Use A Fuel Stabilizer To Extend Equipment Life

Use A Fuel Stabilizer To Extend Equipment Life

This is part of a continuing series of “how to” articles to help you maximize performance and productivity with Toro^® products.

In most cases, the performance life of equipment is directly dependent on the life of the engine. While engines on Toro equipment are built to keep working under even the most challenging conditions, all engines are vulnerable to a simple little villain: stale gas.

Fortunately, you can defeat the effects of stale gas by using a simple little solution: fuel stabilizer. This article will review the dangers of deteriorating gas and how to use a fuel stabilizer to extend equipment life.

Fuel Deteriorates Over Time
For all gasoline engines in Toro equipment, the recommended fuel is unleaded with an octane rating of at least 87 ((R+M)/2 rating method). Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) by volume is acceptable. Ideally, only purchase the amount of fuel that you’ll use within 30 days because all gasoline breaks down over time.

Fuel breaks down because it becomes exposed to oxygen and it draws moisture. The breakdown begins to form gummy deposits in the fuel, which can cause an engine to run poorly. The engine may stall, surge, have a power reduction — even not start at all. In addition, the absorption of water can cause system components to clog or corrode, further reducing equipment life.

In the past, equipment owners let the equipment run until all of the fuel was discharged, but this is expensive and wasteful. A far better solution is to use a fuel stabilizer.

Protect Your Equipment
Toro Premium Fuel Treatment and other fuel stabilizers protect engines from the effects of gas deterioration. They reduce the evaporation rate of the fuel’s volatile compounds and prevent moisture absorption by forming a protective layer over the top of the gasoline. Some stabilizers, including Toro Premium Fuel Treatment, also have detergents that dissolve fuel system deposits. The result is clean, reliable engine performance.

Fuel stabilizers work in both 2- and 4-cycle engines. Best of all, using them is easy. Just add one ounce of fuel stabilizer per two gallons of fuel. This will keep the fuel protected and fresh for at least 12 months. At a minimum, do this before storing the equipment for the season. Ideally, though, add stabilizer with every fill-up to provide protection and keep your machine’s system clean. It’s an inexpensive and easy way to extend equipment life.

If you have any questions about fuel stabilizers, just contact Toro’s Technical Service Team. You can get Toro Premium Fuel Treatment from your local Toro distributor.

More How-To Help Over on ToroGroundsForSuccess.com

The how-to series is designed to help you get the most from your Toro equipment. If you missed any of the previous articles, just click on the titles below:

How to Choose a Rotary Blade or Bedknife  

Tier 4 Regeneration  

Hose Maintenance 

Use Service Reminders to Ensure Timely Maintenance