Enviros trying to ban our Kubotas?

[wdn]

Saw an article today that some pseudo government watchdog group is claiming off road diesel engines (that's us, boys) cause the premature death of 8,500 people a year.

I encourage everyone here to read this tripe, and ask yourself if a couple gallons a week of diesel to get your chores done is killing anybody. Then pick up a pen & write your Congressmen or give them a call. Last thing we need is some watchdog group trying to legislate our tractors out of existence.

<http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020608/ap_on_go_pr_wh/diesel_pollution_1>

 

[wdn]

Here is the gist of it:

'The study concludes emissions from engines used in diesel-powered vehicles and equipment such as bulldozers, portable generators and tractors should be toughly regulated because of their role in the premature deaths and an estimated $67 billion in health care costs annually. The health costs result from problems such as asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis and emergency room visits.'

 

[GlueGuy]

You're sounding a bit too much like chicken little here. The word "ban" was not used once in this article. Rather the issue was that off-road diesel engines are essentially unregulated, and that they emit a lot of goo into the air.

Kubota is quite proud of the cleanness of their engines (for example). IMO, if other manufacturers did much the same clean-up of their engines as Kubota does, this whole issue could be handled. However, they probably won't, and they will eventually get regulated (one bad apple theory).

 

[TresCrows]

If the 8,500 deaths would include lawyers and enviro-natzis and career politicians we should all be better off. I think I am going to go burn some diesel just for them right now. This is not a "free" country anymore. J

 

[Carl_NH]

A few points;

Diesel as we have it here is dirty - the European's have cleaner lower sulfer diesel resulting in lower emissions, the largest opponent to this is the industry saying it "costs More" as well truck operations the won't bear the cost. Also, new reg's coming into play in Oct 2002 have set a objectives for a new cleaner engine for the long haul trucks, mandated by govt. Well, as it is today all major long haul co's are upgrading the fleet with new trucks before this takes effect. Also to note that Cat has asked for an extension to the regs to come into compliance with a reliable proven engine.

We have little to be concerned about at the as regulations on diesel tend to focus on the long haul trucks at the present time, plus the Kubota diesels are some of the best if not beter than the truck engines for emissions.

carl

 

[chim]

Sounds a little odd. We had a couple of projects in PA Turnpike tunnels. Gasoline engines were not allowed to be used for anything inside the tunnels, but diesels were OK. According to whomever was in control of air quality, the diesel exhaust was a lot more "people friendly" than that from gasoline engines..............chim

 

[Carl_NH]

Thats likely due to carbon monoxide created by the gas buring engine.

For more info on the latest regulations as well technical details go to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dieselnet.com>http://www.dieselnet.com</A>

Carl

 

[BHarrison]

When they stop launching the space shuttle because of emissions, then I might listen to what they have to say. I'm with TresCrows, I think I'll go clean my carb with some ATF now.

 

[k8ny]

Hey GlueGuy,
Don't be so naive. Even if specific corporations such as Kubota et al have clean burning engines, how will the EPA regulate ALL the companies that manufacture diesels? Very simply, increase the DIESEL FUEL TAX so everyone shares the burden across the board. That's what they've done in the past and that's what will continue in the future. So rather than $1.50 or so per gal expect to see upwards of $3.00 per gal in the near future.
As an example, take a look at the battery market recently. D cells that used to sell 4 for $1.00 are now selling around a buck apiece. Quadruple in a matter of 10 years, all because of the enviros getting their way.
Beware of the Gore's and Waxman's of the world, they despise working folk and are interestred only in their 'Special Interest'!
That's what the article alludes to.

 

[JoeR]

More people die from medical malpractice than most other hazards; therefore, if you end up in the hospital due to diesel machines, then you may die from malpractice while you are in the hospital.

Hmmm... I wonder how many people cut themselves in the kitchen with sharp knives? Let's ban sharp knives /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif!!!

Joe R.