Green Mods, Gas Mower to LP, H2?

Question

Hey All,

I have a pair of mowers with 6 HP Briggs & Stratton motors.

1 runs well, the other I'm trouble shooting.

I was working on the broken one today and just happened to spot the propane tank sitting in the corner of my garage.

What would it take to convert? Does anyone sell a kit? Whats the trick to doing this safely... Obviously if you just pump gas into it, good chance it will run if the flow is right, but say you start the gas and step away for a few minutes before starting the motor.... I would expect a fireball from the propane thats been blowing out the intake.

Other suggestions, fuels to play with?

My only concern is I don't lose any HP, 6 HP is often barely enough for the thick spots if I haven't mowed in 2 weeks.

Wouldn't mind tuning it to get some more HP

Answer 1

With small engines conversion isn't really practical.  The best thing you can do is replace the engine with a 4-stroke, because 2-stroke engines send unburnt fuel out the exhaust pipe.

Answer 2

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO propane is NOT  a good idea.  With a serious conversion kit where fuel can be injected and regulated propane can be injected but not used as a stand alone fuel.  Propane is highly volatile.  A 2 cycle engine like this could not handle it.  For more information check out some of the many sites for propane injection.  Besides, propane consumption to gas consumption, where would you save money anyway?