Biofuels

[Lilguy]

Took my 31 year old l2250 in for a Rops install before selling. Talked to service tech about what problems he sees with new models, Im shopping new B2650.
He spoke of the tier4 issues on the larger tractors and the front axle seal leaks
that I have on my old tractor and they still have issues on new rigs. The one issues he brought up was for me to try and stay away from biodiesel. He's dealing with long term running problems. Especially after long storage.
What is anyones personal take on Biodiesel. My rigs go into storage in November and come out in April. Never had an issue with my two mid 1980 Kubota's

Not easy to find straight diesel around me, maybe truck stop?

 

[dodge man]

I've been running bio diesel almost all the time in my BX. It hard to find diesel without in my area unless you buy bulk. I've had problems with filters plugging in the winter but it's a common problem on the BX's. I've upgraded my filter and haven't had problems since.

 

[adventure bob]

Im a home brewer and there's lots of problems with Bio, none caused by the bio, but by handling and storage and manufacture.
Storage method and age is the primary issue when you get it and put it in your new tractor with piezo electric injectors. Bio oxidizes over time into some nasty components and some particulates. If you get homebrew, there are a lot of people making it, but not a lot making it right.

If you get fresh bio, tested to ASTM 6751 its no issue.

 

[dodge man]

The nice thing about older diesels, most aren't high pressure common rails and the injectors are pretty forgiving.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The garbage here is holding so much water and it is rusting all my fuel senders and filter end plates. Put water traps on everything.

David

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Bio makes a purple sludge in the colder climates that coats everything from the fuel tank up to the injector tip and is bad news trying to get off. I refuse to run bio.

 

[MHarryE]

I have a M1e5GX and had my first fuel filter blockage at 843 hours. The 3rd of 4 filters was black - often referred to as bio diesel filter blockage sludge. So I was stopped, dead, in the field. However my manual says the filter should have been replaced at 800 hours. Was it a bio problem? Was it due to my being so interested in working that I didn't change filters as set out in the manual? I live in MN which I believe has the highest bio diesel percentage requirement in the country, in part to aid oil seed farmers such as myself.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

All diesel in Oregon is B5 minimum and most auto pumps are going B20 hold on for the crap to start hitting the fan.

David

 

[oosik]

Hmmm - here in NE WA I have not been able to find biodiesel. Guess, so far, we are just fortunate.

 

[adventure bob]

Eric, I'm trying to figure out what inherently in biodiesel produces a purple sludge. Cant find an algae that would do that. Maybe they're treating with something. Most algae's that live in the water in bio don't do well in colder climates either. How cold are we talking? ND cold? 40 below? or CO cold 15-20 deg?
Again, I would argue, and there's plenty of lit out there that shows its generally not the bio its the handling and storage.