[americanlawn]

In the past we've used 87 octane (avoiding ethynol), but we just switched to "premium" (also no ethynol) cuz the cost is only about 17 cents per gallon more, and our ride-on's seldom use more than 2 gallons per day (so that's only about 30 cents a day).

Our Stihl rep strongly suggested using "premium" for our 2-cycle gas, so now I'm thinking it's probably not a bad idea for our ride-on's as well.

Wondering what you guys prefer and why???? Thanks, rscvp, americanlawn. :usflag:

 

[indyturf]

I have been thinking the same thing, but I always fill up the ride-on gas can when I fill the truck and its just easier to just use the same nozzle and pay once. but its prob not a bad idea.

 

[SeedPro]

I honestly don't think it makes a difference. Unless you're getting run on or knocking and pinging from your machine then it needs a higher octane fuel. Save your money.

What does rscvp mean? You say it often.

I know RSVP means répondez s'il vous plaît or please respond.

 

[americanlawn]

It's French for "please respond if you please". Whenever you see "RSCVP", it means the post is personally my own, instead of one of my guys or another LCO bud who is here. (keep in mind that I am personally responsible for all posts under the americanlawn name). Most guys don't know this, but I have a "man cave" with 2 acres here where several guys hang out after work. We sell fert to them & work together with several other LCO's. It's nice to get along. BTW 3 of us are here now watching NCAA basketball. Go Big Ten.

Oh oh --------------MICHIGAN STATE JUST WON!!! GO BIG TEN :usflag::usflag:

I honestly don't think it makes a difference. Unless you're getting run on or knocking and pinging from your machine then it needs a higher octane fuel. Save your money.

What does rscvp mean? You say it often.

I know RSVP means répondez s'il vous plaît or please respond.

 

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

Larry - why you rootin for Mich. State?? They (barely) beat UNI. As for me, I'll take Butler.

Also, I run E10 thru all my machines, never had a problem. How do you even find eth. free gas??

 

[americanlawn]

I always root for the BIG TEN (unless they play against UNI). Now watching Baylor & Duke......could not care less in this one. One of my guys here just changed to NBC to watch GOFF :hammerhead::hammerhead:

Too bad NASCAR & INDY got rained out today. May have to search reruns to get us by, cuz GOFF ain't cuttin' the mustard.

 

[SeedPro]

I always root for the BIG TEN (unless they play against UNI). Now watching Baylor & Duke......could not care less in this one. One of my guys here just changed to NBC to watch GOFF :hammerhead::hammerhead:

Too bad NASCAR & INDY got rained out today. May have to search reruns to get us by, cuz GOFF ain't cuttin' the mustard.

The drags are on from Charlotte.....I'm surprised.

4 wide racing too....kinda neat.

 

[americanlawn]

The drags are on from Charlotte.....I'm surprised.

4 wide racing too....kinda neat.

Nuther 4-wide being built in Vegas riight now. Cool stuff.

 

[rcreech]

I just got my tank filled this week at my place and talked to my gas man about it (how funny).

He told me that the higher grades were pretty much a joke and that 87 was good enough for anything. He said that the middle grade is just a blend of the low and high grade.

Anyway..I just thought I would share what he said!

 

[CHARLES CUE]

Go WVU
Putting prem gas in something that does not need it [don't ping or knock ] is a wast of money thats 30 cents in my pocket
Charles Cue

 

[indyturf]

guess I will just continue using reg 87 octane in everything. I got a new Stihl blower last week and was told to only use premium. the only reason I could see using premium is maybe if you only used the blower for 5 min a week like a homeowner would.
GO BUTLER!!!!!!!!

 

[Young Bros]

We were using 89 ethenal untill mechanic said its not good for small engine. Might try premium this year.

 

[SuperiorService.110mb.com]

I run 93 in everything I own, Cars and Equipment. Stihl does recommend 93 to be ran in their 4 mix equipment as it helps in little to no carbon build up. I run my mowers at a much higher RPM than OEM and feel the 93 helps keep it cooler and burn the fuel better. The above post talk about a 10-15 cent difference in cost, to me that 10-15 cents is nothing if it makes my $550.00 blower or $450.00 weed eater last longer and have max power longer, hell I pay about $50.00 for a gallon of Stihl syn oil. Running a better fuel in a $11,000.00 mower makes sence to me as well. As for the no Ethonal fuel, If I need to fill up and a station is close by thats what I go for.
This is just my opinion, no data to it, just no problems with my equipment and I run my stuff hard but keep them well maintained.
I also only run Mobile 1 syn oil in everything not 2 cyc.

 

[ksJoe]

I also think its worthwhile. Premium usually has better cleaning additives, and small engines often sit a lot.

Just remember if you're filling a small can, the hose on the gas pump holds gas too. And its probably full of the cheap stuff the last guy got. Last week I went to get a gallon, and selected premium right as I remembered I probably wouldn't actually get any premium since it looks like the hose holds about a gallon.

So if you're filling a small can and care enough to get premium, put a gallon in the vehicle before filling the can.

 

[climber338]

I run 93 octane 2stroke in everything because i mostly use 2-stroke anyways (to be arborist). My mower, tractor and splitter get the 93 2 stroke as well and they run great on it.They just get whats left at the end of the week because i like to run fresh gas though my saws. Just pour what ever is left into one of the tanks and run them.

 

[ksJoe]

The other thing I do (and I'm a homeowner BTW, so my gas sits more than yours), is I never put gas in a can that doesn't have Stabil in it.

 

[lawn king]

I have always run high octane in all my small engines.

 

[rcreech]

I have never ran high octane and never had any issues...so not going to switch.

I have two Kaw backpack blowers...and one is 3 years old and all I do is add gas to it and never had any issues!

 

[americanlawn]

We use Echo blowers & trimmers, and Stihl chain saws (all 2 cycle). But when I shelled out big money for a "prefessional tree service" chain saw last fall, the Stihl rep told me to run premium and try not to let the gas sit for over a month.....can't remember sure why. We use Stihl 2 cycle oil in all 2 cycle engines..... not sure why, but I trust the name brand

BTW RC -- I saw a Z-Max in operation today. I could tell the guy was experienced, cuz he was rolling right along. :usflag: Saw one T, but I've yet to see a PG -- Weird

We fill up "small engine gas" cans each week so we have it on hand without having to frequent filling stations. Never had a problem with 87 octane before, but I think we'll go with premium from now on. We also use Castrol Syntec 5W-30 (full synthetic) in our ride-ons (after 5 - 10 hour break in period). Again, cuz I trust the brand name

Friends run premium gas in their cars, cuz they say the cost per mile is about the same as 87 octane, and it's better for the engine. But I run 87 in my Avalanche with no probs.

Is the above correct, or have I been steered in the wrong direction? thanks

 

[a plus bob]

My uncle used to haul gas for a oil company.He said the station's have to prove a gallon is a gallon but no test for octane.So you might pay for 93 and get 87.