Outdoor power equipment maker kicks off ethanol awareness effort
Husqvarna, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, has launched a new promotion focused on educating its customers about ethanol use in small engines. The Husqvarna Ethanol Challenge includes a brief educational video followed by an animated, online quiz which includes nine questions related to the proper storage and use of E10 for small engines such as chainsaws and lawnmowers. The promotion is scheduled to run through May with one participant each month being randomly chosen to receive their choice of a selection of Husqvarna equipment and fuel stabilizers.
In the informational video, available at www.ethanol.husqvarna.com, Husqvarna confirms that E10 is acceptable for use in its equipment, but it recommends that users purchase midgrade 89-octane E10 rather than 87-octane. According to the Husqvarna Technical Services Group, most manufacturers of high performance two-stroke equipment have determined that 89 octane is better for the equipment because higher octane is more effective in preventing spontaneous combustion (detonation) in the combustion chamber. The group also said 89 octane use contributes to cleaner running engines and prevents piston ring sticking. “There are many conditions that would necessitate a higher octane, including higher compression, higher temperatures [and] leaner mixtures that alcohol fuel contributes to,” stated a group representative. “Over the course of a season, the difference in price between regular and premium is minimal for the insurance and benefits achieved.”
While E10 has been widely used as a transportation fuel for some time, Husqvarna continues to receive numerous inquires about ethanol and its effects on small engines, according to the company. Therefore, the company decided to launch the promotion in an effort to alert consumers to issues surrounding ethanol use in small engines and offer advice on how best to use the fuel.
Specific issues addressed in the campaign include ethanol’s propensity to absorb moisture and proper storage and equipment handling measures that can be taken to alleviate that issue. “Using fresh gasoline and storing it properly are in the power of the consumer,” the group said. In the video, Husqvarna recommends that consumers store their gasoline in a vent-free container to prevent moisture absorption and that they vigorously shake the fuel container prior to filling their equipment’s tank.
Additionally, while the company makes clear that all of its equipment produced in the past five years is E10 compatible, it cautioned that some of the components of older small engines may be negatively affected by ethanol. Therefore, the company recommends that consumers completely drain fuel tanks and run the engines until dry before storing seasonal equipment.
11 Responses
James T. Kirk
2012-01-30
1Go ahead and throw all your 5 year old equipment away, or spend the same amount repairing them as new ones cost, so that Corn Farmers can buy brand new diesel powered trucks and tractors with all the money they are making by jamming ethanol down our throats. I think we should pass a law requiring all farm equipment must run on Ethanol.
Alex Kovnat
2012-01-27
2High performance motorcycles, which require premium gasoline such as Shell's "V-Power", could benefit from what ethanol has to offer in terms of antiknock characteristics.
القيصر
2012-01-27
3اعتقد ان استخدام معدت تعتمد على طاقه نظيفه خاليه من الملوثات دى امر مهم بالنسبه للبيئه من جهه وبالنسبه لتوفير المال من جهه اخرى
DK
2012-01-30
4So, what are we to do when E15 is shoved down our throats?
Sustainabletechsys
2012-01-30
5There seem to be complainers who fail to see the big picture of oil related problems. I am very interested in an ethanol generator made by Husqvarna or any other reliable manufacturer. Husqvarna has a good reputation and their willingness to sell and promote ethanol powered equipment is good for the planet and may even assist in preventing forest fires where a gasoline spark is more likely to start a raging fire. Hopefully they solved the clutching problem in chain saw ethanol power. I'll look for Husky ethanol-powered products.
John W
2012-01-30
6I want my regular gas back! My food prices are rising and my mpg are sinking!
MinnesotaFarmer
2012-01-30
7Corn farmers are not shoving ethanol down anyones throat. Ethanol is used primarily as an oxygenate to reduce the pollution put out by gasoline engines. You can keep paying Arab countries for the right to use their oil, or pay your U. S. neighbor on the farm to produce fuel here. Yes, I use ethanol on my farm in all of my gasoline powered vehicles, and since I have access to a blender pump, I use at least 20% ethanol in all of them.
Gary F
2012-01-31
8The problem is not with ethanol, the problem is that the US is JUST NOW beginning to use renewable fuels. Other countries have been using renewable fuels for many years successfully. We, as a country, have been so reliant on fossil fuels that it will take time for manufactures to properly adapt to the higher concentrations of ethanol. E15 has been approved for use in 2001 vehicles and newer, they do not say it is ok to use it in anything else. Most manufactures, including Husqvarna (I am not speaking for Husq, rather I deal with many different brands and have experienced this) have busted their rear ends trying to make sure that their products can run efficently on these newer fuels that we are being FORCED to use. OK, forced is a harsh word, there are still places that sell non-ethanol gasoline, even though they are harder to find. Again, WE, as a country, are going through a transitional period trying to learn how to effectivly use these renewable fuels, and we, as a country, will prevail because that is what we do!
Onis Glenn
2012-02-02
9I try to buy gas that does not have ethanol in it. for my chain saw and weed eaters and riding mower abd leaf blower.
Ernest
2012-02-05
10Other countries make ethanol from non food crops using the fodder from sugarcane and such as fuel to extract the ethanol making ethanol a more palatable product.Studies have shown that if America would use Switch-grass which is considered a weed we could use the same low tech method to harvest ethanol that does not use as much fuel to make as it yields. Avoid the pesticides, herbicides and save corn for food and feed with out the roundup.
George W
2012-02-09
11I have a good few Husqvarna products and try to always use straight unleaded in them. Using E10 is too risky after storage in a gas can and can damage engines. I do use it in my car though!!
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