While B5 blends are preferred, biodiesel concentrations up to 20 percent (B20) blended in petroleum diesel fuel can be used in all John Deere engines, providing the biodiesel used in the fuel blend meets the standards set by ASTM D6751. However biodiesel impacts all diesel engines — no matter what brand. In an effort to ensure every John Deere engine user enjoys a positive experience, we want you to know the benefits as well as the cautions of using biodiesel. Every potential user should know the following when considering the use of biodiesel.
Material compatibility
Through repeated exposure, biodiesel can seep through certain seals, gaskets, hoses, elastomers, glues, and plastics. This is more of a problem in older engines.
Natural rubber, nitrile, and butile rubber are particularly vulnerable to degradation.
Brass, bronze, copper, lead, tin, and zinc can accelerate the oxidation of biodiesel and create deposits in the engine.
Performance
Compared to conventional petroleum diesel fuel, B20 will result in slight reductions in power and fuel economy.
Biodiesel can accelerate the degradation of crankcase oil.
When using biodiesel fuel, the engine oil level must be checked daily.
In no instance should the fuel dilution of the oil be allowed to exceed 5 percent. OILSCAN™ can be used to verify fuel dilution levels.
Fuel should be sampled periodically to ensure a consistent percentage of biodiesel.
Biodiesel can reduce water separator efficiency.
Biodiesel can cause cold weather flow degradation.
Storage and Handling
To ensure a stable product, a quality B20 should be used within 90 days of the date of biodiesel manufacture because biodiesel is biodegradable. Storage tanks should be protected from direct sun, frost, and other extremes.
To improve storage of biodiesel fuels, John Deere recommends the use of a fuel stabilizer. To be effective, the stabilizer needs to be added to the fuel when it is fresh (close to the time it was produced). Testing the fuel to ensure it continues to meet specifications is recommended.
Tanks should be kept as full as possible to minimize condensation because water accelerates microbial growth.
Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminum, steel, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene, Teflon®, and most fiberglass.
Sedimentation and water should be removed on a routine basis.
John Deere-approved fuel conditioners containing detergent/dispersant additives are required when using blends of B20 and are recommended when using lower biodiesel blends.
Fuel conditioners can improve pour points during the winter and oxidation stability in the summer.
New fuel filters should be installed when biodiesel is introduced to older or used engines. For the first two changes, the fuel filter life will be half the standard.
Biodiesel might cause corrosion and deposit formation due to higher acidity.
Emissions
Users are responsible for compliance with local emissions regulations limiting the use of biodiesel in emissions-certified engines.
Biodiesel tends to increase NOx emissions while reducing smoke.
This list of considerations is not intended to be all-inclusive. Consult your engine Operators Manual, your local John Deere engine distributor or equipment dealer, or visit www.JohnDeere.com/biodiesel for more information.
Warranty
The John Deere warranty covers only defects in material and workmanship as manufactured and sold by John Deere. Failures caused by poor quality fuel of any type cannot be compensated under our warranty.
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