2-stroke engine V.S 4-stroke engine

The difference between 2-stroke engine V.S 4-stroke engine

Small engine used in assorted tools and machine , for example: brush cutter、sprayer、hedge trimmer、pole saw、auger…… When you choosing various brand and model, probably the most frequency question to be ask is : do you want 2-stroke engine or 4-stroke engine? people who don’t familiar with machinery may be full of doubts.

(Related Reading: https://www.trimmer.com.tw/tw/learn/8.html)

In the market, 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine brands contend, amount them the most marketable brand is still a Japanese brand.

2-stroke:Mitsubishi、Kawasaki、Zenoah

4-stroke:Honda

Below we will introduce the difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines in a few points.

1.Power

2. Weight

3. Fuel consumption

 4.Price

Below, we will start compare 2-stroke and 4-stroke brush cutter:

1. Power

The power source of the 2-stroke engine is that the piston ascends from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, and the two actions complete the four actions of intake, compression, ignition and exhaust.

Compare with the 2-stroke engine and the 4-stroke engine, the four separate actions of intake, compression, ignition and exhaust complete one power output.

In theory, a 2-stroke engine should output twice as much power as a 4-stroke, but in reality it's only about 1.5 times as much.

2.Weight

Same as above, in order to complete the more complex movements, the 4-stroke engine has a more complex overall internal structure, so the weight is heavier. According to different engine cc number, the weight difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines can be roughly made into the following table:

Under the same cc number, the 4-stroke engine is about 0.5 kg heavier than the 2-stroke engine.

3.Fuel consumption

Under prolonged use, fuel consumption is one of the main point that many people will consider,4-stroke engine use more steps for power output, therefore combustion is more complete, environmentally friendly and with less exhaust gas. Fuel consumption is also half of 2-stroke engine

4.Price

Repeat again, 4-stroke’s price is higher due to complex structure.

Almost 20% higher than 2-stroke engine or so.

Summarize:

The 2-stroke engine and the 4-stroke engine have their own advantages and disadvantages. In many cases, the choice of the engine is still based on the consumer's usage habits and operation familiarity.