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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

LP tractors?

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dej(JED)

07-18-2005 05:33:28




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With LP at about $1.19 a gallon here in Western, Pa., I was wondering why people here don't opt for LP tractors? Is it that they are simply an unknown and scary operational item in this area?




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Sid

07-19-2005 00:04:59




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
Ask Propane dealers why they quit running delivery truck trucks on propane. The ones I talk to say bottom line. I know an old timers who got together with Allis Chalmers dealer several years ago ran propane gasoline and diesel all Wd 45 in same feild same type plow and let the neighbors make up their own minds the figures based on their needs and results led most to go diesel route. Not saying this is the answer for everybody but at least it was in that situation.

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John A.

07-18-2005 20:24:18




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
JED, I have held off on commenting on this on all day!. LP was a cheap fuel that became popular in the late 40s early 50s. It is a by-product in the making of gasoline. HOW cheap,-- about .05/gal, way less than gasoline! and farming is all about the bottom, line.
So the tractor companies built to the farmers who wanted them.
A by product is engine longivity. Little to no wear as compared to gasoline. As LP is a dry fuel and gas is a wet fuel.
Yes, LP tractors are somewhat different than gasoline counterparts. BUT only in the area of fuel delivery and carbiration. Other than that It is exactly the same as a gasser.
Lp is safer than gasoline, not as volitile as gas. You cannot pour 5 gal out of a can into the tank like a gasser. The fuel is under pressure all the time. And that is what seems to confound most folks.
I still prefer an LP over a gasser ANY day.
I have logged thousands of hours on a 4020 LP PS. And have worn out 4 different pickups on LP. Well over 150K on each.
I prefer those of ya'll that don't like LPs just keep on not likeing them. Leaves more tractors for those of us who DO. LOL! Ya'll have fun!
Later,
John A.

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Van in AR

07-18-2005 21:09:21




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to John A., 07-18-2005 20:24:18  
Hi John,
Ya took the words right out of my mouth! Watched this one all day myself. Just spread the word, LP tractors are low cost junk and keep that price down. Heck my 300 LP can rake hay in 4th wide open three days on a tank, (running on vapor of course) can mow the same. A gasser would take a tank and a half a day. Love it.
Hope all is well for you, LP SMTA is comming along slow but sure.
Van

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txgrn

07-19-2005 06:38:56




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to Van in AR, 07-18-2005 21:09:21  
There's my main point: You were raking and on vapor. Now when you decide to work it is when it needs the tag along nurse tank.

Grant you it is a clean fuel.

But baby, Propane is right up there with everything else today. Not cheap like it once was in West Texas among other places.

Mark



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Van in AR

07-19-2005 10:05:59




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to txgrn, 07-19-2005 06:38:56  
I disc and plow with that tractor too. Liquid line is capped off, has never been used since I was a kid except to hook up another tank if it ran out of fuel. Tractor will keep up with a gas 300 or 350 all day long. Hard pulling (9' fasthitch disc) will burn a tank a day, about 19 gallons, last I bought on prepay was $1.24 a gallon. Your milage may vary.
Van



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txgrn

07-20-2005 04:41:56




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to Van in AR, 07-19-2005 10:05:59  
Interesting you can run on vapor and do any work. Mine was a 4020 Deere with 96hp and when I was working it I'd refuel a 40 gallon tank at least once and go thru the fillup B4 dark....but that was another story....trying to refuel an LP tractor in the heat of summer in the field, from a nurse tank.

Sounds like you got a deal there.

Mark



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John A.

07-19-2005 05:31:36




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to Van in AR, 07-18-2005 21:09:21  
Morning Van, heard That ! OBTW-- an LP tractor will get you to the end of the field or to the nurse tank, simply lift your plow then throttleing back and being easy on the remaining vapor. All is better since we were blessed to get 3+ in of rain here Fri night/Sat Morn. Was overcast the rest of the weekend too. Sure makes a difference since were are going into Shake & Bake time here in Cen-Tex.
All is well here, no real problems all, since health is the main thing that money can't buy.
Got any pics to post on your girl yet? Later,
John A.

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Van in AR

07-19-2005 06:15:49




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to John A., 07-19-2005 05:31:36  
Hey John, Still trying to find the time to work out the mechanicals on the old machine. needs a few parts and the LP tank was left outside for a few years with the pop off missing getting it rinsed out and derusted now to remount. Glad you got some rain, pastures and hay are drying up here. Building a pole barn now, work til 11 and quit until about 4, work till dark. Just to hot for me anymore. Seen some posts about the electric LP pumps below, don"t they know all they need is the hose kit and a wet leg in the tank? Still using the same hose for the 300 that came with it when my dad bought it in 68, works fine. New hose about$250 if you need it. Looking at a 856 and a 966 to bale with, havent made up my mind yet.Hope all it fine with you and yours.
Van

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Sid

07-19-2005 00:14:28




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to Van in AR, 07-18-2005 21:09:21  
How big are the tanks? Are you taling about equal size tanks? Th LP tractors I have seen generaly have bigger tanks than their gasoline counterparts.



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John A.

07-19-2005 05:39:50




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to Sid, 07-19-2005 00:14:28  
Sid, The tank for a non-presserized fuel lik gas/DSL can be any shape. Sine the fuel is gravity fed or have a pump.
LP tanks have roughly 250 psi all over so the tank design has a lot to do due to that factor! a round tank body design, round head caps. It make dthe integerity of the tank easier in the build process.
So LP Tank doesn't necessarily fit under the sheet metal like on a gasser.
The LP and gas tractors have roughly a 25 gal tank.
Later,
John A.

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RayP(MI)

07-18-2005 18:53:05




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
Talked to my supplier today about equipment to fuel an LP from a bulk tank. Requires special inspection and certifcation before using an electric pump. READ COSTLY> Manual pump is darn inconvenient according to my supplier. Figure these in your cost calculations.



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larry h

07-18-2005 16:42:20




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
we are using lp tractors and laughing all the way to the bank we normally buy the tractors for .30 on the dollar to a diesel so basically they give us enough fuel to run 3 years then we buy fuel for under a1.00 also deere is now testing lp tractors on the tex trial farm because in the near future diesel will be a thing of the past due to epa and in the winter you do not need warmers cords chargers ether etc i hope congress will come out with a program to pay you to use alternative fuels then we may farm for free we are using oliver and mm the reason not to use deere is simple the same hp in oliver is 310ci with jd it is 404 so you see why they suck fuel

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Sid

07-18-2005 23:50:40




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to larry h , 07-18-2005 16:42:20  
"hope congress will come out with a program to pay you to use alternative fuels then we may farm for free" Well I hope they don't. If you are laughing all the way to the bank, why do you need money from congress?



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larry h

07-20-2005 18:14:58




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to Sid, 07-18-2005 23:50:40  
never hurts to get a tax rebate also it makes diesel ownners really appreciate of the fun they make of us who use lp



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Jeff Oliver

07-18-2005 14:54:07




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
The LP tractors do use more fuel compared to the others. However we cut alot of hay here and for the raking and teddering and stuff I am thinking of getting the JD 720 out and using it some. as far as LP's go it doesn't use alot (especially compared to like a 4020 or Oliver 1800 which we also have) and is fun to drive. For cutting and baling/rolling though the cab JD diesels will see that part of it.

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HaySam

07-18-2005 14:11:58




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
L P beats the heck out of coal oil or tractor fuel



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Coloken

07-18-2005 06:38:50




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
I tried LP once many years ago. Tractor burned 3 gal/hour gasoline, 4 gal/hour LP. After a few years I changed back. Just a little more conveniant. Diesel uses , what?, about 60 percent of gasoline? That would make Lp usage roughly double diesel. Diesel engines run many times as long befor overhaul, all though LP engine are noted for long life. My BIL and his family prefered LP, many do. Fork lifts inside of spud cellers use LP for cleaner fumes.
Kennyp

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Galen

07-18-2005 06:12:38




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
It's all personal preference. Neighbor has a MF 165 - diesel and a MM 302U - propane. These are comparable tractors in HP, but the MM is his "workhorse". Anything heavey he needs done he uses the Minne, other stuff he uses the MF. Both are good machines. He wouldn't give up either for anything.



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txgrn

07-18-2005 05:36:15




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to dej(JED), 07-18-2005 05:33:28  
Had a JD 4020 LP (96 listed hp) and a current JD 4010 diesel ( 80 hp listed). I have proof positive, first hand experience, that LP is not the way to go if you are "working" your tractor.


Mark



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steveormary

07-18-2005 17:06:10




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to txgrn, 07-18-2005 05:36:15  
Well now,Nothing wrong with propane. Back in the mid fiftys I had the pleasure of operating an MM U and a Massy 44 on propane. Years later when I was looking for a tractor I would have purchases a propane powered unit but none were available at the time.

steveormary



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txgrn

07-19-2005 06:34:24




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 Re: LP tractors? in reply to steveormary, 07-18-2005 17:06:10  
My main gripes: Had to follow the tractor with the "nurse tank", a pain to fill in the dead of summer or winter, very hot to sit behind in the summer, couldn't jump in the p/u and run to town for some gas (er ah diesel), and had only one sweet spot where it would start.

Nice part: If I hit the sweet spot, very easy to start in the dead of winter.

Mark



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