Frequently Asked Questions about Tanaka Power Equipment

General
Q. There are no Tanaka dealers in my area. How can I purchase Tanaka products, parts or accessories?
A. Please email custsvc@nikko-tanaka-usa.com or call us at 1-888-482-6252. We will work with you to find the most convenient and cost-effective way to deliver the product, part, or accessory to you.

Q. How can I get technical service support?
A. Please email custsvc@nikko-tanaka-usa.com or call us at 1-888-482-6252.

Q. Does Tanaka still make an outboard engine?
A. No. But you can usually find them on eBay (The TOB-300 can be found for around $300).

Q. Where can I change my email address for receiving Tanaka e-newsletters?
A. The form is accessible from the "Update Profile/Email Address" link in the footer of your Tanaka e-newsletter.

Q. Where can I find product information on older Tanaka models?
A. Simply copy this link and paste it in your browser http://www.tanaka-usa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=  Then, enter the model number you are looking for after Product_Code= in the url (Example:  TBC-245PF)  NOTE: Available model numbers are from 2005 to present.

Q. Is Tanaka a new brand?
A. No. Tanaka was established in Japan in 1918. Tanaka equipment has been in North America since the 1970's and Tanaka Kogyo Co., Ltd. was acquired by Hitachi Koki in April 2007.


Gas / Oil
Q. What is the Correct Gas / Oil Ratio for my Tanaka Product?
A. 50:1.Tanaka Perfect Mix is what is referred to as a one-mix oil. The oil is formulated so that when mixed at 50:1, (or 2.6 ounces per gallon of fuel), it contains enough of the life giving additives to work in any Tanaka and other air-cooled engine.

Q. What Grade of Gasoline Should I Mix with My Tanaka Two-Stroke Oil?
A. Regular Grade gasoline (89octane), from a brand-name dealer should be satisfactory for most equipment uses. Octane is a measure of the fuels ability to resist engine knock, and increased octane has virtually no relationship to higher performance.

To maintain good startability, gasoline's volatility (tendency to evaporate), is tailored to compensate for outdoor temperature changes. Therefore, gasoline should be purchased within one or two months of its intended use. Otherwise hard starting or vapor locking may occur if outdoor temperatures have changed significantly since the last purchase.

If you should experience a decrease in engine performance immediately following a recent gasoline purchase or observe any water or haze in the gasoline, the gasoline has probably been contaminated, and you should consider switching to another gasoline dealer or brand.

Q. How can Tanaka Perfect Mix accommodate my other brands of power equipment that require a different ratio than 50:1?
A. Oil is a blend of components. The bulk of it is a base stock, which is oil, but its primary purpose is not to lubricate, but rather to blend with, and carry, additives that provide specific functions. The most important additive is the one that provides the lubricity. Some people refer to this additive as "bright-stock". The base oil also can blend with and carry other additives designed to accomplish different things. For example, quality oils have an additive that helps maintain the integrity of the gasoline should it be stored as mixed fuel for extended periods. Another additive may help reduce exhaust smoke.

Oil took on a marketing theme many years ago. A company who made brand A product also sells oil. How do they protect their oil business and prevent customers from buying the competitors oil? Let's say for the sake of argument that an oil blend requires X amount of the lubricity additive to adequately run an engine. The manufacturer would then formulate an oil blend with the amount of additives to reach that level when mixed at the odd ratio they prescribe for their product. As you've seen, there are 16:1, 25:1, 32:1, 40:1 42:1, 50:1, etc. However, if you analyzed these oils, you'd find very similar amounts of the actual ingredients needed to provide the life allowing lubricity (even at these odd ratios). This has been a very effective way of convincing a customer who bought a unit requiring two cycle oil to buy their brand of oil. Who wants to take a chance on a $500 machine?? If it says 42:1, the customer assumes he needs to seek out a 42:1 oil.

Tanaka Perfect Mix is what's referred to as a one-mix oil. The oil is formulated so that when mixed at 50:1, or 2.6 ounces per gallon of fuel, it contains enough of the life-giving additives to work in any of these engines. Additionally, it goes a long way in simplifying the mixing of the oil with the self measuring bottle. There are other one-mix types of oil that mix at a ratio of 100:1. Most people would look at that and think that there simply isn't enough oil to allow the engine to survive, but again, it's not the amount of base stock that is the important issue. It's what is contained within the blend. Their blend has higher percentage of the additive than does an oil that mixes at 25:1.

One consideration to all of this is that some engines are simply not well made. Typically products sold through mass-merchandisers such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc. sell products designed for very low performance and limited engine life. They differ considerably in construction, using stamped connecting rods, non-plated cylinders, bushings where bearings belong, etc. These engines will not survive for extended periods with any oil - they're simply not designed to. In many cases, if a customer gets less than 50 hours of operation from such an engine, then the product has met the objective of the manufacturer. Oil cannot overcome quality / design issues to that extent.

This can be a very confusing situation, and the engine industry has to take the blame for complicating the issue. We would like to take a little credit for simplifying it.


Troubleshooting / Maintenance
Q. My owners manual mentions cleaning the carbon from the exhaust port and tail pipe of my machine. Is there anything I can do to avoid it, and what is the process?
A.  When the fuel hits the hot exhaust port and muffler, it carbonizes on those parts. Excessive build up of the carbon will not allow the engine to properly pump the exhaust gases through the system. The result is an engine that will have compromised running characteristics. Sometimes idling, but not accelerating, or in extreme situations not running at all.
Inspect the actual tail pipe or exit of the muffler. There is usually a spark arrestor screen that is the first to experience the build up. If it is clogged remove it an clean it with a wire brush. If it is severely clogged the exhaust port may be also. Cleaning the exhaust port requires that the muffler be removed. The port should be scraped with something that will not harm the aluminum cylinder a popsicle stick works good. When re-fitting the muffler a new gasket should be installed to ensure a good seal.

Q.  Lately my engine has been getting harder to start. What is the most common cause of hard starting and is it something I can check for?
A.  These machines don't pump gas from the tank. The diaphragm carburetors only facilitate moving the gas form the carburetor to the cylinder. The unit relies on pressure in the fuel tank to force gas to the carburetor. The tanks are designed to build about 2 PSI. If they exceed that amount, the pressure is relieved via a pop-off vent. The vent can either be built into the tank cap, or some models have a remote vent that sticks up from the top of the tank. Gasoline, like pop in a can, expands with heat and agitation. If the tank is unable to completely seal, then it will always be at atmospheric pressure and the engine will have symptoms of fuel starvation.

There is an easy way to check for proper fuel pressure/flow. With the tank about two-thirds full and the cap properly tightened, shake the machine to agitate the gas. Then carefully remove the fuel feed line from the carburetor. (Be careful as you do this because the pressure could be considerable and can shoot for a couple of feet some times). Loosening the cap will equalize the pressure in the tanks and the gas will stop flowing. Until the unit passes this test, running conditions will be compromised usually in the form of top end acceleration, but sometimes to the extent that the unit will not run unless fuel is directly introduced into the carburetor or cylinder.

Grass Trimmers
Q. What is the correct way to start a Tanaka trimmer (trigger lock style)
A. To start a cold engine, squeeze throttle lever and apply the trigger lock. This locks the throttle open 1/4. Push the primmer purge bulb several times (5 or 6) and place the choke lever in closed position. Pull the starter till engine fires then move choke lever to mid-position, then move it to the fully open position. Let the engine run at idle for a few seconds and you should be good to go. If you still have problems, please contact our technical service manager, Dalton Elmer, at 1-888-482-6252 x201

Q. RE: Gearbox Maintenance: How do I clean out what is left of the current grease?
A. You just need to clean out the majority of the grease. Whatever residual is left over won’t make any measurable difference.

Q. How do I add more line to my 5" semi-automatic trimmer head?
A. Click here or go to our owner's manuals section for cutting heads.

Q. What is the voltage on the batteries for Auto-Start trimmers?
A. The voltage for the AST-7000 and battery pack (BP-7000) is 7.2 volts DC. The AST-7000S, AST-5000, TS-720, and battery pack (BP-5000) is 4.8 volts DC.


Hedge Trimmers
Q. What type of oil should I use to lubricate hedge trimmer blades?
A. We recommend Fluid Film, but just about any type of oil will work on the blades. The oil not only lubricates the reciprocating blades, but it also prevents sap build-up on them. It greatly reduces the demand of the engine and gear box. In general, apply it before and after use. However, if you are using it for extended periods of time, it doesn't hurt to stop occasionally and spray them down. Let the oil seep between the blades and the guide bar.


Blowers
Q. Can I add a shredder blade to my THB-2510 handheld blower?
A. Yes you can. Units prior to S/N V260836 require Shredder Blade Kit #127.31850.00. Units after S/N V260836 require just the blade #128.3185A.20.


Resources
Q. How can I get the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Tanaka two-cycle oil?
A. Click here to view the PDF file or go to the manuals landing page.

Q. How can I get a copy of the Tanaka Product Registration Form?
A. Click here to view the PDF file or call us to order the form (#22110)