Propane Power
Mowing Greener Today – For a Cleaner
Tomorrow
Briggs & Stratton and Ferris :
Innovation and Technology:
Reducing “Greenhouse
Gases” today!
Briggs & Stratton
• World largest engine
manufacturer (13 Million
engines world wide, sales
2.25 Billion).
Briggs & Stratton
• Home Power
Products Unit has
developed dedicated
Propane engines for
use in the Home,
Office, or School.
• When ever loss of
existing electric
power happens.
Briggs & Stratton
• Ferris is part of Briggs &
Stratton Yard Power
Products Group and
Inventors of Independent
Suspension on Zero Turn
mowers.
• Suspension is the
perfect complement to
the new propane
technology.
Patented Propane Delivery
System
Environmental Concerns
for our Industry
• Gasoline is one of the dirtiest and most dangerous
(behind diesel) for its emissions, especially carbon
monoxide and “NOx” – a mixture of nitrogen and
oxides.
• Many cities have banned the use of commercial
mowers before 1:00PM on “Ozone Action” days.
Environmental Concerns
for our Industry
• A California Air Resources Board report shows lawn
mowers statewide emit 8.28 tons of VOC’s per day.
Some cities are requesting the use of alternate fuel
or electric.
• Lawn and garden equipment users inadvertently add
to this problem by spilling 17 million gallons of fuel
each year while refilling their equipment.
– That’s more petroleum than spilled by the
Exxon Valdez in the Gulf of Alaska.
Advantages of Propane vs. Gas
Powered Lawnmowers
Environmental Advantages
• Briggs & Stratton
BIG BLOCK™
Propane engine
delivers a minimum
of 30% lower
harmful emissions.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
per Year
• Propane burns cleaner –
no carbon build up on
valves.
• Eliminates the carburetor
maintenance due to poor
fuel.
• Extended oil life means
less time changing oil
and filter.
Extended Engine Life
• Propane runs cooler with a vapor system and is
much safer and cleaner than gas.
• Propane Liquid is -44 degrees.
• The Briggs & Stratton Propane Engine is designed
with special internal components to handle the
higher octane of vapor and deliver extended life.
Restricted Mowing Hours During
“Ozone Action Days”
• In Texas alone 48 counties are designated as
“non attainment” areas because of their high
levels of emissions.
• Gas mowers are not allowed to operate until after
1:00PM on Ozone Days.
• Austin, Texas has allowed a 5% higher bid on
mowing contracts for state properties to cutters
using alternate fuel (Propane).
Fuel Loss or Contamination
• With gas the chance of spilling fuel during
fill up, leaks in the tank or fuel line, and
the shrinkage caused by theft or bad gas
is eliminated.
• The Austin Independent School District realized
almost 20% recovery of fuel after switching their
fleet of mowers to propane. Loss was due to
pilferage and contaminated gas.
Dedicated Propane Engine
• Engine is designed by Briggs
& Stratton
to run on Propane and
carries the 2-year
commercial warranty.
• Not a converted gas engine.
• BIG BLOCK™ 32 HP engine
has been EPA
and CARB certified.
Dedicated Propane Engine
• Special safety valve prevents
the flow of vapor to the
engine until oil pressure is
detected at start up.
Dedicated Propane Engine
• Hydraulic oil from
the wheel motor
used to heat the
regulator eliminating
the possibility of
“freeze up”. This is
common to many
liquid delivery
systems.
Fuel Tanks Designed for Safety
• ¼ inch thick aluminum will withstand even the
sharpest object. Gas units with plastic tanks are
not as strong and could rupture.
• Propane tanks are certified for 12 years by the EPA.
• Cylinders are equipped with OPD valve to prevent
overfilling.
• A Special vent for vapor delivery to the engine
provides smooth power.
Reduced Fuel Cost for
Propane vs. Gas
• Propane is 20-30% less expensive than gas at
present. Regular gas today is $1.89 per gallon.
Propane is approx. $1.35 to $1.50 per gallon.
Some agencies purchase propane in bulk and the
cost savings is even greater.
• There is a Federal tax credit for those who qualify of
another $0.50 per gallon.
• The run time on propane is very similar to the same
unit running on gas per hour.
Reduce our Dependencies
on Foreign Oil
• Propane is a Domestically Produced Fuel and is
obtained through natural gas processing and
petroleum refining.
• About 90% of the United States Propane supply is
produced domestically.
• 75% is refined in the state of Texas alone, This will
help reduce our dependence on foreign oil supply.
• By reducing our dependency on foreign oil by 10%
we retain - 50 Billion Dollars from export -
Innovation continues
• 2008 August Issue of OPE
• Propane ready unit delivered
to St. Louis Dealer
Innovation continues
• University of Texas
with there
Ferris IS3100ZBP
Propane unit
• Dallas PARD just
received 7 Propane
units in February
2009
Delivery Solutions
• Stations are coming
online every day.
• Exchange service
available.
• Storage on site.
Texas Propane Gas Association.url
Thank You