Operator's Manual SRM-225 Grass Trimmer / Brushcutter What is the mix ratio?
If you haven't worked with string trimmers before, they have a few requirements which may be unfamiliar to you.The need for mixed fuel is one of the requirements.
All gas-powered engines need both gasoline and lubricating oil in order to run smoothly.Many larger four-cycle gasoline engines, such as in your car, have separate reservoirs for the fuel and the motor oil.When it gets low, you top off the fuel tank and oil tank.
Many smaller gasoline engines don't have a separate oil storage area.The engine of your string trimmer is an example.The engine needs lubrication to function smoothly.Specialty motor oil is added directly to the gasoline in these 2-cycle air-cooled engines.This gives for both lubrication and combustion.The blend is called a mixed fuel.
The fuel and oil used in the equipment must meet certain standards.The fuel must be 89 octane or better and contain no more than 10 percent ethanol according to the fuel information sheet on the website.The requirements make sure that the mixed fuel burns correctly in the engine and that detergents are enough to keep the engines and carburetor free of varnish.
The oil must meet certain standards from two different organizations.The ISO-L-EGD certification is listed on the oil label.The oil must be certified by the Japanese Automobile Standards Organization, which is listed on the oil label as JASO M345 FD.These standards make sure that the oil is suitable for air-cooled, 2-cycle engines which operate at very high speeds and temperatures.Other types of motor oil aren't formulated to meet these criteria.
If the oil is formulated for 2-cycle, air cooled engines, it can be used, as long as it meets the ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD standards.Any oil that does not meet these criteria can void the warranty.
It used to be possible to specify a variety of ratios for its air-cooled, 2-cycle engines.If the original equipment manual specified a different ratio, the company now specifies a 50:1 ratio for all their 2-cycle, air cooled engines.Improvements in oil formula allow for a new 50:1 ratio for their equipment.
If you lost your string trimmer owner's manual, you can find it online.
The easiest way to blend your fuel is within a separate fuel storage can, rather than in the line trimmer's fuel tank.The fuel tanks on most Echo line trimmers are a bit larger than one gallon.Errors may be caused by trying to calculate the amount of oil to add to the tank.You can measure out the exact quantities of both fuel and oil with a separate storage can.
If you put the fuel and oil in a separate container, you can make sure they are mixed thoroughly.Put half a gallon of fuel in a container and add oil and mix.You're done if you add another half gallon of fuel.
If you mark the fuel storage container as having a mixed fuel, you won't have to wonder if it's already blended or not.To make sure old fuel doesn't mix with new fuel, be sure to use up the fuel in the storage container.Add more oil when you refill the container.