CASE Leads Construction Industry Into Biodiesel

Racine, WI — In response to rising fuel prices, future fuel supply concerns and its customers' owning- and-operating costs, Case Construction Equipment has become the first construction equipment manufacturer to approve the use of B5 blends (5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum-based diesel) in all of its mechanical engines.

The global full-line manufacturer also announced that the use of B20 blends (20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum-based diesel) is possible on all Case engines other than electronic engines and those in the Case 410 and 420 Skid Steer Loaders. Owners should see their local Case dealer for more information on specific biodiesel applications.

"Our customer-focused strategy helps us understand just how important lower owning-and-operating costs are to the people who buy our machines," said Jim McCullough, president of Case Construction Equipment. "We're taking every step we can to help customers be more productive, competitive and profitable. We're also well aware of the finite availability of fossil fuels; for all these reasons, we are investigating a variety of alternatives like biodiesel."

Biodiesel, which is produced from vegetable-based oils derived from renewable resources such as North American-grown soybeans, is used in various processed mixes with standard petroleum diesel. It has been heralded as an alternative fuel with the ability to lower emissions and help reduce dependence on imported oil.

"We do not intend to stop at B5 and B20 in our quest to help customers reduce their operating costs," McCullough said. "Case is committed to working with its partners to push toward higher-level biodiesel blends that will be compatible with future low-emissions-compliant engines. We've initiated aggressive field tests to evaluate the performance of Case engines with 100 percent biodiesel."

While the long-term effects of biodiesel in higher-blend ratios have yet to be confirmed with current production engines, Case is continuing to study the impacts of those applications.

Case will also continue to work closely with the Engine Manufacturers Association's Biodiesel Task Force subcommittee, which works to advance biodiesel research.

"Our research, and our work with the Biodiesel Task Force and other organizations, will build the foundation of our future with this fuel source," McCullough said.

The company's pioneering efforts in biodiesel are just the latest in a long line of industry firsts, including development of the first factory-integrated loader/backhoe, the invention of the Extendahoe extendable dipperstick, mid-mount cooling and the return-to-travel feature for wheel loaders, power turn capability on crawler dozers and the availability of Ride Control on skid steers.

"Case Construction Equipment is proud to add the approval of the B5 and B20 biodiesel blends in Case engines to its legacy of firsts," McCullough said.

B5 blends must meet the requirements of U.S. Standard ASTM6751 on the base biodiesel stock. When using blends higher than 20 percent, equipment owners should consult their Case Construction Equipment dealer.

SOURCE: Case Construction Equipment