The National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) is going to help promote biodiesel to its fans with the help of the United Soybean Board (USB). Beginning next season, all tractors will use B100 (100 percent biodiesel) in all pulling classes. The goal of the program is to increase biodiesel use among farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users who are a large component of the sport’s fan base.

“The NTPA has been a good partner with the soy checkoff,” says United Soybean Board (USB) Director Jim Willers, a soybean farmer from Beaver Creek, Minn. “We are pleased that tractor pullers will be able to use B100 and show off what biodiesel can do for their engines.”

A recent study by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and the United Pullers of Minnesota (UPM) found that using B100 in a pulling tractor can add up to 4 percent more horsepower and torque compared with traditional diesel. Prior to testing of B100 and this partnership, NTPA fuel regulations limited the use of biodiesel to lower blends.

“We now have a reliable test to make sure it’s B100, so pullers can use it right out of the pump,” says Gregg Randall, NTPA office general manager. “The biggest thing is that this will be the ultimate proof that biodiesel performs well, which is what our partnership with the soy checkoff is all about.”

The United Soybean Board has partnered with the NTPA for the past six years to help increase biodiesel availability and use among pulling fans. And for the third year in a row, the checkoff sponsored the NTPA’s “Powered by Biodiesel” Light Pro Stock class, in which all competitors use biodiesel blends.