Would you buy a gas tractor

[JWR]

I would buy a modern gas tractor. Seeing how smooth, quiet, and reliable modern gas engines are I would definitely consider it.

If I was buying a new truck I would definitely choose a gasser over the current diesels. ... pay a diesel mechanic to fix the new diesels.

Ok Diesel fans, start flaming....

Tractorable -- I agree completely regarding trucks. But every point of your argument falls apart or simply does not apply when buying tractors, heavy equipment, generators, etc. Maybe you intended your comments to apply only to trucks? If so it seems out of place in a primarily tractor discussion. By the way, show me the modern gas tractor you would go buy. There are none and there's probably some kind of consensus reasons for that.

 

[MossRoad]

Ethanol fuel in modern cars is a non-issue. Ethanol gas in a modern tractor engine would be a non-issue as well.

 

[Tractorable]

Tractorable -- I agree completely regarding trucks. But every point of your argument falls apart or simply does not apply when buying tractors, heavy equipment, generators, etc. Maybe you intended your comments to apply only to trucks? If so it seems out of place in a primarily tractor discussion. By the way, show me the modern gas tractor you would go buy. There are none and there's probably some kind of consensus reasons for that.

There was a fella further up the thread who said he'd never buy a gas truck so trucks were kinda in my head when writing. I should have quoted the other post. I agree trucks and tractors are different applications, one being the extra weight of a Diesel engine helping tractors get traction.

However, gas engines still cost less to buy and repair. It'd be interesting to see a chart plotting the break-even point of lower purchase price vs higher fuel cost.

The thread is titled "would you buy a gas tractor" which to me means, would you hypothetically buy a gas tractor if manufacturers started building them again, to which my answer is yes, I'd consider it.

 

[4570Man]

Ethanol fuel in modern cars is a non-issue. Ethanol gas in a modern tractor engine would be a non-issue as well.

Not exactly. If I get through a week on a tank of gas in my truck I'm doing good. It's not uncommon for my equipment to sit unused for months.

 

[JWR]

MossRoad just stepped on a landmine -- ethanol -- way larger in scope than buying gas engined tractors. I will hurry out of here to avoid being covered by the rotten tomatoes headed your way.

Ethanol IS a nasty issue for tractor engines and the industry. Much of that is scientific fact not subject to question or debate: Alcohol in fuel draws water. Stored alcohol/gas mix becomes layered and separated. Water attacks and corrodes unlike #2 fuel. Farm and off-road application fuel tends to be stored and left around in tanks far more often than it does in modern autos. Non-alcohol gasoline is now essentially rare compared to typical 10% ethanol (due to the idiots in government who never ever admit they were wrong.) Ethanol has zero benefits for you or your engines (unless you are one of the few big guys paid millions to mix the fuel.) Try going to the next convention of marine and small engine service people and telling them there are no problems with ethanol !!

A final observation: The modern auto industry gets by using predominantly 10% ethanol 1)because the vehicles are used day in day out instead of sitting around and 2) because of strength in numbers -- and the billions spent in research to make it work. The auto industry sells roughly 85 times as many units as the ag industry tractor/combine industry.

 

[D2Cat]

No. But it said my message was too short.

 

[Soundguy]

50 or 60hp? When I brought a 30hp diesel tractor on this place, it burned LESS fuel than any gas tractor we had or ever have had from 35hp on down!

When it comes to mowing lawn, my 21hp diesel mower, easily burned waaaay LESS fuel than any gas mower we have ever had here! And that's from 12hp tp 20hp gas motors.

SR

My point was, on the antiques.. you HAD to go diesel by then due to the gassers eating a hole into your pocket due to the fuel disparity.

Mind you.. some of it was fuel delivery. when the 3 cyl fords hit.. their holley carbs were actually PRETTY GOOD on fuel.

 

[MossRoad]

Not exactly. If I get through a week on a tank of gas in my truck I'm doing good. It's not uncommon for my equipment to sit unused for months.

I had a late 70's IH2500b gas tractor loader for about 10 years. I ran 10% ethanol in it forever. It sat for months frequently. It had a water separator bowl under the fuel tank with a drain cock. I checked it every time before operating if it sat for a long time. In 10 years, I never got water in those tanks. Never. I got dirt and rust, but never water.

 

[rScotty]

Wondering how many would go for a gas CUT if Kubota made one.

Yes. I would....with some qualifications. Gas versus Diesel is a basic design decision and economy is one of the stronger design decision makers. Gas engines can always be made cheaply because the volatilty of gasoline allows for the designer to get high HP output without the need for stiffness and weight. Gassers save complexity in a number of areas. Easily variable timing is one of the technical biggies. Saving block stiffnes also expense, but ends up costing in durability. For examples of how it could be done differently, look at some of the heavy cast iron industrial gas engines popular in the 1950s. Heavy, simple, durable, and not expensive. But back then, diesel was even cheaper in the long run.
There is no reason in the world that a designer cannot put the stiffness, weight, and durability back into a gas engine. In fact, with all the new restrictions on diesels, I'll be surprised if we don't see some gassers return before electrics take over.
rScotty

 

[TomSeller]

I've been a diesel fan all my life, because they offer relative simplicity compared to a gas. No ignition system. Mechanical fuel injection. The ultimate in simplicity....until recently. With the federalization of diesel engines has added a lot of complexity. DEF, Tier 4, etc make a diesel as complex as a gas. I've noticed that delivery fleets (like UPS) and others are switching back to gas in their delivery vehicles. Municipalities in this area are going back to gas in their ambulances and some of their smaller fire apparatus. It may very happen with small tractors, too. We'll just have to wait and see.

I have all mechanical fuel injection diesels and I will take them to my grave

I just need someone to drive them there since I won't be able to

 

[Sawyer Rob]

What's to design?? Any of the diesel engines made today are easily converted to run on gas... Kubota has been making gas versions of their diesels for a long time.

See how fast THEY are catching on???

SR

 

[bdhsfz6]

I ruined a chainsaw using 3 month old E10 gas. Wouldn't want the same to happen to my tractors. They occasionally sit idle for a few months if I'm travelling. I now use pre mix engineered fuel in my saws at 3 times the pump price. It would get quite expensive if I had to do the same for a gas tractor. I also store fuel in bulk tanks which presents another problem. If I have to dump old gas, that just increases the economy of a diesel.

I might consider a gas tractor in the future if they can engineer around the fuel issues.

 

[RaydaKub]

I used to mow with a little 12hp green STX38. I'd use about 1 1/2 gallons each time I would mow. Upgraded to my BX and now I mow the same yard in 1/2 or 1/3 the time, and use 1/3 gallon of diesel. The BX is overkill for this yard, but so what?

I had an uncle that had 2 Case 400's, 1 gas, 1 diesel. It was a fairly warm day and he and my cousin were out plowing. Cousin had the diesel, uncle the gas. The gasser was lapping the diesel. At supper the cousin complained about it, uncle shrugged and ok'ed a swap. Once the sun went down, the diesel started to lap the gasser. My cousin was not amused. :laughing:

 

[Soundguy]

I ruined a chainsaw using 3 month old E10 gas. Wouldn't want the same to happen to my tractors. They occasionally sit idle for a few months if I'm travelling. I now use pre mix engineered fuel in my saws at 3 times the pump price. It would get quite expensive if I had to do the same for a gas tractor. I also store fuel in bulk tanks which presents another problem. If I have to dump old gas, that just increases the economy of a diesel.

I might consider a gas tractor in the future if they can engineer around the fuel issues.

I think fuel injection for a gas tea to will solve any e10 problems.

My old antique gassers want a carb rebuild every year or two with this junky gas, but they run on it.. New ones would have less issues.

 

[rScotty]

What's to design?? Any of the diesel engines made today are easily converted to run on gas... Kubota has been making gas versions of their diesels for a long time.

See how fast THEY are catching on???

SR

I didn't know that. You mean you can order Kubotas as either gas or diesel?
rScotty

 

[SDT]

I ruined a chainsaw using 3 month old E10 gas. Wouldn't want the same to happen to my tractors. They occasionally sit idle for a few months if I'm travelling. I now use pre mix engineered fuel in my saws at 3 times the pump price. It would get quite expensive if I had to do the same for a gas tractor. I also store fuel in bulk tanks which presents another problem. If I have to dump old gas, that just increases the economy of a diesel.

I might consider a gas tractor in the future if they can engineer around the fuel issues.

You cannot ruin a 4 cycle gasoline engine by using old gasoline. Yes, it may not start, but the engine will not be damaged (Ignoring 4 cycle pre-mix engines here).

Fuel issues with gasoline tractors (and small engines) are created by government regulations rather than engine design.

Hoping for some common sense relief in the foreseeable future....

SDT

 

[Loadstar]

I ruined a chainsaw using 3 month old E10 gas. Wouldn't want the same to happen to my tractors. They occasionally sit idle for a few months if I'm travelling. I now use pre mix engineered fuel in my saws at 3 times the pump price. It would get quite expensive if I had to do the same for a gas tractor. I also store fuel in bulk tanks which presents another problem. If I have to dump old gas, that just increases the economy of a diesel. I might consider a gas tractor in the future if they can engineer around the fuel issues.

No, no you didn't. Not buying it. Bad fuel oil mix, a part let loose, or a bad diagnosis.

 

[CalG]

I ruined a chainsaw using 3 month old E10 gas. Wouldn't want the same to happen to my tractors. They occasionally sit idle for a few months if I'm travelling. I now use pre mix engineered fuel in my saws at 3 times the pump price. It would get quite expensive if I had to do the same for a gas tractor. I also store fuel in bulk tanks which presents another problem. If I have to dump old gas, that just increases the economy of a diesel.

I might consider a gas tractor in the future if they can engineer around the fuel issues.

Bad luck!

I run two saws, a back pack blower, and a weed whacker , and a LawnBoy mower all on the same 40:1 mix of what ever 2Cycle oil I choose today. Love that Klotz!

Some of these engines don't run for 6 months or more before being asked to perform. The back pack blower is ONLY called on during these fall months.
\
A few "twiddles" of the jet screws to loosen the grunge, and away they go!

By the way, The Mac 10-10 is over 30 years old and still starts third pull, and cuts like a devil!

 

[Loadstar]

Dam, shirt gets deep in a thread when gas is brought up. I've drained thirty gallons of gas out of a boat that sat for two seasons. Ran it through gas tractor, zero turn, and other small equipment. Yes it was noticeably down on power and slower to start but world still turned and it was all consumed. Have left chainsaws on equipment in the elements all winter long. Pick them up shake them flood start them and they are fine. Sometimes I think this forum has a high population of infomercial people.
Infomercials Are Filled With Very Special People - YouTube

 

[JWR]

I think fuel injection for a gas tea to will solve any e10 problems.

My old antique gassers want a carb rebuild every year or two with this junky gas, but they run on it.. New ones would have less issues.

Soundguy -- I think you are on to something. Maybe what you and I have both seen is misleading but it sure seems like engines with fuel injection have little or no trouble with ethanol laced fuel. Engines with carbs have endless varieties of troubles with ethanol. Wonder if any serious research has been done on why that is the case ?

And I am in agreement with the several posters who say baloney to bdhsfz6 having "ruined a chainsaw" by using 3 month old E10 gas. That did not literally happen. At best it needs some explanation and at worst it is nonsense.