Bio fuel question

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,565
3,319
113
SW Pa
I was talking to a guy at Lodge the other evening, and the discussion came around to fuel prices. He was telling me he just about had everything he needed to start making bio fuel for the farm. Now he has a couple of newer tractors, 100+ hp New Holland, and I think a Case. I didnt say anything cause I dont know, but I have heard many times over about not using bio fuel in the Kubota,, now I ask, why is that?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

85Hokie

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
10,746
2,551
113
Bedford - VA
Kubota's can run off a 5% biodiesel, but apparently the biofuel will have problems in the colder months once the temps drop, much like regular diesel, gelling can occur.

Some parts of the engine are affected my the bio - filters and injectors seem to be the two places that bio will mess up the works if not properly treated.

There are engineers that are taking the biofuel and somehow changing the molecular strings to be more like normal diesel.

I would imagine in the next 20 years - damn near all diesel will be plant/animal based - it will take them a while to tweak the system, much like they did by removing lead from gasoline.
 

Elliott in GA

Well-known member

Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Mar 10, 2021
744
726
93
North Georgia
Out of curiosity, did he say from what he would make the biodiesel from? I would think that, unless he is making it from some sort of waste material, it would be far more expensive than buying diesel - much like ethanol. Or like ethanol, is there some sort of subsidy?
 

MapleLeafFarmer

Well-known member

Equipment
Lots incl. B and L kubotas
Dec 2, 2019
634
493
63
E.
I wont use it and I don't buy it so no hands on experience.

A fleet operator friend of mine advised and i made some research and read from US Gov. that bio diesel increases the load on a DPF and shortens its life but no impact on DEF systems.

Also in cold central Canada gelling is a little harder to manage.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,423
4,909
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
as for gelling, you just preheat the biodiesel, same as DEF systems in current pickups and such.
BTW, the last thing the guv wants are farmers GROWING their fuel !!!
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,423
4,909
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
yup, that's why I bought my BX23S, it'll dig six feet deep. perfect to keep dogs from digging up the dead.
And,since many look at it as a 'toy', don't suspect that it can do the dirty deed.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 3 users

jimh406

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
2,359
1,788
113
Western MT
Biodiesel acts as a solvent for old diesel gunk. Newer diesels after ULSD shoudn't have that issue. You have to go back to early 2000s to have diesel that isn't ULSD.

Some say that there are issues with rubber, etc dealing with biodiesel as well. The power available in one gallon of biodiesel vs normal diesel can vary depending on how much bio is added.

I used to have a truck that liked 20% biodiesel just fine. My problem with it was that I got a bit less MPG for the same cost.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,565
3,319
113
SW Pa
Out of curiosity, did he say from what he would make the biodiesel from? I would think that, unless he is making it from some sort of waste material, it would be far more expensive than buying diesel - much like ethanol. Or like ethanol, is there some sort of subsidy?
I have to assume , that his daughter runs a bar/restaurant, that would where his supply of used cooking oil, would come from, other than that I dont know
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,224
6,390
113
Sandpoint, ID
yup, that's why I bought my BX23S, it'll dig six feet deep. perfect to keep dogs from digging up the dead.
And,since many look at it as a 'toy', don't suspect that it can do the dirty deed.
Get wolves, complete disposal, no digging required! ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

fruitcakesa

Well-known member

Equipment
M 6040
Oct 26, 2010
856
270
63
Cavendish Vermont
I made biod for my vw tdi and mb 240d from waste veg oil for a few years. Ran it straight in summer and mixed with d2 in winter. Only once had a gel issue that was remedied with ps red. Upped my d2 proportions after that. Both vehicles were pre def etc so no problems there. Was cheap to make but did take time. Finally stopped when diesel prices dropped. This was in the mid 2000’s.