Biodiesel in a Deere

[Flatlandfarmer]

I'm not much of an expert on diesels, so bear with me. Based on what I read on the John Deere website all JD engines can use biodiesel. If they have exhaust filters, B5 is preferred but up to B20 is acceptable. If they don't have exhaust filters, B20 is fine and up to B100 is OK if it's "permitted by law and meets the EN 14214 specification."

First off, how do I know which model JD has or does not have an exhaust filter? Is it a production year range?

Second, why would "permitted by law" be an issue? My understanding is, biodiesel is lower in emission than petrodiesel. That seems like it would be a good thing, not an illegal thing.

I understand that the higher percentage of bio, the lower performance. (Up to 12% loss with B100.) But I like the idea of lower emissions. Not sure if this is like Volkswagen, where their new TDI clean diesels can use up to 5% biodiesel but their pre-2006 "dirty" diesels can run on 100% biodiesel, or if I'm completely missing something.

Thanks!

 

[jaotguy]

different "particulants" or types of carbon from dino or bio ... newer systems are set up to process dino diesel.

older diesels burn bio no problem ... newer ones will not clean the "regen" system properly on bio.

bio can also soften SOME fuels lines / injection pump seals as well as "cleaning " the fuel tank of any built up scum .... which ends up in the filters ....

it isn't a matter of burning cleaner ( lower emissions ) ... diesels burn clean if in proper tune... usually cleaner than cars of the same age ...

bio was supposed to help stretch the fuel reserves , because diesels can burn almost any oil ... sunflower / flax/ corn / soya / animal fat/ etc ...
but it does impact the type of tailpipe particulates ...

 

[vtsnowedin]

My plan is to run 100% petroleum diesel as long as I can get it. It is what the engine was designed around. When and if I have to I'll switch and if that meant taking off a filter (I'm not tier 4 so don't have any I know of) I will at that time. I also vote against any politician that has voted for any bio fuel mandates or subsidies every chance I get.

 

[Fossil Farm]

The newest edition of Successful Farming has an article on biodiesel. It is available online under their "Features" section. Just the basics of biodiesel, but may help out a bit. Written by Ray Bohacz.

 

[motownbrowne]

For me the appeal of biodiesel is in engines that are running a lot, ie a car or truck running down the highway. I wouldn't put it in my tractor because I'll likely use less than 200 gallons in a year and would rather use Dino diesel because it's known to be less problematic in terms of algae growth and acidity.

If I had a diesel truck that I drove as much as the gasser I have now (drove it to NH and back as well as CA, WA and back in 2013), I'd probably be running b99 or doing a veggie oil conversion.

 

[jaotguy]

I'd probably be doing a veggie oil conversion.

EEEKKK !!!! have you ever seen the nozzles after running straight VEG or WVO ? the cost of the replacement nozzles will offset any cost savings unless you shut down and fire up on regular dino diesel oil .... ... ( dual system is needed )

WVO conversions WILL destroy your injection pump and that's a good chunk of change wasted ...

if it is an old machine ( and parts are a dime a dozen ) and you don't care ... go right ahead ...

 

[mfreund]

Watch out for biodiesel in the winter in your tractor. I would use regular diesel from August on. Bio gels MUCH higher than regular.

 

[Redneck in training]

I was doing a job for an underground mine somewhere in Canada many years ago. Guys told me that they converted all vehicles operating underground to 100% bio. In the beginning it was a disaster because all the scum from the tanks clogged fuel lines, filters you name it. But after all was cleaned the quality of air underground improved so much that they will go back to normal diesel only if there is no other choice. They use soya based fuel.
I also met a guy who farms in CA. All his tractors run on frying oil collected from restaurants. Don't know details how he does that.

 

[jaotguy]

filtration , filtration , filtration ... settling and more filtration .... and he will still end up coking his injectors and wrecking the injector pumps ... little by little , but it will happen .....

WVO still has dissolved animal fats ( and ACIDS ) in the mix ... that will not be removed by filtration ....
the acids attack the aluminum pump parts and the injectors will burn a coating of fats on the tips till they don't atomize properly ... short term gain for long term pain....

BIO processing gets rid of the acids and fat ( if done properly ) but remains slightly "base" ( soapy ) if not neutralized correctly ... the soap cleans the tanks and lines ,,, the crud ends up in the filters ....

if you love your diesels , most BIO is OK in warmer climates ,, WVO is a no no anytime.

 

[motownbrowne]

EEEKKK !!!! have you ever seen the nozzles after running straight VEG or WVO ? the cost of the replacement nozzles will offset any cost savings unless you shut down and fire up on regular dino diesel oil .... ... ( dual system is needed )

WVO conversions WILL destroy your injection pump and that's a good chunk of change wasted ...

if it is an old machine ( and parts are a dime a dozen ) and you don't care ... go right ahead ...

IF I were ever to burn wvo in a vehicle, it would be finely filtered and burned in an old 7.3 idi or 12v Cummins that started up and shut down on Dino. In that situation, I could save cash on long trips, which I do too many of. At this point, I'm sticking with my gasser. Paid 2k for it, and it looks like it'll be sticking around a while.

Don't worry, I wouldn't ever put that stuff anywhere near a nice new diesel motor.