As a result of our researches into reduction of exhaust emissions for small utility two-stroke engines which are widely used for handheld equipment such as a brush cutter and a hedge trimmer, we here discuss how much exhaust emissions can be reduced with only minor modifications of an engine.
For the purpose of reducing emissions, we evaluated the effects of exhaust timing retard and of enleanment of carburetor mixture on mass emissions using the existing 25cc two-stroke engine, which emits high levels of HC and CO, and substantially low levels of NOx. We attained great reduction of HC and CO.
The power output, however, dropped and both the plug seat and the exhaust gas temperatures rose, which would detract the practicability of the engine. But we solved the problems by modifying the combustion chamber and the exhaust port shape, keeping the emissions reduced as mentioned above.