What fuel can you put in your tractor?

COULD ALTERNATIVE FUELS REDUCE OPERATING COSTS

With the prospect of fuel prices not coming down any time soon customers are looking at alternative fuels in an attempt to reduce their operating costs, but the issue of suitability is the question customers are asking. What can I pour into my John Deere and what can’t I put in it? Here we list the options available currently that would go into your tractor.

BS 2869, “red diesel” This is the traditional fuel for use in agricultural machinery. BS2869 is the British standard for Grade A2 gas oil that you put in your tractors, harvesters etc. It has a low sulphur content (10ppm) and is for use in modern diesel engines that adhere to Tier 3, 4 and 5 emissions regulations.

EN590, “white diesel” or DERV This is a European standard for fuel used in road going vehicles, sometimes known as ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD), and this is what you buy at the pumps to put in your car, van or lorry. EN590 exceeds BS2869, all diesel engines in Europe are designed to run on fuel of this standard. This fuel, when bought at the pumps, will also have a B designation indicating it is blended with bio-diesel, so an EN590 fuel with a B7 designation will contain 7% bio fuel. In BS 2869 the bio content is optional, so the bio content can be from 0% up to 7%.

EN14214 BIO DIESEL This is fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats and is mixed with petroleum diesel, on a volume basis up to 7%. In Europe Bio diesel must meet European standard EN14214, and is the bio constituent that goes into EN590B7, but this fuel is not without it’s downsides. It can;• Accelerate oxidation in various components of the fuel system. • Free water may result in filter blocking or increased bacterial growth. • Can react to gaskets, seals, plastics and rubber of fuel lines. • Can result in fuel leakage and dilution of the engine oil. • Can degrade over time if left in machines that are used seasonally, combines and foragers spring to mind. Fuel conditioners are available at RVT to counter this. EN15940 HVO This is a European standard for a paraffinic fuel that originates from the Hydrotreatment of Vegetable Oil. It is made from vegetable oils such as rapeseed, soy beans, non-food oils or used cooking oils. It is becoming popular as an alternative to traditional fuels as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It can be blended with traditional fuels, and has good long term storage stability.

Can you put in your tractor? All the above fuels will go into your John Deere, currently you will be putting BS2869 in or EN590 if you are hauling on the road. EN14214 will be in fuels currently so you will be using it already in small amounts. EN15940, HVO will go straight in to your tractor, without modification BUT John Deere state... “This fuel is not biodiesel, but renewable diesel fuel as it meets EN15940; it is a hydrocarbon fuel made from renewable sources. We allow its use up to 100%, except on Stage V engines operated in the EU”. In short the engine will run ok on it but because the engine hasn’t been tested to Tier V, to comply with emission regs, on this type of fuel, then they won’t approve it.

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Nigel Summerfield, RVT Customer Support Manager T: 07850 602735 nigelsummerfield@reavalleytractors.com reavalleytractors.com