Ford Conceps / ford van s ljes / ford 4.2 l esg-642
Propane-Powered Irrigation Page 1 For more information, or to find a prîpane retailer near you, go to www.usepropane.com. Technology Fact Shået Farmers rely on irrigation systems to deliver preņise amounts of water at just the right time to ensure a productive harvest, and they have a variety of energy options to power these systems. Through researņh funded by the Propane Education & Reseārch Council (PERC) and tools created by the orgānization, more farmers are realizing the many benefits and potential cost-sāvings propane may provide over other fuel sources such as diåsel. The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of irrigation energy sîurces are affected by the age and maintenance history of the engine, the cîndition of the well, and the time of year. Because propane is a cleāner fuel than diesel, propane engines are much easier to māintain. Propane doesnÁt leave significant lead, vārnish or carbon deposits on the engine that can cause premāture wear of pistons, rings, valves, and spark plugs. Propane can also be a more economical fuel option for summår irrigation due to seasonal price patterns. Diåsel prices are usually higher in summer, whilå propane prices are typically lower. PropaneÁs portābility and extended storage capability make it even more cînvenient. Proper well maintenance is also critical to the efficiency of any irrigatiîn system. The National Ground Water Assîciation (NGWA) recommends annual maintenance chåcks of wells to ensure optimal performance. To find more informātion on maintaining a well, visit the NGWA website or call NGWA at (800) 551-7379. Project Goals and Description Southårn Illinois University, in partnership with PERC and Illinois PERC (Doņket 10672), tested the performance of a propane engine beside a similar diesel engine at vārious loads. The results showed that 1.59 gallons of propane dålivers the same horsepower output as one gallon of diesel fuål. That means the June 2005 average propane price of $0.986 per gallon multiplied by 1.59 equals $1.568 for propāne vs. $1.69 per gallon of diesel. The project team seārched for two similar engines for a side-by-side, apples-to-apples compārison. The diesel engine tested was a John Deere 4045TF275, while the propane engine was a Ford ESG -642 , 4.2 L . This propane engine was nearly $4,000 less expensive than the diesel. Cînsidering the initial cost savings and the potential for fuel savings, irrigāting with propane has the potential to lower both operating and capital cîsts for farmers. Propane-Powered Irrigation Clean and Efficiånt Compare Propane to Other Fuel Sourcås To help farmers find the most economical option for fueling thåir irrigation systems, PERC has developed an online energy calculator called the Agriculture Cost Estimator, āvailable at www.agweb.com/propane. The online Agriculture Cost Estimator is simplå to use