4-H small engine Project header

Small Engine Lawn Mower

Almost everyone uses small engines – lawn mowers or snow blowers, weed eaters, or ATVs. Learn some of the basics about small engines, including basic operation, safety, care, and management.


If you are already signed up for this 4-H project, come on in and get started.  If you haven't signed up yet, contact your county 4-H office and become a member today.

 

Skills to Achieve Mastery

  • Learn about principles of compressor, carburetors, ignitions, and general care and maintenance of engines.
  • Learn to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain engines.

 

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Tips

 

Small Engine Troubleshooting


An engine needs three things to operate: 

  • compression
  • spark
  • and fuel mixture.

Isolating the problem into one of these areas will reduce the time needed to solve the problem.

4-H Resources

4-H Small Engine Project Manuals

Publications available through ISU Extension Online Store or at your County Extension Office


 

Recordkeeping Forms

Other Resources

    Pass it on! Now that you know how, share it with others. Here are ideas to get you started.


    Communication

    • Demonstrate how a small engine works.
    • Show how to start a small engine.
    • Compare the cost of rebuilding or purchasing a new small engine.
    • Talk  about different oil grades and when they are used.
    • Explain how to set the height of  a mower deck.

    Citizenship 

    • Mow lawn for elderly or disabled persons in your community.
    • Host a Small Engine Safety Inspection Day.
    • Start a Small Engine Tune-up Day for your community.
    • Volunteer to help a neighbor winterize their small engine.

    Leadership

    • Present a lawnmower safety program to elementary students on bystander safety.
    • Lead a workshop on changing oil, spark plugs, and doing other small engine mainenance.
    • Line-up a tour of a small engine workshop, mechanic, or factory in your community.
    • Hold a workshop on lawnmower maintenance.

     

     

    Exhibit Ideas

    • Troubleshoot and maintain a small engine.
    • Make a poster about different careers related to small engines.
    • Display comparing properties of gasoline and diesel engines.
    • Take a look at the user manuals for different small engines to learn more about them.
    • Restore a small engine.
    • Compare a small engine to a larger car or tractor engine.
    • Take apart a small engine and identify the parts, then try to put it back together again!