Do you have a diesel tractor?

Woodgas Farming
#1

I’m doing a little research project, so I wanted to get a feel on which diesel tractors folks are using. Yes I said diesel. Even the ones you used to have, go ahead and list everything. Thanks!

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#2

Jinma 55hp 4x4 loader, heat, and a/c cab, IH 240, McConnell 30hp 4x4 loader, backhoe

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#3

case 780 backhoe overkill for every job. I did forget about a massey ferguson 230 with a backhoe attachment.

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#4

The property I manage just got given a 1964 case 830. Thing is a tank but too big for us…

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#5

This one?
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/002/3/5/2350-jinma-jm-550.html

This one?
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/005/3/0/5305-mcconnell-marc-425xl.html

#6

Had a Belarus 525 fwd, JD 510 backhoe.

Have Gehl 5625 Skid Steer.

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#7

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/002/1/8/2186-deutz-d-4006.html
Deutz D 4006 With a New Holland loader :grinning:

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#8

Farm pro 2420

John Deere 2130

Fordson major

International backhoe 3444

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#9

Any idea on the model? EDIT: thanks!

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#10

Massey Ferguson 285 Tractor

CAT 416B Backhoe

Liebherr 741C Dozer

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#11

Yanmar 187D 19 hp but big enough to pull a single 16" plow.

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#12

Kubota 4x4 with bucket now I had a John deer 24volt 3010 and a 310 long all were good tractors

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#13

Chris, the McConnell yes, the Jinma is made in a lot variations. The plant in china builds for several companies, mine was like a JD with a Mahindra cab.

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#14

1980 John Deere 950. IS actually a mid/small 3 cylinder Yanmar. Has a front bucket/scoop.
Is 2 whell drive. WISHED mightily it was 4 wheel drive.
S.U.
Edit add: CR is listed as 20.4 to 1

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#15

Thanks for all the responses.

Here’s the project: I’m compiling a list of diesel tractors to assess their possibility for woodgas conversion. Old diesel tractors are plentiful and cheap; the conversion is fairly simple although more work than a gasoline conversion.

It’s much easier if the compression is already low enough (17:1 or less). Most tractors from the 60s and 70s are right in the sweet spot. I’m still working down the list. There are a lot of old tractors out there.

To run on woodgas, it needs an ignition system in place of the injector pump. You might also want hardened valve seats, but I’m not sure if this is required on a slow speed tractor.

Power should be around 80% or better of the diesel output. Because of the high compression, you’ll get more power from the same woodgas than a comparable gasoline engine.

Here’s some examples from the responses I got.

  • Paul McCombie’s Case 780 has 17:1 compression. This should work on woodgas. It’s right at the limit, which means it’s a good test to verify the India Institute’s results.

  • David Baillie’s Case 830 has 15.0:1 compression. Should work fine.

  • Jeff Davis’ old Belarus had 16.0:1 compression. Should work fine.

  • Jeff Davis’ old JD 510 is over the limit at 17.3:1

  • Marvin’s Deutz D 4006 is also too high, 19.0:1

  • Wayne’s Farm Pro 2420 is too high, 22.0:1

  • Wayne’s JD 2130 should work OK, at 16.8:1. I think Wayne tried this unsuccessfully.

  • Wayne’s Fordson Major should work OK at 16.0:1, in fact here’s a video of one running on woodgas!

I’ll keep adding to the list, here’s the actual spreadsheet I’m keeping.

Diesel tractor engine data - Google Sheets

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#16

2005 JD 990 40 hp 4x4 front loader and 3 point backhoe. Very capable midsize.

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#17

David Brown 30d 1950

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/006/9/8/6985-david-brown-30.html

Massey Ferguson 35 Perkins 2.5L 3-cyl diesel 1966

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/7/2/729-massey-ferguson-35.html

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#18

grew up using a David Brown 880, my brother still has it and uses itr. needs some work though

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#19

Was the 880 a 3 or 4 cylinder?

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#20

3 cylinder… he 3s were beter than the 4s from what ive been told

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