Off-Road Diesel

[gizmo]

I have been runnig off-road diesel in my tractor for about a year now and I am pretty sure that the engine runs better with the higher sulphur content. I started to buy it just because it was less expensive. I'm not sure that I would notice the difference in a blind test, but knowing my machine as I do, it really seems to run smoother and stronger. Any of you folks have the same experience.

 

[HGM]

Michael,
I dont think the off road fuel in this area is still hi sulfer.. From what I understand it went low sulfer years ago.. Cant explain the better running, but good /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.. Cost less, runs better.. I like it.. I run O/R fuel too, but I also add Power Service too.. Havent noticed a difference because thats what I've always run in it.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BadDog]

I use it in all my diesel engines, going on 2 years now... I notice no difference.

I did some research on it before switching over from 'premium' and could find no documentation that could provide any definitive chemical differentiation between the two colors of fuel.

If I remember correctly, sulfur acts as a lubricant and anti-knock agent, so a bit more of it isn't going to hurt anything in the engine. The only thing it will do is create a few more pollutants in the exhaust.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Both fuels are the same . The reason off road fuel is cheaper is because you are not paying road use tax on it. It is dyed red so they can make sure people aren't useing it in trucks. If you get caught using it in an onhighway vehicle it is a very expensive fine.We have both types at work and aust about every year they come around and take samples from the fuel tanks on our trucks. One local guy go fined $2600.00

 

[gizmo]

The place that I buy off-road has clearly marked on the pump "High Sulphur." I can't claim it's actually true, but now I'm curious.

 

[MadReferee]

I doubt that it is high sulphur as I don't think it is currently being refined any longer. The only real way is to ask the distributor, not the retailer who probably knows nothing but what the sign says. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Highbeam]

On the fuel distributor's web page where I will be picking up OR diesel tomorrow, they list the off-road diesel as high sulfur too. Don't thing it matters anyway if it was or not.

 

[BadDog]

A loud and grumpy 'PIFFLE' regarding fines for using off-road diesel.

 

[Highbeam]

What's a "piffle"?

 

[meadowlarkponds]

I've been running off-road diesel for many years now without any discernable difference.

My only complaint is that even though it is far cheaper without the taxes, it isn't nearly as cheap as it could be because my supplier knows he is the only source for off-road diesel in the area and charges accordingly. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[BadDog]

Piffle = non-offensive term used in place of your choice of very offensive expletive.

In other words, I don't want to get banned for saying what I really think, so I use 'piffle'.

I could also use 'bah, humbug', 'hogwash', 'malarkey', or several other colorful choices with the same effect.

English 101 Lesson Of The Day For Nitwits is now complete.

 

[HEC]

What's the difference between off road fuel and regular fuel oil for your furnace, if any??

 

[MadReferee]

Depends on where you are located and what your supplier is selling. The red dye for off road diesel is usually added at the "rack" where the tanker fills up with on-road diesel because that is where the tax is collected.

Home heating fuel also has the dye but the HHO is usually a slightly different blend. It will work in your diesel engine.

 

[Highbeam]

Are you calling me a nitwit? Or a piffle head?

 

[Highbeam]

Yahoo, I loaded 50 gallons of off road diesel into 2 barrels this morning 25 each for easier handling. It sits in my truck now. I paid no road tax but the sales tax of 8.8% applied. I saved just over 40 cents per gallon plus the convenience of having my own stash as prices rise. Of ocurse they could fall too but that doesn't seem too likely.

Boy can those high speed nozzles fill. I did not expect the thrust. I didn't spill a drop though and the whole filling operation was much cleaner than any jerry can filling experience at the local pumps.

 

[rambler]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What's the difference between off road fuel and regular fuel oil for your furnace, if any??
)</font>

The red dye _only_ signifies that no road tax was paid on the fuel. That is the _only_ difference.

Depending on how cold it is at the time of purchase, diesel fuel or heating oil can be any particular blend of #2 fuel, #1 fuel, and some lubricating conditioners for engines. Most of the time all are the same thing, heating or diesel fuel, if about equal amounts of fuel & heat are used in your area. Suppliers don't like storing & selling 2 different things, costs more than just making a multi purpose batch. Any of these can be used for heating, likely your diesel engine will be ok with bits of heating oil tho a steady diet of the (rare) poorer formulations can cause problems over time.

However, the RED does not help you identify _any_ of this - it is only a tax issue, has nothing to do with the quality or type of fuel.

Most of the time, off road & heating oil is the same thing.

--->Paul

 

[HEC]

So diesel,hho,and off road fuel usually are the same thing except for the red dye?

 

[MadReferee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( So diesel,hho,and off road fuel usually are the same thing except for the red dye? )</font>

Once again, it depends on where you are located. Here in the Northeast, HHO and diesel come from different storage tanks. Off road diesel may or may not be the same as on-road (except for the dye).

First rule of thumb, ASK THE DISTRIBUTOR WHAT HE IS SELLING. Then ask him to ask his supplier. I can buy 3 different types of off-road fuel within 15 minutes of where I live.

One answer does not fit all, especially when it comes to diesel.

 

[cp1969]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
The red dye _only_ signifies that no road tax was paid on the fuel. That is the _only_ difference.

Depending on how cold it is at the time of purchase, diesel fuel or heating oil can be any particular blend of #2 fuel, #1 fuel, and some lubricating conditioners for engines. Most of the time all are the same thing, heating or diesel fuel, if about equal amounts of fuel & heat are used in your area. Suppliers don't like storing & selling 2 different things, costs more than just making a multi purpose batch. Any of these can be used for heating, likely your diesel engine will be ok with bits of heating oil tho a steady diet of the (rare) poorer formulations can cause problems over time.

However, the RED does not help you identify _any_ of this - it is only a tax issue, has nothing to do with the quality or type of fuel.

Most of the time, off road & heating oil is the same thing.

--->Paul )</font>

There are TWO agencies requiring dye to be put in diesel fuel, thus signifying that it is unusable as road fuel:

1. The IRS wants red dye in it if no tax has been paid, regardless of sulfur content.

2. The EPA wants red dye in it if there is more than 500ppm sulfur in it, which will soon change to 15ppm. I believe the color of the dye is going to change as well.

 

[Highbeam]

"1. The IRS wants red dye in it if no tax has been paid, regardless of sulfur content."

Unless you paid state sales tax as I did today on red dyed off-road diesel.