Independent, August 13, 1980
Sunoil is being tested as an alternative fuel for diesel fuel. NDSU extension associates cited the reason for the test was that the number of sunflowers being grown in North Dakota and the process of extracting the oil is easy compared to making gasohol on farm stills.
He points out that diesel and sunflower oil are quite similar so that using it would not require any modifications to the tractors.
"Sunflowers are about 40% oil and of that about 75% can be extracted with a small machine which works similarly to a meat grinder.
The basic difference is that the Sunoil is thicker than diesel fuel which could cause some problems in winter. Sunoil also produces a lower BTU than diesel.
Tractors are being tested that have used this type of fuel. Who knows; maybe this will be the fuel of the future!
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 124