DES MOINES, IOWA (RFD-TV) — John Deere is connecting agriculture and renewable energy through its new Field to Freight initiative, putting 100% biodiesel, or B100, to the test in five semi-trucks used to deliver parts and equipment to dealers and farmers.
John Deere Biofuels Director Nate Green joined Market Day Report to discuss how the six-month demonstration works, the technology behind the trucks, and how increased renewable fuel use could support farmers and rural economies.
John Deere Launches Field to Freight Initiative
In his interview with RFD-TV, Green said John Deere launched five trucks into service as part of the Field to Freight program. The company worked with Optimus Technologies to install an upgrade kit that lets the trucks run on B100 biodiesel.
The initiative also involves partners including Penske, CPC Logistics, and Chevron, which is providing the biodiesel.
The trucks will operate from John Deere’s parts distribution center in Milan, Illinois, delivering parts and equipment to dealers and farmers along their regular routes.
Green said the goal is to maintain the just-in-time service John Deere provides to help keep farmers moving in the field.
Dual-Tank Technology Allows Trucks to Run on B100
The trucks use a dual-tank system that allows them to start on traditional diesel fuel before switching to B100.
Green explained that the trucks start on diesel, which is important during colder months when biodiesel can gel. Once the engine warms up, the system heats the biodiesel tank and switches the truck to B100 for the remainder of its route.
At shutdown, the system recirculates the diesel fuel so the truck is ready to start again.
The trucks return to the same location each day and refuel at a B100 tank installed at the distribution center. Green said the six-month demonstration will help determine whether the technology can work within John Deere’s logistics network.
If successful, the company will consider deploying the technology in other regions and parts of its logistics chain.
Supporting Farmers and Renewable Fuel Demand
Green said John Deere’s renewable fuel initiative is intended to promote greater demand for renewable fuels and support crop-based feedstocks grown by farmers.
He cited energy security, economic benefits for rural communities, and environmental benefits as reasons to expand renewable fuel use.
Green said full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from biodiesel can be reduced by at least 50% and up to 85% compared with traditional petroleum diesel, depending on the feedstock.
Connecting the Farm-to-Fuel Supply Chain
Green described the initiative as a circular process that begins with farmers growing corn and soybeans used as feedstocks for renewable fuels.
Those crops move through value-added processing. Ethanol plants produce distiller’s corn oil as a byproduct, while soybean processing separates meal from oil. The oil then goes to Chevron’s biodiesel plant in Seneca, Illinois, where it is converted into biodiesel.
That fuel is delivered to John Deere’s distribution center in Milan to power the trucks delivering parts back to farmers.
Green said the process demonstrates how agriculture and renewable energy can support one another throughout the supply chain.
Green pointed to the Clean Fuels Alliance for information about fleet applications and biodiesel handling guidelines.
More information about John Deere’s renewable fuel initiatives and educational resources is available at Deere.com/renewablefuels.
