Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Mowers, viscosity oil, air cooled engines

Question
Hello Fellow Colleague,

I had a question on a mower.  Mowers can use any type of oil can't they?  That is a rhetorical question hahahahahahaha.  Ofcourse they can.  Apparently I didn't really need an answer after all.

Thanks for the help

Cletus  

Answer
It depends on the temperature.

Air cooled engines run hotter and heat up faster than liquid cooled engines.  I have had customers run mulit-viscosity oil during the summer which led to premature engine failer...their engines only lasted 5-6 years where as engine using staight  SAE-30 oil lasted twice as long.

Does this answer your question?
Eric