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In 1996, the United States officially banned the use of leaded gasoline due to the Clean Air Act. Since then, other countries have also banned leaded gasoline, also known as regular gasoline. Last month, when Algeria-the last country to ban the use of leaded gasoline-ran out of leaded gasoline pumps, regular gasoline ended.

But this is not the end of vehicles and equipment designed to use this fuel.

Older farm tractors and motorized farm tools were never intended to use unleaded gasoline. Therefore, anyone buying a second-hand tractor or old machine should know a few things to keep it running well.

According to Dr. John Butchard, a longtime tractor collector and restorer in Fort Kent, the engine's valves require leaded gasoline. Bouchard's collection currently contains more than 40 vintage tractors that he has restored.

"The problem with lead is that it lubricates the valve seat," Bouchard said. "This kind of lubrication can prevent seat wear."

In a gas engine, it is a valve that allows air or fuel to enter the cylinder, allowing internal combustion in a special chamber. This combustion produces the power to run the engine. According to Bouchard, the valve seat is what provides a seal between the valve and the combustion chamber.

"If the valve seat is not properly sealed, you will lose the combustion and not so much power," Bouchard said. "Your tractor is not performing well."

For old tractors that use leaded gasoline, there are two options for using unleaded gasoline.

Bouchard said that there are additives specifically formulated for engines that use leaded gasoline. All you need to do is pour the additives every time you fuel the tractor. These additives are available in most auto parts stores.

Another option is to replace any old valve seats.

"For models like John Deere tractors, this has never been a problem," Bouchard said. "They are always designed with hardened seats."

Since those John Deere valve seats are made of hardened metal, they will not wear out so easily when using lead-free gas. Bouchard said that the original valve seats of other older models were made of softer metal and were more prone to wear when used with unleaded gasoline. But he added that time may have solved the problem.

"It is really unusual for an old tractor to have never done valve work at some point in its life," Bouchard said. "At some point, the mechanic who performs the valve replacement will install a hardened valve seat."

Bouchard says that if your tractor does not want to start or is running well, you will know if it does have a valve seat problem. He pointed out that depending on how often you use your tractor, unleaded gasoline may not be a problem, especially if it has a newer valve seat.

"For people who use old tractors as working farm tractors, you may want to use additives regularly," Bouchard said. "For those who use the old tractor more as a hobby, if you don't use it, it may not have much impact."

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Julia Bailey is a reporter for Bangor Daily News and has a regular column every week. Julia has been a freelance travel writer/photographer since 2000. More artworks by Julia Bayly