Biodiesel may not be the answer to diesel emissions, fuel economy, power or longevity, says Lorne Lagimodiere of Toromont Caterpillar in Winnipeg.
The main argument in favour of biodiesel is that it is a renewable fuel that can be used with little or no engine modification. U.S. government tests have also indicated it may burn cleaner.
But others have different results.
“We have no problem with biodiesel. It works just fine. But we have yet to see any advantage,” Lagimodiere said.
Caterpillar engines are approved to run a five percent biodiesel blend in winter conditions and a 20 percent blend in the summer.
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“Needless to say, Caterpillar had done extensive tests on biodiesel and they found no evidence of cleaner emissions, better performance or better longevity. Some people say you can double an engine’s lifespan with biodiesel, but if you’re already getting 20,000 hours on an engine, there’s no way you can expect to double it,” Lagimodiere added.
“Cat found the same thing everyone else has found when they tested biodiesel. There is less soot and particulate emission, but the EPA(Environmental Protection Agency in the United States) admits that soot and particulates are not the problem.”
Dave Thiessen agreed.
“Our engines can run 10-15 percent biodiesel without a problem,” said the service manager at Enns Brothers John Deere in Morris, Man.
“But the big push in that direction seems to have passed. I’ve got a number of customers using bio-hydraulic oil and that’s working out very well, but I don’t see a big interest in the fuel.”
