E85Forum.com

mattfox82 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

I have a Craftsman push mower, about 3 years old, 4 cycle engine.

Is there even a possibility of converting that to run on E85, I see no type of fuel adjustment anywhere as I have seen on older model mowers.

rmay635703 · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject:

Many times simple tinfoil or anything else that you can block the intake with will make it run, no modifications necessary, though your power output may not be acceptable.

If you have nerves of steel and are willing to have to potentially drain the fuel system fill er up and see what happens, if it quites, turn on the choke (if it has one) or block the intake until it runs.

If this does not lead to acceptable operation a drill and nerves of steel are needed as you the fuel hole in the carburator will need to be enlarged, note that you might break your lawnmower.

Good Luck

mattfox82 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

I may do that, I think I'll take a closer look at it first though

hotrodfeguy · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Green Bay WI

I just splash fill it. Been running about a 50/50 mix and dump a quart to 5 gal of drop oil for upper end lube valves ECT. I do this in my ridding mower. Never tried the push mower though, thanks for the idea. I know on some older models of brigs you can adjust the mixture so you may be able to run full E-85 on them.

Fredster · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

BlownEthanol · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 43

The problem with running E85 in your lawn mower is that while its is cheaper to fill up, you do lose gas mileage.

That was a joke by the way Very Happy

Fredster · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

rebelman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 31 Location: North Carolina

I have a push mower with a briggs engine running just fine on ethanol. I also have a push mower with a tecumseh engine and after one month of use on ethanol the carb starting having some issues, but I think it is because it is about 20 years old.

flexum · Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Colorado

I've been running e85 in all of my lawn equipment, going on about 7 years now. I use the choke method for one device , and duct tape instead of tin foil for the other. You should be able to tune for max rpm using either of these methods. Then go slightly rich from peak(less air) to set for best power.
I also run the tank dry at the end of each use. You'll soon find out how much fuel it takes to mow the lawn, etc. I use an old(glass) iced tea bottle ..

BlownEthanol · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 43

I rented a verticutter last weekend. Ran out of gas and filled it up with 118 octane leaded, worked great. Then ran out of that and filled it up with E85, I had to close the choke all the way but it worked great!

stylin99 · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 85 Location: Charlotte, NC

what's a verticutter? And wasn't that an expensive activity dumping in 118 leaded fuel? Laughing

_________________
'99 Mustang GT, Vortech Supercharged, now running E85 full time.
www.e85mustangs.com

Best Quarter Mile on E85:
10.52 at 135 mph

BlownEthanol · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 43

staley52 · Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Washington, Iowa

I have 2 lawnmower conversions

1st I have a 4-5 year old push mower with a 5.5hp honda that I soaked the air filter in water and let it dry and it created enough restriction that it works perfect so I have a e85 filter and a gas filter so switching back and forth is easy

second is more fun I have a 1967 cub cadet 122 with a 16hp kohler that is no longer stock I estimate 12-1 cpr. the carb has been rejeted custom every thing- just say the only things oem are the block, crank and carb body. it runs good on corn!!!! at 6000 rpm.

stonent · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 17

When I was a kid, mom told me to mow the lawn during the summer while she was at work. But the mower was dry, so I filled it up with denatured alcohol that I found next to some paint buckets and it ran fine. The exhaust felt hotter for some reason though.

I also managed to run the mower engine off of propane by taking the tip off and unplugging the fuel line. I'd put a tiny bit of alcohol in the line to start it and let the engine suck in the propane from the torch. It ran also but I had to hold the bottle next to the carb.

RAbishi · Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 1

Thanks for the info in this thread guys.
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526whp e85 mr2