News for Tool Hire, Equipment Hire & Plant Hire and Rental Professionals

Fuel for all seasons

11 April 2022

Fuel for all seasons

Many garden machinery owners take their equipment to a local hirer for servicing and repairs, and they appreciate advice that will extend its life.

David Fielden, director with EPS Hire Centres in West Yorkshire, tells me that a new range of pre-mixed fuel from The Hire Supply Company (HSC) that EPS is now offering for sale is helping to protect garden machinery from damage caused by E10 petrol. 

In the summer of 2021, E10 became the standard grade generally available and was introduced for its eco-friendly qualities. 

However, because it contains 10 per cent ethanol, the petrol can absorb water and cause fuel separation. If it is not drained from machines that are stored over the winter, it can corrode components, leave sticky deposits and cause engine problems. 

“We maintain a lot of customers’ chainsaws and mowers,” says David. “We were probably having to fit three or four new carburettors a week on equipment that had stale fuel left in them. 

“On some machines, the carburettor costs £100 or more and that can make a repair uneconomical.” 

EPS is now stocking HSC’s new Marline Premium range of pre-mixed 2-stroke and 4-stroke petrol, available in 1-litre or 5-litre containers, pictured above in a stylish marketing shot. 

It is an ethanol-free biodegradable alkylate fuel with a shelf life of up to five years, and is claimed to give a 99% reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. 

When I spoke to Steve McKenzie, HSC’s group sales manager, he told me that he has first-hand knowledge of problems that can be caused by E10 fuel. 

“I left a tiny bit of E10 in my lawnmower over the winter. The machine wouldn’t start the other week so I disconnected the pipes from the carburettor and the fuel tank to discover that the remaining fuel had become dark brown and almost curdled (pictured below). 

“I drained it out, put Marline fuel in and after a few minutes of operation it had worked its way through the engine, which was now running smoothly.” 

With many people perhaps planning some gardening over the Easter weekend, hopefully they'll find their mowers and garden machinery in good working order.

Incidentally, the HSC website has an eye-opening video showing the effect that E10 fuel can have on a piece of polystyrene… 

Fuel for all seasons

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