I have electric ones much easier for me to use.

If you have the owners manual it should tell in there. If not you could get the model # off of it and google it to find out.

If you cant find instructions it may say somewhere on the tool what the mix should be. Both my chainsaw and trimmer use a 40 to 1 mix. Also buy the small bottles of oil (6 oz bottles) that are made for this purpose. Once I mix some up I write on the gas can whats inside so I remeember next time and so I domt use the wrong mix in the wrong tool.
Russ

Pre-mixed oil/fuel containers should be available at your large big-box hardware store.

I have electric everything except the mowers... eve electric chainsaw...I can't pull the rope thingy. mowers have key starters.

there is a new weed wackier from Toro that doesn't need the mixture of gas/oil. Also don't need to pull to get it started.

Suggest you consider switching to electric ones. In the meantime, Google the manufacturer and model number of the tools you are using - you should be able to get the manual and/or specifications on how to use.

Also, never underestimate the power of Youtube - there are a lot of instructional videos on how to use things and on how to repair things. I have done that a lot.

You can also go to wherever you got the equipment - e.g., Home Depot, and ask there, but I would recommend Google for most questions.

Hope that helps.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

My son bought me one with a battery pack, it even came with a leaf blower, I Iove it. Very easy to use.

If you take the make and model in to the hardware store where you are planning to buy the oil, they can look it up and explain it to you. I know you can look on line, but some people look at things differently and for me, it is easier to understand these types of things if you are shown by a person and can say back to them what you have learned. Don't feel embarrassed, this has nothing to do with being widowed or helpless. You are learning how to use a tool you have never used before. If the yardwork feels daunting, you could call your city hall and see if they have referrals for groups who help people so they don't get cited. Last year they referred us to a group that cut down my very overgrown back yard, because kevin was too sick to do it. This year they offered to connect me with a group that would have repaired my fence.

I think our confidence feels low because everything is so hard now and because of that we get self conscious about getting any help. My husband had not been able to do much physically for more than a year and the kids have always been great about doing projects when they visit -replacing the garbage disposal, doing yard work- but since kevin passed I catch myself feeling self conscious when they do those aame kinds of things.

4 oz of 2 cycle oil to one tank of gas.

Maggie

Last summer when it came time to use the gas powered weed whacker, I could not get it going and even trying to get it repaired was not going to cut it. I replaced it with a 18V Black and Decker weed wacker from Lowes that came with 2 battery pack. I love it because it is not so heavy to maneuver , I don`t have to worry about the electric extension cord (plugging and un plugging for various area of the yard) and the handle can be adjust and also turned to make it a trimmer (forget what it`s called) on the edge of the sidewalk where the grass would grow over.
This spring I got rid of the hand me down self propelled heavy lawn mower that I always found too heavy and was glad to see it gone . I put it on the curb. Replaced it with a light one from Wal-mart. A basic model that does the work just fine without bells and whistles. The oil is separate from the gas.
Someone keeps telling me to hire a service. When I win the lottery from those tickets I never buy, I might do just that!

WOW! Another widow who does repairs and keeps things going. Most of my tools are electric. However, my riding mower is gas. I myself, need to learn to do an oil change. Last year I got ripped off. I had to pay a repairman $450 to sharpen the blades, oil change, and tune up. Like you, I am learning as I go.

I think your wonderful for tacking such tasks! You give hope to women making it on their own.

I too have a battery operated one. The battery does make it sort of heavy though, but I bought it due to the lack of having to deal with the choke/gas/etc on the regular one. I also do not have many electrical outlets around the house to use an electric one. It also helps alleviate the issues with gas corroding the tank.

Just want to thank you for the advice & opinions. I did find some oil & gas mixture type stuff at Sears. But still had problems with the weedwacker & leaf blower. Tomorrow getting the lawnmower blades sharpen. Sure hope I don't get ripped off like lost & feeling alone did. Thanks again everyone :)

Usually it imprinted on the gas cap, or a label is close by.