propane tractors - better performance ?

michaelr · Mar 5, 2015

Lots of good propane tractors to choose from. They all appear to have a nudge more of horsepower when compared to the gas or diesel versions. I know that propane has negligible emissions and is better for the environment. Seems they are all around a cleaner machine, inside and out. Any downsides?

hd6gtom · Mar 5, 2015

If you don't have a way to fill the tank they can be a problem, other than that if the regulator and propane carb are in good shape you are good to go.

Brendon-KS · Mar 5, 2015

Since propane has a lower energy content per gallon compared to gasoline the fuel efficiency of LP tractors is almost always lower as well. Even with a lower energy fuel the compression ratio can be higher which is what allows the engine power to be the same or better than for gasoline, you just have to burn more fuel to achieve it. You see a lot of old propane tractors here in Kansas. I've been told by elderly folks that years ago when LP was considered a waste product that technically it was free - you just paid for the transportation of it to your farm.

dhermesc · Mar 5, 2015

As my FIL said, with a propane powered tractor or two your home heating bills suddenly become deductible fuel expense for the farm.....

jal-SD · Mar 5, 2015

They always have to come home to fuel unless you have lots of $$$ to spend for a portable nurse tank. A 1,000 gal anhydrous tank (New) will work for a nurse tank. Had a '53 SM when I was a kid, didn't have the $$$ for a nurse tank, had to fuel it at noon and wasn't late for supper, unless you wanted to pull the tractor back to the propane tank with another non-LPG one. I think the tank would hold 20 gallons (water level) but you were not supposed to fill it above 85%, so that would be about 16 1/2 or 17 gallons of LPG. It would easily burn that in 5-6 hrs when you worked it hard. (My $0.02 worth. jal-SD)

IH fan · Mar 5, 2015

I don't know how it affects tractors, but years ago I bought a pickup that had been run on propane and the top end of the engine was shot with the valves and valve guides worn out. I kept one of the valves as a souvenir as I've never seen one so bad. The bottom end was like new. Was told it was a lack of lubrication for the valve guides that hurt the heads, but the clean burning helped the bottom end. I ended up replacing the heads rather than rebuilding the existing ones.

Bob M · Mar 5, 2015

Depending on the make/model horsepower can be a tad higher on propane. But not it's not enough to make a difference that you will really notice.

As others mention fuel consumption (gallons burned per hour) will be higher on account of the lower energy density of propane. So depending on the price of propane, fuel cost can be higher.

The upside is engines on LPG stay clean inside. They generally go much longer between overhauls than the same engine burning gasoline.

heavy hauler too · Mar 5, 2015

The lp motors should have good valves, We had a 560 lp for 20 years overhauled once That tractor would run at 1200 rpm for a long time. we used it for picking corn the best no gas to burn the field, We just bled the tractor vapor preasure then you could fill if low enough vapor . That was the only bad thing you couldn't fill fast and back to work it had a 52 gallon tank.

Hayrack · Mar 5, 2015

I have a couple of LP tractors and I like them for performance. When the system is set right, they run like a fuel injected engine. Very smooth performance. I have hayed for several years with a diesel and an LP model of the same tractor and found the cost per hour of operation to be almost identical. The neighbor has the same tractor in a gas version and his cost per hour doing the same work is about 3 times what our diesel and LP tractors are. Of course, now that diesel and gas have gone down, Im sure the LP will lose out some this year. I like the LP tractors, I like the performance from them, but the big down side is still not being able to haul fuel to them.

dej(Jed) · Mar 6, 2015

Very few LP tractors are used in a commercial applications these days. They are toys. Fuel consumption is really of no concern. I have a 25 lb grill tank and a hose that I use if I run out.

pete 23 · Mar 7, 2015

When I was a youngster, I was all gung ho about LP as an engine fuel. We sold a couple LP equipped new tractors. Sold and serviced a few LP fueled trucks. The LP gas Co. came into the territory with mass conversions on Farmall M's, 400's etc. Nothing but trouble. Over heating, burning valves, scoring pistons. Talk about manifold problems. The mufflers and exhaust systems literally fell off. These were not tractors that I converted or trucks that I installed conversions. All trucks were factory equipped. Nothing but problems. Now, to defend the trucks , the one thing about LP was the great lugging power they had. They would pull down without a hesitation, and that is what the drivers did. Lugged the he&&& out of them. All tractors and trucks ran nice and smooth, very good acceleration, pulled good. Too good for their own good. They stayed nice and clean because they came apart so many times they didn't have a chance to get cruddy. All disappeared when the diesels took over.

fastfarmall · Mar 8, 2015

Yea if u convert a gas engine to L.P, gas, you have to raise the compression,[about 9.0-9.5, to 1] change the Valve seat's and also change the regular valves to the stalelite valves , or it wont stand up.In our area we had a lot of guys change their 366-427 chev trucks to LP, big mistakes, No power, because not enough compression!

propane tractors - better performance ?

michaelr

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hd6gtom

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Brendon-KS

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dhermesc

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jal-SD

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IH fan

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Bob M

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heavy hauler too

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Hayrack

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dej(Jed)

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pete 23

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fastfarmall

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