Fast Five Five tips to improve winter biodiesel performance BY BETHANY BARATTA
Dave Walton fuels up before doing chores on his farm near Wilton.
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ave Walton relies on biodiesel to power his tractors and machinery year-round. The farmer from Wilton likes biodiesel because of its dependability and increased lubricity. It’s also a homegrown product, made primarily from soybeans like those grown on his eastern Iowa farm. About 80% of the biodiesel produced in Iowa contains soybean oil as a main ingredient. Half of the biodiesel made in the U.S. also
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depends on soybean oil as a main feedstock in its production. Because of this, biodiesel adds 13% to the value of a bushel of soybeans, more than $1 per bushel in today’s market. In addition to adding value, Walton also appreciates that it’s cleaner burning compared to diesel. Like all other fuel uses in the winter, general fuel and tank maintenance are important to using biodiesel blends effectively. “The key is making sure the fuel
is clean coming out of the tank,” says Walton, board treasurer for the Iowa Soybean Association and member of the Iowa Biodiesel and National Biodiesel Boards. Filters and traps help ensure cleaner fuel, which improves operability. Walton has seen high performance using biodiesel all year-round; it’s also the reason the City of New York relies on biodiesel blends, including when temps take a double-digit drop below zero.
