Comparison Gasoline vs. Diesel

BigBlockHead · Jan 25, 2011

Fair questions.
For the sake of argument, let's say the gas engine was sized by matching peak torque with the diesel and then the top end was trimmed to bring max power down to match, 35hp in this case. The rated speed for the gas is at 3000 RPM, same as the diesel in our fairy tale scenario. This results in performance of the gas engine being very similar to that of the diesel. It also results in a larger displacement (thirstier) gas engine to do the same work as a similarly rated diesel, as has been astutely pointed out in previous comments. The real data needed is the bsfc of each and if I could see into 2013 I'd give you that. Let's say the burn rate of the gasser is 15% above the diesel at rated PTO speed. What does the purchase price spread have to be for the gasser to be feasible?

ccsial · Jan 25, 2011

I know there are gas powered lawn and garden tractors but does anyone still make a gas CUT?

Car Doc · Jan 25, 2011

I would probably buy a slightly used tractor rather than buy into the new emissions technology right off or buy the new one now before hand.

Especially if you are talking CUT sized equipment it could get more expensive than you realize once its been operated awhile look at Ford diesel pickups what they cost to maintain just my 2c.

cdaigle430 · Jan 25, 2011

I will avoid buying small gas engines only because of the ethonal crap.

oldballs · Jan 25, 2011

Well, here's a non-engineer take on it. Anything over 20 HP all else being equal, as stated by Block Head, I'd go diesel in tractor equipment. And I'll bet the price spread (new) on the two wouldn't be that great using state-of-the-art manufacturing and regulations. Thus the choice would be based on the individual's climate and other specific reasons.

RobertN · Jan 25, 2011

Wonder how the price would be? I think a lot of specualtion herer is based on the diesel option in pickup, which are $$$$$

oldballs said:
Well, here's a non-engineer take on it. Anything over 20 HP all else being equal, as stated by Block Head, I'd go diesel in tractor equipment. And I'll bet the price spread (new) on the two wouldn't be that great using state-of-the-art manufacturing and regulations. Thus the choice would be based on the individual's climate and other specific reasons.

MossRoad · Jan 25, 2011

I had a late 70's IH2500b tractor loader. It weighed about 8000 pounds, had an HST transmission, 50 PTO horse power and was strong enough to knock over 12" trees by just driving up to them, putting the bucket against it and driving forward. It had a gas engine. So, gas can do the job. Especially on an HST machine, where you run the engine at a constant RPM, at the peak of the engine's torque curve.

The thing was 30 years old and had thousands of hours on it. Still worked hard. 50PTO HP is 50PTO HP no matter if it is diesel or gas.

My current machine is a hydraulically articulated loader with HST drive and powered by a 25HP Kohler gas engine. It seems to work just fine for me.

Soundguy · Jan 25, 2011

ditto that..

soundguy

Soundguy · Jan 25, 2011

MossRoad said:
I had a late 70's IH2500b tractor loader. It weighed about 8000 pounds, had an HST transmission, 50 PTO horse power and was strong enough to knock over 12" trees by just driving up to them, putting the bucket against it and driving forward. It had a gas engine. So, gas can do the job. Especially on an HST machine, where you run the engine at a constant RPM, at the peak of the engine's torque curve.

The thing was 30 years old and had thousands of hours on it. Still worked hard. 50PTO HP is 50PTO HP no matter if it is diesel or gas.

My current machine is a hydraulically articulated loader with HST drive and powered by a 25HP Kohler gas engine. It seems to work just fine for me.

i hear ya.. I've had the chance to work on a 5000 gasser. pretty sure those were the older 233ci engines. big powerfull.. hungry.. just a lil more hp than that machine you were working with.. but can imagine the gas consumption when making that hp on a steady basis.. like mowing with a large mower.. etc..

Gittyup · Jan 25, 2011

$1500 difference, probably not. $3000 difference, would get me to looking at the very least. Fuel consumption is not a real consideration. It's inconsequential for the average user, cost wise.