Fuel for the Winter: To Drain or not to Drain?

We advise draining your petrol mower of fuel ahead of putting it away for the winter months. Modern day unleaded forecourt fuel will only last around 30 days before going off. You may have noticed E10 fuel come in lately this is NOT recommended for your lawnmower. When you do refill your mower for spring please use the super unleaded fuel (5% ethanol) or ASPEN. Find our E10 fuel blog here

Aspen 4 is alkylate petrol without oil – suitable for lawnmowers, rotary cultivators, snow blowers, boats and other 4-stroke engines. Ordinary petrol contains ethanol which attracts moisture and can cause engine failures. Aspen Alkylate Petrol contains no ethanol which is what causes the majority of engine issues. Aspen 4 is virtually free from harmful substances such as benzene, aromatic hydrocarbons or olefins; substances that can cause serious health problems. Aspen Alkylate Petrol also keeps the spark plugs and combustion chamber of your machine cleaner. Aspen can be stored for a long time without any deterioration in quality, which makes your engine easy to start – even after long standstill periods. There are numerous environmental benefits, such as reducing the formation of ground-level ozone (smog) by about 40%. You can leave Aspen fuel in your mower over the winter as it lasts 3-5 years compared to up to 3 months of normal fuel.

Find out more here https://aspenfuel.co.uk/products/aspen-fuel/#a4

Another option is to use Briggs + Stratton's 'Fuel Fit'

Fuel Fit not only keeps the carburettor clean for easy starting but also protects against the corrosive effects of ethanol and maintains fuel stability for up to 3 years.

• 3 Year Protection

  Prevents against stale fuel. Stabilises fuel up to 3 years.
• Corrosion Inhibitors

  Guards metal engine components from rust and corrosion.
• Cleaning Detergent

  Cleans the fuel system while the engine runs.
• Safe for Storage Use

  The perfect storage stabiliser for lawn mowers, petrol pressure washers, snow blowers and other petrol powered equipment.

  Find out more here

  

So to confirm you have three options;

1) Drain your mower of fuel altogether

2) Use Aspen fuel

3) Use a fuel stabiliser eg Briggs and Stratton fuel fit.

Oil

Winter may be the perfect time to drain your oil from your mower so you can put fresh oil in come the spring. The oil type required is an SAE 10-W30. If you have the Allett Classic your Loncin engine will need 350 millilitres of oil in the engine. If you have the Allett Kensington, Westminster or Buckingham you will need approximately 600 millilitres. Find out more in your mower manual here .

To change the oil the drain plug is accessed at the back of the mower. Capture the oil in a sealable container and then take that oil to your local recycling station when you next visit. Please do not dispose of used engine oil either down the drain or in your bin. Our specialist Allett dealers will do this for you in your annual winter service.

You wont have ANY of these problems if you use a battery mower! It's time to switch!

Find our ALLETT SERVICE VIDEO with Congleton garden machinery here