Arctic Looks to Bio Diesel
Minnesota-based Arctic Cat recently tested the use of an alternative fuel made from vegetable oil and animal fat in its twin-cylinder diesel TRV ATV, a unit the company says provides 30 percent greater fuel mileage compared to a conventional gasoline engine.
Arctic says the 686cc twin-cylinder SOHC four-stroke diesel engine in the quad uses glow plug pre-heater assist for starting and runs efficiently on six forms of diesel fuel (#1 DF 1, #2 DF 2, DF A Arctic, JP 5, JP 8 and Bio Diesel).
Arctic did not originally plan to test the unit on bio diesel. The idea for the bio diesel test came from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.
Arctic Cat showed the diesel quad at its dealer meeting in June. Developed with Roush Technologies, a UK-based company that is part of Roush Enterprises, Inc., Livonia, Mich., the unit is likely to be sold to the military, to farmers and ranchers, and in diesel-friendly Europe.
