Wrench’s Small Engine Repair

Thinking About a Commercial Mower for Your Home? Read This First.

At first glance, commercial mowers seem like the obvious upgrade—built tougher, run longer. But for residential use, they might not be the best fit unless you’re ready to maintain them like a pro.

Here’s why:

Commercial mowers are designed for frequent service. They come with greasable fittings, gearboxes, and inspection points that need checking at least once a month.
Skip that routine, and minor issues can turn into costly repairs.

Residential mowers, on the other hand:
• Use sealed bearings or bushings that require less maintenance.
• Are designed for homeowners who might never inspect their equipment outside of shop visits.
• Have a shorter lifespan—typically 10 years with regular use.

Here’s the cost breakdown:
• Neglect a commercial mower and repairs can be four to five times higher than a residential model.
• You might get by for years without service, but when something fails, expect a $2,000+ repair bill.

Bottom line:
Commercial mowers will outlast residential ones if you’re willing to maintain them regularly. Otherwise, a solid residential mower might be all you need.

Not sure which one is right for you?
Don’t get ratchet, call the Wrench!
352-699-1370
Get up to 10% off labor—just like and follow!

Is Premium Fuel Really Worth the Extra Cost?

Surprisingly, not for the reasons you’d expect.

For small engines, the real advantage of premium fuel isn’t more horsepower or better fuel economy.
It’s fuel stability.

As gasoline sits, the octane rating drops.
Once it falls too low, engines—especially under load—start to overheat or run poorly.

Here’s how it breaks down:
• 87 octane (ethanol blend) typically lasts about 4–6 weeks before degradation starts.
• Premium fuel (91–93 octane) holds its stability for about 30 days longer, buying you time before performance issues kick in.
• The octane loss can be around 5–10 points, depending on storage and climate.

If your owner’s manual recommends premium, stick with it.
But if it calls for regular unleaded? Running premium won’t give you extra power—it just extends how long that fuel stays good.

For equipment that sits between uses, that longer shelf life can make all the difference.

Don’t get ratchet, call the Wrench!
352-699-1370
Get up to 10% off labor—just like and follow!