New Biodiesel-Approved Offering Hits the Off-road
Arctic Cat launches ATV approved to use B20

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– Farmers now have another option in which to use biodiesel on the farm. Arctic Cat, manufacturer of all terrain vehicles (ATVs), has just announced and completed development of a twin-cylinder diesel ATV, the first on the market. Popular on farms, Arctic Cat is encouraging the use of a biodiesel blend in these ATVs. The company began manufacturing them within the last month.

Biodiesel, made from vegetable oils or animal fats, has the ASTM International specification of D 6751. B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel, can be used in any diesel engine with no modifications. The Arctic Cat machine comes with a fuel tag that recommends biodiesel use of up to B20. This was the first time B20 had been commercially promoted in small diesel engines. The research was sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (MSR&PC), the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s Center for Producer-Owned Energy and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Two percent biodiesel, or B2, is now standard in Minnesota.

“The Minnesota Soybean Council continues to invest checkoff dollars in projects that will add value to soybeans,” said Scott Singlestad, Chair of the MSR&PC Domestic Marketing Committee and soybean farmer from Waseca, Minn. “We’re extremely pleased with the positive results of this biodiesel project and commend Arctic Cat for its support of this amazing fuel and its environmental benefits.”

“This is the first small engine manufacturer to fully support B20 blends in its equipment,” said National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Technical Director Steve Howell. “The testing done by Arctic Cat exemplifies that B20 blends can be used in existing engines without degrading the engine performance that long life users have come to expect from diesel engines. Arctic Cat is showing true technical leadership by fully supporting B20.”

Arctic Cat was very impressed with B20 in its ATVs, said Ole Tweet, vice president of new product development. “It says to farmers, ‘Here’s a vehicle for you that runs on the very stuff you grow.’ That’s a tremendous attribute. Further, we’re trying to reduce the impact of our ATVs on the environment and we like the idea of making an ATV that could run on renewable fuel grown by some of our best customers.”

Arctic Cat took three 2007 Arctic Cat ATVs equipped with 700 cc twin-cylinder Lombardini diesel engines through rigorous testing. These included emissions, sound levels, hot-start capability at air temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and normal-life engine durability tests, which simulate five years of consumer use. The tests compared for winter use with a No. 1 winter blend as well.

There were no differences in engine or component wear, and no degradation of the fuel system with B20, Tweet said. “What is significant about the test results is that there was nothing very significant,” Tweet said. “Arctic Cat was very pleased with the performance of biodiesel fuel.”

Of course, ATVs are not just for farmers, nor are farmers the only ones who use biodiesel. Volkswagen owners to school bus drivers are increasingly using various blends of biodiesel. Other users of the ATV include the military, which also uses biodiesel at many bases across the country. The military is the largest user of biodiesel in the U.S.

The 686cc twin cylinder, SOHC 4-stroke diesel engine, provides 30 percent greater fuel mileage over a conventional gasoline engine and provides extra low-end torque. The engine runs efficiently on six forms of diesel fuel, including B20, with a glow plug pre-heater assist for starting.

Arctic Cat, a $736-million public company based in Thief River Falls, Minn., makes snowmobiles and ATVs worldwide. The MSR&PC is an elected board of 14 soybean producers from across the state. They direct the investment of soybean checkoff dollars in international marketing, research, promotion and domestic marketing programs designed to increase the profitability of Minnesota soybeans. America’s farmers funded most of the U.S. biodiesel research in this way.

Biodiesel significantly cuts harmful environmental emissions, promotes greater energy independence and boosts our economy. Today, more than 600 major fleets use biodiesel commercially, and more than 850 retail filling stations make it available to the public.

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