clear answer on ULSD for tractors?

[Soundguy]

Anybody got a clear answer for the new ULSD fuel for our tractors.

Please leave out any techno garbage giberish.. no tbn tds FBI kgb cia nafta or anything else.. just a simple yes or no from an individual quallified to answer will suffice.

Due to difficulty of purchasing small amounts ( les than 250g ) of off road diesel at a time.. I have just been getting road diesel.

Issues to look out for?

Soundguy

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

Removing the sulfur in diesel will reduce the lubricity. Lubricity must be added to the diesel at the rack before it is delivered to pumps. There is a standard for lubricity but not a standard on which additives are used to achieve that lubricity, some refiners are actually using neat bio to achive that standard. My point is that now more than ever is the time to purchase quality fuel from a reputible source.

The other cause of ulsd is going to be a increase in fuel consumption. I have heard anywhere from 1-3%. I do not think that you could detect that in a cut.

 

[3RRL]

I'm qualified to answer "no". Sorry Soundguy, just couldn't resist. Like you, I only get road diesel out here.

 

[roxynoodle]

Ok, I have been trying to read everything I can about it, but I still don't know the answer. Is it safe for our tractors or not? Do we need an additive? If so, what would be the best additive?

 

[IH3444]

Skypup had the best answer several threads back. Mostly he stated about the nitrile seals in the injector pumps being necessary, and that if your diesel is doing alright on the 500p/billionth, the the new ULSD should be no problem.Would be a good read to go through the threads, and read Skypups answers, and comments. He seems to be the most knowledgeable on this subject.

 

[MadReferee]

Chevron has published a document explaining that there may be some problems with leaking seals when using ULSD. Here is a link to that document:

http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/diesel/documents/elastomer_chevron_tb_2005Aug.pdf

In a nutshell, Chevron has found that:

Past experience has indicates that the common denominator is expected to be nitrile rubber (Buna N) seals that have seen long service at high temperatures. ...

The reduction in sulphur content is not responsible for the problem. ...

If you have a diesel fuel system that is leaking, Chevron recommends that you contact your equipment manufacturer for advice on the choice of a replacement elastomer for the seals and a future maintenance schedule.

Be advised that ULSD will be all that you will probably find either on-road or off-road come September. California residents are already using exclusively ULSD as of June 1, 2006.

 

[Iowachild]

Be advised that ULSD will be all that you will probably find either on-road or off-road come September.

At the refinery I work for we only make ULSD now. The only difference in on and off road fuel is the red dye in the off road. (Which is all about taxes.) We do howerver still make home heating oil which is higher in sulphur.

 

[browns40]

Hey Iowachild,

Since you are in the business of refining...

I noticed the local fuel guy filling the "off-road" tank at the station I get my off-road at out of his truck the other day... the home heating oil truck that is.

In 210 hours I've run nothing but this dealers off-road through the 3320 (except for 10 gallons, plus what came in it), and have noticed no ill effects whatsoever.

I'll ask him next time I see him if I'm burning regular furnace oil through my machine all this time... I suspect the answer is "yes".

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Iowachild]

browns40,

What I know for sure it that ULSD can not be hauled in a tanker that has had home heating oil in it prior. The ruling is for fear enough higher sulphur fuel would be left in the tank to contaminate the ULSD. Could have been HHO for could have been LSD dyed for off-road.

 

[Soundguy]

So as a recap then.. just to make sure we are all ont he same page. If a diesel is running 'ok' on the current stuff.. thent he newer ulsd shouldn't 'kill' it.

And any lubricity lost in the sulfur removal 'is' being replaced thru one method or another.. at the refiner.. etc??

Soundguy