Kubota says no to biodiesel

[backblade]

I think this will stir up some discussion. For some of you that may be using biodiesel already: I e-mailed a question to Kubota if they approve using biodiesel. This is their answer:

In response to your inquiry to Kubota.
Kubota does not approve the use of Bio Diesel for the following reasons:

1. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) have approved our engines for only Number 2 Diesel fuel.

2. This Bio Diesel may cause cold weather starting and lowered horsepower by at least 7%. Kubota will not authorize the adjustment of horsepower to compensate.

3. Fuel consumption is expected to raise by approximately 15%.

4. Spilled fuel will cause the paint on the tractor to melt.

5. Rubber parts in the fuel system will deteriorate quickly causing service to be required on this system at 1000 hours or 2 years

6. As we have not tested this application, we could not guarantee that it would have no negative effect on the injection system. For this reason, we would not approve warranty for failed injection system components."

7. The compounds in this fuel are more flammable than diesel fuel and special attention to prevention of fires is required. This will require extra care in handling.

 

[proudestmonkey]

Those all seem like legitimate concerns. Whether valid or not, at least Kubota has been thinking about this.

 

[SkyPup]

Why should they approve the use of biodiesel in their equipment or warrant its use to begin with?

Anyone that wants to use biodiesel in their Kubota should be prepared to pay for the consequences and not try to blame Engine and FIE failure on Kubota.

Here is what the Fuel Injection Equipment Manufacturers have to say about its use in their equipment if you want to experiment with it in your Kubota....

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Part of the reason for their strong stance against it is because their engines are also used by 500+ other companies. Approving it themselves also essencialy approves it for these other guys as well. Thats a large part of the reason why its not been given the okay. I was told the primary issue is the seals in the injectors. They do know of specific instances where BIO is causing problems.


Its hard to know, I am sure a 5% blend will have no effect, but there are so many other mixes out there. If they approve it then people will dump in whatever and not realize what mix they are using.

 

[ovrszd]

If our country is going to switch it's going to have be mandated by the government. Currently there's no motivation for manufacturers to switch on their own. Think how much different the world would be today if we had no dependence on crude oil??

 

[dogitz]

Why should they approve the use of biodiesel in their equipment or warrant its use to begin with?

Kubota should not warrant biodiesel in their equipment *if* they have not designed and tested for its safe and longterm use.

However, I would like to see Kubota take a leadership role in building their engines and fuel systems to run on ASTM-certified biofuels. Their success would boast significant national, economic, environmental and social benefits.

 

[SkyPup]

If biofuels were profitable without government subsidies and celebrities being paid to keep them afloat, their production would be curtailed here in North America since it is so much cheaper to simply import them in bulk from other countries where their production and transportation costs are so much more cheaper than possible here.

 

[rdsaustintx]

If our country is going to switch it's going to have be mandated by the government. Currently there's no motivation for manufacturers to switch on their own. Think how much different the world would be today if we had no dependence on crude oil??

This subject has been flogged to death, but IF EVERY SQUARE INCH OF ARABLE LAND IN NORTH AMERICA was dedicated to bio fuels, we would still be importing crude. There isn't enough grain on the planet to displace anything like the 12 million barrels of crude we import every DAY.

Even the EPA says bio has the potential to be a nice lubricity additive at best.

RDnT

 

[monkeymonk]

Thats the j'ist of it for kubota, as well as other companies that use synthetic rubber for gaskets and seals.

Bio- is not a cure all,although diversification of our energy consumotion will help greatly!

 

[Sully2]

If biofuels were profitable without government subsidies and celebrities being paid to keep them afloat, their production would be curtailed here in North America since it is so much cheaper to simply import them in bulk from other countries where their production and transportation costs are so much more cheaper than possible here.

YUP!!