Another Diesel question

[penokee]

First time diesel owner (Kubota L3130). Have read the archvives, some of the tech references, and still have a basic question (Hope I didn't miss the answer in the archives).

Discounting price, taxes, and color; Is Offroad #2 exactly the same as Highway #2? Will my tractor notice any difference?

penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Penokee I had off-road diesel delivered just this morning and asked the very same question. I was told that the only difference was the red dye placed in the off-road to designate it as such otherwise it is the very same. That being the case you will see no difference in your operation.

 

[slowrev]

I think that offroad diesel might be the same as onroad diesel + dye in some areas, however I can get offroad diesel that is clearly marked "high Sulfur" on the pump and it smells different when burning.

Ben

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was told that the only difference was the red dye placed in the off-road to designate it as such otherwise it is the very same. )</font>
i understand it to be the same also, why do they do that? have never seen an offroad pump at any place i have bought diesel.

 

[SeymourBota]

In some of the farming areas here in Vermont, the stations have an 'off road' pump. They will not let you dispense fuel into a vehicle tank unless it's an off road application being trailered in.
Some of us fill our 6 gal tanks there but most are farmers and loggers filling bulk tanks in the back of pickups.
Sure is tough, though, to go to a regular station and see the diesel side-by with the kerosene and the differences in per gallon prices on opposite sides of the pump!!!

 

[slowrev]

Here, The farmers just drive their tractors to the country store for a fillup of high sulfur offroad diesel. Sit an tell lies for a while, drink a bit of Ale8 (a favorite local beverage) eat some biscuit and gravy, then back off to work. A nice life /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben

 

[Hambone]

Most off road fuel is not high sulpher anymore. Regs have changed, pretty soon will no longer be available. Here, they are already the same.
This is according to my fuel supplier which is a very good source.

 

[Dargo]

When my "off road" fuel was delivered last week, the truck had run out of the dyed fuel. He simply pumped the "non-dyed" fuel into my tank, took a reading of how much fuel he put in, and then put in whatever appropriate amount of dye was needed for that amount. Based on that, I'm fairly certain that at least in my area, there is no difference other than the dye which is simply an indicator that "road tax" has not been paid on that fuel.

 

[MadReferee]

It really depends on where you buy it as to what the differences are, if any. Off road #2 and on road #2 may be the same except for dye coloring and tax. Other places may have high or low sulpher. Other places may use home heating oil. Some places use premium diesel for off road. When in doubt ask the supplier.

In NO case will it matter what you use.

Your tractor will not notice any diffenence except for maybe in the winter. If you are in a cold climate make sure you get winter blend (it has reduced parafin content) after November when it becomes readily available.

 

[Charolais]

Thought I'd jump in here for a bit on this fuel discussion. I was just reading my Operator's manual about the content of sulphur in diesel fuel. It links it to oil change intervals. This is for a Perkins engine in a Farmtrac 80. I'll type it just like it's in the manual.

Diesel fuel sulphur content below 0.5%- normal oil change period applies.

Diesel fuel sulphur content between 0.5% and 1.0% - reduce oil change period to half the normal.

Diesel fuel sulphur content between 1.0% and 1.3% - reduce oil change period to 1/4 of normal.

Diesel fuel sulphur content above 1.3% is not recommended.

It goes on further to give recommended fuel specs.

Now let me tell you where I live there is a difference in diesel fuel. Off road from one supplier to another is different. When you buy a JD tractor in this area, they tell you up front to use Southern States fuel or equal in that tractor if you want a warranty on that engine. If something goes wrong with that engine, the first thing they will do is pull a fuel sample.

Back in the early 70's I had a 150 MF (new) and bought diesel fuel from the local Exxon supplier. That tractor was blowing a quart of oil out on the ground every 30 minutes under a load with a little less than 1500 hours on it. The fuel caused the problem. I switched to Southern States super green back then. The next tractor had 5,800 hrs. on it when I sold it. Southern States doesn't refine fuel today but they do sell the best Ag. fuel anywhere around this area today. If you ask them they can give you the numbers of the make up of the fuel they sell.

Ask your supplier what the rating is on the fuel he sells. There is a difference in grades of diesel fuel.

Not trying to ruffle any feathers here but just talking from experience. I've seen a many neighbors trator broke down with injector pump problems from a loacal brand called Foster fuels here. My brother inlaw pulled tankers for this outfit for 7 years. He told me they bought 3 different grades of diesel fuel. He said the cheapest they hauled they wouldn't even use it in their own trucks but would sell it to farmers.