Bio Diesel- any issues?

[thunderworks]

A new gas station has opened in town selling Bio diesel fuel. There are 5 different grades, apparently differing in the amount of "bio" in the mix. The more the mix contains "bio" ingredients, the more viscous it is (only an issue in cold weather). Are there issues with this fuel for my tractors. I have an old Ford 4610 and a Kubota L5030. I have been reluctant to try it, but maybe it's fine . . . The fuel sells for approximately .60 less per gallon than standard diesel.

TIA

 

[SCDolphin]

I use the 20% bio in my new tractor and F250 and I love it. It burns with a nice "near fried food smell" It seems greasier than standard diesel. I have had 0 problems and love it.

My question if the tractor or truck sits up for a while will the bio degrade??

 

[megaboz]

This article may make you think twice about running Bio-diesel. Biodiesel Blending Techniques Key to Quality Fuel - Biodiesel Magazine

Basically it explains different methods that Bio-diesel is blended. Just like with everything else, if it sin't blended properly, you could ahve issues with your tractor. Since Kubota only says that B5 is safe, you could be asking for trouble. Check with the store to find out where they get the stuff from. National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org - www.nbb.org This sight has some good info and links to more sights with addtional info about standards/regulations/red tape...well you get the picture. Also, this link http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelqualityguide/states.aspx will tell you about the testing, who does what, and when. If you are going to run it, you want to make sure you get good stuff. No one wants to see their Orange baby turn green.

Yes bio-diesel will degrade, when mixed with dino-diesel will not degrade as quickly. I do not remember at what percentages of blends does it become more stable, but B100 (100% bio) will start to degrade I think in about 6 months.

 

[Ductape]

I'm running some bio in my 3030 now. Not sure of the percentage since i added it to a partially full tank. There is enough to make the exhaust smell good though. I've been running it all summer with no ill effects.

 

[TexasSD]

I make biodiesel and run it 100% in my Kubota. The only issues I've had is the amount of water in my first few batches because they weren't dried enough.

 

[BigD23]

I make biodiesel and run it 100% in my Kubota. The only issues I've had is the amount of water in my first few batches because they weren't dried enough.

You make biodiesel? That sounds Interesting.. Care to share the "recipe"?

Don

 

[Yankee Clipper]

Tex,

The only downside of biodiesel to the fuel system is the black fuel black hoses will tend to soften and may partially collapse.

Many people are running 100% but best results have been had with a blend - Kubota policy is 5% but only issue so far is the above mentioned fuel hoses.

Good luck!

 

[bandit67]

How old is your 5030? That will be the deciding factor. Don't use biodiesel in the old Ford, as it most likely had rubber hoses. The newer fuel hoses are nitrile (I believe) and are resistant to the biodiesel.

If your 5030 owners manual says you can use B5, then the hoses are fine, and you could theoretically run 100% biodiesel with no issues. The reason the engine manufacturers are only approving B5 is (1) the potential variations in biodiesel quality, and (2) the manufacturers may not have had the chance to test higher percentages of biodiesel, though I believe most of them have tested all the way up to B100.

For example, Case IH, being a big farm machinery company, is really promoting biodiesel use in their equipment, but they are the only ones at this point promoting up to 100% biodiesel in at least some of their equipment.

Be sure the biodiesel fuel you are considering meets the ASTM D6751 biodiesel standard. There are many "backyard brewers" out there selling to independent fuel stations. Chances are, the supplier to the station you refer to, is a bigger supplier if they are able to offer 5 different blends, and is offering a good quality fuel, but the key is that it meets the ASTM standard.

If I could get biodiesel at a reasonable price, I'd run B100 in the summer and B20 in the winter in both my tractor and my truck. I've run it in my previous tractor, and ran it for 18 months in my Powerstroke a few years back and loved it. Unfortunately, the greedy Biodiesel manufacturer raised their prices into the stratosphere, and I refuse to pay $5.75 a gallon for B20 & $6 for B100 - $4.50 for regular diesel is bad enough as it is.

 

[ozzie tractor]

How old is your 5030? That will be the deciding factor. Don't use biodiesel in the old Ford, as it most likely had rubber hoses. The newer fuel hoses are nitrile (I believe) and are resistant to the biodiesel.

If your 5030 owners manual says you can use B5, then the hoses are fine, and you could theoretically run 100% biodiesel with no issues. The reason the engine manufacturers are only approving B5 is (1) the potential variations in biodiesel quality, and (2) the manufacturers may not have had the chance to test higher percentages of biodiesel, though I believe most of them have tested all the way up to B100.

For example, Case IH, being a big farm machinery company, is really promoting biodiesel use in their equipment, but they are the only ones at this point promoting up to 100% biodiesel in at least some of their equipment.

Be sure the biodiesel fuel you are considering meets the ASTM D6751 biodiesel standard. There are many "backyard brewers" out there selling to independent fuel stations. Chances are, the supplier to the station you refer to, is a bigger supplier if they are able to offer 5 different blends, and is offering a good quality fuel, but the key is that it meets the ASTM standard.

If I could get biodiesel at a reasonable price, I'd run B100 in the summer and B20 in the winter in both my tractor and my truck. I've run it in my previous tractor, and ran it for 18 months in my Powerstroke a few years back and loved it. Unfortunately, the greedy Biodiesel manufacturer raised their prices into the stratosphere, and I refuse to pay $5.75 a gallon for B20 & $6 for B100 - $4.50 for regular diesel is bad enough as it is.

deutz is also B100 rates as well. have been for a few years actually.

as for biodiesel i will warn: the white plastic fuel filters on BX's and the like. they sort of melt with bio.

 

[bandit67]

My question if the tractor or truck sits up for a while will the bio degrade??

I've been told by a biodiesel producer who's product meets the ASTM D6751 standard, that it has a 6 month shelf life before it begins degradation.