AGRIC PROP
AGRICULTURAL propane applications:
ENGINES FOR IRRIGATION Fact Sheet
The total energy expenses for on-farm pumping of irrigation water reached $2.68 billion in 2008 — a 73 percent increase since 2003. — Table 20, 2008 USDA Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey
Irrigation is an energy-intensive farming operation. Owing to stricter emissions regulations and the substantial rise in the cost of gasoline and diesel in recent years, growers are exploring alternative fuels and taking steps to upgrade the overall efficiency of their irrigation systems. Advanced propane-fueled stationary irrigation engines offer increased efficiency and reliability with reduced maintenance
needs. Achieving Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board certification for the Buck’s General Motors 5.7-liter, Buck’s 8.0-liter, Origin 8.0-liter and 10.3-liter irrigation engines, and PSI 3.0, 4.3, 5.7, and 8.8-liter engines, ensure that this cost-effective and efficient equipment can be sold to growers nationwide.
KEY BENEFITS OF PROPANE ENGINEs for irrigation ¬¬ C an cost up to $4,000 less to operate than diesel irrigation engines. ¬¬ N ew engines cost approximately 50 percent less than diesel for comparable power. ¬¬ E nsure reliable irrigation without grid-related power interruptions. ¬¬ M odels are available for sale in all 50 states after EPA and CARB emissions certification.
CURRENT STATUS RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT & TESTING
DEMONSTRATION
COMMERCIALIZATION
COMMERCIALIZATION PHASE
TECHNOLOGY FEATURES
¬¬ Buck’s GM 5.7-liter Vortec powertrain engine received EPA and CARB emissions certification in 2009.
¬¬ Utilize the latest in closed-loop fuel system technology.
¬¬ Buck’s 8.0-liter engine received EPA and CARB emissions certification in December 2011. ¬¬ Origin 8.0-liter and 10.3-liter engines received EPA emissions certification in 2012. ¬¬ The PSI family of engines (3.0, 4.3, 5.7, and 8.8-liter) received certification in 2012.
¬¬ Dry fuel valve train. ¬¬ Hydraulic roller lifter camshaft. ¬¬ Induction-hardened inlet valve seats.
¬¬ R educe irrigation engine maintenance costs by decreasing deposits on engine components. ¬¬ P roduce up to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline and 11 percent fewer GHG emissions than diesel engines. ¬¬ R eliable technology, with maintenance and service readily available.
AGRICULTURAL FACT SHEET Propane Engines for Irrigation
Additional information Projects ¬¬ U.S. EPA Certification of Buck’s 8.0-liter Stationary Engine (Docket 17086) ¬¬ Origin Engines 8.0-liter and 10.3-liter Industrial Engines (Docket 16909) ¬¬ PSI heavy duty 3.0, 4.3, 5.7, and 8.8-liter engines (Docket 17440) Partners ¬¬ Buck’s Engines, Origin Engines, PSI Engines.
RESEARCH PROCESS DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING Buck's 5.7-liter engine
PRODUCT
PSI 3.0, 4.3, 5.7, 8.8-liter engines
Engine Uses Extend Beyond Irrigation Spark-ignited stationary engines like the Buck’s GM 5.7-liter, Buck’s 8.0-liter, Origin 8.0-liter, 10.3-liter, and PSI 3.0, 4.3, 5.7, and 8.8-liter engines can be used in irrigation pumps and other harvest equipment, prime and backup generators, skid-steer loaders, and wind machines. In July 2008, EPA mandated that all new or reconstructed propane-fueled engines sold in the United States must be emissions certified. PERC and engine manufacturers responded to this regulation to ensure continued use of these reliable, powerful, efficient engines in the full range of applications.
Buck’s 5.7-liter engine Buck’s 8.0-liter engine Origin 8.0-liter engine and 10.3-liter engines*
UPCOMING
IN PROGRESS
COMPLETED
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• • • •
¬¬ C onduct laboratory testing to collect data about emissions performance, fuel consumption, and power. ¬¬ Submit emissions data to EPA and CARB. ¬¬ Achieve EPA and CARB emissions certification for constant-speed, stationary, large spark-ignited engines. COMMERCIALIZATION PRODUCT
PSI 3.0, 4.3, 5.7, 8.8-liter engines Buck’s GM 5.7-liter engine Buck’s 8.0-liter engine Origin 8.0-liter engine and 10.3-liter engines*
UPCOMING
IN PROGRESS
COMPLETED
— — — —
— — — —
• • • •
¬¬ Conduct laboratory testing to collect data about emissions performance, fuel consumption, and power. ¬¬ Submit emissions data to EPA and CARB.
For More Information
To learn more about propane-fueled irrigation engines and the Propane Education & Research Council, visit agpropane.com. To learn more about our manufacturing partners visit Buck's Engines at bucksengines.com, Origin Engines at originengines.com, or Power Solutions International (PSI) at psiengines.com. Propane Education & Research Council / 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1075 / Washington, DC 20036 P 202-452-8975 / F 202-452-9054 / propanecouncil.org
The Propane Education & Research Council was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of Public Law 104-284, the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), signed into law on October 11, 1996. The mission of the Propane Education & Research Council is to promote the safe, efficient use of odorized propane gas as a preferred energy source.
© 2014 by the Propane Education & Research Council
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