Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I know this is a stupid question. I have a 2-cycle Mercury outboard in which I run Mercury oil, a Sthil weed trimmer in which I run Sthil oil, and a Lawnboy lawnmower in which I run Lawnboy oil. Again all are 2-cycle. With all the different ratios I just make each its own gas can. Last year it got a Toro 2-cycle snow blower. I used up the oil that came with it but am unable to find the recommend Toro oil in any store. Hence this post.

What is a good quality oil to use with the Toro? Or should I mail order the real Toro oil? Any of the above that I currently use work? I would like something that has a fuel stabilizer. I don't run the same gas across two seasons but one batch will last me the whole winter.  I just have this thing about sticking with what the manufacture wants.

 

Thanks.

 

Am I being ridiculous for using all these different oils?

JeffFarrar wrote: This brings up an interesting question ive thought about on occasion.  Several articles ive read as well as been told my my local merc. dealer  indicate, 2 stroke outboard oils are formulated differently due to lower operating temps of a water cooled 2 stroke engine. this makes me wonder about the same scenerio  for an air cooled 2 stroke used  in low tempratures, such as a snowblower would be used, because of lower operating temps, would the blower oil be formulated differently too?
Conversly in my chainsaw i use the same oil regardless of summer or winter use, which may be temps of high 90s to perhaps mid 30s.
if we assume a mean temprature of 40 degrees air temp (for example)  chain saw operation, vs  40 degree  water temp  for an outboard motor, would the cooling effects under both conditions be similar for these different applications? or what is the dynamic impact of this to actual engine temps, of the outboard being internally liquid cooled vs the air cooled chain saw engine under the same operating environment tempratures? my initial thoughts  under the same operating temps, are that being internally liquid cooled, actual engine temps will be lower, thus having a need for an oil that combusts well at lower temps.

sometimes i come up with some strange thoughts and questions on slow days like this when the mind can get to rambling. Anyone have any thoughts or theories on this?

Dont use the merc oil ! Stihl for one would void a warrenty if they found Merc oil in one of their products.

I have used the Stihl Hi Performance 2 cycle oil for 2 years and my Toro seems to like it.  I buy it in the orange bottle premeasured for
2.5 U.S. gallons.  No guesswork or measuring necessary. If you can operate a gas pump, you'll get the correct 50:1 mix every time.

AZ

I called around some more this weekend and found a small mower shop that had the winter Toro oil so I bought a bunch.  I was afraid of mixing brands and also didn't want to run a summer oil in the winter.  Talking to the owner of the shop he also highly recommend this as well.

Thanks for all the help.

Opti-2.

One mix for ALL of your 2 cycle needs.

Mix it properly and you can run it in all of your air cooled 2 cycle machines.

I have been using it professionally for years and wouldn't use ANYTHING else. One can beats 5 or 6. 

Ken

SnowPro wrote:

Are you using Opti-2 at 100:1 or a different ratio? What engines and applications are you currently using it in? How old are these engines?  Were you using a product previously that you were dissatisfied with? If yes, which product? Is Opti-2 providing you with any benefits other than the convenience of having only one mix? 

AZ

AZinOH wrote:

Yes I am using it at 100:1 as specified by the company.  I have talked with the president on the phone and he gave me all kinds of assurance when I started using it.

I am using it in Shindaiwa trimmers and blowers.  Stihl trimmers and chainsaws.  Lawnboys new and old.  My oldest Lawnboy is a 1967 that I use to  cut my lawn with.  Only because it is old and running great.  Feels special running old equipment.  Toro lawnmower (with Suzuki engine).  Old Homelight chainsaw that won't quit.   Homelight hand held blowers.  I bought these to be disposable but they keep going.

Any new equipment that I have bought in the last several years has had NOTHING BUT Opti-2 since new.  I USED to have a separate container for everything, as each machine seemed to need a different ratio.  Having 5,6 or more mixed cans around, plus straight gas and diesel cans was getting ridiculous.  Once I got turned on to Opti-2, I never looked back. 

At first, I only used it in the brand new machines.  Then I decided to put it in all the old equipment as well.  They loved it!

ALL of my equipment is used commercially, and I can honestly say that they are lasting MUCH longer that should be expected.  I have one Shindaiwa trimmer that is over 10 years old, gets used about 5 hours a day during the summer, and is still running strong.  Compression is about perfect.  The dealer can't believe it.  He wants to buy it back to brag to customers, but I won't sell, so that I can brag about that!

I was never dissatisfied with any of the other products, just that I had so many mixed cans around.  It was always a stress, if one of the guys didn't read the label before filling a machine.

The engines I can honestly say have more power, and run clean as can be.  NO fouling of ports since the changeover.  As you run the Opti-2 in older equipment, it will actually help clean out the engine and improve performance.  I have seen this.  NO ring jobs, NO carb rebuilds, NO loss of compression.  I now spend a LOT less time servicing my equipment.

**This is starting to sound like I sell the stuff or something........but NO....just a hearty endorsement and trying to give assurance to those delving into these "strange waters"**

FIRST THING TO REMEMBER--------Mix it according to instructions--------and forget the ratio-------it will drive you nuts!!

SECOND THING TO REMEMBER---------In one week my equipment runs the same as the average homeowner uses in 5-10 YEARS.

Whew.....................

Ken

SnowPro,

Thanks for sharing your experience with Opti-2. Although I've seen other mentions of it, yours is by far the most informative. I'm pleased to hear it works so well for you. I will certainly keep it in mind, although I already have enough Stihl oil on my shelf to last me several years because my Toro is the only 2-cycle I own. A few more questions. Opti-2 is a synthetic...correct?  Do you buy it over-the-counter or order it from a dealer? How much is it by the pint/quart/gallon? I did look at their web site but I don't feel comfortable calling someone about the product when I have no desire to purchase at this time.

AZ

AZinOH wrote:

No problem!  That's why we are here right! To attain a higher level of "OPEness" than the average Joe!

A lot of people seem to be scared of the stuff (because of the mix ratio).  No need to be at all.  REMEMBER---it is the OIL not the ENGINE that determines the mix ratio.

Opti-2 is NOT a synthetic.  I always thought so too, until I called the company and spoke with the president himself.  It is actually a parafin based product, so he said I should not  refer to it as synthetic.  Gets sticky sometimes with the all the types being hawked these days (eg. Semi synthetic, SUV synthetic, older engine formula, etc.).

One thing I find really nice is that it contains a fuel stabilizer.  No need to add this product at the end of the season, it's always there.  Now for me, that is great as I always mix in 5 gallon batches.  Any left over fuel gets used in the spring with no problems at all.  No need to drain carbs at the end of the season as it has stabilized fuel in it.  They start right up after sitting all winter.  As a homeowner, I think that is a blessing as some equipment can go for long periods without use.  I have had NO gumming up problems since using this product.

I get mine at a local OPE dealer, over the counter.  Also check cycle shops and such.  I buy it in the 1gallon jugs.  About $40.00 Canadian.  I purchased a bottle (of Opti-2) for mixing 5 gallons of gas, and use it over and over as a measuring "cup".  They sell it in various sizes from a little pouch for mixing 1 gallon up to the gallon jug for mixing 100 gallons of gas.  Around here, it has become the popular choice for chain saw guys.

HTH,

Ken

I just purchased OPTI 2 oil along with a new Toro 2450.  When I got home and started to mix the oil I had questions since Toro recommends a 50:1 mix and the prepackaged OPTI 2 I purchased mixes at about 70:1.  I questioned the dealer about it and they assured me that OPTI was about the best you could get and that the ratio was fine.  That's when I went to the computer to do a little research.  I appreciate the info from SnowPro, it means a lot to hear about the oil from another source than just the dealer.  

For AZinOH:  I purchased OPTI in pre-measured 1.8 oz packets, which by my calculations yield about a 70:1 ratio.  I paid $1.70 US per packet.

Thanks all for the discussion.  It's great