J and J Small Engine Blog

It is finally spring and the snow is melting off our lawns, but it is not quite time to start planting flower beds and gardens. But right now is the perfect time to take stock in your power tools, and garden supplies. What do you have, what do you need and what needs maintenance or parts? Make sure your engines start, your tools are clean and sharpened, the wheelbarrow tires are filled with air and your gas tanks are full.

But, don’t forget, when you are buying fuel for gas-driven small engines that manufacturers recommend using ethanol free gas. If you must buy gas with ethanol, use gas with 10% or less ethanol two-cycle engines and other gas powered small engines.

Most gas is mixed with ethanol which makes gas corrosive. It can destroy the rubber gaskets and seals in small engines which is why we recommend ethanol free gasoline. When getting gas for small engines remember that Toro and Stihl do not recommend using fuel with more than 10% ethanol.

Small engine paper air filters should be replaced, but sponge filters can be washed with soap and water and then moistened by working in a few drops of motor oil.

Before filling the gas tank of your lawnmower and adding fresh oil, check the inner housing for buildup of caked-on dirt and grass clippings. Even a relatively thin coating can restrict the movement of air and grass clippings, making mulching lawn mowers less effective.

For more information on small engine parts and service, visit or contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Battery operated cars are very popular, and electric lawn mowers are nothing new; however, they used to run with extension cords which only worked for really small lawns. But now there is a new generation of electric lawn mowers that are battery powered. They can cut a good-sized lawn with a fully charged battery.

Cordless electric lawn mowers have 18-36 volts of power. The higher the volts, the more power, which means the larger lawn you can mow. Generally, you can mow ¼ to 1/3 acre lawn on a single charge.
The good news is that these batteries run longer you can recharge them hundreds of times before they have to be replaced. Best of all, unlike cars, electric lawn mowers are comparable in price to good gas lawn mowers.

When shopping for an electric lawn mower, keep three things in mind.

1. A larger, more powerful battery will be more expensive, but it will let you to cut more grass between charging
2. Push or self-propelled? With an electric mower, self-propelled may mean charging more often.
3. You can choose an electric mower that allows you to mulch grass or collect the grass in a bag.  

You can decide if an electric lawn mower is right for you by thinking about the size of your lawn. Electric lawn mowers are perfect for those who do not want to spend so much on gas and for those who want to make less pollution.
 
For more information on electric lawn mowers, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Spring is around the corner and it is power tool buying time. After the long, snowy February most homeowners have plenty of yard clean-up to do. This means chain saws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and lawn mowers.  There are plenty of big box stores that can sell you your power tools. But, buying a new electric or gas powered tool is buying a relationship. Like everything with an engine, your going to have to bring it in for power tool parts and service.

But more than that, you want to buy only what you need. You don’t want to get roped into buying the biggest and loudest out there, you want the right tool for the job. That means, you want to buy your new tools from a shop where you  can build a relationship.

Here are a few things to consider before you buy:

Think about your budget. There are plenty of power tools with all of the bells and whistles, but if you don’t need them, or won’t use them, you don’t need to pay for them. Sometimes the most basic tool is the best one for you.

Different brands have different warranties. Less expensive brands have lesser warranties; more expensive brands have longer more comprehensive warranties. Some power tools shops have extended warranty options which allow you to extend the warranty on the tool you buy.

Here is the big one, power source. Gas powered tools are convenient. They also cost more and are more challenging to maintain. So if you have a smaller yard, or if you will only be cutting down branches rather than trees, consider electric power tools.

For more information on buying the right power tools for your home and yard, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

With the hectic schedule of families today, saving time on lawn maintenance is a priority. The Torro TimeCutter SS is a lawn mower that can dramatically cut your lawn mowing time and is easy enough for anyone to use.

Torro TimeCutter SS offers the speed and agility of a zero turn mower with greater control than ever before.

Nothing beats a zero turn lawn mower when it comes to maneuverability and speed. In fact, Torro TimeCutter SS owners have cut their lawn mowing time by 45%.

This lawn mower has features that you won't find on any other mower. Two of our favorites are:

• Torro smart speed allows you to change speeds at a turn of lever.
• Auto parking brake is set whenever the control arms are moved outward.

These Torro lawn mowers have been tested to ensure a long life. The Torro TimeCutter SS has been designed for power, performance and durability. Available in a three different sizes so you can choose the lawn mower that is right for you. Interested in a beautifully cut lawn in less time?  Contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Looking for a great lawn mower that is a great value? The Toro Recycler lawn mower is a great choice. The Recycler has superior mulching capabilities, the high quality parts, and the high level performance expected from Toro lawn mowers.

These Toro Lawn Mowers have a 22" cutting width that allows you to cut more grass in less time. Also, the front wheels are recessed so you can cut 25% closer to trees, walls and lawn ornaments.With front wheel drive and an easy ability to tackle uneven terain, mowing your lawn is easier than ever.

If you are in the market for a new lawn mower watch the below video about the Toro Recycler lawn mower and buy local. Contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

If you are thinking about how you can “go green” around the house and make a little difference in reducing air pollution, consider an electric lawn mower. Electric lawn mowers can really reduce pollution levels. Gas-powered lawn mowers emit an average of about 10 pounds of air pollution per year. The new, upgraded electric models emit zero pollution.

The Toro e-Cycler electric lawn mower is an electric lawn mower for homeowners who want to try and go a little greener. This is the greenest of the recycler lawn mowers. With no gas, no oil and no emissions, you can go cordless and get Green! Introducing the NEW e-Cycler battery powered lawn mower. No more gas, oil and virtually no maintenance. Just plug in and power-up, un-plug and mow.

• No Maintenance - No more refueling messes. No more harmful emissions while cutting your lawn.* *Compared to a gas powered walk behind mower.
• 36 Volt System - The 36 volt cordless system is powerful and emission-free. Cuts 7,000-10,000 sq. ft. on a single charge. Battery charges to 70% in 3 hours, 100% overnight.
• 20" Steel Mulching Deck - The 4", deep-domed deck design is specially designed for superior mulching performance.
• Lightweight Design - Weighs only 77 lbs - lighter than most other battery/cordless mowers.
• Easy to Operate Controls - Simple two-step operator controls - integrated one-handed control assembly with two-step action. Safe and easy to use.
• 2 Year Performance Warranty - If anything goes wrong, under normal use and maintenance, Toro will fix it free!* (Includes the battery)

Interested? Contact J&J Small Engine Clinic in North Attleboro.

Choosing a new lawn mower is not an easy task. In particular, first time buyers have a hard time because they often don’t know exactly what they want in a lawn mower.

J&J Small Engine Clinic wants to find the best lawn mower or yard equipment to fit your needs. Big box stores often offer a one-size-fits-all model. But there are so many  choices that can fit your lawn, your budget, your time limits and convenience.

When it comes to buying lawn and yard equipment, local dealers are less expensive because they can offer you better choices. J&J Small Engine Clinic will sell you power tools that you will use rather than just store.

The type, style and size of the lawn makes a difference when buying a lawn mower. Is your lawn flat or hilly? Do you have lots of flower beds? Is it large or small? Are you mowing the lawn or are your kids? The size of the lawn mower bed can make a big difference in the amount of time you spend mowing.

For the best lawn mower for your life and home, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

If you took another look at your lawn mower, and realized that you need a new one this season, look at the Torro consumer lawn mowers. Torro lawn mowers are designed to handle extreme conditions and tough terrain. Designed exclusively for homeowners, with easy to use features. Feel like a pro, your yard will be a cut above the others with dependable, feature rich products.

Torro Recycler Lawn Mower

• Personal Pace self propel system automatically adjusts to your walking speed
• Bag on Demand allows you to switch from mulching to bagging in seconds while leaving the bag on the mower
• Finish mowing faster
• All Recycler mowers are covered by our 3 year Guaranteed to Start warranty

Torro Super Recycler Lawn Mower

• Best Mulching & Bagging Performance
• 5 Yr Guaranteed to Start Promise
• Personal Pace Self Propel
• Quick Change Storage Lever

• Smart Speed Control System gives you greater control of speed and maneuverability when mowing around landscaping and obstacles. Low speed for more control around landscaping and tight areas. High speed for the large, open areas.  
• Powerful Kohler® and Kawasaki® engines give you optimal power
• 10-Gauge fabricated cutting deck with bull-nose bumper to handle tough conditions
• Heavy-duty transmissions for more power to cut through tough jobs

Contact J&J Small Engine Clinic if you want help, expertise and advice in buying the right lawn mower for your yard.