One Of These Mowers Will Run Almost Twice As Long As The Other One

[@safe9351]

Can you try a Kohler Engine, also what do you think of Ariens?

[@davidmollard9832]

I have I think a 6.5 hp Kohler on my mower and it doesnt seem like it uses much fuel.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I like Ariens , only worked on a few, but never on camera, seem to be a good quality mower for the homeowner. Yes the Kohler is in the next installment.

[@LeoMAUW]

I have a 190cc flathead briggs and stratton engine lawnmower, and by seeing this video i think i have a good fuel economy. Great video!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Leo's

[@christophermarshall5765]

Great test. I might try this test with my Yard Force mower in coming days. That thing seems to "run on the smell of an oily rag" so to speak. Fuel tank holds about 900ml of fuel.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

good luck with the testing, I'd be interesting in knowing how it turns out

[@lukeboehmer5790]

Hey, I’ve worked on a lot of motors throughout the years… I noticed you used shoelace string around the handle … I use Romax house wiring to hold the leavers down when I’m testing them. I keep about foot in each toolbox, but one wrap around the leaver is enough…. it’s thick enough gauge where it keeps the handle down but it’s also thin enough to remove it quick in case of emergency..

[@HomeGaragechannel]

this time it wasn't shoelace, but a section of rope from a weed eater or blower, that I had done previously

[@der_pinguin44]

Love me some 2 smoke engines.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right, I sorely misunderstood them.

[@Parker-di7ef]

I really like your channel! It’s kind of like Project Farm but more small engine focused, love it! The Briggs and 2 stroke engine was impressive!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Thank you Parker, I appreciate the comment.

[@donvoll2580]

Good day Yea very interesting. from Ontario. Thanks

[@LiveSeruio]

You could use the engine break as a load like project farm did in his older videos

[@HomeGaragechannel]

it's too much of a load.

[@LiveSeruio]

@@HomeGaragechannel in that case the water spray idea is probably the best however the blade design is different between the mowers you could however add weights to the blades I believe that would simulate cutting grass the best

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks , I like the water idea, only because is not integral to each mower , like the brake, we'll see, if it makes any difference when start testing it.

[@johnmckee7937]

Great video! One point, the amount of gas one uses will vary with how hard the engine has to work. In other words it always better to mow before grass gets too high for several reasons.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes you're correct

[@johnmckee7937]

Keep your blade sharp! That will also help.

[@UltraMagaFan]

Can you do this test with riding zero turn mowers? I have a 1.3 acre yard and I don’t use push mowers. The most common engines I’ve seen them with are made by Briggs and Stratton and Kawasak. I want to know which brand is more fuel efficient.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that would be a great ideal, I'll have to find some to test though, But I do plan on it someday.

[@jackblack2557]

I have a John Deere js20 that has that same exact Briggs flathead and a 5hp briggs on my other mower and I've only had to do routine maintenance and they both have lasted 13/14 yrs going on 15yrs and more

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Jack black for sharing that.

[@dfields9511]

thanks for the update, and including the old Tecumseh , it put up a fight. wonder how the Briggs 150cc OHV do.. anyways , another day, cheers

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that one is coming up in the next round of testing.

[@mr1pearl]

🚓 I'm calling it not fair RPM's the lawn mower police has spoken 😅😂🤣🥲 You go Lawnboy woooooooooooo !

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank Bill Clement.

[@mjg263]

Interesting, I just observed this test by accident last weekend while pressure washing my patio. My old Troy-Bilt pressure washer had the original Briggs Quantum flathead on it and for years it always took at least 2 tanks of gas to get the job done. Late last year the Briggs started making an occasional sharp rapping noise so I replaced it with a good used Honda GCV160. The Honda did the entire job on one tank of gas with a little extra to spare! Granted the tank size may be a little different but not enough to account for an entire tank full of gas plus it didn’t emit as much exhaust odor. Honda seemed much more efficient to me (but I still LOVE Briggs flatheads as well as Hondas).

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for the information

[@itsnot1673]

Wow kinda surprising a 2 stroke won that's strange considering they're burning fuel on every stroke by nature so must be running kind of lean maybe id be interested in seeing cylinder head as that would pretty much confirm as if its scoured on exhaust side then yeah running lean

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right, it didn't make sense to me either.

[@jameslawnmowerrepair]

You ruined the video for me I was waiting for the video to load and the new youtube comments shows the top comment all the time but I still wanted to watch the video

[@itsnot1673]

@@jameslawnmowerrepair Didn't ruin the video only said who came first still well worth watching unless you're one of those people who only cares about perfection i think that would say more about you then me

[@queenbee4293]

a great way to put a constant load on the mower is the put weights in the blade or make them un aerodynamic

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that's a good idea.

[@charlesduboise5198]

Fuel use is a hard thing to measure because it would depend on how many times the governor has to open up the thicker the grass the more fuel the mower use and with that the size would be efficiented the more torque the engine has the less it has to work to cut the grass there are a lot of variables to in doing a test like this but the two stoke winning doesn't surprise me

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you're right about that.

[@MrPhatties]

The two stroke motors pollute a lot more than the 4 strokes, and that is the primary reason for being replaced

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes I completely agree with you.

[@heybusdrivah]

2 strokes are the best

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you got that right. too bad the folks in charge don't agree.

[@logansmokes.2762]

I have a Troy bilt tb110 with a 140 cc Troy bilt engine

[@HomeGaragechannel]

very nice

[@bill3716]

Regarding the compression tester you have using 14 and 18mm adapters. Will one of those fit a Husqvarna 128LD trimmer?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes it should

[@Skyliner_369]

With the other engines, what you can do is pour out the lines of that tiny tank into the on-engine tank.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that's a good idea.

[@animered1986]

i luv my lawnboy, i'll repair it till the day I die. Also if I lived near you I would kidnap that johndeer from you. And clean and fix those rusty parts on it, Then return it 😏

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks and you'll have to steal the JD from the owner, but since it was stolen once, I'm sure, they keep it in the garage now.

[@OnionRingsGaming]

I wouldn't test the self propel, its probably not worth your time or money. I for one am very happy to own an ego mower during these rough times.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Onion Rings, yes and no, the initial cost is still a concern for most people . How long have you had yours?

[@OnionRingsGaming]

2 years

[@cm5838]

I'm not sure the Briggs fuel efficiency makes up for it's shorter lifespan. Although that model Briggs was the last decent mower engine they ever produced, this new overhead valve one is pure garbage. I'd put one of those Chinese engines up against them any day. My scrap bin tells the story, the only Honda or Chinese engines that get tossed are due to mechanical failures due hitting stumps and rocks and bending the cranks. Most of them are Briggs with worn bores, worn wrist pins, or cracked heads. Some are pretty new, one was just out of warranty and lost compression due to worn bore. Also I don't understand why people don't like the Tecumseh, finicky carbs but a long lasting engine.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

wow, I really appreciate the information you've given us.

[@cm5838]

@@HomeGaragechannel I have a small engine/atv shop. I might not be the most knowledgeable but I tell it as I see it. I am a Honda fan, but Briggs is far more common, I get people in here all the time that don’t understand why their new mower won’t run. A few months ago I ran into a mower with a Yamaha engine, never even heard of one, guy said he bought it in Okinawa when he was stationed there. That was a damn nice mower. Of course parts had to be ordered from Japan.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks for sharing the information .

[@lbslawncare6627]

You gotta love the old Lawn Boy's!!!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right, so underrated

[@alexvalerio5031]

Another great video. Love your work. I’ll be getting a Honda HRX217 got any tips

[@carlosspiceyweiner3387]

The new style with the GCV200 is proving to be less reliable than its predecessor. Find a good deal on a used machine that isn’t clapped, and it’ll last you forever.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

very nice mower, yes, when your about 2 minute from being done with the mowing, reach down, and turn the fuel valve off, and then finish mowing, then let it run till it dies, that's best tip for those.

[@pandaant]

I have an idea for you. Put the same amount of fuel in the tank for each mower, run it like you would mow your lawn normally, and then you can make a rough estimate as to how much is left, or you could also drain the tank completely and measure the fuel left over

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes that works too, thank you Panda Ant.

[@therandomman6647]

Hah! Guess my Tecumseh isn't as efficient as I thought. Still my favorite though and it's still efficient enough to not waste gas. (I feel mildly butthurt lol)

[@HomeGaragechannel]

lol.. how do you think I feel, technically my honda came in 5th place.

[@therandomman6647]

@@HomeGaragechannel when the challenge first started I thought it was going to win because Honda is considered such a high end brand haha

[@HomeGaragechannel]

me too.

[@rickthelian2215]

Surprised on the 190cc Briggs flat head, I found my Tecumseh 55 uses less fuel than my Briggs, which I love, the Honda isn’t far away😀🇦🇺

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Rick Thelian.

[@tomlewis3658]

Now this was very interesting. I was very pleased to see the B&S 6.75 flathead engine do so well. It's the one on my 2007 Snapper Hi-Vac 21" self-propelled. Mine has a throttle control, so I guess if you re-test any with throttles, or do more tests and include 1 with a throttle control, I think if all of them are set at the max position and verify that the engine speed is reasonable (i.e., not way faster than 3600 rpm or something like that), that might be a way to keep the testing as scientifically clean as you have been doing so well in these tests. And I think if a test of self-propelled models only was done with just the drive wheels off the ground, that would also be a pretty valid test, in my view. If someone looks at the MPG ratings of new cars, those numbers let us compare one vehicle to the other. Your testing is providing that same type of useful information, I would say.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Tom Lewis I appreciate it.

[@timewa851]

1983 Snapper Hi Vac, with a B&S 6.75 flat. from 2000 something. Mine's auto governed & sips fuel too. There's really zero benefit from OHV design on a constant speed utility engine, if the engine operates all over the rev range, like a road-going device, then newer designs would prevail. At steady speed, cutting for an hour or three, flats(side valve) are STILL surprisingly efficient. : ) long live the side valves.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

very well said, about the OHV setup,

[@jonyoung6405]

I own a 1997 Snapper 21 Hi Vac. It came with a B&S 5HP Qunatum ( flat head) . I repowered with a “new old stock “ Quantum short block .

[@bigmesstest230]

O have a 2006 homlite with a quantum 5hp motor and it old burns 5 ounces of gas and it has a half a gallon tank I can mower 8 peoples yards before i have to refuel

[@watermanone7567]

The Quantum engines were some of the best engines that Briggs ever made.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

wow, that's pretty cool

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes sir.

[@ramadinsookhoo6141]

Hey bro wats up? I wouldn't change the adjustment on my mower (if I had one😄) to save money on gas. It just doesn't make sense in my opinion since it might be putting a strain on the engine and it will end up costing you a lot more in the long run😔

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Great point, Thank you Ramadin Sookhoo.

[@ramadinsookhoo6141]

@@HomeGaragechannel you're welcome bro

[@mikeslotta3283]

Are you really saving money in fuel if you have to purchase and add 2 stroke oil to the mix. Great videos I watch every day.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you are the first person, to even mention it!, and to answer your question yes, you're still saving money. the cost of 2 stroke oil and its concentration doesn't impact the cost per gallon as much as you would think.

[@that_1998_ranger]

I've learned that rebuilding the newer engines and adding maybe 500 bucks of aftermarket parts can majorly improve the efficiency and power. Usually just a carb and possibly a cam. But those do a ton.

[@watermanone7567]

Nice test, I had an old Power Products 2 cycle mower that would run all day on a small fuel tank. I don't think they make them any longer. Thanks for a gret video.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Thanks for the info Waterman one.

[@butler386]

Wow. I did not expect the 2 cycle to run that long. My dad gave me a 2 cycle back in the late 60s I think and it ran very good. Only problem was it did not have lots of power in heavy grass. But still was a good mower--I think it was a Craftsman mower but do not remember the engine brand. Great research so thanks for all the information and videos.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you D Butler

[@Cottenpicker420]

Good video it’s cool to see how fuel efficient these mowers really are and how much money you could save on gas. Geez with these gas prices right now I don’t think you will see that many repairs that often anymore because soon if they keep going up people would just buy the premixed stuff at lows because if they keep going up that gas would probably be cheaper god they need to lower the prices. Anyway good video

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right. some people say, who cares about gas prices, well, I care.

[@viperstrike3827]

I am astounded at the lawn boy runtime. I would have sworn up and down that the two stroke would have burned much more fuel!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right!, If I was a gambling man, I would have lost my shirt.

[@mikehrdlicka8635]

I picked up a toro front drive along street said crank broke. Free recoil can't be too much for a kolar if can't be fixed

[@trevorj203]

you're better off weighing the fuel you could weigh it before and after the test or just way out the same samples and pour it in very hard to get accurate measurements the way you're doing it

[@tommywwalden1599]

Hi HG, These mower's engine run test are cool. Saving money on fuel is something to consider now. I bought fuel yesterday, it cost me $12.30 more than the previous time. Last month I started running my riding mower at a lower RPM. I have not noticed any difference in performance or how well it bags the grass clippings. The mower does use a little less fuel which was my goal. And every little bit of gas saved adds up by the end of the year. I will also be cutting my SA grass every seven to ten days. This will be a fuel cost savings too. I much appreciate your informative teaching, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair videos! thx, tommy

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Tommy W Walden, and I plan on doing the same, with my rider, since I don't cut any tall grass with it, I probably go to about 80% throttle.

[@hunter7476]

Just a note running it at low throat toe could foul your spark plug and cause the engine to run hotter because the fan is not running at full speed it is best to run them at full throttle especially with a bagger

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you make a good point.

[@hunter7476]

@@HomeGaragechannel yeah if you’ve ever seen project fern he did an experiment and made a. Push mower run off of gas vapors in a bottle years ago and it ran very efficient with almost no fuel consumption

[@gearhead366]

This year, my Toro Personal Pace Recycler, with a Briggs flathead, was hard to start. I hadn't run it out of fuel last year, but since I COULD get it to crank, I decided to run it till empty. There's a bump in the bottom of the fuel tank, and it wasn't covered with fuel. If that bump is uncovered, I figure that it's under a quarter tank. I did that whole yard (about 30 minutes of mowing) with that amount of fuel. I was under the impression that the flatheads were not that fuel efficient. I was wrong. However, later, I found that the engine was running at 2750 RPM, which is a bit low. Maybe that accounts for the economy. I'm really surprised at the economy of the 2-stroke, especially since it sounded like it was running faster than anything else. I always thought that 2-strokes were way less economical. I guess not. I DO like 2-strokes, though. My 2-stroke engines take less maintenance than my 4-strokes. Even though the 2-stroke was more economical, I bet the Briggs is still the winner if you calculate $/running time. 2-stroke oil adds quite a bit of cost to the fuel. Right now, a 16 oz bottle of Echo Power Blend Gold 2-stroke oil works out to $2.67 per gallon of premix. That makes premix close to double the cost of straight fuel.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I think they're both economical and maintenance on the 4 cycle stuff is probably the determining factor to becoming poor on fuel. It was just a fun thing to do, and yes the results were kind of interesting.

[@mailzaoglas1049]

I had the best lawn mower in the world. It was a hand made mower, made with two stroke 60cc engine from Tomos in Slovenia, with 14mm carb from some other Tomos engine and a extremely high compression from the factory. It was connected directly, if the engine is running at 2000 rpm, the blade will turn at the same speed... 2000 rpm was enough for cutting everything, it could run for over 30 minutes with the same amount of fuel in your test, WHILE IT WAS MOWING GRASS... It was over 40 years old when i decided to buy a newer one...

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you mail zaoglas, I appreciate the information

[@JohannZ100]

I own a Toro time cutter ss4235 with the sv710 and it drinks gas. It had gotten so expensive to fuel up I had to stop using it. It will have a new more efficient engine installed soon. My Kubota ZG20 does not burn as much fuel. As the time cutter did and the hydro gear zt2100s are weak compared to Kubota drive system.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for the information

[@concert610]

I have a Honda mower and a Kohler mower with similar power output. The Kohler engine looks bigger and the felt like it had much more power than the Honda. But after a very simple modification I discovered the Honda could have similar power output. But as you said that would no longer be factory default and not a fair test. Good to know incase you have an engine and expect the default settings are low for CARB compliance. You can gain new life out of your lawn mower.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks for the comment

[@WisconsinEric]

141cc Lawn Boy 2-Cycle surprised me. I cut with a 121cc Suzuki 2-Cycle powered Toro Recycler.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

nice, I started mowing lawns with a toro with a Suzuki.

[@2strokemowerguyakaels356]

Hi there just for facts 2 stroke mowers are King of the lawns for these reasons. Since lawn boys were made and designed since the 50s until the Duraforce the rpms are at around 3200 whether with throttle carbs to fixed carbs in high or normal speed. Low throttle is around 2600-2800 rpms from my research. Most safe bail brake residential mowers of today and from about 1984 until the present don't exceed the 2800 rpms unless it's a commercial Honda or Kawasaki in which case full throttle are 3000 rpms at 5.5 hp and 6 hp respectively. Thank crappy unsafe homeowners that can't handle true power and the EPA for making 4 cycle mowers the scrap metal junk that they are today because before safety bails they were at 3600-3900 rpms and more expensive than 2 cycle mowers due to more parts to produce and ease of use to not having to mix gas for people that don't know how to properly measure and mix 2 cycle gas . I'm only talking about push mower rotary engine numbers as reel and riding mowers require higher CC's and rpms to run belt drive systems, clutch systems, etc. Hope any of that helps sorry for the 18 page paragraph for explanation. Big love and peace out from Houston, Texas.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you've got a lot of information to share and I really appreciate it.

[@jerrysoutherland662]

I'm not saying gas is not a issue,this is a great video,I like a mower that has a fast self propel.I'm not young either,71 years old.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

lol.. it makes sense to me. thank you Jerry Southerland.

[@2strokemowerguyakaels356]

The AS Motor International AS531 is the only 2 stroke mowers that are produced and available on the market from my extended research on the topic of 2 stroke mowers but at a price tag of 8000 dollars plus how much it would cost to get it from England or Germany your better off trying anything old from the states or Japan honestly unless you got it like that then all power to you. It features an old rare Briggs classic Komatsu made engine that used to be in old snapper push rotary mowers. Snappers had the most outsourced 2 stroke engines of all time with Briggs , Tecumseh and Wisconsin Robin all ending up being replaced with 4 cycle garbage.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for the information, I'd just buy an old lawn boy instead. The AS stuff looks really cool though.

[@2strokemowerguyakaels356]

Oh and also the Duraforce is the only engine not actually made by lawn boy but a Briggs design of the Rtek used in snow blowers and such. It just has a different crankshaft and reed valve setup to run like the old Briggs and Tecumseh engines with a air vane governor and extra air inlet to run the 6.5 hp max output it has the same piston and connecting rod as the Rtek. Where the other engines produced by lawn boy weren't able to go as high but honestly 3200 rpms at any hp is ridiculous in the cut quality. The Duraforce is also the only EPA 1 approved engine ever . My estimation is that Toro didn't want to spend money on technology that was not making money in buying a new mower every other year like todays scrap metal.Thanks again.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for the information

[@tonymontana3742]

I mow with my 1994 Lawn Boy 2 cycle and it uses quite a bit of gas. I only use genuine Lawn Boy 2 cycle oil, my old craftsman weed wacker would not start, then I tried my Lawn Boy fuel mixture and bam it started, couldn't believe it, that thing wore out my arm.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Tony Montana.

[@D4x4Bronc]

I was doing some reading and the new plastic carbs are most efficient. They actually run so lean the engine rev up and down (hunt?) for rpms. The jets plug by very little debris. Efficient is not so efficient. Love me the quantum mowers.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you go that right, thank you D4x4Bronc.

[@MJorgy5]

The chinesium 159cc engines are gutless, unless they've improved them. I'd be interested in seeing a new school Briggs 163 and an old school Tecumseh 196.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I've filmed the 140 and 150 briggs and I'm working on the edit, but I don't have a working 196 Tecumseh at the moment.

[@viperstrike3827]

My guess is lawn boy, tecumseh, briggs, cub cadet. That is from worst to best. Edit- Well I was just wrong!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

me too Viper Strike.

[@josephfaraci7849]

I really enjoyed your video now looking at the small push mowers that actually have a throttle control; I would not consider that cheating in fact my riding mower is I have three of them right now have throttle controls my generators have throttle controls that is not cheating that is taking advantage of using the amount of power you need instead of wasting gas for a power that is not needed for that job when it comes to my riding mowers I got a very good cut using medium throttle and sometimes row below throttle to not wake up the neighbors it does not seem to affect the cut of the grass unless it's very heavy grass and then I use maximum throttle. I find it a very good way to save gas that is not needed to be spent because I do not need all that power. my current riding mower for a lawn as a Cub Cadet xt-1 my older models are an errands and a Sears Craftsman. I'm a big fan of two stroke engines but the problem they stop making two stroke engine has a lot to do with Emissions. two stroke engines have twice the power stroke and also because it has no valve train is much lighter. there are a lot of benefits with two stroke engines if he were the two stroke engines I owned was 1 a speedboat, chainsaws and gardening equipment like weed wackers and hedge trimmers to name just a few. 2 stroke engines are cheaper to make (far less parts) but are emission unfriendly

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for the information, and no, it's not really cheating to be smart with how you Use the throttle, it's just like driving a car.

[@paultice610]

Remember when the cub cadet first came out with the overseas engine The one I had was a Chinese knock off of a Briggs & Stratton overhead valve it ran really good the first two years by the third year gave me a bunch of trouble and by the fourth year I couldn’t get it to run anymore

[@HomeGaragechannel]

on those, the valve lash has a tendency to get out of tolerance.

[@bigwangmark]

Wow not the result I was thinking. I thought the 2 stroke would be the least efficient given its got a combustion power stroke twice as many as the 4 stroke and would use twice the fuel.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right, that's was I was thinking too.

[@daltanwerre8277]

I fixed one of those Cub cadets for a guy the rocker arm was off and the rocker panel was loose and that's why It wouldn't run they are built terribly cheap do not buy one and his mower was only a year old

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Were Daltan.

[@williamfair]

👍🏾

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you William F.

[@andreworli4117]

Great video's with excellent explanation......however I would be good to see the video of you chasing down an out of control lawnmower... Hahaha😆

[@HomeGaragechannel]

it would make for at least a good shorts video, because that's about all I'm good for as in much running I can do.

[@andreworli4117]

@@HomeGaragechannel I'm with you brother.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I very rarely run my mowers at top speed and usually about 1/3 to 1/2 open. Gas for mowers and economy is't an issue any more than vehicles. My vehicles are old and well paid for and instead of a payment book I just keep the oil full and buy the gas I need to go where I need to go. This was the same as when I was working and the other gas 'shortages' hit and the price went up. A working person won't spend thousands for a more economical vehicle if they're out of debt and want to stay that way. Thanks for the test because it was a good one and nI can't tell a lot of difference between the Briggs 85 model and the Kawasaki overhead valve, both on Snappers and the Kawa has the bagger. BLESSINGS!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you make a great point.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@HomeGaragechannel I try. Not being under someone else's thumb is a great feeling. I don't have or want new stuff and pay several prices for it. I can buy a lot of oil and parts with a vehicle/bank payment. Thanks for the good stuff you record and pull off. FINE job!

[@evilredBoris]

I hAve an idea for putting a load on the mower. Disconnect the switch that’s connected to the engine brake. It should put more of a consistent losd on the engine but it won’t shut the mower off. now this is an idea that might wear out the engine break that’s up to you but on the one hand you are only doing this test once with a mower.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

good idea, BUT, the only problem is that the engine brake for each one, does not but the same "load" on each mower, and also this would wear the rubber break pad down to nothing in a 20 minute test.

[@evilredBoris]

@@HomeGaragechannel that is true. This is only a good idea if your willing to put more money into a mower which i think i know the answer to that lol.

[@WJCTechyman]

Besides the primer bulb on Tecumseh lawn mowers, they aren't as terrible as you say they are.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

did I say there were bad? I think I was mentioning that they are viewed to be "dreaded". thanks for watching the video otherwise

[@MrPhatties]

You can just put a fixed number of zip ties on the end of the blade to create a more consistent load on the engine.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that's a good idea.

[@aquactrl1484]

I like the OHV hondas specifically the GX.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

me too.

[@williamkelly2183]

A company called as motor are selling 2 stroke commercial grade mowers still.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I just looked them up, and I would love to see one of these, but they are not available in the US.

[@donaldasayers]

Never seen a two stroke engine on a mower here in the UK. Apart from antique mowers that is.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes they are getting impossible to find.

[@therandomman6647]

Saw a place in neillsville where regular was $5.02 a gallon, absolutely insane. I really appreciate how informative these videos are!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Thank you TheRandom Man.

[@WCKD.]

9.88 US per gallon of 98 RON gas here in Finland.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

wow!

[@999thenewman]

Yay you got a big dose of carbon monoxide! ^_^

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I sure did

[@isackhernandez3691]

I've seen another Channel weld flaps to cause drag on the blades.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that would work too, but I don't want to damage the blade, or even it's a test blade with the flaps welded to it already, I want to test they, with the blades that came on them.

[@Donald__Trumpet]

Wait, you’re telling me people hate tecumseh? Why?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I don't know , as them.

[@snoopysrc]

The lawn boy for the win

[@brucecoleman7412]

I have watched this several times and have carefully thought about this. A more realistic test would be to first install new air filters on all of them to eliminate any possible rich conditions from slightly restricted filters. Then I would eliminate the test stand. Run them dry and put 4 ounces of fuel in each tank. Then mow your yard with each one as the average homeowner would do, meaning full throttle and using the self propel if equipped. The reduced fuel is so you don’t run out of yard before you run out of fuel. I would let the grass get a little higher than normal so that the governor will sometimes add more fuel. If your grass density isn’t even, try to make the same number of passes with each mower through the densest part of the yard. In the end, count not only the time it ran, but how many passes across your yard each one made. The bottom line is that it doesn’t really matter how long one can run, but how much grass can it cut? A mower that bogs down in heavier grass will cut less grass than one that keeps on rolling, even if the one that bogs has a longer no load run time. In summary, I would test them the way I use them. This is one of my favorite channels!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Bruce Coleman I really appreciate the time you take out of your day to watch and comment, on my videos. So here are some consideration, to your suggestions. First, the stand was for "visuals" to let the viewer see the fuel consumption, versus put it in the tank. The second is "walking" with the self propel. The load on the engine will change, due to the self propel being used harder, if for some reason, I happen to be walking slower, because of being tired, or some other strange reason. The 3rd is the grass height would also load the engine in different ways, due to the amount of grass it would have to cut. Since I cannot control these factors, they were thrown out of the test, and all tested under the same condition, stationary.

[@brucecoleman7412]

@@HomeGaragechannel Most of us have grass that is denser in some areas than others. I would section the yard into dense areas, average areas, and light areas. I would probably just use the top 3 or 4 performers from the previous test. Depending on the size of your areas, I would make a pass or two with each mower through each area so they all would have a similar test. While a less powerful engine may do very well in the first test, it may lack the power to do well in a real world test. While my test may not be precise, it would be a more accurate representation of what I could expect if I used one on my own yard. A mower may have done well on the initial test, but if it bogs and struggles to get through my yard, it becomes irrelevant. Small differences in results should be ignored along with anything that fails to do its job. You could also do 3 tests for each one and average the results.

[@TurbosandTunes]

For the treadmill you could attach a rope to the mower so I doesn’t roll off

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that might work.

[@tony714keene]

cub cadet great mower. I have 3/3.5 cub cadet mower motor

[@HomeGaragechannel]

nice, thanks pstar7

[@jonyoung6405]

Good to see info on Honda. I left the “ gatta get a Honda” cult years ago .

[@HomeGaragechannel]

there are lots of reasons I pick a honda, but yes the other brands have upped their standards .

[@MegaLancet]

This is another reason Kawasaki went 2 stroke for a hybrid system for there bikes the power - fuel economy and lower emissions they found not released yet going by patent and videos showing it off

[@HomeGaragechannel]

they're going hybrid?

[@MegaLancet]

They are doing EV / Hybrid cross the 2T only charges the system less strain and keeps it running when far from chargers is the idea they have a few things they are trying nothing out yet for sale

[@klxboy9994]

This video really puts that powersmart mower in its place. A brand that probably didn't put an ounce of effort into their product quality and it really shows.

[@brianstraughn8638]

The power smart mower is a bad mower and parts are non existent.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I agree with you .

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you are absolutely correct.

[@p35flash97]

The two stroke was going to win. I knew that before I watched it. There is no parasitic drag for the two cycle because it doesn't have any oil in the crankcase.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you p35 flash.

[@p35flash97]

@@HomeGaragechannel thanks for the very interesting video and test. Good job my man!

[@rabbitfootedkitty1339]

You should get your hands on a goped someday. Same small engines and everything extremely simple. I also like how you can see the shadows move on the ground from the trees during the shots of the testing.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I have two, but I haven't decided to work on them yet

[@rabbitfootedkitty1339]

@@HomeGaragechannel OMG I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT VIDEO It would be so awesome if you ever get a chance. What do you have? 2 sports?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

ah, I am using the term "Goped" as a broad term for any motorized stand up scooter, with a gas engine, I don't remember what brands they but they are not the Goped brand.

[@garyv2196]

Hey brother this is close enough to the ones that it isn't too bad.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

not bad at all.

[@jameslawnmowerrepair]

I have one just like the cub cadet but mine has the zero turn caster wheels in the front and its a sc500z and ot has a carb issue

[@HomeGaragechannel]

nice, are going to replace the carb? have you checked the valve lash?

[@jameslawnmowerrepair]

@@HomeGaragechannel i haven't checked the valves yet but I've had to clean the carb a few times and it's fixed the problem temporarily but I just like my briggs flatheads

[@HomeGaragechannel]

me too.

[@VacMaster2020]

I’m surprised my favorite kind of mower has the best fuel economy the long boy I have a 1973 and it works really well

[@HomeGaragechannel]

very nice, I need my Old one, working again.

[@codysmith7607]

Can you do a video of you mowing the lawn

[@HomeGaragechannel]

just a general everyday mowing, or are you talking about doing it for the fuel test?

[@FM60260]

AS Motor have (or had until recently) built a two stroke engine for some of their mowers that still managed to comply with emissions rules, although an EGO power unit is available on AS Motor decks from this year which I assume has now killed off the AS Motor two stroke although a four stroke is still available albeit a Briggs & Stratton.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Volvo B10M

[@haneyoakie14]

That was interesting. “Every stroke a power stroke” might be a reason for the extra efficiency. My understanding of the death of the 2 stroke LawnBoy and Toro is that the EPA regulations killed their practicality. The oil being burned as fuel adds to the emissions and there is no way to clean them up. I have two identical Snowblowers manufactured one year apart with the same Tecumseh two-stroke engine in them and the older machine says on the gas cap 40 to 1 and the one year younger one says 50 to 1. That is another example of the manufactures using less oil in the mix merely to meet the EPA regulation. I do not believe that they reengineered the machines to run on 50 to one they just changed the amount of oil you’re putting into the fuel to meet the EPA regulations at the expense of engine longevity. I personally run all 50 to one equipment at 40 to one.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that is interesting, and yes it's a shame they don't make them anymore.

[@Turningwrenches85]

I'm really impressed at the Lawn Boy how it did on fuel

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right, I thought it was going to inhale the fuel

[@arminr.5174]

I definitely get why you called Tecumseh dreaded, my first two project mowers were made by them and they apparently thought they were sports cars, ran at like 4-5 k rpm and burned through 100ml of gas in 5 minutes and I couldn't get them to run slower. Also I managed to break the starters within a few uses

[@HomeGaragechannel]

wow that's pretty amazing they didn't break the engine at that rpm.

[@MegaLancet]

Tecumseh mower I had was great went thru anything it was very old and well used when it finally died

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you MegaLancet, they're definitely underrated

[@MegaLancet]

@@HomeGaragechannel don't suppose you have a video on viking rideon trying to fix one currently not sure if it's one of the 3 kill switchs or the ignition the battery is fine wiring all seems ok so leads me to believe the key ignition isn't doing its job or the kill switches are stopping it the lawns here are too big for electric or gas push mowers so found a project to speed things up money is tight here so you need to learn as you say we are all hurting over living costs

[@HomeGaragechannel]

unfortunately no.

[@MarkoBt-zj5vs]

Your videos are really good

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Glad you like them!

[@colesteffens5402]

If you want to put a load on it, I would disconnect the shut off wire and apply the engine break while the engine is running. The only problem would be you may damage the flywheel from the friction.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you are correct

[@andyarchitect]

When we had a lawn tractor with a Briggs engine it used to go through a tank of fuel very fast as we often had long and wet grass. I would sometimes reduce the throttle speed if it was a dry day and it was still capable of collecting the grass, whilst just moving to a higher gear to keep the same speed forward. I would almost always reduce the throttle down to the lowest speed i could put up with when driving from one pace to another (not cutting) and just feather the throttle depending on gradient etc.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that make sense, thank you andyarchitect.

[@Kitt96]

I personally have two lawn boy two strokes and am picking up several more soon. I use them for all the yards I mow and they never let me down. Built right and built to last.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes sir.

[@Drottninggatan2017]

Most interesting would be the consumption for mowing a lawn. What if the one using more fuel while on high idle is more efficient while actually mowing.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that would be very interesting.

[@stan1027]

Good video, Thanks!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Glad you liked it!

[@BigE1205]

While variable speed mowers may have an advantage it would be interesting to know the speed of the mowers engine as they were tested, and if a tested mower has an adjustable throttle, both the tested engine speed and the maximum speed. Then if it does do better or worse you could estimate how it may perform at at different speeds. Or maybe run them at max speed too for an extra data point

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes you are absolute right, I that was my oversight.

[@macknumber9]

Didn't watch the video yet but did you use the same fresh gas? Brand new same model spark plug in all? Those 2 factors can really change fuel consumption in small engines...

[@HomeGaragechannel]

the gasoline is the same for all fo the runs, even with the mixed fuel, and no the spark plugs are factory specific, some run champion, and some run NGK from the factory.

[@haloondrugs1173]

This is pretty interesting

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks

[@ayrton146]

do a toro!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I can, but which engine?

[@mrmerhtin3625]

Great video

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Glad you enjoyed it