Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel.

   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #91  
“Unloaded”, like off a trailer?
It must have been registered to you, for driving on the road, otherwise they can’t fine you
Hauled in on a semi and it was a tagged vehicle but he ran into a little problem by just walking onto the lot with no notification. I put the paste in stock and made all my delivery and service trucks keep it on hand across the state. The whole incident seemed like a setup. It was the only time in my 25 years with the company that they came on the lot and stuck a tank.
 
   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #92  
In Illinois the road tax totals up to $0.70 per gallon. The fine for running it on the road if caught is $1000 fine the first time, the second time it’s a felony and $5000. I also saw the clause about having a sticker in a conspicuous place that says “dyed fuel, off road use only”. That’s how they got the guy I talked about earlier for not having a sticker on his transfer tank in his pickup.

One thing you have to realize is at the state level in Illinois motor fuel tax is one of the few taxes that actually gets used for its intended purpose. Instead of it going into a giant slush fund that can get misused it goes to local governments for road repairs.
 
   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #93  
In Illinois the road tax totals up to $0.70 per gallon. The fine for running it on the road if caught is $1000 fine the first time, the second time it’s a felony and $5000. I also saw the clause about having a sticker in a conspicuous place that says “dyed fuel, off road use only”. That’s how they got the guy I talked about earlier for not having a sticker on his transfer tank in his pickup.

One thing you have to realize is at the state level in Illinois motor fuel tax is one of the few taxes that actually gets used for its intended purpose. Instead of it going into a giant slush fund that can get misused it goes to local governments for road repairs.

PA’s road tax is used to fund the PA State Police.
 
   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #94  
PA’s road tax is used to fund the PA State Police.
Tolls on the PA Turnpike also go to the State Police. Arguably, it's now the most expensive toll road in the US!

 
   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #95  
Out here, they have proposed a big change and you're not going to like it.

The proposal is no more keeping off-road diesel separate. Instead, ALL diesel will be taxed at the higher rate up front and then you apply for reimbursement.

If you buy 500 gallons for your off road tractor, forklift, backhoe, or excavator, then you pay the higher tax and submit documentation to be refunded the tax you paid.

Now, those of you who enjoy numbers are already a step ahead of my post. You are thinking,

"If a farmer gets busy and forgets to submit reimbursement on the $500 fuel he bought, then the Govt wins. They keep the extra tax money. You add that up over lots of farmers, lots of excavators, and lots of diesel powered generators and you are talking about millions of dollars in extra tax revenue"

And you would be correct.
 
Last edited:
   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #96  
This is part of the instructions for reimbursement for farm use or off road diesel. (You are the claimant on this paperwork)

Caution: Claimant has the name and address of the person who sold the fuel to the claimant and the dates of purchase. For claims on lines 1c and 2b (type of use 13 or 14), 3d, 4c, and 5, claimant has not waived the right to make the claim.For claims on lines 1c and 2b (type of use 13 or 14), claimant certifies that a certificate has not been provided to thecredit card issuer.

And just so you don't need to ask:

Yes, this would mean the Govt hiring more Govt employees to track this extra paperwork.
 
Last edited:
   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #98  
Man, what a beat-to-death topic.
Worry about things that might actually be worthy of worry.
No cop is gonna dip a pickup unless you’re known all over town for bragging about running red as OTR fuel.
Isn't that the truth. Up here in the great state of Montana, when a city cop or state trooper pulls you over for speeding and you tell them that you have a revolver on your hip, a machine gun and shotgun behind the seat, and a thousand rounds of ammo on board, they pet your dog, ask you what you do for living, tell you that they also have a Ruger or whatever, as well as an AR15, then tell you to slow down a bit and have a great day.

I've pulled trailers all over Montana and Wyoming, many thousands of miles, and have never been stopped, never been told to get on a scale, never had a load inspected, and never had my fuel checked. Heck, I drove this M1078 back from Seattle with no plates, no registration, no insurance, and red diesel in the 60 gallon tank (came off barge that way), all while pulling my Jeep behind on a custom tow bar. I passed many cops and was passed by many cops and none of them had the slightest bit of interest in me.

All of this fear-mongering is laughable.

Added in edit: Or maybe not.
 
Last edited:
   / Really, really dumb question about difference between off road and on road diesel fuel. #99  
I used to buy off highway diesel for the farm, but found that Costco prices are usually within 10-15 cents and sometimes even lower than the cost of off highway fuel. So, I just fill my transfer tank at Costco and then I can use it in whatever machine I want and not have to worry about getting checked, not that I do anyway. Unless your hauling commercially, I don't think anyone really cares that much.
I never see a Costco with diesel
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

Ver-Mac PCMS-3812 (A45336)
Ver-Mac PCMS-3812...
Multiquip 36in Concrete Power Trowel (A45336)
Multiquip 36in...
2015 Chevrolet Equinox (A46684)
2015 Chevrolet...
International 720 4-bottom plow - LOCATED NEAR REYNOLDS, IL (A46502)
International 720...
JMR 36in Bucket (A47809)
JMR 36in Bucket...
2016 Ford F-550 Jerr-Dan 20SRR6T 19ft Rollback Truck (A45336)
2016 Ford F-550...
 
Top