after mowing for 20-30 minutes to allow the clippings to dry down. Another bonus to the b.o. models; while I haven't been there - done that yet, I am pretty sure that next spring they will both crank right up with the first pull of the trigger p_toad, Artie, HARO50 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 Another resource many of us forget about is our Shop Vacs. They make great leaf blowers too, and general shop clean up too, open the garage door, and blow it all out, make sure light items and papers are put away first though! I still forget about the ability the shop vac has for blowing, I have to make an effort to remember after I cut the grass. I like to use the blower mode on our back yard area patio and concrete areas, I'll sweep the front yard though, I don't believe in just blowing things around to shift the debris from my home to my neighbors home, or out in the street, that drives me crazy when I see gardeners do that. Gardeners don't sweep anymore, they just blow it all off to another location. Artie, p_toad, steamshovel and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted August 21, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 B.O. tools have replaced all our yard tools except the mowers. We tow one behind a Polaris and ride a smaller one. Our Ford Fusion is even B.O., about half the time. And, B.O. drill/drivers are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Cal, HARO50, steamshovel and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamshovel Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 I have chain saws, trimers. leaf blowers, etc, and all are gas. The gas gets old and I pull and pull and if I'm lucky they may start. I'm to old and worn out for this. I bought some of that gas additive that refreshes the gas. I use it in my gas can according to instructions. I'll put a little dab (teaspoon) in the tank on my tool and make sure its mixed up good, then I'll pull the starter rope with choke on a few times and let the tool sit for a few minutes to let the gas additive soak in, and hopefully start. I agree battery operated are a lot more user friendlier. when the gas ones quit I'm going BO. The gas additive is called renew or refresh. It will keep the gas cans in good condition for up to a year and If needed recondition the same gas again. Preston Artie, p_toad and Cal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post schnewj Posted August 21, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 Typically, the non-ethanol around my area is about 40-50¢ higher than 87 octane 10% ethanol gas. It is well worth the price to run in my small engine equipment. They performs so much better and I have less starting, running and maintenance issues. I spend no time fooling around trying to get my things to start, like I did with the ethanol gas, and they usually start on the first pull of the starter rope or turn of the key. When I bought a new Stihl chainsaw a few months ago they specifically told me NOT to run ethanol gas in the mix. I typically go though somewhere around 20 gallons of gas, during the summer, for the various lawn equipment. That equates to about $10 more for non-ethanol gas. My time getting ethanol gas fed equipment running is more valuable than $10. HARO50, Cal, Fred W. Hargis Jr and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred W. Hargis Jr Posted August 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 So far I'm thinking the same thing...it's well worth the cost to run it in the yard stuff; and that's my plan as long as I can get it. p_toad and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamshovel Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 Gas gets old and loses it punch after aging. I have had gas over 2 years old and it would not work. I put in the gas treatment and it worked. I may keep both systems gas & BO just in case the power grid goes down. Preston Artie and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artie Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 My biggest fear with the BO stuff is how long the batteries will last. To me, the best part of the Rigid tool kit deal, that HD had last winter, was the lifetime warranty on the batteries. For heavy duty applications I think gas is still best, but BO is mostly up to the task now. I thnk I still have a couple of BO tools that the battery died on, and it was cheaper to buy a new tool with battery and charger, than to replace the battery. Cal and Fred W. Hargis Jr 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARO50 Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 2 hours ago, Artie said: it was cheaper to buy a new tool with battery and charger, than to replace the battery. Sad, isn't it. A drill, TWO batteries, charger and a tool bag for $99.99, the batteries alone... $129.99. John steamshovel, Artie and Cal 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted August 23, 2018 Report Share Posted August 23, 2018 I have a Bosch 28V dual stroke reciprocating saw that lets me cut small branches and even small trees that can't be reached with my corded chain saw. Forget the gas operated chain saw, it takes too much work trying to start it. My Ryobi weed wacker with a heavy duty battery will do all the trimming along both sides of 250 ft of fencing and allow me to trim around other needed areas before needing a charge. I did invest in a second heavy duty battery when it was on sale for $49.00. Using the heavy duty batteries with my Ryobi drills seem like they will run forever on one charge. Now the rototiller, that does run on gas. Used it today. p_toad, Cal and Artie 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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