crabjoe
Gold Member
I wish Propane was at $2/gallon around here. We're paying around $3/gallon; delivered to heat our homes.
Propane
- Thread starter schmism
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schmism
Super Member
I think most all brands used to offer propane versions of the gas engines.
I know that years ago a forklift mechanic told me that he had customers run the propane engines until propane wouldn't run them anymore, then to be cheap would run them on gas. Propane/natural gas have long been noted for the clean burn and minimal blowby (dirty oil). But you will have to reach out a ways to find something that is convertible (gas) or was originally propane. I have seen the occasional MF around here with it.
I always thought it made good sense for a yard tractor. Just steal the BBQ bottle as needed. The local grocery stores all use propane powered floor polishing equipment (that's when you realize they really should close the $#%&*^ store for a couple of hours per day as the maniac behind the wheel runs around you and blasts you with the exhaust).
I know that years ago a forklift mechanic told me that he had customers run the propane engines until propane wouldn't run them anymore, then to be cheap would run them on gas. Propane/natural gas have long been noted for the clean burn and minimal blowby (dirty oil). But you will have to reach out a ways to find something that is convertible (gas) or was originally propane. I have seen the occasional MF around here with it.
I always thought it made good sense for a yard tractor. Just steal the BBQ bottle as needed. The local grocery stores all use propane powered floor polishing equipment (that's when you realize they really should close the $#%&*^ store for a couple of hours per day as the maniac behind the wheel runs around you and blasts you with the exhaust).
Barneyhunts
Gold Member
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- Mar 4, 2007
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- Location
- Dimock, Pa.
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- Kubota L4240 Kubota B7800, Kubota BX2200
Since propane is a petroleum product I don't think the price increases will be far behind. In three years the $/gal of propane to heat my house has more than doubled.
john12
New member
Will any of the manufacturer's install a propane setup instead of diesel? I am running an old 1956 Case that purrs like a kitten with the propane. I just fill it from our large tank out back. I can run a brush-hog all day long on just one tank of gas. For safety reasons and mechanical reasons I will be getting a new tractor next year and was just wondering if any of the manufactures would still be willing to set me up with a propane driven rig. Any info would be appreciated.
One of the big deals with propane is that it already is a gas. So it is ready to burn from the git go. Diesel needs to volatilize (turn from liquid to vapor) before it can be burned. It doesn't do that 100% and then leaves soot residue. Black stuff in the oil, etc. So, while propane has less BTU it has better more complete combustion and that narrows the gap a bit.
You do need to heat the carburator with propane or it will ice up. The factory models usually have a engine coolant loop around the carb.
I'm not sure how the old guys used to refill the small propane tanks on the farm. Always wondered if there was just a port on the big 500 or 1000 gal house tank?
jb
You do need to heat the carburator with propane or it will ice up. The factory models usually have a engine coolant loop around the carb.
I'm not sure how the old guys used to refill the small propane tanks on the farm. Always wondered if there was just a port on the big 500 or 1000 gal house tank?
jb
RalphVa
Super Member
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- Dec 19, 2003
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- Charlottesville, VA, USA
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- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
We ran propane in our tractors when I lived on the farm in the 1950s. Don't think the conversion was that difficult, and we could switch back and forth by just turning off the propane tank and switching on the gasoline. We could tell when the tractor was about out of propane. It wouldn't just quit. It'd start losing a little bit of power first. Back on gas, it always seemed to have a HUGE amount more power.
Like the other poster pointed out, propane has a lot less energy than diesel or gasoline/gallon. A gallon of propane is only 4.24 # (vs. about 7ish for gas and near 8ish for diesel). I worked with the stuff in refrigeration systems for 31 years. Remember that figure well. Boiling point is -44 F.
Ralph
Like the other poster pointed out, propane has a lot less energy than diesel or gasoline/gallon. A gallon of propane is only 4.24 # (vs. about 7ish for gas and near 8ish for diesel). I worked with the stuff in refrigeration systems for 31 years. Remember that figure well. Boiling point is -44 F.
Ralph
firedog
Gold Member
That's my understanding as well. I think the 15% number (gas vs LP) comes from the actual BTU content, but the combustion efficiency brings it closer to 8 - 9% (gas vs LP), or so I'm told.
A year or so ago, I added the LP kit to one of my generators for about $200. It works very well. Check out Generator Conversion Kits to Propane and Natural Gas. Howbeit, they don't have kit for larger engines. (or tractors).
