Kubota approves use of biodiesel, sort of...

[patrick_g]

Kubota has approved the use of B5 biodiesel (5% biodiesel and 95% dino oil)

http://www.kubota.com/f/Support/Biodiesel_Fact_Sheet_110106.pdf

Pat

 

[charlz]

The fuel system on my kubota b7100 looks pretty straightforward.... if you ran biodiesel in it what would you expect to fail? hoses? o-rings? looking through the parts manual it doesn't look like there are many o-rings.

 

[patrick_g]

The fuel system on my kubota b7100 looks pretty straightforward.... if you ran biodiesel in it what would you expect to fail? hoses? o-rings? looking through the parts manual it doesn't look like there are many o-rings.

I guess you had trouble viewing the PDF for which I supplied the URL.

Here is the main part ===>

1 BDF concentration must not exceed 5% by volume (B5 blend). Greater
concentrations increase the likelihood of corrosion and failure of the aluminum,
zinc, rubber, and plastic parts of the fuel system.

2 The petroleum diesel fuel base must meet the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) D975 fuel specification (or the European EN590 specification).
The pure biodiesel base must meet minimum requirements provided by ASTM
D6751 (or EN14214) prior to blending. Raw pressed vegetable oils are NOT
acceptable for use in any concentration.

3 Kubota strongly recommends that B5 blend be purchased from a BQ-9000
accredited producer or certified marketer. Kubota discourages local blending of
BDF, because it is difficult to meet the quality requirements explained above.

4 Users of Kubota Emission Certified Engines are responsible for obtaining any
required local, state or national regulatory approvals for the use of BDF.
Enhanced engine care may be required even if the fuel meets the above standards.

Kubota has the following concerns and recommendations regarding the use of B5
blend:

1 B5 blend attracts moisture and may contain higher water content than
conventional diesel fuels. Keep storage and vehicle tanks as full as possible
and ensure all caps and covers are installed properly to prevent water from
entering and collecting in the fuel system.

2 Follow the oil change intervals recommended by Kubota in your operator's
manual. Extended oil change intervals may result in premature wear or engine
damage.

3 B5 blend is biodegradable and degradation of the fuel supply is accelerated by the presence of water, heat, oxygen and other impurities. To avoid damage caused by fuel degradation, B5 blend should not be
used if it has been stored for more than 3 months.

If an engine is going to be placed in storage, the B5 blend should be flushed out by operating the engine for at least 30 minutes on conventional diesel fuel.


Most of Kubot's concerns are based on B5, just 5% bio. Pure bio or a higher percentage shoiuld demonstrate the problems much quicker. Other than the above, I see no reason why you don't want to try Mazola oil or home brew bio-fuel in your engine. Go for it! Report back your findings and the cost of the rebuild.

Pat

 

[SkyPup]

I'll pass on using BD....

 

[charlz]

I saw all that but when you go read various biodiesel forums they call BS on 98% of that.

The biodegradability is an interesting one since tractors can sit for quite a while between uses.

I was wondering if anyone had real-world experience or how it expensive it could get if I tried it in my tractor.

 

[dmccarty]

Kubota seems pretty specific on what to do and what not to do with their equipment.

Who knows Kubota equipment better? Kubota or the biodiesel forums?

The community college near us has a few classes on BD production and conversion of vehicles to run BD/VO/WVO. We also have a BD refiner in town. I would not trust the refiner to watch my dog. He got caught throwing his glycerin and waste water into the sewer which clogged up the waste treatment facility. The town has enormous problems with waste water treatment as it is and this guy made it worse. Supposedly it was going to cost tens of thousands of dollars to cleanup. He thought he had an aggreement with the town and they were "cool" with what he was doing. Since the BD refiner is in with the ruling party in the county this got quiet real quick. He was also caught trying to register to vote in town even though he does not live in town. If EXXON had clogged up the waste water treatment plant and was faking voter registration, the rulng party in the county and town would have been up in arms.

I sure would not trust this guy opinion. Much less run his BD in my equipment. Reread what Kuboto said in #3.

Reading websites there are lots of people running BD/VO/WVO in all sorts of equipment. It works. But for how long and will it cost in the long run? it may work today but what about next year? Five years from now?

The CC is helping convert old Mercedes. Given those cars don't cost much anymore its low money risk. The injectors on my truck at around $200 a piece. If had to replace them that is $1600 in just parts. Tain't no way I'm running the risk of BD in that truck. I don't know what it would cost on my tractor but its not worth it either.

The only way for you to really have an answer is for you to run your equipment with the BD you buy. My BD might be better quality or more likely worse so its going to be hard to compare.

Regardless if you Play Be Prepared To Pay.

Later,
Dan

 

[charlz]

The only way for you to really have an answer is for you to run your equipment with the BD you buy. My BD might be better quality or more likely worse so its going to be hard to compare.

Regardless if you Play Be Prepared To Pay.

I agree with you, was just curious if anyone had taken the plunge. Considering how little most of the readership on TBN uses their tractors compared to full-scale farmers (although some are) the rewards, saving a few bucks a year, likely isn't worth the risk.

 

[AndyinIowa]

I've been running biodiesel on and off in the BX2350. No noticeable change in any operating characteristics thus far, but only at 43 hours.

Personally, I'm not scared of biodiesel at all. I have several coworkers, family and friends who operate 100% of the time with B5. Trucks, old tractors, backhoes, pavers, excavators, etc... running 1500 hours per year without noticeable changes in service or maintenance $$$. That type of data overrides anything I read on the internet.

IowaAndy

 

[dmccarty]

Considering how little most of the readership on TBN uses their tractors compared to full-scale farmers (although some are) the rewards, saving a few bucks a year, likely isn't worth the risk.

I have read of full time farmers growing oil bearing plants, processing same into oil and then into BD which they then run at 100% in their equipment. Its very tempting... It was tempting at $2/gallon. At 4.73 is even more tempting...

With all the activity in town regarding BD I was really really really tempted a few years ago to get on the BD band wagon. But looking at what it was cost to get on the bandwagon and how much I was risking I figured I would let the wagon pass me by.

Later,
Dan

 

[patrick_g]

If someone plays Russian roulette for a while with a ten thousand shot revolver and hasn't been killed yet then it must be a good idea.

Fresh commercially produced B5 is not black listed but gee, is 5% bio and 95% dino really gonna make a huge difference. I mean, it might make you feel green but will it save the planet or your pocket book?

I'm all for folks saving money and or the planet but I am a little concerned with accepting so called information posted by people who have done no controlled experiments over a protracted period of time. Do you suppose if any of them had a negative result they are going to be anxious to broadcast their screw up or just get quiet and slink away to resurface as a camp follower at the next interesting forum like pills that convert water to gas or magnets on your fuel line to increase gas mileage or...

One of the first rules of analysis is to listen to everybody but to qualify your sources, and weight their inputs appropriately depending on applicability.

I put a lot more faith and credence in Kubota knowing the risks of bio-diesel to Kubota equipment than some rah rah proponent of bio.

Pat