Changing oil will extend the life of your petrol lawnmowers. However, note that battery mowers do not need their oil changing as they use an electric motor, foregoing the need for oil.
Read on for advice on changing lawnmower oil from the engineers behind Hayter’s iconic Harrier mowers.
What oil to use for petrol lawnmowers?
It’s important to choose the right oil for your model of lawnmower – this will ensure that the oil sufficiently reduces the amount of fuel deposits for your petrol mower’s engine.
The ideal engine oil for a Hayter lawnmower is our 30 4-Cycle Engine Oil. This miracle oil meets or exceeds performance requirements for all original equipment manufacturer engines used in Harrier models, including:
• The Harrier 41 Push’s Brigg & Stratton
• The Harrier 48 PRO’s Honda engine or any other machine.
• The Harrier 56 VS’s Hayter engine
• Any other Harrier petrol engine.
The SAE 30 4-Cycle Engine Oil is specifically formulated to minimise molecular shearing, extending life in hot-air-cooled applications vs. multi-grades, and is made with only premium base stocks and additives.
When to change lawnmower oil
Roughly, engine oil should be changed every 50 hours* of active lawnmower use. For general users, you may find this translates to changing your oil once every cutting season.
If you mow infrequently and well under the 50 hours stipulated, we also recommend that you stabilise the fuel left in the tank using Premium Lawn Mower Fuel Treatment.
Drain the lawnmower oil before putting the mower away for winter storage at the end of the cutting season, when temperatures are consistently 6°C or lower.
*Please note: If your Harrier is brand-new and used straight from the box, the engine oil should be changed from the first five hours of use.
For more information on seasonal cutting times, be sure to read the When to Cut Your Grass blog.
Checking lawnmower oil levels
Checking lawnmower oil levels is made simple with a Hayter lawnmower. To check your mower oil, follow these three steps:
- Prepare the mower: For user safety and mower health, ensure the mower is on a flat surface, completely stationary and turned off. The oil fill area must also be clear of debris.
- Locate the dipstick: Locate the dipstick on your mower, typically on the right or left-hand side of your mower’s engine. Remove the dipstick and properly wipe it clean before reinserting.
- Measure and top-up the oil: Reinsert your dipstick, making sure that the oil reaches the appropriate measurement as marked on the dipstick. If the oil does not reach this measurement, top it up with the SAE 30 4-Cycle Engine Oil. You must wait three minutes before checking again.
- Reinsert & tighten: Once the oil is sitting perfectly at the measure on your dipstick, reinsert it into the mower and tighten the cap securely. Always double-check the cap to make sure.
Before each use, you should be regularly checking your oil levels for all petrol mower models, including the following:
- Harrier 41 PUSH
- Harrier 41 PRO
- Harrier 48 Petrol Variable Speed Mower
- Harrier 48 PRO
- Harrier 56 Petrol Variable Speed Mower
- Harrier 56 PRO
Changing the oil in a lawnmower
Changing the oil may seem confusing at first, but this crucial task can be quickly grasped. Follow these best practices when changing oil in a lawnmower for a perfect oil change:
- Get prepared: Gather the necessary tools to complete an oil change, including an oil pan, gloves and Hayter SAE 30 4-Cycle Engine Oil. You should make sure the fuel tank is empty or nearly empty before attempting an oil change.
- Make sure everything is off: Before tipping the mower gently on its side to drain, ensure everything is off. If you have a small amount of fuel left in the tank (ideally around five minutes), turn the mower on to warm up the engine with the remaining fuel – this warmth will help the oil flow when draining.
- Tip and drain: Place the oil pan on the floor before removing the oil cap and dipstick, tipping the mower gently on its side (with the side of the air filter facing up) over the oil pan to catch the remaining oil. All removed oil must be stored and then disposed of responsibly at a designated recycling centre.
- Refill and relax: Once completely drained, gently tip the mower back onto its wheels. Slowly pour the new lawnmower oil into the oil fill tube, being careful to fill the tube until it reaches the “FULL” line on the dipstick. Leave this to settle for two minutes before cleaning the dipstick, reinserting and properly tightening the cap.
Still need help? Let us know
Do you still need help changing oil in your lawnmower? Contact us today!
Our friendly team is waiting to help you in any way they can.