Went past break in period on new push mower

[Woody71]

Using a 10 year old Toro mower. I can assure you that it didn't have the 5hr initial oil change let alone annual changes. Since its come into my possession, I change the oil at the beginning of every season. Its been running great for the last 4 years.

The oil, due to cleaning, was pretty dirty the first few times I changed it. Now it's pretty clear when I change it at the beginning of each season.

Your mower will be fine.

 

[larryinnewyork]

Hello all,

Not that all (same model) engines will perform the same, it's good to read about how much abuse they will take.
The Techcuma engine I took off my snow-thrower was 36 years old. Thats quite amazing.
It still runs, but I know it's worn out.

Some day, small engines will be made of all (non-metalic) parts.
Composite materials that are Heat & Wear resistant.
I think they'll last for 10 years and then need replacing.
Most people won't mind because what the engine is mounted to will be neglected.

Not everbody fixes and maintaines their possesions.
I'm glad I do. It's personal pride.

 

[larryinnewyork]

Here is some Patent Info. on Non-Metalic Cams.


http://www.google.com/patents/US5320795

 

[GeneralEclectic]

Glass-reinforced polysulfone would probably last darn near as long as steel. It's hard as rock (try machining it) and has an elastic modulus on the same order as steel. Plus, it'll never corrode no matter how much you neglect your engine. Won't creep either. I'd be okay with it in my small lawn mower engine.

 

[larryinnewyork]

I don't dought some non-metallic materials could be better than steel.

A quality non-metallic material is probably better than a cheap steel that is not properly heat treated.

There probably are exotic (non-metallic) materials that would be better than steel, but are cost prohabitive.

B&S Patent info does not specify what material they use.
As a consumer, I have to believe B&S main concern is cost.

Quote:
More recently, it has been found that non-metallic cam lobes may be molded from plastics material with sufficient accuracy for small internal combustion engines. Such molded non-metallic cam lobes provide for reduced noise and lower cost compared with metallic cam lobes.


With my 'new' snow-thrower engine, I'll take care of it like other things I own.
Hope for the best / enjoy using the snow-thrower.
I have more important issues to worry about than the future of small engines.

 

[JR]

I changed the oil in a dr trimmer i got from my dad. Needed carb and belt wasbroken. It was origanal oil and filter was six years oil.

Ken

 

[wander2039]

I ran my current to thin with ATF years ago.. steam was rolling off the cylinder head. 11 years later I'm still using it. Runs ok but everything else is shot and the coil is getting weak. Unless you have a lemon with regular oil changes can't kill a B&S.

 

[JR]

Changed out twelve year oil fill out of tecumseh i got of grandma. Knowing grampa it was pyb 10w-30. Was nasty as [censored], thick as molasas.dumped out like molasas too after half hour run time. I put in formula shell 5w20.


Ken