OT -- Small Engines

Mashbox · Apr 2, 2009

Not really tractor related, but maybe someone has experience with this. Has anyone here used synthetic motor in a small engine? Would it be a good idea, cause harm, or make no difference at all. The reason I ask, I recently purchased a pull behind trail cutter to mow an area of my property that is not accessible with the tractor and bush hog. The cutter works great, but there are some steep areas I am going to mow. What concerns me is that the 10.5 HP B&S engine does not have an oil pump. My thought was the synthetic oil would adhere to the surfaces better, preventing problems.

I would not be keeping the machine on the slope for extended periods of time. Probably 1 to 1.5 minute to get to get to the top of the hill, turn around, let the machine run for a minute and then come back down. This may not even be a legitimate concern, but I do not want to lock the engine up mowing a slope.

Thanks.

Steven f/AZ · Apr 2, 2009

I run Mobil 1 synthetic in EVERYTHING and have a friend that has run it in absolutely everything he owns since the 70's without any trouble whatsoever.

I've even switched a vehicle to M1 when I bought it with 173k on it with no trouble and no leaks.

Fill 'er up and go mowing!

JDemaris · Apr 2, 2009

The main advangtages to the synthetic is the abiltiy to sustain super high heat, and more steady viscosity throughout a broad temperature range. A cheap Briggs with splash oiling will do just as well, if not better with straight petro-based 30W oil for warm weather use.

Kentb of SWMO · Apr 2, 2009

Three years ago I put a new 14.5 B&S OHV engine on my Father-in-Law's Snapper. After the break-in oil all it has had in it is M1 10W-30. I change it every spring. Also the ONLY thing I use in Generator engines. During an Ice Storm power outage a couple of years ago I ran a 11 HP Briggs L-head LP fuel generator for 6 day, 144 HRS, on M1 checking the oil 6 times in the 6 days. The last four day the oil was check twice.

Kent

Brian G. NY · Apr 2, 2009

I had heard all the horror stories about throwing rods and such when using riding tractors on steep side hills when I built my house in '96. Been mowing with single cylinder Kohler "splash lubed" tractors all that time without one problem. I mean "sit on the upper fender kind of steep. I check the oil EVERYTIME and I keep it at full or just a "tad" above full.
I think the problems occur when people operate them at the minimum oil level.

John B. · Apr 2, 2009

Motor magazine ran an article on Slick 50 years ago. It does work. They ran engines with Slick 50 then drained them and ran the engine without any oil in it. Wear was minimal.

They used 6 engines total, 3 with Slick 50 and 3 with out. All six were ran then drained and then run again with no oil in them. The ones that had Slick 50 in them did better than those that didn't.

Slick 50 is not an additive they claim, it's a conditoner.

Some people believe in it some people don't. I always wanted to use a small engine and run the same test Motor magazine printed. I haven't done it yet.

usetob · Apr 2, 2009

If it is out of warranty you'l be ok. If it is new it will void your warranty. check you manual

frdmnn · Apr 2, 2009

when slick 50 first came around i gave it a try and was impressed and have been using it in every vehicle since then. after adding the slick 50 my idle speed increased 200 rpm's and i had to adjust the idle screw to get t back to where it was before. so it definitly reduced the amount of friction. i was driving a 1977 thunderbird that i had swapped in a 1970 police interceptor 429 engine that i bought at a junkyard for 75 bucks. the odometer showed 10 thousand mies, so i figured it had 110 thousand on it, the car was wrecked in the back real good. so i doubt it was 210 thousand. i put a new timing chain and oil pump(at dad's insistence) in it before dropping it in. i put another 150 thosand on it and it still ran great. i sold the motor to a guy and he rebuilt it and dropped it into a jacked up four wheel drive truck. and yes it ran good, nothing like the torque from a big block.

Spook · Apr 2, 2009

I run synthetic in all my engines. I believe that JD and other manufacturers now recomend synthetic oil in their engines. I also check the oil every time, and keep it a little over the full mark.

glennster · Apr 2, 2009

i run a trailing finish mower behind my cub to mow my road ditches. they are too steep for a tractor, 40 degress and better. never had a problem with oiling, swisher 60 inch with 13.5 or 14 hp briggs. mower is on its 5th year, no problems, run regular 30 wt in it.

Mashbox · Apr 3, 2009

It is a Swisher 44" cut that I have. I bought it used, and it had only been ran about six times prior to my purchase. I am running 30 weight in it now, but wondered if there was an advantage to synthetic. Thanks for the replies.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 3, 2009

Hello Mashbox,
Synthetic oil will work just fine. Make sure the viscosity is the same you have been using. One drawback......you will need to add oil once in a while. Not question of quality but engine clearances. It is great for winter operation. Guido.

OT -- Small Engines

Mashbox

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Steven f/AZ

Well-known Member

JDemaris

Well-known Member

Kentb of SWMO

Well-known Member

Brian G. NY

Well-known Member

John B.

Well-known Member

usetob

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frdmnn

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Spook

Well-known Member

glennster

Well-known Member

Mashbox

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

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