J and J Small Engine Blog

Getting ready for spring around your house and yard and you found you need a pre-season lawn mower tune up or other yard power tool repair? No problem. We want to get your out in your yard faster, and we are ready for spring here at J&J Small Engine Clinic.

The weather is turning warmer, and many of you are anxious to get out the power tools. But those tools are no fun if they don’t run. Unfortunately, many power tool owners find that after winter storage, their lawn care equipment and yard tools have engine problems and won’t start or won’t stay running.

If it is engine parts that you need, no problem. Just give us the Equipment Model and Serial #, along with Engine Model and Serial #. Also, we can custom order virtually any part you need for your equipment.

Don’t want to fix it yourself? No problem. That is what we are here for. Contact us or come on by and we’ll service your power tools for you.

This New Year J&J Small Engine Clinic would like to wish you and your families a happy and safe New Year. Thank you for your business and we look forward to doing business with you in 2012 and beyond.

For all of your new power equipment or small engine repair and parts J & J Small Engine Clinic has one of the largest selections of lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws and other power tools in the North Attleboro area.

J&J Small Engine Clinic, Inc. has been providing premium service and sales since 1995 and we have a high standard when it comes to customer service. Contact us for information or questions on power equipment sales and service.  Happy New Year from J&J Small Engine Clinic.

As 2011 draws to a close many of our customers will be storing their STIHL products for the season. Fuel-related problems are among most common issues that STIHL customers have.

Now Let's Talk About Gasoline

The gasoline we buy at the pump is not the same as what we bought 10 years ago. Gasoline is a complex chemical soup that must meet standards set by the EPA regarding the pollution created when the fuel is used in an internal combustion engine. Nearly all the fuel sold today has at least 10% ethanol added. The primary use of gasoline today is for licensed vehicles used on public roads, like cars and trucks. Today the majority of these vehicles are fuel injected with a computerized engine management system that tunes and adjusts the engine to the fuel as the vehicle is being operated. The fuel companies blend this fuel to meet EPA standards for these vehicles.

Today's gasoline is even blended differently by region and at different times of the year to help with cold and hot starting in your car or truck. It is expected that gasoline delivered to a gas station will be sold and used within two or three weeks.

Most small engines manufactured today, for lawn and garden applications as well as small outboards and recreational vehicles, still use carburetors to mix the fuel with the air for the engine to run. The challenge for small engine manufacturers has been to build their products to operate properly on gasoline blends that keep changing. This has lead to such things as materials compatibility. Here is an example: take an engine that is a few years old and ran fine last season, but now will not start. When the unit is evaluated by a service technician at the dealership, they may find that the fuel line was found to be hard and brittle and had crumbled away, or it may have become soft and spongy and simply collapsed so no fuel can flow through it.

In some cases the carburetor itself may be damaged by the fuel, clogging jets or damaging rubber or polymer components that the fuel comes into contact with. They may swell or shrink, causing problems that prevent the machine from running correctly. It is easy to blame some of these problems on the ethanol that is mandated by the EPA to be added to most fuels, but there may be other additives in the fuel that could be a cause of these problems as well, especially in older machines.

Available Options

So what should you do to make sure your small engine will start when you want it to? There are some options available. They may require spending more money on fuel, or more time in preparing the machine for off-season storage, but the cost of not doing these things will be down time and a repair bill to correct the problems.

STIHL continues to make changes to the polymers and the carburetors used on current products to help prevent this sort of thing from happening. We do have some recommendations to help prevent starting problems for anyone with a small air cooled engine equipped with a carburetor, regardless of how old it is.

The most important thing you can do is buy name brand (89 or higher) octane fuel. The reason is that name brand fuel (Shell, EXXON, BP, CITGO, etc.) is blended more consistently and should be fresher and of a higher quality than fuel bought at a retailer with no brand on the pump.

Only buy enough fuel to last you a month at a time. The shelf life of today's gasoline is not as long as it was in years past. Fuel does "go bad" over time and will change color and eventually have a sour odor. This can happen much faster if the fuel container is open to the atmosphere, as in some older gas cans that do not seal out the air.

Some older gas cans have a little plastic vent that you would open to allow the fuel to pour out, and often it will break off and the oxygen in the air can get inside the gas can and start a process called "oxidation" that will rapidly degrade the fuel. Always use a clean fuel container and consider buying a new one that has a positive sealing dispensing cap and an automatic vent.

In high humidity areas, the ethanol additive in the gasoline will rapidly absorb moisture from the air and "phase separation" can occur. This will cause the water and ethanol to settle at the bottom of the container. When the can is tipped up to fill the tank, the water and ethanol will flow into your machine's fuel tank possibly causing a non-start condition. In a worst case scenario, this can actually ruin the carburetor or even cause internal damage to the engine.

Do not use a "winter"-blended gasoline you bought in January in June, as it may cause lean running, vapor lock, hard-starting and could also lead to internal engine damage.

Another suggestion that you might consider is to add a fuel stabilizer, such as STABIL. Be sure whatever brand you buy does not have any alcohol in it. A fuel stabilizer will not fix old gasoline but it does help lock down the chemistry of fresh gasoline so if it does sit in your gas can for a month or two, it should still burn properly when you use it. But remember that adding a fuel stabilizer does not make your gasoline last forever, just longer than it would without a stabilizer added. Some two-cycle engine oils have stabilizers as part of their chemistry, which makes it convenient to have a stabilizer in the mix.

Use a dedicated two-cycle fuel can. If you have a two-stroke engine such as a chain saw, leaf blower, or trimmer, use a fuel can just for two-cycle mix, and label it clearly. We suggest using the best quality oil from the manufacturer of your particular machine, and put the oil in the can before you add the gasoline so that it mixes better and there is no chance of forgetting to add it later.

Another option is to buy pre-packaged fuel for your two-stroke equipment. STIHL markets MotoMix® which is a 92 octane fuel with synthetic oil already added at a 50:1 ratio, and there is no alcohol of any kind present. Additionally this fuel will remain stable and useable for up to two years after the seal on the container is broken as long as the cap remains tightly sealed. While this option is more expensive up front, the payoff will be no downtime or repair bills down the road. This may be a good idea for someone that uses their equipment only occasionally, like a homeowner, fire department, rescue squad or farmer.

Prepare it for long term storage. Finally, no matter what gasoline you use, the most important thing to do when a machine is going to sit for any length of time, say over three or four weeks, is to actually run it out of fuel. Carefully drain the fuel out of the tank if it is not near empty, and save that fuel or dispose of it properly. Now start the engine and let it run at idle until the engine runs out of gas and stops. Don't rev the machine, just let it idle. This will do more than anything else to help mitigate starting problems the next time the machine is put into service. There will always be a little gasoline left in the carburetor, so this is why it would be best if the gasoline had some stabilizer in it, or for a two-stroke, a product like MotoMix®.

Remember, selection of fuel and proper mixing is your responsibility. Use a name-branded fuel and two-cycle mix, and follow the information above. Your machine should be ready when you are. If you have questions, contact us by calling 774-987-9399 to speak with our experienced technicians.

In the market for a snow blower? If you have a single-stage gas model, your memories of last winter’s victory over your best efforts might still linger. But even you’ve merely had your fill of shoveling, there’s good news: For the same money as some of the better single-stage models, a two-stage model’s addition of an impeller behind the usual auger gives it more heft in lifting and throwing snow. Even a compact 2 stage snow blower , with widths up to 24 inches, can give you the edge in the coming months. What doesn’t help, however, is that that two-stage models are heavier and take up more space in a garage or shed.

We’ve added further detail on the models in our Snow Blower Ratings to allow better comparisons. Here, in the meantime, is a primer on how a two-stage gas model differs from a single-stage in actual use.

Performance. Particularly with the widest two-stage models, snow removal is quicker—important if you’re in a hurry. The largest models throw snow the farthest, which keeps you from blowing the same snow twice in your driveway. And they offer the most muscle against the dense pile that municipal snowplows leave where your driveway meets the street.

Maneuverability. Two stage snow blowers can be twice as heavy as single-stage, but that doesn’t mean they’re twice as hard to move. Multiple speeds mean the snow blower can do all the work of getting the unit where you want it, and you can set the speed according to how easy or challenging the snow is. (The denser the snow, the slower the recommended speed.) And if your driveway slopes, the driven wheels can keep you safe. How? For my own hilly driveway on a busy street, I set a slow speed but keep my hand off the drive lever.

Other features. The beefier two-stage snow blower have freewheel steering, noted in our Ratings, which disengages either or both the drive wheels for easy, sharp turning. The higher price of the larger models also gets you single-hand controls, which frees up a hand for careful chute aim—important for driveways situated near the neighbors’. As with winter viruses, after all, generosity is not necessarily a virtue.

On Black Friday, shop locally for your power tools and stocking stuffers. Why should you shop local? Shopping locally promotes our communities small businesses and helps keep dollars in our local economy. Locally owned businesses keep more revenue in the local economy than big box stores do. Supporting local businesses also supports local jobs and keeps business in the community.

But if you have an American Express Card, you get a credit for shopping locally. This Saturday  is Small Business Saturday. Card members will receive a $25 statement credit when they register and spend $25 or more at small businesses that accept American Express. J&J Small Engine Clinic is just that kind of store.

Come on in for stocking stuffers for the lovers of power tools in your life. Stocking stuffers like engine oil, gift cards, ethanol free gasoline, or anything else a small engine DIY needs make a special holiday gift.
 
Businesses like J&J Small Engine Clinic are run by entrepreneurs and are essential to our communities and local economies. Contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

For more information on American Express’ small business Saturday, please visit http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/

The men in your life want power tools for the holidays. Keep in mind that the greatest shopping day is next week. Well it may not be the greatest shopping day, but shopping “season” begins on Friday.

If you really want to please your husband, dad, brother or other man in your life, stop by J & J Small Engine Clinic. We have a great selection of lawn mowers, chainsaws and snow blowers that will make any grown man cry!

But best of all, we have the customer service you can only find in a locally owned and operated business. J & J Small Engine Clinic sells all types of power tools and we service everything that we sell. Looking for a relaxing Black Friday in North Attleboro? Come by and get individual attention and all the specifics on the power tools the men in your life need.

There are a wealth of reasons why we all should have a "shop locally first" mindset.  Setting aside the obvious that supporting your friends and neighbor's business is just a neighborly thing to do, keeping local money local both serves our community while simultaneously saving us all money.  Here are ten reasons to have a "buy local first" mentality:

1. Buy Local -- Support yourself:  when you buy from an independent, locally owned business (like North Attleboro’s J&J Small Engine Clinic), you strengthen the economic base of your community. Local money kept local (vice buying from large national chain stores) props up local tax revenue collection and lowers the need to raise your property tax rates.
2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses. Since 1995, J&J's success in outdoor power equipment sales and service has enabled us to provide continued support to local non-profits, charities, and fund-raising events.
3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of North Attleboro.
4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses provide a wealth of employment opportunity for our residents.
6. Get better service:  Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. We are expert consultants and will custom order any part you need for all brands and types of small engine outdoor equipment.
7. Invest in community:  Local businesses are owned by people who live in North Attleboro, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in our community’s future.
8. Put your taxes to good use:  Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy:  A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.  A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Encourage local prosperity:  A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Maybe we should have titled this blog post "The Eleven Top Reasons To Support Local Business".  Number 11:  It just makes you feel good. 

Power tools. There is nothing better in a man’s hand than his favorite power tool. J&J Small Engine Clinic has been servicing the North Attleboro area since 1995 on the sales and service of household, contractor and landscaper power tools.

There is a difference in purchasing your tools at a shop where service matters rather than online or at a big box store. Small locally owned shops can take the time to find out what power tools will meet your needs. But we are also familiar with the tools we sell. While we don’t believe you will have a problem with these leading products, we offer   power tool service on everything we sell, and oil changes, regular maintenance and tune-ups all extend the life of your power tools.

We carry premium brands of outdoor power equipment including Toro Snow Thowers and Lawn Mowers and Commercial mowers, Dixon Riding Tractors and Zero Turn Mowers, Stihl chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers. Contact us for sales or service, we are happy to help.

The job a landscaper does on the lawn is only as good as the equipment they use. No wonder so many landscaper use the 2011 Wright Standers ZK. This is a professional standing mower. Enjoy unprecedented speed, control, and stability on your biggest jobs.

With its stand-on design and up to 31HP engine, the revolutionary new Stander ZK combines the uncompromised control, speed and traction with the power you need for the smallest to the largest jobs. Take the stress off your back and use your legs to ride the hills and tackle changing terrain anything else is simply sitting down on the job.

• Rugged and durable with deck sizes of 52" and 61"
• Available in 27 and 31HP
• Short overall length for greater maneuverability than any Mid-mount Z
• Mows more lawn in the same time as any comparable Mid-mount Z when hills and maneuvering are considered, with cut speeds of up the 13.5 MPH
• Quick cut height adjustment changes from 1.5" to 5.5" easily
• Low center of gravity and large wheels for hillside stability
• No seat, seat belts, or arm rests mean you can easily bail out or step off to pick up debris(
• Cooling fans on pumps for more effective hydro cooling.

It is time for fall cleanup in the yard. Trees and shrubs need to be pruned in time for winter, and all the dead branches and debris that has fallen from the trees over the last few weeks has kept homeowners busy in their yards.

Here is the perfect chain saw for owners of smaller yards, or for those who want to cut up the fallen branches for the fire pit. If you are looking for a new chain saw to help handle the work load, this award-winning electric chain saw gives you the benefit of an ultra quiet motor - so you won't bother the neighbors.

Great for cutting small trees or pruning, the MSE 180 C-BQ is designed with a coast down brake in addition to the STIHL Quickstop chain brake to stop the chain within one second of releasing the trigger.

If you are looking for a more fun and less expensive solution than calling the landscapers, contact J & J Small Engine Clinic to see your all your options for chain saws.