For all you John Deere fans out there

Why would anyone want a 2 cycle engine on a push mower? I never owned one but have rode 2 cycle snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorcycles and after you get off them you smell of oil. Wouldn't it be the same with a two cycle lawn mower after using one? Just what would two cycle advantage be over four cycle? weight? power? mowing on a very steep hill? Would there be that much difference?
 
You haven't talked to too many Lawn Boy owners, have you?:tongue:

There are advantages to 2 strokes. Weight, being able to use them on steep embankments without worry about lubrication of the moving parts, which then leads to the simplicity of their design of having so few moving parts. Then yes, there is the sound and smell of a good running two stroke.

That's one reason I got into vintage Jacobsens. They made their own engines for years, and when they're running, there is nothing to compare to their sound.
 
reynoldston said:
Why would anyone want a 2 cycle engine on a push mower? I never owned one but have rode 2 cycle snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorcycles and after you get off them you smell of oil. Wouldn't it be the same with a two cycle lawn mower after using one? Just what would two cycle advantage be over four cycle? weight? power? mowing on a very steep hill? Would there be that much difference?
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Lets start with the lightness of the unit as a whole to start. if you have them adjusted right they will not stink you too bad. I am done arguing the advantages of a two cycle vs. 4. It has twice as many rpms as a 4 stroke. Yes mowing hills can cook a 4 stroke. The most important aspect is the quality of cut and it took 15-20 years after the staggered wheel lawn boys to get a 4 stroke mower that cuts as nice as a sharp lawn boy. All i remember as a kid was every commercial trailer around the Tulsa area had either a two stroke Lawn Boy or a two stroke Toro until the EPA! That is all i need to know is that Pros are using to this day and wont get rid of them! Not that it matters but i run a golf course and let me tell you that after my John Deere fairway mower dies there will not be another John Deere in my shop ever again! great engine, but the reels are a maintenance nightmare! Oh yeah IMHO!
 
The sound I could care less about. Its the smell. It sure can't be good for the environment. They still use them on all the small equipment like chainsaws or trimmers. Can you buy a new mower with a 2 cycle engine anymore? I am still running two Honda sprees , Arctic Cat snowmobile, trimmer, and three chainsaws with two cycle engines so I do know something about them. I have found with the newer oils that they have improved a lot now because you can run them with a lot less oil. Back in the earlier years we were running them 16-1 with non detergent 30 oil. As I recall we had to buy spark plugs by the case lot. I run mine with Ams oil 100-1 now.
 
I know what you mean about the 16:1. That's what my Jakes use but amazingly enough they don't really seem to smoke. Line trimmer and a couple of chain saws that all run 40:1, I think. I've also got a snowblower and three mopeds that all run 50:1. Plus I throw in some octane booster for the peds. Gives it a sweet smell.

I love the smell of two strokes in the morning.:thumbsup:
 
Seriously though, I do know what you are talking about, in some cases anyway. Quite a few years ago I picked p a Snapper with a Tecumseh 2 stroke on it that took a 50:1 mix. I used it quite a bit, but then, that was back before I really gave two hoots about what I was using, though tinkering with lawn mowers was beginning to become my hobby. I eventually swapped that 2 stroke for a Honda GCV160 I had because I'd smell like a factory after mowing a couple of yards. I sold the mower last year with the Honda engine on it. I still have the Tecumseh engine if anybody is interested in it.
 
bwdbrn1 said:
Seriously though, I do know what you are talking about, in some cases anyway. Quite a few years ago I picked p a Snapper with a Tecumseh 2 stroke on it that took a 50:1 mix. I used it quite a bit, but then, that was back before I really gave two hoots about what I was using, though tinkering with lawn mowers was beginning to become my hobby. I eventually swapped that 2 stroke for a Honda GCV160 I had because I'd smell like a factory after mowing a couple of yards. I sold the mower last year with the Honda engine on it. I still have the Tecumseh engine if anybody is interested in it.
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I only buy Lawn Boy two cycle Engines and mowers. However, i think the V motor and the Duraforce were both produced by tecumseh for Toro. I bet someone on the Snapper side would be interested. Thanks for the Picture!
 
turfboy1997 said:
I only buy Lawn Boy two cycle Engines and mowers. However, i think the V motor and the Duraforce were both produced by tecumseh for Toro. I bet someone on the Snapper side would be interested. Thanks for the Picture!
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I understand. I had 3 LBs myself before settling on vintage Jacobsens.

There was a fellow over on another forum who claimed to want theTecumseh, but there was always a reason for him to put off buying it. From work to his wife to not enough room right now. It isn't eating anything, and it doesn't take up that much room, but if anybody really wanted it, the first one to drop $90.00 into my PayPal account can call it theirs.
 
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