What did you do today?

[Horse Newbie 7,075]

42 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

When I get the mower back together I'll give the 8 HP  Biggs a try to see if it's any good.

I would have checked the engine first, but I'll bet you already have a plan if the Briggs is bad...

[ranger 1,750]

Just watched this video, think I’ll try it. 

[Horse Newbie 7,075]

Seems counterproductive putting water in the "petrol", but the process does make sense.

[ebinmaine 67,610]

7 hours ago, ranger said:

Just watched this video, think I’ll try it. 

Keep us posted please. 

 

 

[ranger 1,750]

1 hour ago, Horse Newbie said:

Seems counterproductive putting water in the "petrol", but the process does make sense.

I know ‘Methanol’ is used in industry to ‘remove’ water in certain processes, due to it’s ‘Hygroscopic’ properties, so why shouldn’t it work the other way round? Petrol, ( Gasoline) is apparently going from 5% to 10% Ethanol sometime this year over here in the UK, so it may well be worth trying!

Doug.

p.s. I think I’d read somewhere of someone doing the same thing with gas that had had ‘Sugar’ added to their fuel tank!

Edited July 9, 2021 by ranger

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

2 hours ago, ranger said:

Hygroscopic

 

means that it will absorb water from the air, Silica Gel is an example of such.

 

I think the proper term would be "hydrophillic" which means it will bond with water in solution. 

 

And gasoline is "hydrophobic" which means it will not bond with water.

 

So, in theory, it should work.  Removing the ethanol will remove some octane from the gasoline though.

 

I watched a video a while back by some guy named Steve (could be Patrick Swayze's brother) on YT and he is saying that the ethanol isn't really the problem but rather it's the BENZINE and the OLEFINS in the gasoline that causes more issues.  

 

Watched the vid again, his intel is from STIHL, here's a screen shot:

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/StevesSmallEngineSaloon/videos

 

 

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[ebinmaine 67,610]

2 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

ethanol isn't really the problem but rather it's the BENZINE and the OLEFINS in the gasoline that causes more issues

 

I feel some research reading coming on.....

 

I don't know anything at this point in time about the rubber and aluminum reaction properties with benzene and olofins.

 

I do know however that ethanol alcohol dries out rubber and I assure you that's been a major problem for my small engines. 

 

I'd be extremely interested to see the information that person is using to come up with that quote. I'm not saying they are specifically incorrect but my life experience shows me different.

 

Unless..... Ethanol-free gasoline happens to have no benzene or olefins in it. 

 

It's still a win to use ethanol-free if that's the case. 

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

interested to see the information that person is using

 

I did just edit and included the data he got from Stihl.

 

Apparently yes, the water that is absorbed into the gasoline by the ethanol is indeed an issue, no doubt.

 

It would seem though that it's the Olefins that are separating out and causing that nasty gummy snot residue I've found in the bowls of many a carb.

 

And the benzene may be even more agressive to rubber components than the ethanol is.

 

Yes, more research needed!

 

I think the bottom line is to NEVER store a machine over the winter with pump gas in it even if you have gone to the trouble of removing the ethanol.

 

Here's a quote from the website of the American Cancer Society :

 

Quote

The EPA limits the percentage of benzene allowed in gasoline to an average of 0.62% by volume (with a maximum of 1.3%).

 

And if that's true, it appears to be much exaggerated by the charts Steve Swayze shows later in the vid.  Benzene is one of the "Aromates" but if Benzene is regulated to 0.62% by volume, then there MUST be many more and different aromates in the gasoline in addition to the Benzene.

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[ebinmaine 67,610]

2 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

gummy

I started using ethanol free gasoline in all of our small engines about 99.9% of the time roughly 3 years ago. I haven't had to take one apart yet to see if those pearls are in there but now you got me wondering.

 

[Horse Newbie 7,075]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

I started using ethanol free gasoline in all of our small engines about 99.9% of the time roughly 3 years ago. I haven't had to take one apart yet to see if those pearls are in there but now you got me wondering.

 

Same here...

[Handy Don 12,235]

Following with interest. I siphon the fuel from all engines that won't be in use for the next couple of months for use in other engines that will be. I then run the emptied engines till they sputter and won't go even at full choke.  I aim for dry tank, fuel lines, and carb though I'm sure there are residual pockets of fuel in there. But then, I only have three or four engines to do this on at each change of season, not a whole collection!

 

One question I have: Where and how can one responsibly dispose of the water-ethanol solution left over after the clever ethanol removal operation? Sure, leaving it out in an open container will see the alcohol evaporate and leave only the (somewhat contaminated, I suspect) water behind but that isn't a very environmentally friendly option when five gallons of 10% ethanol gas yields two quarts of alcohol.

[ranger 1,750]

35 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Following with interest. I siphon the fuel from all engines that won't be in use for the next couple of months for use in other engines that will be. I then run the emptied engines till they sputter and won't go even at full choke.  I aim for dry tank, fuel lines, and carb though I'm sure there are residual pockets of fuel in there. But then, I only have three or four engines to do this on at each change of season, not a whole collection!

 

One question I have: Where and how can one responsibly dispose of the water-ethanol solution left over after the clever ethanol removal operation? Sure, leaving it out in an open container will see the alcohol evaporate and leave only the (somewhat contaminated, I suspect) water behind but that isn't a very environmentally friendly option when five gallons of 10% ethanol gas yields two quarts of alcohol.

Set up a still to recover the ethanol from the first batch, put together an alcohol burner 🔥 to burn the recovered alcohol, to heat the still to recover more alcohol to burn, 🔥 to heat the still to....................then make nice coloured ice cubes with the water to compliment your favourite bourbon / scotch, etc. 🥃🥃👍

or build a bbq to run off the distillate, then enjoy a nice ribeye with your favourite drink!

Edited July 9, 2021 by ranger

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Little yard debris/ brush trimming pickup with Dug(so much better than a barrow!) And my new fingerprint scan butterknife case a gift from my son and his girlfriend!

[Handy Don 12,235]

1 hour ago, ranger said:

Set up a still to recover the ethanol from the first batch, put together an alcohol burner 🔥 to burn the recovered alcohol, to heat the still to recover more alcohol to burn, 🔥 to heat the still to....................then make nice coloured ice cubes with the water to compliment your favourite bourbon / scotch, etc. 🥃🥃👍

or build a bbq to run off the distillate, then enjoy a nice ribeye with your favourite drink!

Ummmm....

This doesn't really sound responsible  

[squonk 41,155]

I store all my engines with the expensive 4 cycle fuel you see at Lowes, TSC ect. VP 94 octane when it's in stock.

[ranger 1,750]

11 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Ummmm....

This doesn't really sound responsible  

Yes, I agree Don, I was thinking irresponsibly.☠️ Thank you for reminding me. 😔 I suppose the responsible thing to do would be to, set up a “Solar” ☀️ still, (Environment,Global warming, etc) and distill the alcohol to a high proof and use it as a ‘Sanitizer’ for protection against Virus transmission!😷  Further distillation of the water which could then  be used to top up the cooling systems for the electric motors/lithium batteries of our new cars.🤔

Perhaps the next thing to come along, ‘Saving the Planet’ wise, will be, the banning of firearms that burn powder, and you will only have Co2 or Electro-Magnetic powered ‘Firearms’ . No more having to buy Ammo, just plug into your new car to recharge!  “Phasers on Stun guys”.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Finished a test print on the GT14 dash, loaded Dug's old deck to deliver, gonna swing by the family property again today since Im gonna be down that way, check on the squatters and load up some of uncle Denver's antique tools!

[Handy Don 12,235]

2 hours ago, ranger said:

Yes, I agree Don, I was thinking irresponsibly.☠️ Thank you for reminding me. 😔 I suppose the responsible thing to do would be to, set up a “Solar” ☀️ still, (Environment,Global warming, etc) and distill the alcohol to a high proof and use it as a ‘Sanitizer’ for protection against Virus transmission!😷  Further distillation of the water which could then  be used to top up the cooling systems for the electric motors/lithium batteries of our new cars.🤔

Perhaps the next thing to come along, ‘Saving the Planet’ wise, will be, the banning of firearms that burn powder, and you will only have Co2 or Electro-Magnetic powered ‘Firearms’ . No more having to buy Ammo, just plug into your new car to recharge!  “Phasers on Stun guys”.

Yes, this is definitely responsible.

Complicated, expensive, tedious, exhausting, and possibly unworkable, but definitely responsible. THANK YOU!

[ranger 1,750]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

Yes, this is definitely responsible.

Complicated, expensive, tedious, exhausting, and possibly unworkable, but definitely responsible. THANK YOU!

You’ve just defined the ever elusive,  ‘Meaning of Life’ 🙀

[Horse Newbie 7,075]

2 hours ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

check on the squatters

Don't forget the carbine !...

[Ed Kennell 38,227]

Picked up a $4 air handler at the auction. on Wed.    Stuck it on the 312 today.      Even at idle, it moves enough air to cool the shop. 

  Should easily blow leaves  1/4 mile to the neighbors yard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

8 minutes ago, Horse Newbie said:

Don't forget the carbine !...

Yup..got it..theyre much more cooperarive this time.heres some of uncle Denver's old stufff...some nice horse related stuff, draw plows, old sirrups,etc. And the longest hayfork ive seen to date!

[Ed Kennell 38,227]

1 hour ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

And the longest hayfork ive seen to date!

It took a long fork to load loose hay high on a wagon.        Really nice grain cradle   I learned to cradle and tie wheat shocks with strands of wheat when I was a 10yo.   

Not my pictures, but I remember these days in the fields with my  Pappy.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Ive seen this stuff before, Dad used to pack down the haystack for the adults when he qas a kid. That grain sythe with cradle is in excellent shape!

Edited July 10, 2021 by Wheel Horse 3D

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Goofing off at the Amish bulk foods store! These folks have quantities of everything from cheese and meat to candy and baking stuff all in bulk from the area Amish farms.even the furniture is super sized!