FAQ
What are speciality fuels?
Special fuels are also known as “green” petrol or alkylate petrol. Unlike conventional petrol from the filling station (e.g. Super E5, Super E10), alkylate petrols are virtually free of aromatics and ethanol and do not contain any carcinogenic substances.
The main components are branched hydrocarbons (so-called iso-alkanes) with a carbon number between C4 and C12, which are characterised by extremely clean combustion and low particulate emissions. Furthermore, they contain no benzene (carcinogenic) or other highly harmful substances.
Our HERCUTEC® special fuels are available in two versions: as 4-stroke petrol or 2-stroke ready-mix with fully synthetic 2-stroke oil.
Due to their composition, HERCUTEC® special fuels can be stored and used for up 3 to 5 years in their original sealed containers and stored in a dry, dark and cool room without any problems.
Why should I use HERCUTEC® special fuels?
Conventional motor petrol is a complex mixture of over 100 different, predominantly light hydrocarbons. These can have a toxic effect on both humans and our environment.
Thanks to their aromatic-free composition and the absence of harmful and carcinogenic substances such as lead, benzene and sulphur, HERCUTEC® special fuels are the more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional petrol station fuels. The exclusively paraffinic and particularly pure composition ensures clean combustion and therefore fewer harmful substances in exhaust gases that can be inhaled by the operator or bystanders.
Paraffinic hydrocarbons are proven to produce fewer particulate emissions and deposits than conventional petrol. In the long term, this results in lower maintenance costs for your machine and saves on expensive repairs.
So do something good for our environment, your machine and above all your health and use HERCUTEC® special fuels instead of conventional petrol.
What is the mixing ratio of HERCUTEC® 2T special fuel?
Our HERCUTEC® 2T special fuel is a ready-mixed petrol with an oil/fuel ratio of 1:50 (oil content of 2% by volume).
I used to fill up my machine with petrol from the filling station; can I now switch to HERCUTEC® special fuels without any problems?
Yes. Depending on the age of the machine used and the length of time it has been refuelled with petrol from the petrol station, a few things should be taken into account when changing over:
– Firstly, check the spark plug and the piston chamber for possible deposits.
Petrol from the filling station contains numerous harmful and carcinogenic substances, which can lead to deposits in the piston chamber and on the spark plug if used for a long period. When switching to alkylate petrol, these old deposits are dissolved, which is often noticeable at first in the form of increased smoke development, but in some cases can also lead to piston seizure and thus greater damage.
– Check all seals, rubber components and the fuel filter.
Sealing rings in the fuel system swell due to the aromatics contained in petrol station petrol. If you switch to alkylate petrol, the lack of aromatics can cause the seals to swell and consequently harden, which can lead to leaks and damage. The same can also be observed for rubber fuel hand pumps, which can harden because of the changeover. This does not happen with new seals. To avoid problems, we therefore recommend having the seals and rubber components replaced by a specialist dealer before changing over.
– Readjust the carburettor.
HERCUTEC® 2T special fuel has a lower density than conventional petrol due to the lack of aromatics. The carburettor should therefore be readjusted and adapted to the new fuel.
How do I prepare my machine for winter?
As a producer of special fuels, we follow the recommendations of the major manufacturers. For details, please refer to the operating instructions for your machine.
In any case, we recommend the following:
– Empty the tank.
In preparation for the winter, we generally recommend emptying the machine tank. In addition, the machine should then be driven until the engine stops in order to completely remove any remaining fuel from the fuel lines and the carburettor.
– Checking the spark plug
To prevent problems in the following spring, the spark plug should be checked. If there are visible deposits or slight coking, you should clean the spark plug. If the spark plug is heavily carbonised or even encrusted, we recommend having it replaced by a specialist dealer. If the electrodes are a fawn colour, the spark plug is OK.
What do I have to pay attention to when storing
HERCUTEC® special fuels?
Petrol should generally be stored tightly sealed, cool and dry and out of direct sunlight.
Proper storage is particularly important in summer and at temperatures well above 28°C. If a container is not tightly sealed under these conditions, just a few hours are enough to cause a significant loss of quality.
This result in strong volatilisation of the low-boiling components, which means that the oil content in the 2T mixture in containers that are not tightly sealed can exceed the specifications of most paint manufacturers within a very short time. This effect increases as the fill level decreases. If an appliance is refuelled and operated with such a mixture, this can lead to poor cold-start behaviour, serious damage and even total damage.
Therefore, make sure that your containers are tightly sealed, especially at high temperatures. If necessary, use appropriate closing aids or drum keys.
Please note that hand drum pumps for 60 litre or 200 litre drums do not close gas-tight. We therefore recommend replacing the hand drum pump with the original screw cap in the event of high temperatures over a longer period and only installing the pump when required in order to avoid a loss of product quality and subsequent damage to your equipment.
My canister/barrel is bloated, can I still use the product?
Temperature differences change the ratio between the liquid phase and the gas phase in the canister. This leads to over pressurisation and consequently to slight swelling. This is not a sign of poor fuel quality, but rather indicates a tightly sealed canister and ensures consistent fuel quality.
All our containers meet the applicable requirements and can easily withstand overpressure of more than 2 bar. In the case of original containers, the fuel can be used without hesitation in such a case. When opening such a canister or drum, please note that the overpressure can cause the lid to pop off when unscrewing.
To prevent the containers from swelling, we recommend storing them out of direct sunlight at a maximum temperature of 25°C.
The side of my drum has shrunk; can I still use the product?
Under certain circumstances, the sides of the containers may contract. This results in an image similar to an hourglass. This is due to the temperature and unfortunately cannot be avoided by using other barrels. Temperature differences between the time of bottling and use (e.g. bottling in summer and use in winter) result in a vacuum in the barrel, which can cause the sides of the barrels to contract.
However, the containers are designed in such a way that they can withstand such deformation without product escaping. In the case of original containers, the fuel can be used without hesitation.
When opening such a drum, please note that sudden deformation can occur due to expansion.
My new chainsaw runs unevenly or stops working. What can I do?
In this case, the speed drops too much during operation when switching from full load to idling. This can cause the machine to run “out of round” or even stop. This can be remedied by adjusting the idling speed. This problem can also occur when switching from self-mixed petrol to special fuel.
If the problem occurs at full load, cleaning or replacing the fuel filter may help. With motor saws in particular, sawdust or dirt often gets into the tank when refuelling. This clogs the fuel filter, which means that too little fuel is taken in at full load and the engine runs unevenly or even stops.
Always follow the operating instructions for your appliance or ask your specialist dealer.
Where can I find the batch number?
The batch number is made up of a 9-digit number sequence from the filling date (YYMMDD) and a consecutive three-digit number (XYZ) (e.g. 230123001).It is located on a small sticker, similar to a price tag.
For 5L and 25L containers, the sticker is located on the top of the canister, near the handle and on the carton (only for 3x5L).
For 60L or 200L drums, the sticker is located on the top of the drum and on the side in the upper quarter.
How long can I store and use HERCUTEC® special fuels?
Due to their composition, HERCUTEC® special fuels can be stored and used for up 3 to 5 years in their original sealed containers and stored in a dry, dark and cool room without any problems.