Deutz Fahr Agrotron M Natural Power

The “natural power” tractors with the Deutz engines are equipped with two fuel tanks. The main fuel tank holds canola oil and makes up about 80 to 90% of the tractor's fuel needs, according to Alexander Leopold, Same Deutz-Fahr marketing manager in Germany. A smaller additional tank holds ordinary diesel fuel.

The engine must start on diesel fuel until the oil is warmed up to a temperature where its viscosity is similar to that of diesel fuel. After the oil is warmed, the engine automatically switches to it. If the oil cools for any reason, the engine automatically switches back to diesel fuel. When shutting off the engine, the operator must switch back to diesel fuel for 30 sec. to clean the oil out of the engine.

Leopold says the design of Deutz's diesel engine allowed it to be easily changed to natural oil. The key is that Deutz cools injection pumps with engine oil whereas competitors use diesel fuel. The new engine needs extra filters and valves, but is basically the same diesel engine.