Oil & Fuel Maybe a silly question but....

[ukwildcat87]

I'll keep it simple, can off-road diesel be used in RK tractors without problem? I see no reason to pay for the on-road diesel for my tractor, unless it is a requirement for warranty or whatever. I have looked in various literature, no success. I'm probably making Mt. Everest out of a small mole hill, but....

Thanks,

 

[Peter 315]

YES.....:thumbsup:

 

[dalola]

As far as I'm aware, the only difference is no road tax applied to the price. Which legally, for a tractor, is legit. And it's colored a little different to contrast on-road diesel. Pretty sure the fuel formula is the same, however.

Someone please correct me if this is not true?

 

[Thomas]

The only problem I found when purchasing off road diesel not as fresh as over the road diesel could lead to jelling etc. from setting.

 

[JC79]

I’ve used off road diesel exclusively since I purchased my rk24 about 1.5 years ago. I purchase it from the local farmer’s co-op so I don’t see any issue with it being stale. As a previous post stated the only difference, far as I know, is it’s dyed to identify it as not being taxed

 

[jeff9366]

The only problem I found when purchasing off road diesel not as fresh as over the road diesel.

I share this experience. Problem could have been age, dirt or condensation in the off-road diesel. The station is my local CITGO, which I no longer patronize. My Kubota L3560 consumes 1/2 gallon per hour of diesel, so additional cost for fresh, fully taxed diesel at the high traffic Chevron is insignificant, relative to $35 per hour total L3560 operating cost, with dealer service and imputed rent to multiple implements.

I speculate your RK55 consumes .6 gallons of fuel per hour long term average.

Most (not all) tractor engine problems discussed here are rooted in poor fuel or fuel filters.

 

[Peter 315]

You pay 24.4 cents fed tax plus .23 cents Kentucky state tax so almost .48 cents a gallon in taxes What is the Diesel Fuel Tax Rate in Your State? – ITEP

 

[CobyRupert]

Yes, the only difference between off-road and on-road diesel is the dye added to show that no-tax was paid on the fuel in the tank (of the vehicle that someone may be driving on road).

That being said, on a different note, there are differences in No.2 diesel (most common at diesel pumps...in summer), and No.1 Diesel, and "winter" diesel. Winter diesel may be a blend of No.1 & No.2, or may be No. 2 with additives so it doesn't gel in cold temps, or some combination of all the above.

...and then there's kerosene....which may or may not be No. 1 diesel.
...and home heating fuel oil....which may or may not be the same thing as non-road "diesel fuel" (No.2 or a "winter diesel" depending on what you order and if your furnace tank is located indoor/outdoor.)...This may or may not have the lubricity additives for diesel fuel pumps. May be low sulfur, high sulfur, etc...

I don't understand it as well as others, but I know you can go pretty far down the rabbit hole if you want.

 

[LouNY]

It will be fine, over a dozen diesel tractors on the farm and they have never seen any "on road" diesel.

 

[Gary Fowler]

There is not difference other than the red dye that is in off road diesel. If you are concerned about quality of fuel, contact your local bulk distributor. They will let you know if you can purchase fuel directly from them. You wont be able to buy 5 gallons at a time, but maybe they will fill a 55 gallon drum.

Other than the winter or summer blend fuel, diesel doesn't change with storage like gasoline. Diesel will remain serviceable in storage for centuries as long as no water gets into it. It doesn't go bad like gasoline.
If you worry that winter will overtake you before you burn off all your summer blend, then fill your bulk storage containers with winter blend. It will still work in summer although it has a bit less energy than summer blend. You likely wont notice the slight difference.

I bulk up my storage when prices are low and it may take a couple of years or more to go thru the 350 gallons of capacity that I have. To avoid delivery charges, I have to buy a minimum of 200 gallons at a time from my bulk dealer.

 

[ukwildcat87]

Thanks very much all. As a I said, probably a silly question, but details are important. Thanks again, stay safe!

 

[markie61]

I'll keep it simple, can off-road diesel be used in RK tractors without problem? I see no reason to pay for the on-road diesel for my tractor, unless it is a requirement for warranty or whatever. I have looked in various literature, no success. I'm probably making Mt. Everest out of a small mole hill, but....Thanks,

2500 hours on my NH and approaching 100 hours on my RK55 mostly with off-road diesel. Over the years, I have occasionally used on-road diesel when it was cheaper. Believe it or not, I unnecessarily was worried that the on-road stuff was gonna cause more harm without the red dye...silly me...

 

[jethroish]

Not sure about other states. Here in Indiana, you can file for fuel tax refund with the state Dept of Revenue. Just have to keep your receipts. There are a few place near me that sell off road diesel, but it is the same price as going to regular fuel station and probably old fuel.

 

[RalphVa]

Should be no problem. HOWEVER, the only time I ever bought off road, I ended up with a wax separation issue. Wax globs precipitated out and partly plugged the outlet of the diesel tank. Exxon actually took it back.

I was buying onroad because I wanted to be able to top off our diesel car with it. Don't have a diesel car now, but still buying onroad.

Ralph

 

[jethroish]

Every state may be different, but in Indiana, if you buy regular road fuel for your tractor, keep your receipt, you can file for a tax refund. In my area, I can get road diesel cheaper and then get a refund of the road tax. I don't use enough to justify getting a 100 gallon or bigger tank to have it delivered cheaply.

 

[HicksFarms]

Every state may be different, but in Indiana, if you buy regular road fuel for your tractor, keep your receipt, you can file for a tax refund. In my area, I can get road diesel cheaper and then get a refund of the road tax. I don't use enough to justify getting a 100 gallon or bigger tank to have it delivered cheaply.

FYI, I just pumped 106 gallons of off-road #2 diesel for $172. My local pumps are usually pretty close to $3/gal. This is central Indiana.

 

[jethroish]

FYI, I just pumped 106 gallons of off-road #2 diesel for $172. My local pumps are usually pretty close to $3/gal. This is central Indiana.

I wish. Two stations by me with off road are just as much as the local fuel stations.