Charcoal Gasifier

Paul_H · August 27, 2015, 04:27:46 PM

The tractor,a 1965 Simplicity is almost ready to go.The engine is rebuilt and the carb is being adapted for woodgas.

We are going to use this little gasifier until winter slowdown when a larger one will be built to replace it.

Shea,shown here is the one that stripped down the tractor and prepped and painted it. He started working for us when he was 14 and now is 18 and leaving for four years university to obtain his Bachelor of Science then on to dentistry.

Here is the base of the carb.I drilled a 1" hole between the throttle butterfly and the choke and inserted a small length of aluminum shaft from a Stihl trimmer for the gas intake.
The choke plate will function as a choke in gasoline mode and a air/fuel mixer while on charcoal gas.

This is the second layer of JB Weld and the next coat will finish over the aluminum screen for reinforcing.

Paul_H · August 29, 2015, 07:13:12 PM

I didn't like the looks or size of the other gasifier so I bit the bullet and put the torch to the 40 lb tank and built a new gasifier.We decided to mount it on the back of the machine and added a hitch to the mounting bracket for towing a trailer.

The carb has the third coat of JB weld and a couple coats of paint and is mounted back on the engine.
We expect to light it up this week if time permits.

r.man · August 30, 2015, 04:37:44 PM

Neat trick using the choke as the air mix, I wonder if the choke on gas will be a bit slow since the motor can pull air out of the gasifier until it achieves a quasi vacuum.

Paul_H · August 30, 2015, 05:44:44 PM

I wondered that too but the truck isn't bothered by it so it might not be an issue. I'll post on it as we go along.

Paul_H · September 02, 2015, 11:52:21 PM

Well,we ran the tractor on charcoal today! Easy starting,began on gasoline and lit the charcoal right away and shut the fuel switch off and within a minute it was all charcoal gas.
I added a youtube vid at the bottom.

The first pic shows the carb mod and also the exhaust tubing running back to the inlet on the gasifier.

the next one shows the throttle and choke setup.The choke lever controls the air mixture while on charcoal and runs best in an almost open position.

This next one shows the camlock connection for the hose that delivers the charcoal gas.I figured the camlock makes a good quick disconnect if we want to hook another engine to the gasifier.

http://youtu.be/MoB2wGu9DnU

Jeff · September 03, 2015, 07:56:16 AM

Why do you have to live so far away?

sawguy21 · September 03, 2015, 11:46:32 AM

;D That tractor is really cool, I have been watching it's creation.

Paul_H · September 03, 2015, 02:51:54 PM

Jeff,
we'll have to get you out here someday,you and Tammy both.

Roy,
come on over today and we'll fire it up again.It'll be at the Salmon Arm Fair next week too.

WmFritz · September 03, 2015, 05:22:36 PM

Impressive stuff.

Magicman · September 03, 2015, 08:15:42 PM

Yup, it is sad that we were having an "issue" with the camper when we were there last year. We would have loved to have taken it slower and visited more.

Puffergas · September 04, 2015, 10:01:44 PM

Extra nice tractor. I need to check in more often..! 😁

Ron57 · September 05, 2015, 03:58:25 PM

Hi Paul; nice job on the charcoal garden tractor . I have seen Gary Gilmores units and Jeffs tractor running on charcoal it is amazing how simple it is to produce gas and make conversion to burn it and the power is almost equal to woodgas but maybe I am partial.
Thanks for the video!! Ron L

Paul_H · September 05, 2015, 04:30:41 PM

Hi Ron,

yes it is simpler and easier,the gasifier itself took about an hour and a half to build. Starting the tractor is as easy as starting on gasoline,lighting the port and then shutting the gasoline switch off and adjusting air/fuel till the charcoal gas takes over. About a minute or so.
Great for the small engines

Paul_H · October 01, 2015, 12:23:27 AM

Sawguy21 (Roy) took these pics of the tractor pulling some kids around at the Steam threshers/ploughing show a couple of weeks ago.
The tractor used the charcoal up fairly fast under load,probably an hours run. There were occasionally adults onboard with the very young children.

The trailers tracked very well.

Tried to stop for a pee but more kids would pile on as soon as we stopped

r.man · October 01, 2015, 08:31:53 AM

That is a really neat idea, you can see the grin on the kids faces.

beenthere · October 01, 2015, 11:16:18 AM

Is each "tractor" re-fitted with a tongue to steer and the steering wheel disconnected?

Clever arrangement.

Our Lions Club has a built a train with engine built over an old lawn tractor (not wood fired but would be a good idea). The cars are trailer type made from plastic barrels laid on the trailer frame and topside cutout with a seat built in.
Only pic I seem to have is the caboose we built for the tail end.