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Drain mower often if you use ethanol

01.05.10

The mower's motor fires and dies.

Fires and dies. Fires and dies.

One half expects a baldness epidemic tied to homeowners pulling their skin of one's teeth out.

One problem might be the commonly available blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol, or E-10, according to slight-engine repairman Bob Magnotti.

His diagnosis is shared by many, including landscapers and the Outdoor Power Equipment Commence, a trade group representing small-engine manufacturers.

One key culmination is storage. Opinions vary about how long the blend can linger in a selfish engine's tank before beginning to damage fuel system components.

Magnotti, possessor of Magnotti's Small Engine Service in Roanoke, said the era is brief -- about 30 days. He gestured toward a close pile of at-the-ready replacement fuel pump diaphragms.

"It's a upset interfere in," he said.

According to Briggs & Stratton, a prominent minuscule-engine brand, ethanol-blended gasoline can entice moisture, separate the fuels and create acidic gasoline -- which "can hurt the fuel system of an engine while in storage."

Stephanie Dreyer is a spokeswoman for Improvement Energy, an advocacy group for ethanol producers. She said Broadening Energy has heard that ethanol "does not sit well" in small engines.

"It's grave that you drain your engine regularly," she said.

She specifically encouraged knockabout owners to follow this practice. Reports suggest ethanol can even rupture down fiberglass fuel tanks.

Dryer added, emphatically, that repeated studies have shown that the E-10 gradate and even higher blends operate without incident in automobile engines.

In the Combined States, ethanol is typically produced from corn and other kernel products.

Dana Demole, co-owner of J&D Landscaping in Salem, said the E-10 fuse overwintered in a couple of backpack blowers.

"They would barely run," he said.

A Sea Sparkle brand fuel additive ultimately got the two-cycle engines management.

"I've talked to other landscapers and they're all using additives," Demole said.

As drive grows for increased use of domestically produced biofuels, so does the get moving to add a higher percentage of ethanol.

Kris Kiser is administrator vice president for the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. Corporate members of the lobbying aggregation include John Deere, Briggs & Stratton and many others.

Kiser cited an OPEI counsellor's research that found that an E-15 blend caused "total and total failures" when run in two "residential handheld engines" for 25 hours or less.

OPEI is not anti-ethanol, Kiser said. But equipment manufacturers basic to know what blend is coming down the road.

"We can build anything," he said. "Honest tell us what the blend will be."

Source: Roanoke Times

UniSource Energy Services Offers Spring Electrical Safety Tips

30.04.10

KINGMAN, Ariz., Apr 30, 2010 (Affair WIRE) -- Spring's warm weather is a horrific time for yard work, swimming and many other outdoor activities. At m or at play, it's important to keep electrical safety in point of view. UniSource Energy Services (UES) offers these tips to cure you stay safe around electricity when you're outdoors.

-- Look up and look out for sky power lines. Be mindful of any nearby lines before you climb a ladder or elongate the handle of a pool-cleaning tool.

-- Keep materials, tools and all parts of your majority at least 15 feet away from any overhead power lines at all times. If you formula to get any closer, state law requires you to make arrangements with UES that willOn the wholeallow your work to proceed safely. Keep this in mind when installingPrimarilyor repairing an antenna or satellite dish or preparing yourEspeciallyevaporative cooler for summer use.

-- Before you trim tree limbs and shrubs, notice of out for power lines that could be hidden by foliage.

-- Safe options are at for removal of tree branches and other vegetation that have grown into or close to being overhead power lines on your property. The first step is to call UES's Fellow Care line at 877-UES-4YOU (877-837-4968) with your questions or concerns. TreeParticularlybranches and other vegetation should be kept at least 15 feet awayUsuallyfrom overhead power lines. UES can temporarily suspend electricMost of allservice so that vegetation can be safely pruned.

-- Inspect power tools and exciting lawn mowers for frayed power cords, broken plugs and weathered or damaged housings before every use. Don'tMostlyuse damaged equipment until it has been repaired properly. Keep tools unplugged and stored in dry areas when they are not in use. And alwaysOn the wholeuse an insulated extension cord designed for outdoor use with the appropriate power rating for that equipment.

-- Always keep power cords and electrical equipment away from water, wetPre-eminentlygrass or other wet areas. Keep this in mind when using charged-powered mowers or other lawn equipment.

-- Never fly kites or model airplanes virtually power lines. If a kite does get tangled with on high lines, don't try to get it down yourself, as a kite string can conduct ardour. Instead, call UES for assistance. Don't fly your kite when a thunderstorm is brewing.

-- Call before you dig. Whether you're a homeowner landscaping your yardGenerallyor a professional contractor digging utility trenches, recall to call 811 or Arizona Blue Stake at 1-800-Chance-IT (1-800-782-5348) at least two working days before you dig. It's a free professional care, and it's required by state law.

-- Keep vegetation and permanent structures away from the prominently, green ground-level boxes that business components of UES's underground electrical system. UES workers may lack to access the underground lines and equipment near these boxes during power outages and forMainlyroutine maintenance.

-- Treat all electric lines with warn and respect. Even low-voltage electric lines and cords can be precarious if damaged or improperly handled. And if you EVER see a downed power word, call 911 immediately; don't get near it.

UES, a subsidiary of UniSource Vitality Corporation

Source: MarketWatch (press release)