Off-Road Diesel

[sadie72]

Does off-road diesel provide the same lubrication as highway diesel? Should any additives be used with ORD to protect our tractors? Are there any disadvantages to using only ORD?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

DYE ADDED FOR DETECTION IS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I KNOW OF.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET CAUGHT WITH IT IN YOUR PERSONAL VEHICLE.
MY IN-LAWS HAVE BEEN USING IT ON THEIR FARM FOR OVER 20+ YEARS THAT I KNOW OF W/OUT ANY ADDITIVES.
FARMERS USAGE IS USUALLY TRACKED . (EX) SOMEONE WHO DOUBLES THEIR DIESEL USEAGE WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN ACREAGE WORKED IS A PRIME SUSPECT OF NOT PAYING ROAD TAX ON THEIR DIESEL FOR PERSONAL USE IN THEIR VEHICLES.
TOM

 

[MikeInEburg]

In most cases, the ONLY difference between on and off road diesel is red dye and the price.

 

[Ken45101]

It's the same exact stuff, just with dye added.

Some feel that it doesn't have enough lubricity for OLDER farm engines and suggest adding a supplement. Outboard marine engine mix oil is one of the better (and cheaper) additives. It's been discussed here before and there are some long threads on lubricity over at thedieselplace.com https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php%3Ft%3D177728&sa=U&ei=rZY8ULeGF4Gg9QTupoHoCg&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFv9rm_QSuiJziYImQaXgs1S-Gz8Q

 

[Ken45101]

It's the same exact stuff, just with dye added.

Some feel that it doesn't have enough lubricity for OLDER farm engines and suggest adding a supplement. Outboard marine engine mix oil is one of the better (and cheaper) additives. It's been discussed here before and there are some long threads on lubricity over at thedieselplace.com https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php%3Ft%3D177728&sa=U&ei=rZY8ULeGF4Gg9QTupoHoCg&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFv9rm_QSuiJziYImQaXgs1S-Gz8Q

 

[crazyal]

The real issue is that the government off road and on road diesel fuel standards for lubrication are not the same as what most equipment mfgs recommend. The standard never really mattered because the old sulfur diesel had more than enough to surpass the standard. With the new low and ultra low diesel fuels the process of removing the sulfur also removes some of the natural lubricating properties. That means it's possible to get diesel that does not have as much lubricant in it to meet what the engineers of your tractor say it needs.

Is it a problem? Probably not. But the "experts" who say that the government standard is acceptable do not have to stand behind their words. I use about 50 gallons a year in everything I own. I usually fill a 55 gallon drum up with ORD when I have my heating oil tanks filled. It's usually in the summer so the ORD doesn't have any form of anti gel in it. Since Vermont can see freezing temps from November through April I just add anti gel in all the fuel I get. Additives like Power Service with anti-gel also boost up the level of lubricant too. I figure it's cheap insurance.

The link Ken posted above lists some of the common additives. Just understand that they used diesel that didn't meet the government standard for the test. I think they did so they could test just the additives. Any of the additives in that list that are in the top 10 will boost the level of lubricant to meet what the engine builders like to see.

 

[20 20]

Off road diesel is becomming a thing of the past, allready happened in this area. Gummit came in and said well farmers shouldn't be using it either , WE WANT OUR TAX $$$$$$$$$$$$$. The only difference is the red dye though.

 

[LTEnterprises]

I just bought 250 gallons of ORD for my tank....last fill was with B20. the bio got too expensive so they quit offering it. I had 75 gallons of b20 left in the tank. ( I LOVED the B20...tractor was MUCH quieter and got more work per tank...had more go power too )

I SUSPECT and have heard that the govt REQUIRES at least b1 in all ULSD for lubricity...cant prove it, just remember reading that somewhere a few years back.

I've HEARD/read? that b1 has more lubricity than the LSD did...cant prove that either

 

[big daddy ray]

the differance is the die and the tax or lack there of

 

[radioman]

yup, no difference but the dye used to "prove" you are paying for taxes or not in whatever said equipment you put it in.