Converting My Tiller to Run Propane

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Just got home with all the plumbing I think I will need. I will let you know how it goes. The plan is to use a torch head for the throttle control. I am not thinking I need a regulator for this size of motor (I think it is a 5.5hp). I have attached fuel line hose from the parts store and plan to feed direct to the carb fuel inlet. I may have to remove the needle and float (not sure). Anyways that is the plan! Has anyone done something like this? I'll post pics when i am done. The ole' lady has my camera.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Here it is! It works like a dang sewin' machine! Woot! Likes about 1/2 choke. The valve is barely cracked at full throttle! Immediately cleaned up the cylinder, alot of smoke followed by smooth rpm's! One pull everytime! Hardest thing about it is remembering to turn the valve off! Ethanol no more! Pics later on!

[hunter63]

Very cool, .....so you just left the needle and float in?
Regulator on tank?
One of those torch head for a soldering torches?

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I did not have to remove the needle or seat, just plumbed the hose straight to the fuel inlet. It ran better than it ever has. No regulator, but it might conserve fuel. Yes, a torch head just unscrew the tip and slide a 3/8" hose on, neck it down to 1/4" with a vacuum fitting and plumb straight to the fuel inlet.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN4323.jpg

Notice I removed the gas tank.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN4325.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN4310-1.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN4318.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN4320.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN4326.jpg

[hunter63]

Now that is just cooler that sliced bread.........Looks like a 4 stroke, don't imagine a 2 stroke would as it need the oil in the gas for lube.
I'm thinking that the gen set would be the cat's behing as the gas sits in it and I need to start and run pretty regular or it goes bad.
Very cool.

I see the pup is helping you....LOL

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Now that is just cooler that sliced bread.........Looks like a 4 stroke, don't imagine a 2 stroke would as it need the oil in the gas for lube.
I'm thinking that the gen set would be the cat's behing as the gas sits in it and I need to start and run pretty regular or it goes bad.
Very cool.

I see the pup is helping you....LOL

Yeah, the pup (Mossy) is growing like a weed! Like you said if you use it once or less a year convert to propane. What you see tilled and the test cranks, about 5 and let it run for a few minutes and that is what you get off a torch tank. I'll be getting a Mac Coupler to refill it.

[Cast-Iron]

Nice job! Did you notice much difference in the power output good or bad? Cleaner burning propane should add years of service life to your engine. I am curious about the fuel consumption rate. If you ever put a pencil to it would you mind sharing that info here? (lbs/hr)

@Hunter, do you use a fuel stabilizer in the fuel for your gen set? You might want to consider using aviation fuel (costs a bit more per gallon, but no power robbing ethanol and much more stable than auto gas. Your operting costs may actually be quiet comparable).

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Nice job! Did you notice much difference in the power output good or bad? Cleaner burning propane should add years of service life to your engine. I am curious about the fuel consumption rate. If you ever put a pencil to it would you mind sharing that info here? (lbs/hr)

@Hunter, do you use a fuel stabilizer in the fuel for your gen set? You might want to consider using aviation fuel (costs a bit more per gallon, but no power robbing ethanol and much more stable than auto gas. Your operting costs may actually be quiet comparable).

I didn't have any noticeable power loss, the tiller still jerked my 6' 225lbs around just fine. 5.5hp is plenty on a 24" tiller anyhow. It was noticeably quieter, cleaner, and smoother running no misses, no backfires at all. I doubt it is cheaper, but for some applications it makes sense. I have cleaned and replaced the needle and seat on this tiller twice this year, the gas tank was also leakin' due to ethanol. Because of the carb problems, I am behind on my garden. Propane is about 2/3's the Btu's of gasoline, though I think it may be more apples to apples with 10% ethanol, soon to be more. Earlier I stated that it liked 1/2 choke. After working with it I found it prefered the choke closed and the throttle set on the rabbit. On another note I see neighbors all around with tillers put out to rust away, I am betting they are put out for carb issues. I may pick up a few on the cheap and try the conversion. I also want to try mounting the cannister upright to see how it works. I am not sure if feeding it liquid propane is necassary.

[your_comforting_company]

Too cool! and that's a nice truck in the background too!

[crashdive123]

Great idea and execution.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Great idea and execution.

Thanks everyone. If anyone wants to see just how easy it is just empty your tank and have a helper hold the torch with the nozzle removed inside the carb throat. Give it a second to fill and pull, you'll be amazed I know I was.

[crashdive123]

What sort of conversion would you have to do running propane gas instead of liquid? I'd be curious to see if there was much of a difference in how long the fuel lasts.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

What sort of conversion would you have to do running propane gas instead of liquid? I'd be curious to see if there was much of a difference in how long the fuel lasts.

I am not convinced I am getting liquid propane with the can standing on end. I was going to try it upright today but, had other chores. We are getting ready for a new horse. Think about it, when your melting fluxcore wire to a plumbing fixture....your can is upright?

[hunter63]

When it comes thru the nozzle, it should flash off into a gas, into the hose, as it looses pressure into the atmosphere.
That's why I was asking about a regulator.

[Rick]

Yeah, it's only liquid in the tank. Once the pressure drops it converts to gas.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I mounted it downwards because it was convenient....I never thought I was filling the fuel bowl with liquid propane...just blowing past the needle and seat and through the main jet.

[crashdive123]

I am not convinced I am getting liquid propane with the can standing on end. I was going to try it upright today but, had other chores. We are getting ready for a new horse. Think about it, when your melting fluxcore wire to a plumbing fixture....your can is upright?


When it comes thru the nozzle, it should flash off into a gas, into the hose, as it looses pressure into the atmosphere.
That's why I was asking about a regulator.


Yeah, it's only liquid in the tank. Once the pressure drops it converts to gas.

Not sure what I was thinking. I knew that.....I really did.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

It sure is'nt rocket science.... they never launched a rocket with propnae!~ or gas~!

[Rick]

Yeah, it's a lot like ballast tanks where you have compressed air. No, that's not right. I know. It's just like trim tanks that allow you to...no that's not right either. Were you ever on a ship where some guy lit some toilet paper and dropped it in the trough so it would roll to the next guy? Well, it's not like that either.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Yeah, it's a lot like ballast tanks where you have compressed air. No, that's not right. I know. It's just like trim tanks that allow you to...no that's not right either. Were you ever on a ship where some guy lit some toilet paper and dropped it in the trough so it would roll to the next guy? Well, it's not like that either.

Niether, but it is fun trying something the oil tycoons would rather I didn't.

[Rick]

The oil tycoons have gas, too. I don't think that came out right.

[hunter63]

Boyles law applies.....example,
http://www.davidpbrown.co.uk/jokes/chemistry-exam.html

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I am with Hunter and God on this one......

[randyt]

ya need to gather up some horse poo and make methane to run your tiller. Getting it compressed into cylinder may be the challenge. Neat stuff with the propane, I'm going to have to try it.

[Rick]

Now how are you going to get a horse to fart in a tank!? To bad we still don't have dinosaurs. Now THAT'S some methane.

(Here's Uncle Al's latest take on global warming)

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/05/scientists-dinosaurs-passing-wind-caused-global-warming-climate-change/

[crashdive123]

ya need to gather up some horse poo and make methane to run your tiller. Getting it compressed into cylinder may be the challenge. Neat stuff with the propane, I'm going to have to try it.

Just get a former military person to do it for you. Most have complained that they had to stuff 10 pounds of s*** into a 5 pound bag.:innocent:

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Update...I haven't got to try it out again it has rained every evening all week. I did pick up a couple of extra tanks the fat ones for camp and will try them upright for kicks and giggles. Also, I am trying to get my head around the need or no need for a regulator. The valve is set barely cracked, I can't imagine a regulator making a difference. I am wondering about a mixer?

[randyt]

I think a regulator may help as the tank of gas gets used up, the reg would keep the pressure stable. It may not matter but it may not hurt either. I would use a adjustable model that utilizes a hand wheel for adjustment.


Rick, Rick, Rick, Rick, you never cease to amaze me with your out of the box thinking, stinking thinking, I'm thinking LOL. That would be a well trained horse for sure LOL.

Ten pounds of stuff in a five pound bag is a challenge I'm face with often. As a HVAC contractor I have found that the furnace room is the absolute smallest room in the house. We install furnaces with shoe horns LOL.

[hunter63]

Just for grins have you talked to a local propane seller, bulk plant, type guy?

We ran all of our fork trucks on propane in the factory, but I didn't work on any.
There wasn't a regulator on the tank or hose,unless that was with the gauge on the tank?....... but I'm thinking that you might be able to control consumption some, as I sure excess gas would just flash off if you had too much?

Trailers are the worst as far as stuffing everything HVAC in a closet, can't even reach the side or back.

[randyt]

most engines use a converter rather than a regulator. Works sort of the same way. I'm not sure if a regulator would work with liquid propane, vapour only perhaps. The liquid may freeze the diaphragm. As a wee lad the family ran the sawmill, pickup, and swamp buggy on propane. My brother and I would hand pump 100 pound cylinders on a old platform grain scale. Granddad had a old liquid pump that utilized a handle very similar to a cant hook handle. My brother and I would push pull until the tank was full.

[finallyME]

Now, that's just slick. The oil companies want you to use propane. The gov'ment doesn't. They want you to use ethanol. I need to try that on my mower.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Now, that's just slick. The oil companies want you to use propane. The gov'ment doesn't. They want you to use ethanol. I need to try that on my mower.

There are some mower conversions on you tube. Most ran the fuel line in through the air breather. But then the carb is connected to the tank on the mower most of the time.