Biodiesel Fuel in John Deere Tractors
Biodiesel Fuel in John Deere Tractors
Symptoms: Using biodiesel fuel in your John Deere tractor.
“Situation or Problem: Biodiesel fuels are formulated in many different blends and concentrations.”
Solution Steps:
Biodiesel fuels may be used in John Deere diesel engines only if the fuel meets the provisional ASTM (German) specification listed in Table A, see below. NOTE: Raw pressed vegetable oils are NOT acceptable for use for fuel in any concentration. These oi and will cause engine failure by leaving deposits on injectors and in the combustion chamber. While a major environmental benefit of a biodiesel fuel is its ability to biodegrade, users must recogn handling is of prime importance as indicated below:
• Ensure the quality of the biodiesel fuel (fuel meets the specifications in Table A).
• Keep storage and vehicle tanks as full as possible to prevent moisture from collecting inside.
• Ensure all tank caps and covers are installed properly to prevent water from entering.
• Monitor water content of the fuel regularly (Bonds with water, creating acids).
• Limit the storage tanks from extreme temperatures (i.e. Direct sun or frost).
• Limit the storage to 3 months due to shelf life (degrades quickly, microbes, oxidation).
• Wash down spills with clean water immediately to prevent corrosion and damage to paint.
• Fuel filter may need to be replaced more often due to premature plugging.
• Check engine oil sump level daily prior to starting, a rising level may indicate lubricating oil dilution
all engines and even more critical for engines equipped with rotary fuel injection pumps.
• Instability resulting from blending biodiesel with mineral diesel fuel.
• Consult your fuel supplier for additives to improve storage and performance of biodiesel fuels.
Blending biodiesel fuel above a 5% concentration could have some adverse affects to the engine.
• Power loss and deterioration of performance
• Fuel leakage through seals and hoses
• Corrosion of fuel injection equipment
• Lubricity of biodiesel and the fuel injection equipment
• Coked/blocked injector nozzles, leading to poor atomization of fuel
• Filter plugging
• Lacquering/seizure of internal injection system components
• Sludge and sediments
• Reduced service life
When using a blend of biodiesel fuel in a rotary fuel injection pump, the engine oil level must be chec temperature is -10° C (14° F) or lower. If oil becomes diluted with fuel, oil change intervals must be may be established by using OilScan TM /OilScan PlusTM programs. Another factor due to cold temperatures is the cloud point of the fuel. When blending biodiesel the te
will start to cloud is changed, Consult your fuel supplier for biodiesel cloud point specification. John Deere product warranty only covers defects in material and workmanship as manufactured and caused by the use of biodiesel fuels or other fuel additives are not defects of workmanship and/or Deere, and cannot be compensated under John Deere warranty. Users of John Deere emission for obtaining the proper local, state, and national exemptions required for the use of biodiesel.
NOTE: Experience shows that biodiesel is not always conforming to standards defined.”
