2 mix v. aspen

[likeitorlumpit]

Just seen a vid of stihl 2 mix technology. Got me thinking that has this removed or reduced the need for Aspen style fuels without the associated costs. Quote' better for the operator and environment ' as less unburnt fuel emissions. The films I watch.

[hedgesparrow]

have not heard to good reports on the 4 mix machines was using aspen and saws and blower ran well on it no mixing but the cost of it now can not justifie spending £14 per can plus vat. so gone back to mixing my own. shame it was not cheaper so it was nearly the same as petrol and the 2 stroke mix.

would use it all the time no fumes does not carbon up the saws. but its the price.

[Andy Collins]

Oh thanks, that's just reminded me of something I must do.

[GardenKit]

I thought it might have Andy:001_smile:

[GardenKit]

Just seen a vid of stihl 2 mix technology. Got me thinking that has this removed or reduced the need for Aspen style fuels without the associated costs. Quote' better for the operator and environment ' as less unburnt fuel emissions. The films I watch.

All manufacturers of 2 stroke machines are having to meet strict emission controls and are redesigning 2 strokes to be cleaner burning, usually with a 'buffer' charge of clean air between the inlet and exhaust. They give them different names and 2-mix is Stihl's take on it.

 

Yes they do burn much more efficiently than old generation machines and the exhaust gases are much less toxic.

 

But do they do away with the need for Aspen?

 

Firstly, there is no NEED for Aspen. All engines will run quite happily on a FRESH pump fuel 2T mix. (some do say they run just a little better on Aspen)

 

But petrol is petrol, wether in a new 2-mix, or an old 2 stroke, and is subject to oxidation and ageing, which causes staleness, poor starting and loss of power, as well as possible long term damage to the fuel system (bearing in mind that the new carburettors are much less tolerant to stale fuel). If you use your fuel quickly (within 30 days) then pump petrol is satisfactory. Aspen on the other hand will stay fresh for up to 5 years.

 

The other benefit of Aspen is the very low rates of benzene, sulphur and other nasties in the exhaust gases. If a 2-mix engine burns pump petrol cleanly, it will burn Aspen even cleaner, so there is still a benefit.

 

In my opinion the benefits of Aspen are as important as ever, even with new engine technology.

[pro bros]

Not to derail thread but can't aspen be rebated as diesel is as it would not really be used as road fuel and as said if it was nearer to petrol prices it would help

[likeitorlumpit]

Not to derail thread but can't aspen be rebated as diesel is as it would not really be used as road fuel and as said if it was nearer to petrol prices it would help

 

This makes sense - totally

But as yet............

Just wondering what the levels of noxious/toxic are with 2 mix v. non 2 mix v. aspen.

I think this would be a useful comparison. Lets face it we've all followed the old banger chucking out smoke- this must apply to saws etc. too.

[alex_m]

Not to derail thread but can't aspen be rebated as diesel is as it would not really be used as road fuel and as said if it was nearer to petrol prices it would help

 

there was talk on here about trying to get the road tax duty down on aspen. quite right too! if red can be half the price of normal derv (and still be used on the road), why can't aspen be cheaper?

[treequip]

there was talk on here about trying to get the road tax duty down on aspen. quite right too! if red can be half the price of normal derv (and still be used on the road), why can't aspen be cheaper?

 

Red can be used on the road in limited circumstances but its governed by an act of parliament, its a big ask to put legislation together for alkylate fuels considering that entire market is in relative terms a drop in the ocean.

 

The alkylate would need to be chemically tagged in the same way as red and detecting abuse of the rebate would mean checking every vehicle on the road rather than just diesels as it is now.

 

From the governments point of view that’s a lot of spending to achieve a net reduction in revenue.

 

Why cant aspen be cheaper? Well the people that supply it, buy it from the refiners and have to make a profit....................

[likeitorlumpit]

Red can be used on the road in limited circumstances but its governed by an act of parliament, its a big ask to put legislation together for alkylate fuels considering that entire market is in relative terms a drop in the ocean.

 

The alkylate would need to be chemically tagged in the same way as red and detecting abuse of the rebate would mean checking every vehicle on the road rather than just diesels as it is now.

 

From the governments point of view that’s a lot of spending to achieve a net reduction in revenue.

Why cant aspen be cheaper? Well the people that supply it, buy it from the refiners and have to make a profit....................

 

But- the rebate wouldn't be abused if the retail price was higher than petrol. There would be no need to police it. No one is going to pay more for a product just to reduce the governments slice of the pie.

Yes I agree- get the price down but the question is how much safer is aspen compared to new 2 mix technology. If every last bit of fuel was burned, surely this would negate the need for aspen type fuel.