Oil & Fuel diesel, kero, #2

whoodle · Jan 21, 2003

I have always thought any one of these fuels would work interchangeably in diesels. Is there a problem with running straight kero?

markie61 · Jan 21, 2003

YES! Do NOT run straight Kerosene. Many use it to "winterize" diesel, but straight Kero apparently can cause problems. Look under the fuel/oil forum for LOTS of info.
Mark

DocHeb · Jan 21, 2003

The refining process removes the waxes and other compounds that give the diesel appropriate lubricity. For a pretty broad description of diesel fuels, see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/diesel/>Chevron Diesel Fuel</A>.

cmhyland · Jan 22, 2003

It's my understanding that due to the reduced BTU's in Kero your machine will only have about 80% of it's horsepower rating running on Kero.

The Kubota manuals if I'm correct say you can run it but it will produce significantly less horsepower.

Regards,
Chris

Anonymous Poster · Jan 22, 2003

For the 12,000,003 time, Kero and Jet A have NO luricating value to them, so, you will score your injector pump and pistons and sleeves running kero or Jet A.
Machines are built to run this fuel, and they live and work in Antarctica. THEY ARE SPECIALLY BUILT TO RUN KERO!
If you have no other fuel, and must run Kero, add 1 quart of 40 weight motor oil to every 5 gallons of Kero or Jet A. If you don't add the motor oil, you will make the rebuild shop very happy.

gerard · Jan 22, 2003

See Franz's post!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

whoodle · Jan 23, 2003

Thanks for the info. Does #2 heating oil have the lubricants also?

markie61 · Jan 23, 2003

When I buy "off-road" diesel from my supplier, it comes out of the same tank as the heating oil they deliver to my house. Apparently, the differences are taxes and sulphur content. Home heating oil has more sulphur which is good for an engine (lubricants) but bad for the environment (which is another reason you can't use it "on-road")

There is a lot of discussion of home heating oil and tractor fuel under the Oil/Fuel Forum.

Mark

gerard · Jan 23, 2003

# 2 heating oil is the exact same stuff as off road diesel and is all I use for my tractor. My supplier said it's the same stuff and they should know since they supply it. The red dye is added for tax purposes, also the off road may have a higher sulfur content. The low sulfur fuels were formulated to reduce emissions since the sulfur combines in the exhaust to create sufuric acid which contributes to acid rain. Emissions aside, the higher sulfur is a GOOD thing for the engine because it adds lubricity so, even though the newer tractors are able to run on low sulfur fuels, there may be a benefit to still using a higher sulfur fuel. You can cut with up to 50% kerosene but I just use a powerflo additive to prevent gelling. You can get it at any truck stop, kmart, wally world or auto parts store.

whoodle · Jan 23, 2003

Thanks folks! It looks like I'll have to get yet another oil tank! Here in Vermont the diesel road tax adds about .40/ gal.

thcri · Jan 23, 2003

Yes that is true on the price, but just don't get caught with the red dye stuff in a vehicle on the road. The fine is tremendous.

This is not speaking from experience but of a trucking friend that took some off the farm to haul some of his grain to the elevator, the bigger problems was, it wasn't his grain so they looked at it as trucking for hire.

Murph