JD shop foreman says no bio diesel

[Copperhead]

Living in Central Illinois, you probably are going to be hard pressed to find diesel (except in a few select truck stops) that isn't B11. Illinois put a major push on to incorporate biodiesel into virtually all diesel in the state. They have a pretty lucrative tax incentive for distributors to do so.

Other than that, I have not seen biodiesel of less than a B20 blend really have any affect on equipment and trucks I have been around except an increase in changing fuel filters since bio will clean out the residue in the fuel system. You will also find some problems with really old equipment, but then the fuel lines and such are probably of questionable quality anyway due to age.

I have been using various blends up to B20 for quite some time in ag equipment, semi trucks, and an old oil furnace (circa 1975) and have yet to experience a problem.

Oh well... old wive's tales die hard.

 

[Arc Angel]

slavetohorses;
I agree bio has it's drawbacks, but the injector problems come from unwashed or partially washed fuel. I was in OR. last summer talking with a few locals about bio. The topic was injector life, and they would not believe I am on my original set. The thought that they ran 140,000 miles without a rebuild was outlandish. Some are having to change at 10000 to 15000 miles. They also thought me a fool to waste my time washing.
The water that comes out of the first wash is enough to convince me. But to each his own.
Mark

 

[PA hayseed]

The only problems with biodiesel is the lower gel/cloud point, and improper mixing by retailers/distributors. It burns cleaner, and has lubricity. It meets, if spec'd correctly, all the requirements.

Regular fuel oil has to be cut as well to prevent gelling, diesel usually has to be preheated, all the rest of the stuff is fairy tales.

**I do invest in biodiesel companies, but do you own research and read biodiesel magazine and renderer's magazine. They will tell you all the existing issues with biodiesel. You can also read about why you are not using it in home heating oil (not because it isn't any good), and what companies (shocking) are fighting b5 b20 and b100 mandates. Believe me when I say people stand to lose billions if b20 or b100 becomes a reality nationwide. Due to biodiesel's cleaner burning, there are issues with older sensors, older lines, etc., as well as the fact that it will clean alot of the junk out of the system, from the old stuff. But, I am a believer in biofuels, so you may find everything I am telling you to be suspect. Do your own due diligence.

 

[Rara Avis]

Biodiesel Fuel in John Deere Diesel Engines FAQ

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic renewable resources such as soybean oil. It contains no petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend.
As an example, B2 fuel is a blend of 2% biodiesel with 98% petroleum diesel. John Deere has established a set of guidelines for using up to 5% (B5) biodiesel in current products. When using biodiesel, it is important to follow fuel specifications, storage, and proper use guidelines prescribed by John Deere.
What are some of the benefits of using biodiesel?
The use of biodiesel fuel is better for the environment because it痴 made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It痴 also great for the economy since it can be made domestically and decreases our dependence on foreign oil.
In addition, biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and free of sulfur and aromatics.
What is John Deere doing to support biodiesel?
Since 1 March 2005, all Harvester Works combines and Waterloo Works-built tractors have been using B2 biodiesel as the factory fuel fill. B2 biodiesel will also be adopted as the factory fill at all other North American John Deere factories by the end of 2005.
Where can I get more information about biodiesel?
John Deere DTAC Solution 50441 provides more in-depth information on the use of biodiesel along with some provisional specifications.
Another valuable source of information is the official site of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). Their website is: National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org - www.nbb.org

 

[WTA]

I was just about to go buy a tank load of B100 biodiesel a couple weeks ago since farm diesel here just hit 4 dollars a gallon and last time I checked with the producer here, a year ago, theirs was 4 bucks a gallon. I figured since my new tractor was built to run B100 I would give it a try if they hadn't gone up much.

When I get there at the bio diesel plant it was almost deserted with only two cars in the lot. I went in to find the owner and he told me due to feed stock prices they aren't able to produce any right now. If they did it would be near 10 bucks a gallon.

That gives us farmers a lot of incentive to buy bio doesn't it?

 

[bjcsc]

That gives us farmers a lot of incentive to buy bio doesn't it?

Sadly only soy and corn farmers...

 

[em14]

Paul - My JD 6420 Manual, Copyrighted 2005, says this tractor can use B5 but also states Bio-Diesel Fuels maybe used ONLY if the bio-diesel fuel properties meet the latest edition ASTM D6751, EN 14214, or equivalent specification. I must admitt I have not tried to find and read the ASTM since where the tractor is used there are no Bio-Diesel Distributors available!
Leo

 

[D7E]

We tried bio 10 years ago in england and had bad results ,But was with certain brands and certain types of fuel pump,Bio has improved remarkably and we now use 50/50 in machinery from 1960's to current.
We are part of a group building a plant and have done extensive bench tests with cummins and Cat engines and found lower emissions and hp varies drastically with brand ,Some actually increase..As for what it does long term to seals and rubbers is argueable ....But i think the bio is unavoidable in the long run so get in now,Plus we will be procesing our own canola..?
Plant will have the option to produce cooking oil as fuel prices dictate.All blending or fuel will be done on seperate site.

 

[SCDolphin]

I have been burning the 20% from Maarathon Oil. It says it is also ULS. I have about 50 hours on my Kubota and about 10K miles on my F250. I smells much better. I don't know about the lubricity but the ground around that particular pump is greasy as all get out and when you fill a 5 gallon container it foams so much I have to wait a long time to let the foam settle.

Having a smell more like something cooking beats that acrid smell of diesel.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

I dont know any mechanics using any bio fuel. Do you?

I have used straight vegetable oil (used cooking oil) in 2 tank systems for 4 years come late MAY. I have never had a problem apart from leaking returns and shortened filter life. I can drive all day for a gallon of startup diesel. But some others have, its a skill you learn, there are no warranties or guarantees. Success with oil burning is a combination of resourcefulness and determination. Never forget the need to save money as a motivator. All my vehicles and tractors run on the 2 tank system. My cost is about 20 cents per gallon to effectively clean the oil and about $200 per vehicle to convert to oil.
A lot of good forums exist on the net for discussion of oil burning. Find a forum that has some experienced users and then ask away.