Off Road Diesel

[JohnC]

I have a new tractor that says "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Only" on the fuel cap. If I go to the station, and one side of the pump says "Off Road Diesel" is that still going to be ultra low sulfur, just with red dye?

TIA,

[DmaxMaverick]

Check for a label at the pump. It should indicate the sulfur content. We still can't get a straight answer around here. Even the distributors don't know what the refineries are (really) sending them, although it's all labeled ULSD. If your new tractor has DPF, I'd not use a fuel without knowing for sure, even if that means paying road tax. If the tractor has no after-treatment, I might be inclined to just whistle past the graveyard. Only curious, but what is its labeling or rating for biodiesel?

[JohnC]

Only curious, but what is its labeling or rating for biodiesel?

It sounds like you think I read the owner's manual or something... (I'll have to check.)

Nothing on the pump other than the warning that I'd face capital charges if I used it in a car.

I don't think there's any after-treatment. (More for the manual, I guess.) If not, I can't think of a good reason why it really needs ULSD.

[JohnC]

"Biodiesel blends up to B20 can be used ONLY if the biodiesel (100% biodiesel or B100) meets ASTM D6751, EN 14214, or equivalent specification."

It calls for engine oil rated "CD" or higher or ACEA E3 or higher. CD tells me there's no DPF or converter. (I guess I could go out and look, but I didn't notice anything like that, and it does smoke a a little on a cold start.)

Found the parts diagram. Doesn't look like there's any room for any aftertreatment.

From the manual:
IMPORTANT:

Avoid damage! Use only ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 15 mg/kg (15 ppm).

It also says you can use either #1 or #2 fuel oil.

[DmaxMaverick]

API/CD rated engine oil is OLD. Like I think my 1977 M/B, 1978 Olds, 1979 GMC, and others I had required it. Yeah, no converters, filters or aftertreatments. The ULSD requirement is likely statutorily required, then negated by the fuel oil statement.

Red Diesel in a tractor wouldn't cause any unnecessary conversation with those who care about dyed fuel, even if you're using it to get groceries. They'd shut down every parade, if that were the case. You can get a DWI on a tractor, but they don't care what color the fuel is.

[JohnC]

I was told today, by someone else who has a tractor, that it's exactly the same fuel except for the dye. Not sure if I should believe him, or not. He also said that the heating oil we're getting is also the same.

I was just concerned that there was something with the injection system that would be damaged by the extra sulfur, but that is sort of contrary to the experiences we all had when they first took the sulfur out...

[More Power]

An interesting observation....

I was at the fuel station a week or so ago and noticed that on-road diesel had dropped in price to just below $3/gal. This same station also sells red-dyed diesel, and for as long as I've been driving diesel, red dyed diesel was about $0.50/gal cheaper. Not this day... the red-dyed diesel was just $0.02/gal cheaper.

The red-dyed diesel is/was cheaper because it didn't have the fuel tax on it. It's hard to believe that the tax is now just 2 cents apart... I don't know what's going on... Anyone know? Jim

[a5150nut]

Here's a brake down of Montana fuel taxes for inquiring minds.

https://www.mdt.mt.gov/business/fueltax/faq.aspx

[JohnC]

The off road price probably won't come down until the next delivery.

[arveetek]

Diesel has been going up around here. Currently $3.59 on average.

Casey

[a5150nut]

The off road price probably won't come down until the next delivery.

Used to be stations were either LIFO or FIFO on pricing. Not any more I think they use some sort of dynamic pricing run off market price. I see TA here change price 3 times per day.

[JohnC]

All I can say is everyone around here is headed up...