Propane Powered Tractors and motors

Bobfish1 · Aug 27, 2013

I know propane powered tractors use a liquid propane drawn through a vaporizor then the vapor is used by the engine but I was wondering if a person could use just vapor from a 20 lb. bottle regulated to the 1/2 lb. from the tank directly to the carb atleast temporary to move it or run it without secondary regulation for flow control. Just a thought when purchasing an old propane powered tractor to get it to run. Also can you get liquid from an old 20 lb. propane bottle without the POL. valve?

Curt Cooke · Aug 27, 2013

Yes and yes. Go direct from the tank to the existing fuel filter, no regulator. You don't need to draw liquid unless you are going to run it a long time or under a load. If you need liquid, turn the tank up side down. Do be aware that today's POL's have a restriction built into them that won't allow enough fuel to pass to run an engine much beyond an idle, if that. If you have such a POL, drill it's guts out.

the Unforgiven · Aug 27, 2013

For as long as I can remember we had a couple hoses made up to connect the fast bleeder on the tank to a small bottle so if the machine ran out of fuel or the valve was left on and the fuel leaked out you could hook up the bottle and run it back to somewhere we could get at it with a filler tank. No need to fool with the lines. You can't just hook on to the carb, you HAVE TO hook on to the vaporizor.

JMOR · Aug 27, 2013

I have on several occasions simply run hose directly from 20 # tank, no reg, directly into air cleaner or carb air inlet, open throttle and control engine speed with the tank valve. Worked for me.

Owen Aaland · Aug 27, 2013

1/2 psi is way too much pressure. Regulators for engines run on vacuum, not pressure. 1/2" Water Column Vacuum or 1 1/2" W.C. are common settings for engine convertor/regulators. Impco also has some 5 1/2" W.C. for computer controlled systems. That slight vacuum from the mixer is what opens the secondary valve in the regulator to allow fuel to flow.

da.bees · Aug 27, 2013

I urge you not to try it without going through both, vaporizor AND regulator. What Owen Aaland said is correct and jeri rigging can lead to a loud boom and fireball. If you need help transfering some fuel to tractor tank,just start a new thread and ask.

Indiana Ken · Aug 27, 2013

....... Also can you get liquid from an old 20 lb. propane bottle without the POL. valve?

I have not tried it but I don't believe the POL valve will prevent liquid flow when the tank is turned upside down. The valve is operated by a float. In the normal tank position as the liquid propane level rises the buoyancy of the float closes the valve. If you turn the tank upside down the bouyancy of the float should open the valve - it wants to float up. In this position as the liquid level is lowered the float would likely close the valve preventing complete discharge of the propane. As another poster pointed out any restrictor can be a problem, liquid or vapor.

Bobfish1 · Aug 28, 2013

Thanks guys and appreciate all your help. Just didn't want to hurt myself or anyone so I will either get a liquid line to the existing vaporizor or get a secondary regulator for vapor. Already have my eye on a Garretson KN secondary regulator for vapor so I should be good to go. Thanks again.

Propane Powered Tractors and motors

Bobfish1

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Curt Cooke

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the Unforgiven

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JMOR

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Owen Aaland

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da.bees

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Indiana Ken

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Bobfish1

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