2009 World Ag Expo - Diesel's Roots

This Mega Cab was outfitted with one of CM Truck Bed's ER models. Unique to this model was the gooseneck trough, stainless steel fenders, and the fact that it was paint-matched to the rest of the truck.

We spotted this rebuilt 4BT for sale at the expo, and it was hard to walk away from. It was a '92 model year engine rated for 120 hp at 2,500 rpm. The little B-series engines make adequate power and are quickly becoming a popular choice in swap projects.

This 535 Steiger from Case IH was rated to run B20 (20 percent) biodiesel. However, on smaller models such as 385, 435, and 485 series tractors, a B100 biodiesel blend can be run.

These EZ Trac on-demand hydraulic front-wheel-drive systems from Tuthill caught our eye as well. They can be installed on medium- and heavy-duty trucks, making them more versatile off-road. An in-cab switch allows you to engage and disengage the system on the fly.

CM Truck Beds had several models available for cab and chassis owners in search of a flatbed or utility bed. Each bed came with a headache rack, safety chain loops, gooseneck ball and removable cover, 3-inch steel channel cross members, 4-inch steel channel framerails, seven-way and four-way trailer light plugs, and DOT-approved lighting.

This cutaway of a B300 Allison transmission reminded us of Allison's heavy-duty roots. A little burlier than the Allison 1000 we're so used to seeing, this B300 (used in transit and tour buses) can handle a torque capacity of 1,100 to 1,600 lb-ft, depending on the application.

This small CLB-100 oil press system was one of several displayed at Cropland's booth and was capable of making 80 to 100 gallons of biodiesel a day. Samples of cotton seed, soy beans, sunflower seed, camelina, peanuts, and almonds were shown as possible sources of fuel. In addition, Cropland Biodiesel listed some of the benefits of making your own fuel: $1 per gallon tax credit from the IRS, the ability to utilize rotational crops, creating a byproduct of high-protein feed for livestock, and being environmentally friendly.

Cropland Biodiesel set up shop at the expo to remind the public how bad diesel prices had skyrocketed just a short time ago (in fact, diesel prices climbed to more than $5.00 per gallon in some areas in 2008). They obviously reeled spectators in with the price they were advertising for a gallon of fuel.

According to JP Editor John Cappa, this TopTurn X from Komptech looked like some kind of transformer machine out of a comic book. While we agree with him, it's actually used for wood waste processing (cutting up and mixing mulch piles) in the up-and-coming biomass industry, and the cab lowers to the ground hydraulically in order for the operator to climb aboard, then raises back up.