Buying new gas lawnmower - Q's, advice

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m looking to replace our old corded electric lawnmower with a gas-powered model - dealing with the cord is just too much of a PITA.

I’m looking at a Husqvarna with a 160cc Honda 4-stroke motor.

My yard is not very large - maybe 1/5 acre - it currently takes me maybe 45 minutes to mow front/sides/back.

I live in Texas, and have a relatively short “winter” during which it will be stored.

My questions mostly concern gas…

Is ethanol-containing gas from the corner station bad to use? If I do use it, should I use additives?

Is something like TruFuel (at $20+ gallon) worth using?

Roughly how many hours will the above engine run on a quart/gallon of gas?

2

I was looking at a Honda, but my wife recommended a self-propelled Toro.

I know what’s good for me.

3

IMHO, TruFuel (at $20+ gallon) is not worth using.

I use AvGas in all of my small engines. I mix it with either Stihl, or Husqvarna 2-cycle oil in a five gallon can. It is about $4.35 a gallon now. My 4 cycle Husqvarna riding lawn tractor has been living well on this mix for twelve years now. It has a Briggs & Stratton engine in it.

My cousin has been using “Real Gas” in his Honda mower for a few years now with no adverse effects. Real Gas can be found at many local stations. It is usually only available in premium unleaded. It is alcohol free. It is about $0.40 a gallon more than the unleaded with alcohol around here.

IME, Those that use gasoline with a percentage of alcohol in it often have valve failure issues. IDK if this is a cause & effect, or just a curious corollary. I do not take any chances. Of course, as always, YMMV.

IHTH, 48.

PS, Good thinking Johnny.

4

You may be able to find ethanol free gasoline in your area. Try http://www.pure-gas.org
It’s still important to keep fresh fuel in small engines, don’t leave it over the season. Old, stale fuel will burn but it leaves sticky, gummy varnish deposits on things that don’t like it, and clogging up the tiny orifices in the carburetor.

5

Bolding mine.

Thanks Tater, I forgot to warn about that. Av-Gas does not break down & leave sticky, gummy varnish deposits on things. It may after a decade, but it is good for a few years. That is why I use it.

6

In my experience, inexpensive mowers - the $300-$400 self propelled models - do just fine on regular gas with ethanol. Just don’t leave gas in them over the winter, run it til it stalls from fuel starvation at the end of the growing season. Also only buy a moderate amount of gas at a time so you’re always mowing with fresh gas. (or use Stabil fuel stabilizer)

I’ve got an 8 year old mower, and it still runs fine, but it’s on it’s last legs otherwise. The wheels are breaking, the gas tank has a crack in it, the blade needs replacement, the self drive transmission is suspect, so on and so forth. This is why there’s little point in trying to reduce engine wear with expensive gas - it’s not going to be the engine that ends the mower, it’s everything else. Just buy another one about every 5-10 years.

7

I have the basic Honda self propelled entry level price point from Home Depot. Works great. Runs on regular gas station gas (usually Costco). Had it for a few years and no issue.