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I would like to talk Propane

#1

Boudreaux

Boudreaux

In my research for "MY ULTIMATE ZTR"..... Propane has crossed my mind (slightly). BUT I have to wonder.

"HOW DO YOU OPERATE WITH PROPANE FUEL".

TO begin with, there's the bottle. For those that know?

1) How to you refuel..? Do you take the bottle off, and go to the Propane dealer, or do you load up and trailer the whole unit to refill the bottle. (troublesome)

2) Do you buy an extra bottle and alway have a full bottle on hand..? (Costly)

3) Does that bottle expire in 12 years like BBQ Propane bottles...? (For people like me that keep things forever.)

4)How many hours of cutting can one expect on a bottle of propane....?



:smile: :smile: :smile:


#2

reynoldston

reynoldston

The only advantage I can see about propane is that it is a lot cleaner burning. Other then that unless you operate a propane dealership I can't see any advantages. It can't be any cheaper then gas. Then how many gas stations are around where you live compared to propane dealers. Then just think if you need fuel on a holiday where do you find a open propane dealer compared to a open gas station. We are still in a world that operates lawn mowers on gasoline. But I say if your heart is set on propane try it, but I will keep using gasoline myself.


#3

Boudreaux

Boudreaux

Oh believe me, my heart isn't set on propane. I'm just trying to understand the concept of propane.

In my mind, the only way one could operate with propane would be to have an extra tank available, and stay on top of the fuel level.


:smile: :smile: :smile:


#4

reynoldston

reynoldston

Oh believe me, my heart isn't set on propane. I'm just trying to understand the concept of propane.

In my mind, the only way one could operate with propane would be to have an extra tank available, and stay on top of the fuel level.


:smile: :smile: :smile:

Like I said its a lot cleaner. When you go to change the oil it will look just as clean as the day you put it in. Its been a long time ago for me but I have worked on a truck that ran on it. It just seems that in the cold weather it had problems starting. I also have a friend that bought a pickup that ran on it and he changed it back to gasoline. I have also been in warehouses where they ran their fork trucks in side the building with it so I will guess it isn't as poisonous as gasoline. I don't know if it would be any cheaper to use over gas. I also know that they did make some farm tractors that ran on propane but have never seen one myself. You can bet that if propane was better then gasoline it would be a lot more popular then it is now.


#5

A

afoulk

It does burn cleaner, leading to a cleaner engine internally. You must be careful and keep up with maintnance however. Propane will create more acids to build up in the oil, and if run past the recommended oil change interval, the acids will begin to attack the bearings.


#6

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

It does burn cleaner, leading to a cleaner engine internally. You must be careful and keep up with maintnance however. Propane will create more acids to build up in the oil, and if run past the recommended oil change interval, the acids will begin to attack the bearings.

I'm sorry folks but this is just plain wrong. What possible acids could propane contain? Where did you hear this? Propane is 80% cleaner burning than gasoline. That's a fact. Plus propane contains no ethanol.

I've been doing this for over 35 years and that's the first time I've heard this.

Go here: MOWER INCENTIVE

In truth you can extend your service intervals x 3. After your warranty expires of course...


#7

briggs

briggs

Here is my own thoughts.. Yes it burns cleaner but not very easy to come by unless u have a station close that sells it.Here in Canada we had them on cabs in the 8os and early 90s Yes the tank expires it was costing more to run them then gas ones (same with the cop cars)it cost to much to maintain when they do brake ..Not just anyone can work on Them.. Here u need a ticket to do so if u get caught messing with it and someone blows up your in trouble ..They say gasoline is highly explosive yes it is if u don't have a vent ETC try propane if think it reacts the same lol not a chance I have seen one go and it was not cool at all and they fellow that was working on it is no longer here to tell u what happened good thing I was outside working on another car or I would have met the marker that day also,, At least with gas u have a chance to get away if it dose ignite propane say good night u don't get a second chance Its good for cooking and heat leave it at that ..I have no desire to strap my backside to a bomb lol:confused2:


#8

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

Here is my own thoughts.. Yes it burns cleaner but not very easy to come by unless u have a station close that sells it.Here in Canada we had them on cabs in the 8os and early 90s Yes the tank expires it was costing more to run them then gas ones (same with the cop cars)it cost to much to maintain when they do brake ..Not just anyone can work on Them.. Here u need a ticket to do so if u get caught messing with it and someone blows up your in trouble ..They say gasoline is highly explosive yes it is if u don't have a vent ETC try propane if think it reacts the same lol not a chance I have seen one go and it was not cool at all and they fellow that was working on it is no longer here to tell u what happened good thing I was outside working on another car or I would have met the marker that day also,, At least with gas u have a chance to get away if it dose ignite propane say good night u don't get a second chance Its good for cooking and heat leave it at that ..I have no desire to strip my backside to a bomb lol:confused2:

You say you've "seen one go". One what?

Globally how many gasoline engines combust vs propane? Bear in mind that propane fuels one of three autos in Europe.

You also state that you "don't get a second chance". How many folks were killed by propane in the last ten years versus gasoline? In my 35+ years in the industry I can remember five killed that were connected to propane as a motorfuel. All five were operator errors. The City of Mercer Island converted their Police vehicles because of comparative ballistic tests vs gasoline.

IT IS A FACT that propane containers and product are much safer than gasoline for use as a motorfuel.

Propane Safety Tips - Exceptional Energy

No, propane does not react the same as gasoline. It has a MUCH LOWER FLAMABILITY LIMIT. This means it is much less likely to combust.

I can't change what we see in movies. FWIW I don't believe in vampires or zombies either...


#9

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

Here are the facts about propane as a motorfuel:

Like gasoline LPG is flammable, but has a much narrower range of flammability. LPG has a much higher ignition temperature of 920-1020 degrees vs. 80-300 degrees for gasoline. LPG will only burn with an air-fuel ratio of between 2.2% and 9.6% and will rapidly dissipate beyond its flammability range in the open atmosphere, making ignition unlikely. LPG tanks are tested to a minimum 4 times normal operating pressures and are 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline tanks.

I don't know what else I can tell you other than the facts don't support your fear of "a bomb strapped to your behind". My wife is deathly afraid of spiders but if she'd learn about them she wouldn't be so afraid. Personally, spiders don't bother me. I've been bitten seven times by widows and survived. No, it wasn't pleasant, but I turned out just f,f,f,f,f,fine...:confused2:


#10

briggs

briggs

You say you've "seen one go". One what?

Globally how many gasoline engines combust vs propane? Bear in mind that propane fuels one of three autos in Europe.

You also state that you "don't get a second chance". How many folks were killed by propane in the last ten years versus gasoline? In my 35+ years in the industry I can remember five killed that were connected to propane as a motorfuel. All five were operator errors. The City of Mercer Island converted their Police vehicles because of comparative ballistic tests vs gasoline.

IT IS A FACT that propane containers and product are much safer than gasoline for use as a motorfuel.

Propane Safety Tips - Exceptional Energy

No, propane does not react the same as gasoline. It has a MUCH LOWER FLAMABILITY LIMIT. This means it is much less likely to combust.

I can't change what we see in movies. FWIW I don't believe in vampires or zombies either...


Really lmao well u tell that to the fellow that I watched get his *** blown out the door in peace's not something I will ever forget He was working on a cop car static charge off his sweat shirt ignited the vapour in the air not sure what he had been doing I was outside working on another car doing some wiring all I know is he ended up on the ground outside the shop dead there was no big bang just one heck of a fire ball ...Don't care how long u worked on them ..Its a fact they did away with it here because it cost to much to maintain ..Cop cars and cabs went gas costs less for them to run its all about budget . ..Most fleet trucks went Diesel ..Not enough places carried propane.plus people want stuff they can work on not stuff they have to send in to be fixed by a cert dealer plus they will make u cert the machine every couple of years ....And yes I have my ticket for propane and I also have the ticket for safe handling of it I know how it works u don't have to tell me it will also change if its a hot day cold day /confined space open space etc its unpredictable and not for the average person to play with ...Say what u will the bottom line is its not for the average Joe what good is it if u cant work on it yourself ...Or have access to the fuel u need...Its good for heat and cooking that's it


#11

briggs

briggs

Here are the facts about propane as a motorfuel:

Like gasoline LPG is flammable, but has a much narrower range of flammability. LPG has a much higher ignition temperature of 920-1020 degrees vs. 80-300 degrees for gasoline. LPG will only burn with an air-fuel ratio of between 2.2% and 9.6% and will rapidly dissipate beyond its flammability range in the open atmosphere, making ignition unlikely. LPG tanks are tested to a minimum 4 times normal operating pressures and are 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline tanks.

I don't know what else I can tell you other than the facts don't support your fear of "a bomb strapped to your behind". My wife is deathly afraid of spiders but if she'd learn about them she wouldn't be so afraid. Personally, spiders don't bother me. I've been bitten seven times by widows and survived. No, it wasn't pleasant, but I turned out just f,f,f,f,f,fine...:confused2:

propane dose not scare me but I don't want to sit on a tank of it to much to go wrong with it your talking about machine's that will be bounced around smashed into stuff people cobbling stuff making there own repairs Parts wise it will cost more its all about money people are cheap when they get the bill to fix there propane EQ they will have a heart attack man trust me I have seen it why do u think people throw there BBQs and construction heaters away because they cost to much to repair ..Now I fix mine but not everyone can


#12

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

propane dose not scare me but I don't want to sit on a tank of it to much to go wrong with it your talking about machine's that will be bounced around smashed into stuff people cobbling stuff making there own repairs Parts wise it will cost more its all about money people are cheap when they get the bill to fix there propane EQ they will have a heart attack man trust me I have seen it why do u think people throw there BBQs and construction heaters away because they cost to much to repair ..Now I fix mine but not everyone can

Statistics show that propane mowers cost less to maintain than their gasoline counterparts. These are facts. These facts are collected by PERC and published.

A typical propane commercial mower will last 2.5 times longer than a comparable gasoline mower. This has been proved time and time again as we sometimes will convert just two mowers for a large cutter on trial. They have never, I repeat NEVER failed to convert the rest of their fleet. Some have even converted their trucks.

propane mowers - Bing Videos

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=A2A19D91809C3B43263BA2A19D91809C3B43263B

I don't know what else to say. When was the last time you saw a gasoline forklift? Really?

I see you're from Canada. I can only conclude that they have different rules there. I'll ask some of my Canadian associates.


#13

briggs

briggs

Statistics show that propane mowers cost less to maintain than their gasoline counterparts. These are facts. These facts are collected by PERC and published.

A typical propane commercial mower will last 2.5 times longer than a comparable gasoline mower. This has been proved time and time again as we sometimes will convert just two mowers for a large cutter on trial. They have never, I repeat NEVER failed to convert the rest of their fleet. Some have even converted their trucks.

propane mowers - Bing Videos

propane mowers - Bing Videos

I don't know what else to say. When was the last time you saw a gasoline forklift? Really?

I see you're from Canada. I can only conclude that they have different rules there. I'll ask some of my Canadian associates.


we don't have different rules here other then Some of the emissions laws its all about money Sears Canada used to have all there service trucks on propane Police cars taxi cabs 1 ton trucks all propane they found it was to much to maintain in the long run and have them cert every couple of years plus the cost of fuel ..... Gas engines are easy to work on most people can do it themselves they don't want to send there stuff to a shop to be fixed by a dealer they cost to much ...It dose burn clean it makes more power and so on but in the end it comes to the old mighty dollar ....They said the same crap about hybrid cars how they were great and cheap blah blah u don't see to many on the road do u any one can weigh the pros and cons but in the end it comes down to money and how easy it is to get fuel as for the forklift most are propane they work ok never said they didn't but I know how much it cost to fix them also and if u pay that all time u will go broke


#14

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

we don't have different rules here other then Some of the emissions laws its all about money Sears Canada used to have all there service trucks on propane Police cars taxi cabs 1 ton trucks all propane they found it was to much to maintain in the long run and have them cert every couple of years plus the cost of fuel ..... Gas engines are easy to work on most people can do it themselves they don't want to send there stuff to a shop to be fixed by a dealer they cost to much ...It dose burn clean it makes more power and so on but in the end it comes to the old mighty dollar ....They said the same crap about hybrid cars how they were great and cheap blah blah u don't see to many on the road do u any one can weigh the pros and cons but in the end it comes down to money and how easy it is to get fuel as for the forklift most are propane they work ok never said they didn't but I know how much it cost to fix them also and if u pay that all time u will go broke

Here in the States that hasn't been my experience. All I have to go on is the testimonials from customers who have been using propane for decades and their precise documentation.

I wonder why so many folks would lie...

Anyway, moving on!


#15

briggs

briggs

Here in the States that hasn't been my experience. All I have to go on is the testimonials from customers who have been using propane for decades and their precise documentation.

I wonder why so many folks would lie...

Anyway, moving on!

No lie here if it was so cheap and so one the they would have kept them on there fleet .............


#16

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

No lie here if it was so cheap and so one the they would have kept them on there fleet .............

I'm not sure what this means. The bottom line is:

* Propane is much safer then gasoline
* Propane costs up to 60% less than gasoline
* Propane is up to 80% less polluting than gasoline.
* Propane engines last longer than gasoline engines.
* Maintenance intervals can be up to three times longer on propane.

These are facts for which I have given concrete reference. You have yet to provide ONE. I respect your opinion on the subject but I can't FORCE you to be right.

Fair Winds...


#17

briggs

briggs

I'm not sure what this means. The bottom line is:

* Propane is much safer then gasoline
* Propane costs up to 60% less than gasoline
* Propane is up to 80% less polluting than gasoline.
* Propane engines last longer than gasoline engines.
* Maintenance intervals can be up to three times longer on propane.

These are facts for which I have given concrete reference. You have yet to provide ONE. I respect your opinion on the subject but I can't FORCE you to be right.

Fair Winds...


fair enough on some of your points yes its clean yes engine life yes .....There was a reason they stopped using it on there Vehicles from about 200 cop cars to 400 cabs went to junk yard i was told it was cost ,maintenance an a aging fleet( they could not replace Sears Canada had over 200 of there service /Delivery vans that went to the junk yard (that was just in my area ) not enough places had propane for sale ...Like i siad if it was so great why did they scrap it...U know if they can save money they will ....its the same as Natural gas works great pay for it or try to find it


#18

L

LoCo86

I'm not sure what this means. The bottom line is: * Propane is much safer then gasoline * Propane costs up to 60% less than gasoline * Propane is up to 80% less polluting than gasoline. * Propane engines last longer than gasoline engines. * Maintenance intervals can be up to three times longer on propane. These are facts for which I have given concrete reference. You have yet to provide ONE. I respect your opinion on the subject but I can't FORCE you to be right. Fair Winds...

I have no problem with propane. If it works for you good if it doesn't that's fine too. The only problem I have seen from having a propane tank mounted on a ZTR is that on some models you can not install a bagging attachment. That might be something for you and any companies in this field to find a way around. If you know of any please specify. Thanks.


#19

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

I have no problem with propane. If it works for you good if it doesn't that's fine too. The only problem I have seen from having a propane tank mounted on a ZTR is that on some models you can not install a bagging attachment. That might be something for you and any companies in this field to find a way around. If you know of any please specify. Thanks.

You are absolutely correct. We're working on it along with the manufacturers.


#20

L

LoCo86

You are absolutely correct. We're working on it along with the manufacturers.

Me personally I use gas, but I know this will help out the users of propane.


#21

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

Me personally I use gas, but I know this will help out the users of propane.

And there's nothing wrong with that! If you look at the tack manufacturers are taking by offering OEM propane units, would it make sense to open themselves up to a dangerous liability? They did their homework. They came to us since we are very successful in that application. A lot of engineering went into these units.

Here in the States we have what are called "Ozone action days". If your mower runs on gasoline or diesel, you're not mowing. Propane is accepted as the fuel of choice by The Clean Cities Coalition of the United States.

I assume most here are homeowners and not commercial mowers. It's probably not cost effective for those to convert. But on the commercial side if you're not mowing, you're not earning and "Ozone Action Days" can last for weeks.


#22

L

LoCo86

And there's nothing wrong with that! If you look at the tack manufacturers are taking by offering OEM propane units, would it make sense to open themselves up to a dangerous liability? They did their homework. They came to us since we are very successful in that application. A lot of engineering went into these units. Here in the States we have what are called "Ozone action days". If your mower runs on gasoline or diesel, you're not mowing. Propane is accepted as the fuel of choice by The Clean Cities Coalition of the United States. I assume most here are homeowners and not commercial mowers. It's probably not cost effective for those to convert. But on the commercial side if you're not mowing, you're not earning and "Ozone Action Days" can last for weeks.

I've never heard of " Ozone Action Days ". Is this a nation wide act, or sectioned off to select areas of the U.S.? I guess it would be contingent on whether the city would vote this act in. I do however think that letting it last for weeks is a little overboard. Having an awareness day is ok, but making it last longer could be a detriment to some cities and companies who depend on petroleum fuel. If I'm understanding the application of these " Ozone Action Days ".


#23

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

I've never heard of " Ozone Action Days ". Is this a nation wide act, or sectioned off to select areas of the U.S.? I guess it would be contingent on whether the city would vote this act in. I do however think that letting it last for weeks is a little overboard. Having an awareness day is ok, but making it last longer could be a detriment to some cities and companies who depend on petroleum fuel. If I'm understanding the application of these " Ozone Action Days ".

It has to do with smog. Mostly cities like LA or Dallas.

It all depends on the air quality. This will give you a good idea of how much the typical lawnmower pollutes.

Cleaner Air: Mowing Emissions and Clean Air Alternatives. A Fact Sheet


#24

briggs

briggs

It has to do with smog. Mostly cities like LA or Dallas.

It all depends on the air quality. This will give you a good idea of how much the typical lawnmower pollutes.

Cleaner Air: Mowing Emissions and Clean Air Alternatives. A Fact Sheet

cars and Jets put out more then lawnmowers do they should shut them down for a few days also :confused2:


#25

Carscw

Carscw

If you all would stop commenting on all the propane threads they would go away just like the what oil to use threads.
This is one of them never ending arguments that no one is going to agree on.

It's always good to learn more info on things but this is just annoying now.
Appreciate the info on propane but this has turned into just a long drawn out infomercial.

If no one else agrees with me then I was hacked and did not write this.


#26

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

If you all would stop commenting on all the propane threads they would go away just like the what oil to use threads.
This is one of them never ending arguments that no one is going to agree on.

It's always good to learn more info on things but this is just annoying now.
Appreciate the info on propane but this has turned into just a long drawn out infomercial.

If no one else agrees with me then I was hacked and did not write this.

LOL! I agree.

You folks don't have to agree with me, just make sure of your facts before you post about propane. Nobody learns anything if the incorrect information is posted.


#27

Terry CleanFuel

Terry CleanFuel

cars and Jets put out more then lawnmowers do they should shut them down for a few days also :confused2:

You're gonna have to argue with the Gubmint there Briggs. Not my rules.

Actually ONE propane lawnmower puts-out the same amount of pollution 100 late model cars being driven 100 miles each. Again, not my numbers, the Gubmints.

We're working on mounting tanks on jets...


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