So I'm having a very newbie (which I am) issue in checking the oil level in my snowblower. This weekend I put gas in the snowblower, ran it for a bit to warm up the oil, then drained the oil (I think I got it all out but not 100% sure). I then started filling it from a new 1 qt (32 ounce) bottle. The manual says it takes 18 - 20 ounces, and to "fill tube to raise the oil level to the Full mark on the dipstick." I therefore figured I'd need just over half the bottle. I put in half the bottle to start, and then checked the dipstick. Here's where I have an issue. No matter how careful I am, there's (I guess) so much oil on the sides of the tube, that the whole dipstick basically gets oil on it as it goes in and out. It's nearly impossible for me to figured out if the oil level is at the full mark on the dipstick or not. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I have a 214 John deer mower that sat for over 10 years. I’ve gotten it to spark and I’m thinking I can get it running. The manual says 30wt oil. Is it ok to use 10w 30 synthetic oil? I bought 30 wt non detergent oil but I’m wondering if I can use synthetic? Is there mower specific synthetic oil I can use? I read somewhere about the valves being on top needing some sort of something in the oil.