Oil & Fuel Fuel additives

[KDL]

My dealer told me that if I use diesel fuel from a truck stop, I assume this is No. 1 diesel, that I should use a diesel fuel conditioner. He said that commercial fuel for highway use does not have the lubricants that diesel for off highway use does. He recommends a conditioner from Stanadyne Diesel Systems called Performance Formula. My manual said nothing about using fuel additives. Can anyone shed some light on this subject. Also which is No. 1 diesel and which is No. 2 diesel.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

There was a time Kubota machines were designed to run on just about any type of diesel/Kero offered in many different countries through out asia and the rest of the world.
As long aS IT WAS CLEAN OF IMPUTRITIES AND WATER and not Hi blue kero.
Are the machines modified for the US market also modified to run on good old US fuel as well??? I don't think so. The only thing I coiuld think of is some mod made for clean air regs.

 

[rbargeron]

Whether or not specific additives are used makes very little difference unless you are considering the effects over 15,000 hours and that's more time than most of us will ever run our tractors.

This will be the third summer I've used soybean oil in my Kubota. They run on any kerosene-weight oil.

According to published test data, soybean oil has better lubrication performance and about 90% of the "fuel value" of regular diesel.

And instead of smelling like a city bus, its more like the fried-dough tent at the fair.

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Are you doing any modifications to the soybean oil? ie, are you processing it into "bio-diesel"?

I've read alot about the process and there is a pretty good website. The process doesn't look too hard. (Lot of filtering). But I've never actually known anybody that TRIED it.

SHF

 

[Jag]

If you look at diesel usage, you will find that off-road usage is so small compared to road usage. It is not likely for the refiners to make a on-road and off-road and have complete distributation systems for each. The biggest difference you are likely to find is the red die they put in off-road. I am sure that some additives are added in the system for off-road and espeically during part of the year.

 

[hayden]

I don't believe your dealer is correct.

First, most evey place that sells diesel, either on or off road, sells #2. The only exception might be in cold weather where the fuel is cut with #1, or Kero, or includes additives to prevent gelling.

The only difference in specifications between off road (aka farm) diesel and road diesel is the sulphur content and how much $$ is added for road use taxes.

The B2410 specs call for #2 fuel, and either high (off road) or low (road) sulphur meets the specs. #1 is recommended in low temp conditions.

In a nut shell, either one if fine, just be sure in cold weather that you have fuel that's been bought reciently (and hence treated by the dealer/supplier), or is known to be treated for cold weather.

Off road does not carry road use taxes and will typically cost $.25 less per gal. It's dyed red to indicate it's illegal for road use. I just paid $1.25/gal for my last 30gal barrel of off road fuel.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Just a little bit extra for those not accustomed to diesels -
1. Keep the fuel tank full to reduce condensation build up
2. Don't be frightened to use the machine regularly
Resale value on tractors is more likely related to tidyness rather than hours. A rough weather beaten tractor is worth less than a well kept one with a number of hours. Hour meters a easily manipulated and difficult to check.
3. Change air,fuel and oil filters regularly
Especially the fuel filter as a blocked one puts stress on the high pressure fuel pump.
4. Never ever let the unit run low or out of fuel - see 3.

Simple rules but I hope this helps all those city slickers.

 

[r0GuE]

I always add a stick of bacon to every 55 galon drum!
Just kidding (obviosly). But I am surprised that so many people do unusual add this or instead of what the book calls for I use that. Perhaps those people are right. But the book calls for x. How do we know? I agree with Smokey on the keep the fuel tank full. Especially if you store it outdoors where the temperature of the air changes dramatiacally (38 overnight quickly warming to 72 in the day. That leaves warm moist air grabbing on to your cold tank inside.

Rogue