Case Study: BetterFill
This case study explores the results of using BetterFill, a fuel additive available to the agricultural community for the first time, in two combines on a large-scale wheat farm in Harrington, WA.
10/31/20241 min read
CASE STUDY: Lincoln County Washington Wheat Farm
Increasing fuel economy by 7% with BetterFill, the first cost-saving fuel additive available to the agricultural community for the first time.
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OBJECTIVE
A large-scale wheat farm, located in Harrington, Washington, uses approximately 30,000 gallons of diesel each year. During the 2024 wheat harvest, the farm tested BetterFill to validate fuel efficiency and reduce operational costs. This case study explores the results of using BetterFill in two 2023 S780 John Deere combines using fuel data tracked by the John Deere Ops Center.
IMPLEMENTATION
During the first half of harvest without BetterFill, the farm consumed 2,100 gallons of diesel and cut 2,200 acres of wheat. During the second half of harvest, they began treating the diesel fuel in their combines each morning. BetterFill was self-administered in the field for testing purposes and dosed according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Over the second half of the harvest, the farm used 1,830 gallons to cut 2,300 acres.
RESULTS
After the farm ran a linear regression analysis to account for the difference in bushel/acre and topography, the statistically significant improvement derived from BetterFill was a 7.4% efficiency gain.
Diesel treated: 1,830 gallons
7.4% Fuel Saved: 135 gallons
Financial Results @ $2.79/gal: $378 saved
BetterFill cost to treat the fuel: $22
PROJECTIONS
In order to treat a year’s worth of diesel, this wheat farm would need to purchase two gallons ($440) of BetterFill. Assuming the 7.4% efficiency gain from the testing, the farm would save 2,200 gallons of fuel, totaling $5,515 in annual savings.