Where can you buy "off-road" diesel?

[hoytp]

I started buying highway diesel for my tractor (and house heat) maybe 10 years ago when I realized the sulfur content of off-road diesel was something like 10-50 times higher. Now there's not much difference I hear but I still use highway diesel in my tractor.

In NC I'm able to deduct the sales tax from my state income tax. I keep track of my fuel cost anyway so it's a 5 minute job to work out the numbers.

 

[Flockmaster1972]

I don't reckon you have an Indian reservation near you? The ones that sell gas just about always have off-road.

 

[LBrown59]

I started buying highway diesel for my tractor (and house heat) maybe 10 years ago when I realized the sulfur content of off-road diesel was something like 10-50 times higher. Now there's not much difference I hear but I still use highway diesel in my tractor.

In NC I'm able to deduct the sales tax from my state income tax. I keep track of my fuel cost anyway so it's a 5 minute job to work out the numbers.

There is no difference now .
I would go back to off road.

 

[hoytp]

Like the OP, the nearest source of off-road diesel is off my beaten track.

A Whizzer! My dream 50 years ago.

 

[LBrown59]

A Whizzer! My dream 50 years ago. [/QUOTE]

Me too but I'm a little older so it would more be like 55 to 60 years ago for me.

 

[hoytp]

I was rounding off. I'm off to my 60th high school reunion next month.

I lived in Calgary for 23 years and worked among other things on the proposed gas pipeline from Prudhoe Bay up the Mackenzie River to, eventually, Chicago. That must have been big news where you live back then.

 

[megotatractor]

Here's a good one; There is a local co-op that sells "off road" diesel out of a pump/tank in the back lot.... it costs MORE than the on-road diesel!!!!! (because it is "bio-diesel")
Pisses me off that I have to pay road tax to mow my lawn! The co-op did tell me however that they can deliver a few gallons to me IF they happen to be in the area.
I have been buying on-road for 11 years but every time I think about it I want to puke. There is the back of my mind to find a farming neighbor and fill up my can and hand him some cash... but I never get around to it.

 

[Old Junk Man]

I buy the road tax diesel. The farm diesel has a dye in it. and the quality and cetane rating can be pretty poor. the off road around here clogs filters pretty fast. and it doesn't have winter additive. A neighbors diesel tractor the off road fuel gelled last winter when we had the cold polar vortex that settled in here for a week. My dad bought a new Terrraplane Dong Feng 354 diesel it wouldn't start even in warm weather without starting fluid. I changed the filters and put in road tax fuel and it started in cold weather without starting fluid. My opinion its false economy to buy off road fuel. Buy taxed fuel and keep track and recoup the road tax.

 

[JerryK]

The majority of diesel sold now days is all the same, with just red dye added at the distributor. If you do buy the off road, and if you don't spend the time/effort to keep your bulk diesel storage fuel clean/moisture free/etc.. you will probably spend more in the future on plug'd filters and other problems than you saved on the tax. Most folks would be better off to keep their tank and storage cans as full as possible with fresh clean road taxed non-bio fuel from a well used truck stop. You should just about never have to change your fuel filter much, or drain water out of it... If you are getting water into your system, or plug'd filters.... time to change your fueling habits.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I buy the road tax diesel. The farm diesel has a dye in it. and the quality and cetane rating can be pretty poor. the off road around here clogs filters pretty fast. and it doesn't have winter additive. A neighbors diesel tractor the off road fuel gelled last winter when we had the cold polar vortex that settled in here for a week. My dad bought a new Terrraplane Dong Feng 354 diesel it wouldn't start even in warm weather without starting fluid. I changed the filters and put in road tax fuel and it started in cold weather without starting fluid. My opinion its false economy to buy off road fuel. Buy taxed fuel and keep track and recoup the road tax.

Not that I doubt your filters clogged but it sure wasn't from the dye used in off road. The dye is just too small micron to stop in a filter. On road (taxed) and off road diesel can be summer or winter grade depending on when it was bought and stored. If you buy from a bulk supplier, you could specify that you want winter grade fuel and then you could use it year round. Winter grade wont have the same energy per gallon as summer grade though but you shouldn't really notice that unless you are pushing the limit on horsepower with your tractor. It may burn an extra liter per tank of fuel doing the same amount of work when using winter blend during the summer but it wont gell as fast in the winter.

There is absolutely no difference in cetane rating from off road to on road. I don't know where you got your erroneous info at but I would avoid quoting that guy if I were you.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

You do not need to buy off road diesel. You can apply for off road high way tax refund on form 4136. Don't know if it is as much as a saving, it does however keep you from having to run around looking for off road diesel or stocking two fuels. Worth a thought.

 

[DK35vince]

I buy the road tax diesel. The farm diesel has a dye in it. and the quality and cetane rating can be pretty poor. the off road around here clogs filters pretty fast. and it doesn't have winter additive. A neighbors diesel tractor the off road fuel gelled last winter when we had the cold polar vortex that settled in here for a week. My dad bought a new Terrraplane Dong Feng 354 diesel it wouldn't start even in warm weather without starting fluid. I changed the filters and put in road tax fuel and it started in cold weather without starting fluid. My opinion its false economy to buy off road fuel. Buy taxed fuel and keep track and recoup the road tax.

Around here they start winterizing the off road fuel at the same time as the on-road, no difference.
The cetane rating for the on-road and off road is the same as far as I know, the only difference is the dye.
I have never used anything but off road fuel in any of my diesel compact tractors.
I have 2 places within 5 miles that carry off road fuel.

 

[Deere Dude]

You do not need to buy off road diesel. You can apply for off road high way tax refund on form 4136. Don't know if it is as much as a saving, it does however keep you from having to run around looking for off road diesel or stocking two fuels. Worth a thought.

I started going that route until I sent paperwork into the state and found I would need a money making business to get the permit. I nixed that idea and went next door to another gas station and got off road from them, of course I never asked them about permits. Just call around and you might luck out/.

 

[bjr]

This is an old thread I realize. But you guys struck a nerve. I got the same crap from the local large 76 oil distributor "can't sell offroad unless businesses tax exempt. I'm WA state and we have sales tax. They can and do charge state sales tax on off road fuel. I only save a few cents a gallon buying off road, but, ****** it's just unsettling to have the fuel distributors so stupid to say things like that. I just went down the road a little ways to another distrubtor and have no problems getting 55 gal. drum every year. The folks I deal with now have off road card lock pump so's I can get fuel any time I want. Well you can classify this as rant. I'm just like the rest you guys. Thanks I needed that. bjr

 

[DarkBlack]

Some would say, just get some HHO...

 

[bones66]

This is an old thread I realize. But you guys struck a nerve. I got the same crap from the local large 76 oil distributor "can't sell offroad unless businesses tax exempt. I'm WA state and we have sales tax. They can and do charge state sales tax on off road fuel. I only save a few cents a gallon buying off road, but, ****** it's just unsettling to have the fuel distributors so stupid to say things like that. I just went down the road a little ways to another distrubtor and have no problems getting 55 gal. drum every year. The folks I deal with now have off road card lock pump so's I can get fuel any time I want. Well you can classify this as rant. I'm just like the rest you guys. Thanks I needed that. bjr

As I mentioned in my first post my local Southern States sells it however it's sold from a different pump and plainly marked "off road diesel" with the lower price flying high on a banner. This Southern States has 24 hour gas an diesel but until recently the off road diesel was available during business hours only as it was behind a locked gate with other stuff after hours. They now have relocated the pump and it's in the main lot near the other fuel island. It appears anyone can purchase it as I've never witnessed anyone checking credentials. I don't know what would happen if someone pulled in an filled up on that pump after hours? I know it it supposed to contain some dye and can be detected. I heard people say that it's a pretty stiff penalty if caught using off road fuel in an road going vehicle. I spoke to the mgr. and he said there was no problem with me buying it however if I would apply for the motor fuels tax refund permit he would calculate additional $$$$ off the price if I come inside to pay and show a permit #. For some reason I've not ever followed through with filing for a permit!

 

[Cord]

The first time I ordered some off road diesel the driver asked if I was commercial, nope just looking to fuel my skid steer and mower. He said that he had both home heating oil and ORD on his truck and if I wasn't commercial he'd sell me the heating oil and put me on a payment plan. My local fuel supplier says that home heating oil is the exact same product, but the heating oil doesn't have any tax. I pay just $50/mo and it's free delivery if I order 100 gallons. Something to ask about.

 

[cat fever]

The first time I ordered some off road diesel the driver asked if I was commercial, nope just looking to fuel my skid steer and mower. He said that he had both home heating oil and ORD on his truck and if I wasn't commercial he'd sell me the heating oil and put me on a payment plan. My local fuel supplier says that home heating oil is the exact same product, but the heating oil doesn't have any tax. I pay just $50/mo and it's free delivery if I order 100 gallons. Something to ask about.

Heating oil is jet fuel. Not the same as #2 diesel, on or off road. To be sure; is the heating oil clear?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Heating oil is jet fuel. Not the same as #2 diesel, on or off road. To be sure; is the heating oil clear?

I think this may be a regional thing. In my area HHO is red #2 diesel. I recently had a HHO delivery where they refused to fill my off road tank even though my equipment was sitting 40' away. The driver claimed they couldn't as they'd be responsible for the end use. They were filling my house tank as well and I made sure to let them know they'd get no more orders from me. I did locate another hho distributer who said he'd fill my off road tank and I could come to him. The cost difference is $40 per fill up, so it's worth the $$$ to me and I buy on my own terms.

Matt

 

[cat fever]

I think this may be a regional thing. In my area HHO is red #2 diesel. I recently had a HHO delivery where they refused to fill my off road tank even though my equipment was sitting 40' away. The driver claimed they couldn't as they'd be responsible for the end use. They were filling my house tank as well and I made sure to let them know they'd get no more orders from me. I did locate another hho distributer who said he'd fill my off road tank and I could come to him. The cost difference is $40 per fill up, so it's worth the $$$ to me and I buy on my own terms.

Matt

Just curious, what do they call the oil they fill your house tank with, and is it dyed?