Just bought some Biodiesel

Mosey · Aug 13, 2003

I stopped at the Co-op where I have always bought fuel for my Boomer and now they are selling Biodiesel. I bought 6 gallons, but haven't put it in the tractor yet. It's only 2% (B2). It says it has extra cleaning abilities and may require a "filter change" (I'm assuming they mean the fuel filter) during the initial transistion.

Is this stuff good, bad, indifferent? Should I go ahead and put it in the tank or use it to burn a brush pile and get regular diesel? They have a web site: www.biodiesel.org

cowboydoc · Aug 13, 2003

USE it! We've been using it for a couple years now. It provides extra lubrication, burns cleaner, etc. Nothing wrong with it at all and it supports the US farmers. Just be careful in the winter using it as it doesn't have as good of a gel point.

Docsknotinn · Aug 13, 2003

I Wish I could get it here, I'd sure use it. I remember reading an article about a company makeing it near Las vegas with all of the recyled oil from the casino restaurants. The only down side was your exhust might smel like Freedom Frys /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Aug 13, 2003

This is completely different from that. Biodiesel is made from soybeans specifically for use in diesel engines ONLY. It has no cooking uses at all. What you are talking about is using oil that has already been used for cooking in your vehicle. This requires modifications to the vehicle. The biodiesel requires no modifications to the vehicle.

Mark4510 · Aug 13, 2003

Can Biodiesel be used in my Dodge? Is there any risk in mixing the fuels? Is there any modification needed to either my JD 4510 or my pickup? I could probably be consistant about using only BioDiesel in the tractor but the truck would be harder since we cover a lot of distance for horse shows.

What is the relative cost difference between the fuels? Is there any visible difference between the onroad and farm fuels?

Is there any data showing increased engine durability?

Thanks,
Mark

cowboydoc · Aug 13, 2003

The cost difference for the 2% blend is minimal if any. At our co-op it's the same price. If you go pure biodiesel then it is significantly higher priced. From the co-op pure biodiesel is $2.50/gallon. 2% blend is the same as regular diesel.

It can be used safely in any diesel application. Like I said though be careful about winter. Make sure you don't have summer blend held over to winter. If you do treat it with Power service or something like it to decrease the gel point.

Right now the pure biodiesel is the same color for farm or off-road. Only a matter of time until the govt. steps in I'm sure. The 2% is colored red for farm use and clear for on-road use.

There are several studies out there on biodiesel. Do a search and you will find them.

BTW what do you show your horses in and where?

Mark4510 · Aug 13, 2003

Thanks Richard. I will look for additional data around durability on the web. Being in CA we rarely get below freezing but until there is a place for me to get this I wont worry too much about it. Sounds like the 2% is a good way to get started. I will check with some of the local ranches/farms to see if they have access.

We have shown reiners for a while and are starting to get into working cow horse in the CA area. Looks like you have a great set up after looking through your site.

Mosey · Aug 13, 2003

( The cost difference for the 2% blend is minimal if any. At our co-op it's the same price. If you go pure biodiesel then it is significantly higher priced. From the co-op pure biodiesel is $2.50/gallon. 2% blend is the same as regular diesel.)

Richard, What % have you been using? The cost here for 2% is also about the same as regular diesel. I've been keeping careful records of fuel usage for about a year now ( I started keeping records ever since someone asked how many hours I get per gallon ), so I'll find out if there's a noticeable difference in performance and fuel usage.

cowboydoc · Aug 13, 2003

We use the 2% blend Mosey.

dmftoy1 · Aug 13, 2003

( I Wish I could get it here, I'd sure use it. I remember reading an article about a company makeing it near Las vegas with all of the recyled oil from the casino restaurants. The only down side was your exhust might smel like Freedom Frys /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Me too . .I'd be using it if it was available here, but the only way to get it is to buy it in 500 gallon quantities. If they only had it at some of our local pumps. I've been writing my congressmen to encourage it's use as an alternative fuel and there are a couple of bills in congress right now. From what I understand in Toronto they don't charge road tax on bio-diesel to encourage it's usage and me it very price competitive with regular diesel.

Have a good one,
Dave