Does anyone know how to or where I can find information on converting our gasoline powered tractor so it can run on natural gas? Pam.

-- Pamela Goodrich (jpjgood@penn.com), November 21, 1999

Answers

I thought about this about a year ago (for my pickup). My gas company said they would do it for $3,000-$4000. I didn't pursue it further

-- Frances Harrison (fyharrison@webt.com), November 22, 1999.

At our hardwre store, we convert gasoling powered generators to propane or natural gas and it cost about $550-650. We are in Maryland and not much help. There is a guy (consultant) in Arkansas who has converted his gasoling truck to porpane. Perhaps he can help. His phone is Charlie 501-677-9820. Good luck. jackie clark

-- jackie clark (clark@charm.net), November 22, 1999.

Your local tractor dealer may have a conversion kit (and even do the installation)...for a fee.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), November 24, 1999.

1st- Natural gas is different than propane or butane. CNG is the current term used for "compressed natural gas". Currently the conversions are new and expensive. I know they exist for autos, busses, and trucks; to the conversion to a farm tractor shouldn't be a real problem. The problem is in the "compression" problem and filling your tank. Many local gas companies won't allow you to compress your own out of their supply. If you do it wrong- BOOM! Commercial CNG is still scarce. 2nd- I would recommend propane if you don't like gasoline. Conversions are quite easy (relative to your skills) and any farm dealer should be able to help you out. Why do you want to convert? If I had a gas burner I'd keep it. Easier to scrounge fuel for in a pinch.

-- dozerdoctor (dozerdoc@yahoo.com), November 24, 1999.

you can convert almost any natural gas engine to run on propane. the earlier reply in keeping gasoline as a better source of fuel is correct. Propane is a byproduct of making gasoline. so if there is one there should be the other available. the best approch is to make your tractor multi-fuel based. if you are fortunate enough to have a carburator (non-injected) on the tractor, you can do as i did to my generator and make it multi fuel. I can burn propane, natural, or gasoline. The tractor in moving around makes CNG not that practical, although here the local post office delivery trucks burn CNG . to accomplish a propane conversion you need a tank, a special regulator that is very sensitive to output pressure, the metering valve, and mixing jet that can be placed in the throat of the exixting carburator. a propane dealer in your area should be able to help in parts and installation if you are unfamiliar with what needs to be done. keep in mind propane has less energy than gasoline and you will need to expect less power from the tractor. a cost benefit analysis should be done on the question of $500+ conversion vs, the cost of a storage tank and extra gasoline provided you are on a farm and can safely store additional gas away from the house, and within local storage laws.

-- mike heath (mheath@erols.com), November 27, 1999.