propane power - a pain in the neck?

Seems to be a lot of propane tractors available on craigslist. Curious if they are a pain in the neck regarding a huge storage tank, or on a trailer, the filling mechanism, etc. I mean, they seem offhand to pose a lot more logistical questions than just a simple gas/diesel engine that just requires a trip to QuikTrip to fill up a can.

I got a L.P. gas tractor, that's the big drawback, is bringing fuel to the tractor, I had a 500 gal tank on a two wheel trailer. But other than that factor, it's equal !!!

Not really a big deal if you are set up. Fill from the bulk tank at home,or use a portable while away from the house.Propane tractors last longer,and are usually (much) cheaper to buy.

I have a 350 utility on factory LP, and I really like it. I also have a gasoline 300 utility to compare it to, so I will chip in my few observations. Either tractor will run most of a day before needing to be fueled ( I use the LP in Texas for light mowing and blade work, the gasoline tractor in Missouri for heavy mowing and Brush hogging). The
LP tractor can be a little difficult to start in cold weather (Below 20 degrees F.), but I have never tuned the tractor, so it could be that it needs proper tuning. Both tractors seem equally powered, and all of the dirty paper that I have read supports the engineering for equivalent power within the same model family. I don't use either enough for fuel costs to be an issue. I REALLY REALLY like the fact that I can walk away from the LP tractor and five years later the fuel I left in it is as good as new. To me, this counters the "pain in the neck" of having to deal with the fueling issues. The same for the Bulk tank, once you fill it, no more pricey gas preservatives! It does seem to be a very regional thing, out in West Texas the LP dealers are very friendly to LP tractors, will fill the tractor, usually within a day or so, and the price isn't outrageous. If you want to put a wet valve on your bulk tank (when empty of course) and fill your tractor from there, great, they walk you through it and are happy to sell you the parts. In S.W. Missouri, the dealers act like you are keeping enriched uranium on your farm. Parts are super scarce for LP IH as they used ENSIGN which is long gone.

The one piece of advice I Can offer is that if you are confident in your own abilities, then get every piece of technical paper for the tractor and fuel system, and read and study seriously, like you mean it. LP shouldn't be any more hazardous than gasoline, but it can be very frustrating to work on. All those times that you troubleshot your gasoline engine by loosening lines and letting the fuel run out on the ground? Don't try that. Also there are valves and regulators operating in ways that aren't obvious from the outside, so you really need to understand the design. Good luck! jeff

Like DeltaRed says fueling an LPG tractor is not a big deal if you're setup.

A friend has a Minnie Mo "G" LPG to pull hayrides at her weekend harvest fest/Christmas tree operation. A full tank will run the tractor 3 days or so. She has local propane supplier stop by on his regular route.and top it off every Friday as needed. (The fuel system is also set up to draw from a 20# BBQ tank in the unlikely event it runs out away from the road.)

Incidentally the LPG tractor is nice that unlike the other diesel and gasoline tractors it starts well regardless of the temperature. Also it does not suffer from carb icing issues like the gasoline tractors in cool, damp weather.

From a mechanics view point, they are a pain in the neck. Insurance company didn't even want you to leave it in the shop over night. I thought they were the cat's meow when I was first introduced to them but quickly changed my mind after working on them in trucks and tractors. Pain in the neck.

I like my propane tractors but you do need to be set up for it and the filling process is more involved than just a dump can. Personally I feel LP is safer. I don't like having to haul gasoline in a plastic jug with a press on cap. I can keep propane securely in a steel container with a tightened valve. You do have to be mindful about the fuel being under pressure and use common sense.

I don't have much beyond what has already been posted. Lp ignites at a higher temperature than gasoline so ignition system needs to be strong. The carb and vaporizing systems are very simple and problems are almost always caused by gummy stuff.

One thing I will add is that exhaust fumes are substantially lower in CO and unburned hydrocarbons compared to gas or diesel. That's why they use it for inside forklifts and home cooking and heating. Not that it's good to breathe any exhaust fumes, just that LP is substantially cleaner.

My propane supplier refuses to install a wet leg on my propane tank. Yes, they own the tank, but even if I buy the tank and install the wet leg myself, they will refuse to fill that tank. They also refuse to fill the propane tank on a truck or tractor, even if it is driven to their place of business. As of now, they WILL fill a 20 pound barbecue tank.

(quoted from post at 14:04:08 01/24/16)
My propane supplier refuses to install a wet leg on my propane tank. Yes, they own the tank, but even if I buy the tank and install the wet leg myself, they will refuse to fill that tank. They also refuse to fill the propane tank on a truck or tractor, even if it is driven to their place of business. As of now, they WILL fill a 20 pound barbecue tank.

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you need a new supplier. My fuel supplier (diamond oil in DSM) came out and put all the needed parts and valves on my 500 gallon tank to fill my tractors. cost me a whopping 75 dollars

Nice dry propane gas also does not cause extra wear by washing the oil off the cylinder walls during a cold start.

My FIL loved his propane tractors and 2 ton grain truck. Because of them his home heating bill was 100% deductible on his taxes.

Rustyfarmall I owned a fuel business for years, do your self a favor buy your tank and find a new supplier.

(quoted from post at 14:49:49 01/24/16)

(quoted from post at 14:04:08 01/24/16)
My propane supplier refuses to install a wet leg on my propane tank. Yes, they own the tank, but even if I buy the tank and install the wet leg myself, they will refuse to fill that tank. They also refuse to fill the propane tank on a truck or tractor, even if it is driven to their place of business. As of now, they WILL fill a 20 pound barbecue tank.

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you need a new supplier. My fuel supplier (diamond oil in DSM) came out and put all the needed parts and valves on my 500 gallon tank to fill my tractors. cost me a whopping 75 dollars

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I doubt if that Des Moines company will come all the way down here. I switched from Pel-Gas because they would not accomodate my wishes. My local Co-op told me they could do that, so went with them, and then they told me they couldn't.

(quoted from post at 07:58:26 01/28/16) Rustyfarmall I owned a fuel business for years, do your self a favor buy your tank and find a new supplier.

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Where do you buy a propane tank? My local Co-op will not sell one. I asked. Pel-gas will not sell me one either.

You can get a new LP tank from BLT Tanks out of Oklahoma. A new 500 gallon above ground will cost around $1,400.00 and an under ground is about $1.700.00.

(quoted from post at 09:05:04 01/28/16) You can get a new LP tank from BLT Tanks out of Oklahoma. A new 500 gallon above ground will cost around $1,400.00 and an under ground is about $1.700.00.

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Do they deliver to Iowa?