Oil & Fuel Fuel question

ArkCivEngr · Jul 25, 2005

My brother was over yesterday and looked my tractor over. I mentioned that I'd been getting red-dye, or off-road diesel for it, and he said that wasn't a good idea because that fuel has a higher sulfur content. I called the fuel company this morning to ask them about it, and he was right.

Question: is a higher sulfur content really that big of a deal for my tractor and mower? I only burn about 15-20 gallons a month, and with the price difference around here, that amounts to about $6-10. Probably not that much if it'll help avoid engine problems down the road. But if it doesn't make any difference, then I see no reason to change.

Thoughts? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ericbx1500 · Jul 25, 2005

Mike I just had this discussion over the weekend and was told it’s actually fine if not better.

ericbx1500 · Jul 25, 2005

mike try this thread web page

DmansPadge · Jul 26, 2005

Being that off road diesel is used in thousands of tractors everyday... I can't imagine there would be a problem. And with the prices of diesel these days... it sounds like a good idea.

LBrown59 · Jul 26, 2005

The only difference between off and on road is the red dye.
That and between 40 to 60 cents a gallon.

Dumping the red dye in the on road fuel don't change the sulfur content of the fuel.

Old wives tales and myths die hard.

The purpose of the red dye is to nail violators using the untaxed off road fuel illegally on the road and has nothing to do with altering the formula of the fuel.

SkyPup · Jul 26, 2005

On road diesel has <500 ppms sulfur whilst off road diesel has >6,000 ppms. Sulfur is the central molecule in soot particles where it is surrounded by carbons.

Main problem will be excessive sulfuric acid in your crankcase and very high soot levels, both of which are detrimental to your diesel engine as well as the atomsphere we breathe.

MadReferee · Jul 26, 2005

( The only difference between off and on road is the red dye. )

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

For the umpteenth time, it all depends on the area of the country you are in and the distributor/dealer you buy it from.

In my case, within 15 minutes of where I live I can buy 3 different and distinct types of off-road dyed fuel, all of which are sold as off-road diesel. I can get (1) standard diesel that has been dyed red so it can be sold as off-road, (2) home heating fuel sold as off-road, and (3) premium high cetane dyed diesel.

One more thing, any dealer who tells you that all he does is take on-road and dyes it himself to make it off-road, is probably lying. The dye is either put in at the manufacturing point of origin or at the tank farm, not at the distributor/dealer. Tax on the fuel is invoiced at the tank farm so putting dye in himself is actually costing the dealer money and is probably a federal crime.

SkyPup · Jul 26, 2005

LOL /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've never heard of any fuel dealer saying that he himself puts red dye in his fuel to create "Off Road" diesel.

That is total and absolute B.S., unless he is speaking from behind the bars of a federal penitentary! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MadReferee · Jul 26, 2005

( I've never heard of any fuel dealer saying that he himself puts red dye in his fuel to create "Off Road" diesel.)

It was reported here on TBN that several midwest and Texas dealers were claiming this. Strange as it may seem, and not very bright on the dealers part. They probably deserve to be in jail or at least be bankrupt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SkyPup · Jul 26, 2005

They would all become bankrupt right away once the IRS and the Treasury Department got a wiff of their outrageous claims.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But their defense attorneys would all get rich off their demise in federal court! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif