John Deere wants to make sure farmers know biodiesel fuel can be burned
only in the company’s bigger Power Tech engines.
It announced a change in its warranty policy in December, but John
Deere spokesperson Pam Barry said it didn’t make it clear enough that
the decision applied only to the bigger engines.
“It maybe wasn’t as clear that this approval was for our bigger
tractors with the Power Tech engines, not the smaller diesels,” she
said.
Under the new warranty policy, the vegetable oil-based fuel cannot
exceed five percent of the total mix.
As well, the fuel will have to meet the American Society for Testing
and Materials PS 121-99 standard.
John Deere also reminded producers that the biodiesel is prone to water
absorption and environmental breakdown.