biodiesel

Babberney

Babberney

Location
Austin, TX
Anyone see the recent article in one of the trade mags about using biodiesel to fuel trucks and chippers? This really caught my eye because I've been thinking this direction for awhile. I recently learned that the original diesel engine ran on peanut oil, and biodiesel can fuel everything from ocean liners to model airplanes. Vehicles with rubber hoses and gaskets should be retrofitted with alcohol-resistant replacements, but clean biodiesel has only a little to no alcohol (which is what degrades the rubber). Dodge (for an example) will stand behind the warranty if you only use 20% biodiesel combined with petroleum diesel, but licensed producers will often warranty any components not covered by the manufacturer if you use 100% biodiesel.

For the uninitiated, biodiesel is fuel from vegetable oil (or tallow, lard, etc.) and alcohol (methanol is preferred), mixed with a little lye. The result is glycerine soap and biodiesel, which can go straight into the tank of any modern diesel engine. Both the vegetable oil and the alcohol could be made from crops grown on farmland that the US government pays farmers to leave fallow so our food prices will be stable. No mining, less emissions, better lubricity, 100% biodegradeable. The wave of the future, surely.

Which got me to wondering, why not chainsaws? As much as I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of a difficult removal, I can't help thiking about the emissions nightmare that it represents. A little research in this area turned up that the saw I have now would run on a biodiesel/ethanol mix, or that I could use gas with biodiesel as the 2-cycle oil, but why can't we have a diesel chainsaw? If they can be made to fit in model airplanes, surely they can be scaled to chainsaw size. Does anyone know enough about this to fill me in?

The costs of these changes is daunting (biodiesel, when purchased from a liscensed supplier, is generally more expensive than petroleum diesel, as is biodegradeable oil and, presumably, new diesel saws if they came about). Still, looking to the future there's no way to continue on the same path forever. Why not be the first to advertise clean-burning, environmentally safe fuels? in some towns this may not be a huge selling point, but conservation is a growth industry. Get in early.

keith
 
I thought that I saw an article in a newspaper regarding authorities in the UK cracking down on citizens making and using their own biodiesel in their cars. So I suppose that it's cheaper in the UK, at least if you make it yourself. None of the fuel taxes, quite a savings.
 
Yes, you can make your own pretty cheaply, assuming you can find a local restaurant to let you take their used cooking oil for free. Having done so, though, you will face problems with engine manufacturers because you cannot certify the fuel without an expensive test (I saw an estimate of $500-1000 per gallon tested). Also, methane is pretty nasty stuff so making it yourself is not risk-free.

What I've read from those who make their own biodiesel despite lost warranties (or on motors with no warranty intact anyway) suggests you will never have a problem from fuel you make yourself, provided you take care to do it correctly, but for the average tree business there are plenty of things to do without making fuel, and if you are lucky enough to have a local supplier the convenience of pre-made fuel would more than outweigh the cost. As someone who has found it difficult to purchase the stuff, I may give the do-it-yourself method a try.

I'm still hoping to hear from someone that a diesel saw exists or can be put together from existing products, as the 2-cycle engines are the worst offenders in terms of emissions, in my job at least. Using natural fuel in the truck and chipper is a good first step, but I hope to find a way to go farther.

There are ways to do some work with biodiesel now. Buckets and chippers with diesel motors and hydraulic systems can push hydraulic saws and cutters. Even the hydraulic oil can be replaced with a biodegradeable alternative. But that won't help me much at the top of a big tree.

k
 
I recall seeing a diesel saw at a show a while ago, I think it was made in the fifties. The tag for it said that it was far ahead of it's time, much lighter than other saws of comparable power.
 
There are some systems that will let you burn neat vegetable oil, used and filtered from your local chip shop even. Works OK in summer, but the higher viscosity in winter can put a strain on fuel line components, especially the fuel pump. For that reason, you can get heaters to warm the oil up beforehand. You need a tank of normal diesel to start from cold, then switch to oil once you've warmed up.

It's more expensive than normal diesel here because of the tax laws. If you make your own, you have to declare it and pay duty. Not many companies make it, because you have to apply for permission to a government agency, and the application will cost you £16,000. But it does work perfectly well, it's just the rules that stop most people from trying it.
 
Anyone ever been to Hempfest or seen the Hempmobile?

Now we're talkin' great exhaust!

Pic is of Eli starting a giant 50 foot swing out into Lake Washington. He wasn't satisfied with the existing tiepoint, so he climbed way out on this 70 degree leaning Bigleaf maple, did some pruning, set an old Safety Blue line, and bombed away. The videos are even better!
 
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