how long for oil to get up to operating temp?

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Nov 29, 2009
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So some of the mower engines are requiring thicker oil now when in the past, a regular 30 weight was the standard. Now they're moving up to 20w50 for the hotter climates. They still have 10w30/30 weight as an option, but they're giving us more choices now I guess you could say. My question is I wonder sometimes, if the thicker 20w50 could be more detrimental. Most people are probably done mowwing after 15 minutes anyways, and I'd be willing to bet that it's not until after that point that the oil starts getting hot enough where a 20w50 would even come into play. Opions?
 
If your only using the thing for 15 minutes once a week then it likely makes no difference what you use.

I have SAE 30 in my generator but next change I will be moving to 15W-40. So far its only been used once for a few hours in an actual outage. A fire it a few times a year just so it can run.

It takes me an hour to mow the lawn about. Cheapest push Toro / Briggs they sold 10 years ago, probably used 40 times a year. I have always run SAE 30 and have no issues.
 
If your only using the thing for 15 minutes once a week then it likely makes no difference what you use.

I have SAE 30 in my generator but next change I will be moving to 15W-40. So far its only been used once for a few hours in an actual outage. A fire it a few times a year just so it can run.

It takes me an hour to mow the lawn about. Cheapest push Toro / Briggs they sold 10 years ago, probably used 40 times a year. I have always run SAE 30 and have no issues.
I use these mowers commercially, but one mower may be used for 15 minutes, then cool off for an hour or two while I use a different mower on the next yard or weedwhack. Etc. One of the mowers I use for some of the properties will get the oil up to every bit of 250 degrees, so I wouldn't dare put 30 weight in it. For.the most part if I recall correctly I don't think they get much past 200 degrees on a well maintained residential lot.
 
Get yourself a temp gun,many other uses like,wheel bearings,brakes,pizza stone,L.O.L
I have one. Just never thought to see how long it takes to get there. Generally it's 180-220ish. Some areas are hotter than others although it's a bit hard to measure oil temp itself
 
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