John Deere ride-on, what petrol to use?

[drivesafe]

Hi folks, I have just received back a John Deere LT155 ride-on lawn mower.

The Manuel states to use 87 octane petrol, but I keep 98 octane for my generator, mowers, and weed-eaters.

I am no mechanic so can I use the 98 in the ride-on or will this cause problems?

[LRJim]

Hi folks, I have just received back a John Deere LT155 ride-on lawn mower.

The Manuel states to use 87 octane petrol, but I keep 98 octane for my generator, mowers, and weed-eaters.

I am no mechanic so can I use the 98 in the ride-on or will this cause problems?You may possibly need an additive for leaded fuel, mind you ive ran 98 through a really old Howard (60's) withought an issue.
Cheers Jim

[pop058]

nothing with ethanol in it.

[drivesafe]

Thanks Jim and I forgot to post the manual states 87 unleaded octane.

I warned you I am no mechanic!

[discorevy]

Hi
Your John Deere manual will be stating the US octane rating (AKI ), Australia uses RON ( research octane number) so the US 87 octane is the equal of 91 RON
All your equipment will actually run better on 91 as it will all be relatively low compression stuff which has no knock sensors or ability to advance the timing to take advantage of the 98 you currently use

[Slunnie]

It will run with whatever petrol you put in it. None of them will cause problems.

[DiscoClax]

Including E10...

[87County]

It will run with whatever petrol you put in it. None of them will cause problems.

Probably quite right - BUT, I think from memory, that in JD caution about using anything with ethanol in their current models.

I use so little petrol these days I just get 98 when required, even for the mowers.

[DiscoClax]

I'm a bit wary of ethanol in carby engines generally, but have run my 20yo Husky with Kwaka twin many times on it (like half the time or more) and after 500+ hrs it is still sweet as a nut. Kwaka say E10 is OK, and small amount of ethanol is good to emulsify any water and also clean the system. Best check the engine manufactures recommendation if unsure.

[rick130]

The problem with E10 is when it is stored in anything other than a metal drum as it will absorb moisture from the atmosphere.

Actually any petrol in HDPE, etc is an issue when stored long term as the aromatics permeate the container wall and volatise off.

I happily use e10 in the work Hilux but avoid using it in OPE where I'll use 95/98 just to avoid the ethanol.

[bee utey]

The important thing to note with all occasionally used petrol driven equipment is that the fuel should be drained before storage. At the bare minimum, turn off the fuel cock and run the carburettor dry. For longer term storage drain the fuel tank too.

[drivesafe]

Hi agin folks and thanks for all the input.

I filled up with 98 and mowed away yesterday afternoon.

Thanks again.

[incisor]

would have thought 91 would be the go in a mower

98 generally has some sticky additives and the extra octane does jack in a low compression engine.

make sure you run the carb dry if not used really often IME

[DiscoClax]

I must do everything wrong. The only concession I make is that I try and not leave much fuel in the tank at the end of each mowing session and always put a fresh splash in immediately before the next time I use it. Estimate the amount I'll use and put that in. That way there's mainly fresh fuel being drawn in just after starting. Even when parking it up for the season. Always starts OK and runs fine. Bit more cranking on the first start of the season, but that'd happen from dry anyway. Maybe the Kawasaki engines are more tolerant?

[Slunnie]

Including E10...


Probably quite right - BUT, I think from memory, that in JD caution about using anything with ethanol in their current models.

I use so little petrol these days I just get 98 when required, even for the mowers.

Perhaps it varys with model and vintage. I have an X340 which is about 9 years old now (and still looking a million bucks!) and for all of the X3## series in my JD book they recommend the following fuel:

Regular grade 87 octane unleaded fuel - I don't think our fuels go that low.
Ethanol blended fuel up to 10% - cheapest pump fuel we have.
MTBE Reformulated fuel up to 15% - I think this is a US fuel.

Just run it on the cheapest pump fuel you can get. I also tend to think not to run it on premium because of the increased toxicity of the fuel and keep in mind its an industrial motor, not a performance motor that responds to changes in octane. .

[Eevo]

since the rest of the toys at home are running 98, i would also run 98 in the mower. ease of logistics. it wont hurt.

[mowerman IAC]

Totally agree with Swaggie, recently retired from Small Engine Mechanicking after 35 years doing it and I would never put anything with Ethanol in a small engine. I know Kwaka says E10 is OK (having just bought one) but local distributor told me that is a legal requirement and strongly advised to stick to 91 RON. 95 or 98 won't hurt anything, just cost more for no advantage.