Vehicle warranty specifications for tractors

Tractors and farming have been at the centre for the use of biodiesel and from an historical perspective, farm vehicles have been more tolerant to fuel types. We have tried to get an update from the main tractor manufacturers, however we always recommend you check latest specification with you current supplier. As this is a continual process, please let us know if you have a specific requirement, so that we can obtain it on your behalf, which will also benefit others.

Biofuel Express only recommends the use of the highest quality biodiesel meeting the European quality standards EN 14214.

Rest assured, the supply of biodiesel from Biofuel Express is regularly analysed and monitored in the same way that the production of petroleum is. We know that our fuel is EN 14214 standard quality, and we co-operate with major oil companies in analyzing our customers’ needs in order to optimize oil drain and fuel filter change interval. We always recommend you to check with your vehicle manufacture, before start using blends above 5 % biodiesel.

Please speak to us, if you still have any concerns regarding the use of biodiesel.

Our current information are based on some of the main tractor manufactures whit existing warranties and recommendations of biodiesel usage. 

New Holland approves the use of biodiesel blends of up to 20% (B20). All New Holland equipment currently in production and powered by CNH engines, including common-rail, can run on B20 without modifications, alterations to service schedules, restrictions on operating temperatures or additional warranty.

 

Blends greater than 20% will soon be approved subject to the purchase of an extended warranty.

Case and New Holland tractors use identical power plants, Case only approves the use of a 5% biodiesel blend for common-rail engines. This can be extended to 20% for non-commonrail units. Field testing of 100% biodiesel is under way.

Massey Fergusson, Sisu Diesel engines that were fitted to most MF tractors can run on 100% biodiesel provided the service interval is reduced by 50%.

Tier III Sisu Diesel engines which use common rail injection systems can run on a 20% blend of biodiesel. These engines are fitted to new MF 6400 (6485 upwards), MF 7400 (MF 7485 upwards) and MF 8400-series. All Perkins engines used in Massey Ferguson machines can run on a blend of 5% biodiesel.

 

Fendt tractors produced since 1995 can run on 100% biodiesel. Tractors older than this are capable of handling it with certain modifications - contact your local dealer.



Latest Vario models use Deutz common-rail power-plants. These can also handle 100% biodiesel because they use twin oil-lubricated fuel injection pumps, thus overcoming the problems of fuel lubrication and rubber seal degradation. Because of biodiesel's strong solvent properties it can cause engine oil dilution. This means oil change intervals must be halved.

 

After the first couple of hours with biodiesel, Fendt recommends changing the fuel filters. For further information, the company offers a user's manual appendix.

Valtra tractors equipped with common-rail engines can be run on up to 20% bio-diesel. All other engines can be run on up to 100% biodiesel. Engine performance with bio-diesel is the same as with mineral diesel. Sister-company Sisu Diesel is continuing tests with biodiesel. It is possible that greater concentrations of biodiesel could be used in the future. The previous limit for common-rail engines was a blend of 5% biodiesel.

Valtra's engines do not need to be modified before using biodiesel. However if a blend of more than 5% is used, the engine oil, oil filter and fuel filter must be changed twice as often as normal.

 

Sisu Diesel recommends that a separate pre-filter be fitted if biodiesel is used regularly. The water filter should be checked frequently, as biodiesel is more liable to absorb con condensed water than normal diesel fuel.

All tractors marketed under the Deutz-Fahr, Same, Lamborghini and Hurlimann brands equipped with Deutz engines are now able to run on fuel blends containing up to 100% biodiesel.

 

The key to this is the engines' fuel injection systems, which use injectors fed from individual pumps. Deutz says that this is a system which can guarantee reliability when operating with biodiesel.

All McCormick and Landini engine suppliers - Perkins, EEA and Cummins - allow the use of a biodiesel blend of no more than 5% and 95% EN 950 mineral diesel fuel. Regular oil sampling is recommended. Failures that can be attributed to operating with biodiesel will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

 

Perkins engines can run on a 5% biodiesel mix without loss of performance or warranty invalidation. Service intervals will remain at 500 hours or as otherwise previously specified. Trials of fuel with a higher proportion of biodiesel are ongoing and Perkins expects to make a statement in the coming year.

 

Cummins power-plants (as used in McCormick and JCB tractors) are capable of handling up to 5% biodiesel.

 

JCB only allow a 5% blend of Biodiesel in their vehicles. Trials have begun.