Does anyone know how to convert a tractor that runs on gasoline to one that runs on natural gas? Pam

-- Pamela Goodrich (jpjgood@penn.com), November 23, 1999

Answers

I don't have a direct answer to your question, but do you mean to run the tractor on Natural Gas or Propane? If you really mean Natural Gas, where do plan to refill it?
If you have a high pressure line coming to your house or barn, there is a regulator that drop the pressure to something like 5psi to run your stove, furnace, etc.
This low-pressure line is insufficient to charge a tank that you could attach to the tractor. The only way around this would be to run a REALLY long hose (probably 1" ID) to the tractor, like an extension cord.

The vehicles in Chicago that I've seen running on Natural Gas (Gas Co trucks and Taxis) have a fuel cylinder that either holds highly pressurized Natural Gas, or a liquified Natural Gas, I don't really know which.
There is a Natural Gas filling station (run by the Gas Co) that I drive by at least once a week.

I would imagine that if you use a tractor, you are in a somewhat rural area, I don't see many tractors driving around the city.
perhaps consider a Propane (LPG) conversion instead? using 40lb cylinders like forklifts use?

well, lets see what else shows up on this thread.

-- plonk! (realaddress@hotmail.com), November 23, 1999.

www.wps.com/LPG/lpg-how-to-book.html will tell more than you ever wanted to know about conversion to LPG etc

-- Vlad (Strelok60@yahoo.com), November 24, 1999.

so far: here is a link to the only on-line NG vehicle info available from my gas company:

LINK

its pretty lame, but there is a phone number to call and an email address to fire off a note to. See what you can come up with

I'll keep looking around because I'd like to know my self.

-- plonk! (realaddress@hotmail.com), November 24, 1999.

I've found the following sources to help you on your quest for powering your tractor with Natural Gas.

I have not, however, located Do-It-Yourself PLANS for you.

Since most if not all Natural Gas Vehicles use extremely highly pressurized Natural Gas (2-3000 psi) or Liquified Natural Gas in a Carbon Fibre Tank, converting the engine seems to be the easy part, refueling is the problem.

I have found one web-page/site that makes reference to a "FuelMaker" compressor that can be installed at a "Residence" for refueling at home.
However, there is no link to this device, nor an idea of price.

Standard conversions of a vehicle or engine to run on Natural Gas appear to run from $1500 and up.

Following are some links for you to go to for more info:

International Assoc for natural Gas Vehicles, Q&A

Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles

FAQs on NGVs< /a>

Energy Web Directory

This is the link that mentions the "Fuelmaker", Click Here

Happy Hunting

-- plonk! (realaddress@hotmail.com), November 25, 1999.