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

Again for a new homeowner (and new to lawnmowers in general...)

I just moved into my home (Chicagoland) at the end of September and due to new sod waited until the very end of October to mow the lawn for the first time with a brand new Toro 20017 Recycler. The one mowing was plenty and due to cold weather the grass has stopped growing so it is already time to put the new lawnmower to bed for the winter.

I ran the fuel tank dry as per the manual but the original gas I put into it never had a fuel stabilizer added. Should I worry about damage and put a bit of fresh gas WITH stabilizer in it back in the tank and run it for a minutes till it is dry again or am I good to go already? Once I get this sorted out I will change the oil, remove the spark plug, add a bit of oil to the cylinder, cycle the engine a few times and wait for next year. Thanks!

PS: Quick snowblower question... if I end up buying fresh gas for the lawnmower shutdown, and adding Stabil or something like it... will it be a problem if I use that same "fuel stabilized" gas to create 2-cycle fuel for my Toro 3650 snowblower which will get oil that already has a fuel stabilizer in it. Basically will gas with Stabil added to oil with its own fuel stabilizer cause a problem?

if you've fully drained the fuel system, there is no need for stabilizer.  however, by just running it dry  you may not have fully drained the carb.  this is one reason i keep stabilizer in my fuel all year - you never know which tank will be your last.

there are no issues with using stabilized gas in a 2 cycle premix. 

so a good solution is to simply buy fresh gas, add Stabil, the splash the tank of the lawnmower enough to let the engine run a few minutes then go dry? i can then use the rest of the gas purchased (with the added Stabil) to mix with 2-cycle oil (also with its own stabilizer) for my winter snowblower needs. thanks...