I suggest you get a copy of the book, BIODIESEL-BASICS AND BEYOND byWm. H. Kemp. Not the last word, but definately enough information to get you started and able to ask the right questions.

Personally, I don't think I'm enough of a chemist to tackle it so have opted to build a rig converted for straight vegatable oil, which is beginning to progress now.

Best of luck to you if you try it. Only you know your tallents and capabilities. Biodiesel can be made; people do it. Don't get scared out if you think you can manage it. AND, LET US KNOW HOW IT IS GOING!

Jack

Next question.

If I wanted to build my own truck with a CAT engine in it, what engine should I use?

I'd want it to bolt up to an automatic transmission.

I'd use a pre 1975 Chevy Truck. (No emissions testing)

Are you talking big truck? I don't think there are any real suitable Cat engines for small trucks, like 1-ton and smaller. Plus I don't believe diesel trucks are tested for emissions until late 90's models.

I'd want to build a 3/4 ton 4x4.

I picked up a M1028 CUCV recently which is basically a miltarized Chevy K30. It has the 6.2L V8 diesel and the suspension has been upgraded to 5/4 ton, and the best part is it gets about 24MPG with the TH400 3-speed. Put in an NV4500 5-speed manual and maybe a turbo in there and you're golden. They're plentiful and fairly easy to find or you can bid one off Government Liquidation as their still coming out of a lot of guard units. Then again the civvy trucks are pretty much the same without the beefed up suspension if you want something a little more plush.

Hey Joe, thats great about planting your own fuel! I often wondered why the guvment doesn't start supporting planting cane and African palm in the Katrina ravaged areas that don't support life (housing) anymore. And while they're at it there, do the same to our territories out in the "pond" to bring up the poverty level some. Guess its them conventional oil lobbyists or somethin'...

The other thing that I like about it is it smells like french fries while your tractor is running, lol. It actually is enjoyable to smell instead of the diesel fuel smell.

I'm trying to get this together here on the island too.

And if your working on the ground around the tractor it really does make it a better day than smelling diesel all day. My Kubota's exaust comes out on the front left bottom of the tractor, right where the ground guy has to smell the exaust, so yah it's great. The tractor ran the same as diesel, no difference.

I haven't used it in my Cat yet.

Thanks for the POST on the subject.

Rape, (Canola), would grow well here in the NE USA. I wonder how many acres it would take to turn out 1000 gallons of bio-diesel?

Rape Seed is the same as Canola?
I thught Rape seed is an off shoot of the Mustard plant family?

Here is a link to yield rates of various seed oil plants. I think overall economy would involve use/ sale of the by product. Really shows corn is not that great.

Matt


journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html#ascend