Good news for gardeners. Bad news for dealers (and oil companies)?  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that  Briggs & Stratton  has developed a new engine for lawnmowers that can go virtually for the lifespan of a mower without needing an oil change.

The technology is a tightly sealed air filter that blocks out dirt, which could sully the oil, and a new cooling fan and engine design that funnels exhaust heat away from the oil, so that it doesn’t break down.

Briggs developed the engine in response to research that found consumers generally understand that regularly changing the oil can extend the lawnmower’s lifespan, but they don’t always follow through because it’s a messy task that involves draining and throwing away the spent oil.

According to the report, the new engine is likely to appeear on products in the US this Spring.

B & S have recently been very active in the development of new products. It's R&D team reports directly to CEO Todd Teske which has partly led to a flurry of new products, including the new engine that doesn’t require an oil change, a quieter lawnmower motor, and an engine that doesn’t leak fuel or oil when stored on its side.