Billy Goat makes high quality lawn care equipment, but even the best built machines will break if they aren’t taken care of. These tips will help you keep your Billy Goat running reliably for years to come.
Fuel
Modern fuel degrades quickly. Ethanol will separate from gasoline over time, and it’s hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture. On the other hand, ethanol-free fuels don’t benefit from the additive’s solvent abilities, allowing it to lacquer fuel lines and carburetors, turning them into a sticky mess. Regardless of which fuel you use, it should be treated with a fuel stabilizer if it’s stored for more than a month. Even when treated, fuel should be disposed of if it’s more than three months old.
Oil
Without oil to lubricate the inside of your Billy Goat’s engine, metal to metal contact will quickly wear down and overheat internal components, causing them to fail. The oil level should always be checked before putting your equipment to work. Move the unit to a flat area to ensure an accurate reading. Some engines need to be checked with the dipstick fully inserted, while others need to be checked after being inserted without being threaded back into the oil sump. Check the engine owner’s manual to see which method is needed for your motor.
Air Filter
The engine in your Billy Goat will use a paper element, foam element, or a combination of the two.
Paper air filters can be cleaned by knocking them against a hard surface to remove dust trapped between the fins, or blown out using low pressure (30 psi) compressed air. Most low force air guns fall under this limit. Never brush the filter material, as this can force dirt into the filter medium, decreasing air flow.
Foam filters are designed to be used when saturated with oil. When replacing a foam filter, soak it in clean engine oil and squeeze out any excess before putting it in the air box. When cleaning the filter, use a non-flammable solvent or warm water and a mild detergent to wash out dirt and old oil and let the medium dry completely before re-oiling.
When cleaning your air filter, don’t forget to wipe out any dust in the filter box. Some cyclone boxes can be disassembled for a more thorough cleaning: since the cyclone separates out large particles before they reach the filter, they get dirty faster than a standard box.
Cleaning
The fins on the engine need to be clean to remove heat, and the rest of the device needs to be cleaned to allow parts to move freely and keep moisture from gathering and promoting rust. Using a pressure washer is fine so long as it doesn’t touch the engine: this can force water into the air filter and crankcase, mixing with the oil and possibly causing hydrolocking. This can destroy the motor’s internal components.
The bag on a litter or lawn vacuum collects debris by letting air flow through the pores while trapping larger material in the fabric. The bag should occasionally be cleaned in soap and water and allowed to dry to ensure those pores flow freely. If they’re clogged, performance will suffer and more stress will be put on the engine and impeller.
Lubrication for Movement and Rust Prevention
Cables and pivot points should be coated in silicone lubricant at least once a season to keep them moving and inhibit rust. Other exposed metal parts should get a thin coating of oil to prevent contact with water. There are a variety of spray lubricants on the market that are ideal for this, as well as water displacers like WD-40. Always oil your equipment before putting it in storage for the off-season.
Check the Fasteners
A loose bolt can cause parts to come off, which can be extremely dangerous, but even if it stays on, the extended movement can damage the part it’s holding. Vibrations from operation will gradually loosen the bolts on your machine, so it’s best to check everything at least once per season. Thankfully, Billy Goat includes exploded parts diagrams in their manuals, so it’s easy to find every bolt, washer and nut on your machine. Fasteners on large rotating masses like impellers will need to be set to a specific torque. These specifications can also be found in your equipment manual.
Get the Right Parts for Your Billy Goat
When you need to replace a part, get an OEM replacement designed for your machine at www.billygoatparts.com. We’re a certified dealer for Billy Goat and the engines used to power their equipment including Honda, Kohler, Subaru and Briggs & Stratton, so we have everything you need to keep it running. Lost the manual for your device? We have complete manuals for older models online.
