Which Fuel for Brushcutters? Petrol Guide

Brushcutters are powerful garden tools that make light work of cutting grass, weeds or larger plants with ease. Petrol-powered brushcutters and strimmers are especially powerful, but need to be topped up regularly with the right fuel to keep running. Without it, nothing works. Which fuel is suitable for your machine depends largely on the engine.

The right fuel for strimmers, brushcutters and clearing saws

Unlike a battery-powered or electric strimmer, a machine with a combustion engine needs fuel to run. Which petrol your brushcutter needs depends primarily on which engine is fitted. To find out, simply take a look at your machine or check the instruction manual. Depending on the manufacturer and model, petrol brushcutters are powered by either a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke engine. This refers to how the engine works. In a 2-stroke engine, the oil is burned together with the petrol, whereas a 4-stroke engine has separate lubrication with its own oil and petrol tanks.

Which petrol for 2-stroke brushcutters?

Brushcutters with a 2-stroke engine run on a special fuel mix made up of oil and petrol. Getting the mixing ratio of these two components right is essential to protect the engine from damage, such as piston seizure or excessive wear. Depending on your brushcutter model, the ratio will be 1:40 or 1:50 — in other words, one part oil to 40 or 50 parts petrol.

Which fuel for 4-stroke brushcutters?

For a 4-stroke engine, you don't need a special fuel mix — you can simply use ordinary petrol. FUXTEC brushcutters fitted with a 4-stroke engine mix oil and petrol automatically during operation.

600 ml SAE 30

FUXTEC 4Max 4-stroke engine oil SAE 30 in the 600 ml bottle

Engine oil for small 4-stroke engines

FUXTEC 4-stroke oil for reliable lubrication

FUXTEC 4Max 4-stroke engine oil, viscosity grade SAE 30, is designed for small 4-stroke engines in garden machinery. The handy 600 ml bottle is ideal for topping up and for regular oil changes.

SAE 30 engine oil

For small 4-stroke engines

Handy 600 ml bottle

For garden and power equipment

Shop FUXTEC 4-stroke oil now →

Brushcutter oil selection

Mixing your own petrol for 2-stroke brushcutters

You can easily mix the fuel for your brushcutter yourself. Make sure you use the correct mixing ratio, which is usually stated in your machine's instruction manual. The amount of mixture you need depends mainly on the capacity of the tank — again, check the manufacturer's details for your brushcutter.

To mix the fuel you'll need:

petrol with a minimum octane rating of 90 RON
2-stroke engine oil
a suitably sized fuel canister

Which engine oil should you use?

Make sure you only use a high-quality universal 2-stroke oil specifically designed for 2-stroke engines. The engine oil should meet the TC classification, which stands for "semi-synthetic". If the oil is of poor quality, it can damage the engine, fuel lines, seals and the fuel tank.

Which petrol from the petrol station is suitable for brushcutters?

You can use ordinary petrol station fuel for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. Just make sure the octane rating is at least 90 RON. The ethanol content should not be higher than 10 per cent (E10). Diesel, on the other hand, is not suitable for petrol engines in brushcutters.

Calculating the correct oil-to-petrol mixing ratio

Before you mix the 2-stroke engine oil and petrol, work out the correct mixing ratio based on the amount of fuel you need. To calculate the amount of engine oil, divide the total amount of petrol (ml) by the number that defines the ratio. The formula is:

Oil = petrol / 40 or 50

For one litre of petrol (1,000 ml), you'll need either 25 ml or 20 ml of engine oil, depending on the mixing ratio.

Required oil amount relative to petrol volume

Petrol volume	Oil amount (1:40)	Oil amount (1:50)
500 ml	12.5 ml	10 ml
750 ml	18.75 ml	15 ml
1000 ml	25 ml	20 ml
1200 ml	30 ml	24 ml

5-litre canister

The right oil for your 2-stroke engine

FUXTEC 2-stroke oil for reliable engine performance

FUXTEC Super 2T engine oil is designed for 2-stroke engines and is suitable for both premix and separate lubrication systems. With the 5-litre canister, you'll have plenty in stock for regular garden work and ongoing maintenance of your petrol-powered tools.

Semi-synthetic 2-stroke oil

Self-mixing formula

For premix and separate lubrication

Economical 5-litre canister

Shop FUXTEC 2-stroke oil now →

Mixing brushcutter fuel in four steps

First, pour the 2-stroke engine oil into a clean fuel canister approved for fuel.
Then carefully add the petrol to the oil in the canister.
Mix the fuel thoroughly by giving the canister a good shake.
Open the canister carefully, as pressure may have built up during mixing.

How to refuel your brushcutter correctly

Before refuelling your brushcutter with petrol or the fuel mix, switch off the engine and place the machine on a level surface. The fuel tank cap should be facing upwards. Remove the tank cap and pour in the fuel. Take care not to spill any fuel, and only fill the tank to a maximum of 1.5 cm below the rim. Before and after refuelling, wipe the area around the tank cap with a damp cloth. Finally, screw the tank cap back on.

TIP: A fuel mix for 2-stroke engines can separate over time, particularly if exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. To make sure you don't fill up with separated fuel, which can damage the engine, don't store the mix for longer than 30 days.

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Do I need to mix petrol and oil for my brushcutter?

It depends on your engine type. If your brushcutter has a 2-stroke engine, you must mix petrol with 2-stroke oil at a ratio of either 1:40 or 1:50. However, 4-stroke engines don't require a fuel mix—you can simply use ordinary petrol, as these engines have separate oil lubrication.

What octane rating petrol should I use in my brushcutter?

You should always use petrol with a minimum octane rating of 90 RON from your local petrol station. The ethanol content must not exceed 10 per cent (E10). Avoid using diesel or low-quality fuel, as this can damage your engine.

How long can I store mixed fuel for my 2-stroke brushcutter?

You should not store your prepared 2-stroke fuel mix for longer than 30 days. The oil and petrol can separate over time, especially when exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight, which can damage your engine if used.

What type of 2-stroke engine oil should I use?

Use only high-quality universal 2-stroke oil that meets the TC classification (semi-synthetic). Poor-quality oil can damage the engine, fuel lines, seals and the fuel tank, so always choose a reliable product designed specifically for 2-stroke engines.

How do I calculate the correct oil-to-petrol ratio for my brushcutter?

Divide the total amount of petrol in millilitres by either 40 or 50, depending on your brushcutter's required ratio. For example, for 1 litre (1,000 ml) of petrol at a 1:50 ratio, you would need 20 ml of engine oil; at 1:40, you would need 25 ml.

Can I use ordinary petrol station fuel in a 4-stroke brushcutter?

Yes, 4-stroke brushcutters are designed to run on ordinary petrol from your local petrol station without any oil mix required. The engine automatically mixes oil and petrol during operation, so you simply fill the tank with standard petrol meeting the 90 RON minimum octane rating.

What is the correct way to refuel my brushcutter?

Always switch off the engine and place the machine on a level surface before refuelling. Remove the tank cap and carefully pour in the fuel, filling no higher than 1.5 cm below the rim to avoid spillage. Wipe around the cap with a damp cloth before and after refuelling, then screw the cap back on securely.

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