John Deere fills tractors with biodiesel at its factory

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – John Deere’s Waterloo Works plant recently completed the nation’s first factory-fill of B2, a blend of 2 percent biodiesel fuel, in the company’s diesel-propelled machines.
John Deere had announced its commitment to the B2-factory fill in February during the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo, saying the company would put B2 in tractors, combines, self-propelled sprayers, and other diesel-powered machines made in the United States.
Boosting demand. “If all U.S. farmers used B2, we could displace the equivalent of about 54 million gallons of foreign oil per year and boost the demand for America’s soybeans and other natural fats and oils,” said Ed Ulch, director of the National Biodiesel Board.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be made from any fat or vegetable oil, such as soybean oil.
It works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications and can be used in pure form or blended with petroleum diesel at any level.
The U.S. Department of Energy calls biodiesel the fastest growing alternative fuel in the country.
Transition. John Deere plans to transition the B2 biodiesel fuel into the rest of its U.S. plants before the end of 2005.
The Waterloo Works plant and John Deere’s combine manufacturing plant, Harvester Works, in East Moline, Ill., will be the first to begin using the B2 fuel.
All agricultural tractors and combines will be shipped with the B2 biodiesel fuel to dealers and customers direct from the factory.
John Deere also plans to publicize its fuel specifications and encourage its customers to continue to use B2.