SisuDiesel Engines Approved for Biodiesel Blends

NEW YORK - Dec 4/06 - SNS -- AGCO Corporation has approved a broad range of biodiesel mixtures for its SisuDiesel engines used in AGCO, Massey Ferguson and Challenger tractors, combines and windrowers.

SisuDiesel has approved the use of Biodiesel at rates up to 100%, depending upon the model, without engine modification or any change in warranty coverage for the specified warranty period. Based in Finland, SisuDiesel is an AGCO-owned company that supplies diesel engines for a variety of AGCO brand products, as well as other OEM manufacturers.

"As the only approved alternative fuel for SisuDiesel engines, biodiesel must adhere to the European norm EN 14214 or U.S. norm ASTM D6751," explains Matti Ruotsala, vice president and managing director, Valtra explains. "Typically, this type of fuel includes rapeseed methyl ester (RME) or any of the other fatty acid methyl ester formulations, collectively known as FAME."

"Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel," Ruotsala adds. "Biodiesel blends, on the other hand, are referred to as B5, B20, etc., with the number representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend."

As Ruotsala explains, all new Tier 3 compliant SisuDiesel engines with common rail fuel injection systems may not be used with more than a maximum 20% dilution of biodiesel (B20). In other parts of the world outside the US and Canada Tier 0 Valmet and Sisu diesel engines, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 Sisu engines can use biodiesel up to B100, or 100%. However, when any blend greater than 5% (B5) is used, the crankcase oil drain, oil filter change and fuel filter element change intervals should be reduced by 50%. Up to 5% dilution of biodiesel can be used with normal service intervals.