Kubota approves use of biodiesel, sort of...

[crashz]

Pat I have to agree with you to a point. I think the manufactures see this as a marketing oppurtunity to look "green" without the risk. Its very doubtful (but entirely possible) that Kubota or any other diesel manufacture has done extensive testing, logging thousands of hours on test stands with various engines and grades of biodiesel. The B5 certification is mearly a feel good thing.

To the defense of the manufactures, I'm sure they are envisioning Bubba at his kitchen stove brewin' up a fine sludge to dump in his tank. Of course he couldn't find methanol so he substituted Budweiser instead, but whats the difference, right?

On the contrary there are leaps and bounds in Bio since its start. There are ASTM standards now! Thats pretty huge right there. And the market is slowly accepting Bio producers on a commercial basis. For example, a large development project in Syracuse, NY is well underway where the contractor (Cianbro) is required to run 100% biodiesel (belnded 50/50 in the winter) and they have not reported any fuel related issues into their second season at work. They are running a huge fleet with new machine right down to machines built in the 70's. There's an article in an issue of ENR on them.

 

[patrick_g]

crashz, I'm an optimistic realist. I hope for the best but deal with reality. I am not anti-green but efforts that take away resources and attention from GOOD ideas for a "feel good" diversion are not in the nations best interests. If it doesn't help save the planet and or reduce our dependence on foreign oil in a meaningful way then I am suspicious that it is just a time, effort, and money wasting exercise.

I am told that on the frontier when the midwife arrived one of the first things she did was to assign the expectant father the task of boiling a large volume of water. He would have to gather kindling and wood and build a fire. He would have to get a large pot, tote water to fill it, place it on the fire and tend the fire. This was a lot of work. If things went at all well the baby would be born while he was busy with his assignment and he would not be underfoot while the midwife and expectant mother took care of business.

Subsequently, comments like, he's boiling water or go boil water arose. It gives you something to stay busy at, thinking and feeling you are doing something important (a real big "FEEL GOOD") while staying out of the way of the pros making real progress. Some of the home brew bio fuel activity is meaningful and some is meaningless water boiling.

Many well intentioned but ill informed actions are tantamount to bailing the Titanic with a thimble. Those involved, drenched in righteous sweat, are sure they are doing the right thing, lighting a single candle and not cursing the darkness but the overall effect does not save the ship.

When practical, I prefer clean vehicles. I have owned and operated a propane only (not dual fuel) pickup. We drive our Prius preferentially over any of our pickups (one gas and two diesel) whenever practical. I would be happy to pay a premium for fuel from renewable or plentiful sources if it were part of an intelligent integrated approach that would reduce dependence on foreign oil and or help save the planet.

Much of the bio-diesel activity does not meet the above criteria. Corn to ethanol certainly doesn't. Adding 5% bio to diesel does little to nothing meaningful beyond making a few people feel good, the same people who would work up a sweat trying to bail the Titanic with a thimble.

Irrespective of the proliferation of fast food outlets, there still is not enough used veggie oil to go around. There is a lot of fussing but few people want to take on a "hobby" of making their own motor fuel to the exclusion of leisure activities. When sustainable renewable feedstocks that do not compete in a big way with food production are harnessed for motor fuel production and operate on a large scale, then we may actually accomplish something meaningful in reducing dependence on foreign oil and conserving nonrenewable resources. If we can do this in a fashion that helps save the planet then we are on to something.

Pat

 

[Egon]

Grow hemp! squeeze the seeds! Make clothes/rope/paper out of the fiber and feed the remains to the animals!!

Multi task!

 

[crashz]

Well said Pat.

Egon: Hemp does not produce enough energy to justify as a fuel source. Hemp fumes cause global food consumtion to triple. More food = more fuel. Its a snow balling effect.

 

[Egon]

Hemp fumes cause global food consumtion to triple. More food = more fuel. Its a snow balling effect.

How so?

 

[Egon]

I am slow.

Do a Goggle on hemp and spend some time on self education!

There is a rumour that the first Diesel was intended to run on Hemp Oil!

 

[Hammy]

I'll let you guys know in due time how my Kubota runs on biodiesel. Shortly I will be running all my vehicle's on it.

To each their own and I've researched it for about two years. I see nothing but benefits other then the time it takes to produce it.

I have an '05 Jeep Liberty CRD, an '04 CTD, and my tractor...all which will be running on it.

 

[charlz]

I'll let you guys know in due time how my Kubota runs on biodiesel. Shortly I will be running all my vehicle's on it.

To each their own and I've researched it for about two years. I see nothing but benefits other then the time it takes to produce it.

I have an '05 Jeep Liberty CRD, an '04 CTD, and my tractor...all which will be running on it.

I take it you going to be producing your own? If so are you going to buy a ready-made kit or building your own unit?

 

[patrick_g]

I am slow.

Do a Goggle on hemp and spend some time on self education!

There is a rumour that the first Diesel was intended to run on Hemp Oil!

Egon, The diesel was developed to run on coal dust.

Sorry the humor passed you by my friend, I got it.

Hemp is Cannabis Sativa bred for its industrial fiber usage. The same plant is AKA Marijuana and can be bred for maximum tetrahydracanibinol content THC is what provides the high for using "pot", "weed", "ganja", "whacky tobacky", "pacalolo", , "Mary Jane", or any other "street" names for the product. One of the well established side effects of its usage is the "MUNCHIES", i.e. appetite enhancement, hence the joke's punchline about increasing world food demand through proliferation of the smoke into the atmosphere.

Pat

 

[patrick_g]

I'll let you guys know in due time how my Kubota runs on biodiesel. Shortly I will be running all my vehicle's on it.

To each their own and I've researched it for about two years. I see nothing but benefits other then the time it takes to produce it.

I have an '05 Jeep Liberty CRD, an '04 CTD, and my tractor...all which will be running on it.

I wish you well, nothing but the best of luck.

One of the things worth considering is that most of the available information on the topic is from supporters of home brew bio-diesel production which rarely includes unbiased scientific investigation/reporting. Be pragmatic, cautious, and skeptical (traits of a serious investigator) and not accept everything you read, even if repeated by several people (often quoting each other) unless you can qualify them. There is a band wagon effect and it is strong in things of this nature.

I'm not a nay sayer. I just urge caution. There was a time when ladies took arsenic for their complexion and tape worm eggs were sold as diet pills. Turpentine was used on cuts and scrapes because it burned and if it burned, well you could feel it working and it had to be good. The more religious zeal expressed by promoters of a fad type development the more caution is advised.

There are some folks with solid engineering backgrounds who are into bio-diesel. They are in the minority. I have a good friend, recently moved to Kansas City, Missouri area who makes bio-diesel, and has burned veggie oil. He has a deuce and a half truck with a multi-fuel diesel and a Ford Maxi-Van diesel. The deuce will burn kerosene, diesel , jet fuel, heating oil, aviation gasoline up to the next to highest octane, just dumped in the fuel tank with no regard to proportions and no adjustment is required. This OMNIVOROUS diesel is NOT the usual case.

I'd advocate caution in violating the recommendations and warnings of the vehicle manufacturer irrespective of what zealots claim it is OK. Of course you could be performing a service for us all in discovering long term deleterious effects which we could then avoid. Proponents of crossing the street without looking either way may mean well but not be fully cognizant of possible long term deleterious effects like that run down feeing.

I sure hope you can run bio-diesel for 10 years or more with no bad effect.

Pat