Earl's Yard Services
Affordably Priced
To suit your budget
541.292.9595
earlsyardservices@gmail.com
Earl's Yard ServicesBlog2025
25 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , ,

2-Stroke vs. 4-Stroke: The Simple Truth About Engine Maintenance

For the small engine mechanic, the air is thick with the buzz of two-strokes and the low rumble of four-strokes. They may both be combustion engines, but when it comes to keeping them running, they demand two entirely different approaches—and two different toolboxes. If you service everything from leaf blowers and chainsaws (often 2-stroke) to lawnmowers and portable generators (often 4-stroke), understanding these maintenance disparities isn't just helpful—it’s crucial for efficiency, cost management, and customer satisfaction. Here's a breakdown of...

24 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , ,

🥶 Winterizing Your Blower: A Step-by-Step for Long-Term Storage

The leaves are finally gone, the weather is turning cold, and your faithful leaf blower is ready for a long winter’s nap. Don’t just toss it in the shed! Improper storage is the number one killer of small engines, leading to gummed-up carburetors, rusted pistons, and frustrating spring startups. Whether you run a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke model, proper winterization is essential for a seamless start next season. Here is the definitive, step-by-step checklist for putting your blower into safe, long-term storage....

23 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , ,

💨 Blue Smoke vs. White Smoke: An Exhaust-Based Diagnostic Guide for Small Engines

When you fire up your lawn mower, snow blower, or trimmer, the exhaust pipe tells a story.1 While a puff of vapor on a cold morning is normal, persistent, colored smoke is your engine sending a distress signal. For small engines, the color of the smoke can quickly diagnose a problem, saving you from a costly guessing game. This is your essential guide to decoding what those plumes mean for your 2-stroke and 4-stroke equipment. READ MORE

22 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , , ,

Mower Bogging Down? 5 Quick Fixes for Loss of Power 🌿

That familiar sound of your lawnmower starting strong, only to choke and lose RPM when it hits a patch of thick grass, is a clear signal: your engine is struggling under load. A loss of power under load means the engine isn't getting enough fuel/air or is facing too much resistance to maintain maximum speed (RPM). The good news is that the fix is usually one of the Big Five easy maintenance checks. READ MORE

21 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , , ,

🔋 Battery Basics: Watt-Hours vs. Amp-Hours for Tool Performance

When shopping for cordless power equipment, the battery is the engine. You're constantly bombarded with two main specifications: Amp-Hours (Ah) and Watt-Hours (Wh). Which number really matters, and how do they relate to the runtime and power of your tools? The short answer: Watt-Hours (Wh) is the single most important number for measuring the total energy stored in a battery, but you need to understand both to make smart purchasing decisions. READ MORE