Oil & Fuel L2501 Gas station Diesel

[lootiejay]

So this morning I was at the local Gas station filling up my Gas Cans with dielsel for my new Tractor. My neighbor pulls up and says, "You better not be putting that in your Kubota unless you want to tear up the engine." I asked if he was serious and he said yes. Then the guy at the pump next to me says it doesn't really matter which type of diesel you use in the tractor - just don't use off road diesel in your truck.

Here I am sitting outside wondering if it is safe to put these 10 gallons in my tractor, or if I just picked up some fuel for my next burn pile. Is anyone able to clear this up for me? If there is somewhere else I should look for the answer I will gladly read it.

Thanks!

 

[TractorNH]

So this morning I was at the local Gas station filling up my Gas Cans with dielsel for my new Tractor. My neighbor pulls up and says, "You better not be putting that in your Kubota unless you want to tear up the engine." I asked if he was serious and he said yes. Then the guy at the pump next to me says it doesn't really matter which type of diesel you use in the tractor - just don't use off road diesel in your truck.

Here I am sitting outside wondering if it is safe to put these 10 gallons in my tractor, or if I just picked up some fuel for my next burn pile. Is anyone able to clear this up for me? If there is somewhere else I should look for the answer I will gladly read it.

Thanks!

Well....if you can't use that diesel then what diesel are you supposed to use? Diesel is diesel. The only reason you can't use off-road diesel in a truck is because big brother wants his highway taxes and off-road is dyed so inspectors know the taxes haven't been paid on it. Other than the dye, there's no difference.

 

[t320pilot]

On road diesel can be used in any diesel engine. I've used it for years in my Kubota powered bobcat when it is not convenient to get the offroad fuel. I do prefer the red fuel because of cost.

 

[wagne223]

Your neighbor is misinformed.
Yes you can run road diesel from a pump in your tractor. That is all I run because the off road stuff is not convenient here.

You can also run biodiesel, heating oil, transmission fluid, propane , natural gas, and vegetable oil. However most of these require special procedures.

Diesel straight from the pump is the safest and most convenient.

 

[dannoGT]

Once a year I make a pilgrimage up to diesel mountain and after making a suitable offering I am allowed to purchase 1000 gallons of super mega ultra pure diesel with only .00000001 ppm of sulfur and I only use that in my tractor!!!!! Some people refer to it as Exxon

 

[lootiejay]

Wow, thanks for all the immediate answers. I feel kind of stupid asking this stuff but I really do not want to tear things up either. I feel like a little kid with all of this so the well reasoned responses are greatly appreciated.

 

[s219]

Tell your neighbor to join TBN so we can set him straight!

 

[moship]

lootiejay or anyone else with a newer tractor...

What is the minimum diesel cetane rating called out in the owners manual?

For years the manual called out 45 minimum when it wasn't possible to purchase that grade of fuel (At least in my area). The only thing I ever see listed in the past 10 years on the pumps is "Minimum 40 Cetane".

Not really worried about it, just curious what's published.

 

[lootiejay]

lootiejay or anyone else with a newer tractor...

What is the minimum diesel cetane rating called out in the owners manual?

According to my manual it says "Cetane number of 45 is minimum. Cetane number greater than 50 is preferred, especially for temperatures below
-20 (-4 ) or elevations above 1500 m (5000 ft)"

 

[moship]

Thanks!

Can anyone buy diesel with this rating in the US?

 

[jeff9366]

The diesel sold at my Chevron in north/central Florida is labeled on the green pump No. 2 diesel.


My Kubota L3560 Operator's Manual specifies:


No. 2-D S15 diesel fuel


No. 1-D S15 diesel fuel if temperature is below -10 degrees Centigrade (14 degrees Fahrenheit)



Road tax exempt off-road "red" diesel is available at the Citgo but I do not trust fuel originating in Venezuela at the moment. I prefer to pay the somewhat higher road diesel price at Chevron.

I am wondering if it is safe to put these 10 gallons in my tractor.
If there is somewhere else I should look for the answer I will gladly read it.

Read your L2501 Operator's Manual. Mark it up with highlighting.

 

[sdquick]

Well....if you can't use that diesel then what diesel are you supposed to use? Diesel is diesel. The only reason you can't use off-road diesel in a truck is because big brother wants his highway taxes and off-road is dyed so inspectors know the taxes haven't been paid on it. Other than the dye, there's no difference.

I agree. It would be interesting to know what else your neighbor thinks that you should use?????

 

[kthompson]

Not sure when but a while back off road had more sulfur if not badly mistaken than on road. Some will tell you same fuel but only red dye added to off road. I buy off road normally but will use road type if need be.

 

[msb1766]

My manual says to use fuel with a cetane rating of 45 or higher and use low sulfer or ultra-low sulfer fuel.
Ultra low sulfer is 15 parts per million.

 

[RickB]

My manual says to use fuel with a cetane rating of 45 or higher and use low sulfer or ultra-low sulfer fuel.
Ultra low sulfer is 15 parts per million.

It痴 nearly impossible to find anything other than ULSD in North America and absolutely impossible to find anything other than ULSD within driving distance of Guilderland.

 

[Blondie70]

I run the off road dyed fuel in my new L2501. All it has ever had in it. Runs like a wild thing...ha ha
All it will ever have in it as far as I am concerned. Dunno what brand it is...runs good .. comes from "Circle D"station. Am gonna ask them one day where they get their fuel.

 

[oosik]

Thirty seven years - got my diesel from the local Chevron station. Darned if I have any idea what the cetane rating is. My Op Manual says to use diesel with minimum cetane rating of 40.

 

[TMGT]

I've been using Southern States for my diesel the last few years, 50 cetan and the tractor/truck whenever possible, seem to enjoy it (better cold starts in the winter).
Here they also have off road so I save a few bucks on the tractors fuel.

I still as PowerService.

 

[4570Man]

I usually burn red diesel in my tractor because it’s about 40 cents a gallon cheaper and has been as far as 80 cents cheaper. According to the guy at the red diesel station and most people that know what they’re talking about there’s zero difference in the fuel except for the red dye. The reason for the dye is to identify that no road tax was paid for that fuel. I have burnt road diesel in my tractor because sometimes it’s more convenient.

 

[George the Beagle]

"Tear up the engine." Sheesh, some people will say anything. Diesel is diesel is #2 fuel. Dyed red for off-road use. You get caught burning the red stuff in a road vehicle and it's a big fine. I've used both over the years, no problems at all. The only fuel problem I had was when a couple of bugs ended up in the tank and clogged the fuel line outlet. Dump in your fuel and have at it!!