Agricultural workers and landowners in the south west face a potential catalogue of machinery problems in the New Year as a new EU directive to change use of normal red diesel to biofuel comes into force from January 1.

The move is legally binding and has been introduced to bring fuels for agricultural and off road machinery and equipment in the UK in line with products most recently used by cars and trucks, which have demonstrable benefits for the environment.

But the legislation is likely to cause concern and worry to many.

According to the directive, the fuel must contain less than ten milligrams of sulphur per kilogram of fuel (10ppm) making it virtually sulphur free. It also rules that the fuel could include up to seven per cent biodiesel for the first time.

The South West’s agricultural industry employs nearly 80,000 people.

With nearly 50,000 agricultural holdings in the region, the changes are set to provide a range of issues that many feel must be dealt urgently in order to avoid problems such as cross-contamination and wrong product delivery.

Other issues may arise including material incompatibility and residual deposit flushing causing clogged filters according to Rob Tincknell, managing director of Tincknell Fuels from Wells.

He told South West Farmer that his company had already received numerous calls from people across the region seeking advice and guidance on how best to make the switch.

“The changeover to a new grade of gas oil could certainly create serious performance issues for machinery so there is a need for landowners, farmers and agricultural workers to be prepared in light of this directive,” he said.

“For example, a key factor of this fuel is its interaction with moisture. The water reacts with an active ingredient in the biofuel and can cause it to ‘sludge’, which then in turn clogs up the engine and could lead to full-machinery breakdown.”

To minimise the likelihood of any problems occurring, he advises that gas oil should not be stored for long periods. Bet practice would be to empty the combine harvester tank over the winter months. Filling the tank reduces the chance of condensation, but if the biodiesel degrades over that time it could either block the filter on the tank itself or cause long-term problems with the engine. “The advice is to firstly establish whether you will be supplied with gas oil containing biodiesel,” said Mr Tincknell. “If so, an initial check on tank condition and suitability for biodiesel-containing fuel should be carried out. This should include construction materials, age, condition and appearance of the tank.”

It was also important to remember that biodiesel was a powerful solvent and would take up water from the surroundings potentially enhancing mould growth and producing acids.

To help with the changes, The Department of Transport has published some advice because biodiesel does come with some potential problems. They also recommend immediate inspection of off road machinery and equipment in light of these impending changes.

It is recommended that farmers and landowners operating such equipment should: Examine fuel systems following the switch to the new fuel and ensure that any seals or pipes found to be leaking are replaced.

If you are having older machinery serviced, replace fuel seals and pipes as a precaution.

Replace fuel filters after the first two to three tankfuls of the new fuel.

What should I do about Fuel Storage? Because of the changes in fuel quality, you will need to exercise increased care in the storage of sulphur free gas oil for off road equipment where this contains biodiesel.

Remove all water from the tanks and conduct monthly checks so that they remain free of water.

Tanks that don’t already have drain points for removing water are likely to need modification.

Examine sight gauges on older fuel storage tanks for signs of leakage and replace any leaking seals.

If you are having tanks serviced before you receive the new fuel it would be advisable to replace fuel seals as a, one-off, precautionary exercise.

Replace fuel filters after two to three deliveries/turnover of the new fuel. Ensure the content of tanks is turned over every six months or in any event no less often than every 12 months to help prevent blockage of filters.