2 stroke engines and operator health

[freedomlives]

Does anyone know if there has been studies of the risks / effects on operator health of using a 4 stroke engine versus a well tuned 2 stroke running a modern 2-stroke oil mix?

I ask because I'm going to Austria to buy a 6 foot drop spreader for lime, and I'm thinking about picking up a walk behind cutter bar mower (because my Czech one goes only 2km/hr, which is less than half of normal walking speed, and this year I have 7 acres of hay to cut), but many have 2 stroke motors.

My experience with 2-stroke motors has usually involved a lot of fumes, particularly the chinese earth drill I have, but since reading this morning, I see that you can buy synthetic oils that are 100:1 or 80:1, so I guess less smoke and fumes? Because it is one thing to suffer a smoky motor for a putting in post holes, which is maybe an hour of total smoke per day of doing fence, which is a few days a year, but something different of many hours of walking miles behind a mower, which is exercise, so my body would be inhaling a lot of the exhaust.

 

[big bubba]

good question. can't speak from the research on the topic. to me it's all about frequency & ventilation . if you're a non smoker, so much the better. personally i would not worry about it unless you are right in the exhaust all day long. if you were a welder by trade, well, believe that would be much more of a concern. as far as synthetic oil mix, i use mine @ the manufacturers recommended ratio regardless of oil type.....i sure wouldn't be mixing it lean @ 80-100:1 on a machine designed for 40-50:1. your equipment sounds expensive. if you are that concerned, you might consider a quality particulate mask for paint/chemical use while operating 2 stroke or any small engine for that matter. best regards

 

[GaryM]

I use a modern 50 to 1 mix on my string trimmer and chain saw. I never noticed any smoking other than when starting with the choke on. I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I think the mix ratios are based more on the quality and properties of the oils rather than the piece of equipment.

Maybe contacting the oil manufacturers would be a good starting point?

 

[buickanddeere]

A four stroke in poor tune and operating too rich will blow more times than a lean clean two stroke.

 

[Bird]

Both my Stihl string trimmer and Mantis tiller are two stroke and both recommend 89 octane gas and a 50:1 oil mix ratio. I use Stihl's own "Ultra" two stroke oil, which is fully synthetic, so like GaryM, I don't notice any smoke or odor with either machine.

 

[freedomlives]

I guess first thing I'm going to try is mixing 50:1 ratio, which is what is printed on the bottle of Husqvarna branded 2-stroke oil I've been using, and see if that improves the smoke situation of the earth drill.

 

[MossRoad]

Operating a 2 stroke engine outdoors that's constantly moving a machine across a field, I'd have no worries.

 

[tcartwri]

I would look at fuel consumption as well, particularly with that much cutting.

 

[clemsonfor]

Both are not good for your health, not sure if one is better than the other persay? But I sure wouldn't fall for the manufacture hoopla of running at 80 or 100:1 like amsoil claims or others. Sure some pros have done it and got by but I sure wouldn't. NO WAY. I don't run leaner on mix than 40:1 and like 32:1 normally but no way would I recommend any oil leaner than 50:1......WHY you don't save that much on oil costs, they already run clean. I almost never replace a two stroke plug cause of oil fouling. Why would you want to do that?

 

[number9L]

You realize that people have been operating 2-stroke motorcycles, boats, trimmers, chainsaws, etc for DECADES with no health issues, right? Been riding 2st motorcycles myself for 39yrs with no issues......you're over thinking it.

...