Comparison Gas Tractors

[wsessions1005]

I'm a diesel tractor person but I would like to do a experiment with a gas tractor. I am going to convert it to run on 100% ethanol. I will be growing and producing all of my fuel. My question is what is a good gas tractor to try this on. I want something strong (in the 50hp range) reliable and has parts readily available.

Thanks in advance.

 

[arlen4720]

A John Deere 3020 would be a great. An Allis wd-45 would also be good, but is only 45 hp or so.
Both of them are pretty bulletproof, and would have good parts availability.

 

[flusher]

An International Harvester Farmall 460 gasser would work for your needs.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5389537

Check the Case/IH website for parts availability.

Good luck.

 

[wsessions1005]

Thanks for the input I did a quick Internet search of both of them. The 3020 seems to be very abundant but the wd45 is easy on the pocketbook. I am going to keep looking.

 

[motownbrowne]

The allis mentioned above will be cheap. So would the international, though not quite so cheap. The Deere will be in a different price range, even as a gasser. I'd be looking at internationals, or a 600, 800, or thousand series Ford. Good luck with your project!

 

[wsessions1005]

I just don't want to spend a lot of money on a tractor I could potentially destroy running 100% ethanol.

 

[The Fred]

I doubt anything with 6-1 compression ratio will be destroyed.

You need to jet the carb up for the thinner fuel. I believe 100% ethanol runs about 9-1 A/F ratio, not 14.7 like real gasoline.

Good luck and with gas now at 2 bucks a gallon have fun, Fred

 

[RKJeepXJ]

Some of the old international or massey gasses can be found pretty cheap and parts should not be a problem.

 

[Opti-Mist]

Ford manufactured them (4000 series) in Brazil starting back in the 1970's. The rubber fuel system components of the day were the most vulnerable to reacting with ethanol and failing. Today's systems don't suffer that fate.

 

[wsessions1005]

I doubt anything with 6-1 compression ratio will be destroyed.

You need to jet the carb up for the thinner fuel. I believe 100% ethanol runs about 9-1 A/F ratio, not 14.7 like real gasoline.

Good luck and with gas now at 2 bucks a gallon have fun, Fred

Fred this experiment is not about saving money. The experiment is to see if I can grow enough corn and produce enough ethanol to be independent and support my primary garden.