Petrol Mower For Small Lawn

[Bailes1992]

My Father gave me his 2009 petrol push mower with a Briggs & Stratton 450 motor.
It runs okay, the governor springs are worn so it always 'hunts' causing it to backfire occasionally but that's easily sorted.

Only issue I have is my lawn is only about 3 yards by about 6 which takes less than 5 minutes to mow. I try and start the engine up and leave it to idle for a few minutes before hand but it still never runs more than 10 minutes at a time.

There's a 15w40 A3/B4 oil in there at the moment. Is it worth going thinner for such a small lawn?

 

[Crispysea]

I doubt it would make a difference. Most older Briggs engines recommend SAE 30, the newest use 10w30. Perhaps you could try one of those with the next change.

 

[Linctex]

I have an older vertical shaft Briggs 3HP (I think 8 cubic inches) that also sees very intermittent duty. It's had the same fill of 15w40 oil since 2006. The oil still looks good, so I'm leaving it in there.

 

[dwendt44]

Sputtering and poping are likely carb issues.
You could try some carb cleaner in the gas.
The low speed jet was gummed up in my engine when it did that.


My 2¢

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: Linctex
I have an older vertical shaft Briggs 3HP (I think 8 cubic inches) that also sees very intermittent duty. It's had the same fill of 15w40 oil since 2006. The oil still looks good, so I'm leaving it in there.


Doesn't surprise me. Those old Briggs were indestructable.Back to the question,

I had a "hunting" engine which backfired and it was the carb not the gov'nor on mine. I have used any weight oil I had around, 10-30, 10-40, 30, 15-40 and 20-50. I Couldn't tell a difference with anything particular.

 

[andyd]

Sell the gas mower and buy an electric. A corded mower would last you forever. 18 sq yds isn't enough for a gas mower

 

[Bailes1992]

Cheers guys. I've ordered a new carb & petrol tank assembly as it was only £20 and a set of new governor springs because the throttle has about 2 or 3 mm of movement so it's never steady.

I won't change the oil for the sake of it now but I'll drop to a 0w30 or 5w30 when at the end of the year.

I'm not going to replace it for an electric mower. We'll be moving house in 3 years or so and want something with a bigger garden.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Sell the gas mower and buy an electric. A corded mower would last you forever. 18 sq yds isn't enough for a gas mower


Better yet, use a sicle, it will do wonders for your golf swing.