Road Diesel vs. Red Diesel

[HenryFan]

I recently read that it is better to use taxed road diesel fuel rather than untaxed red diesel fuel in modern diesel tractors because taxed road diesel is cleaner. As I understand what I read, because smaller modern compact diesel tractors use particulate emissions control devices, cleaner diesel fuel is better because there are less emissions particles.

I don't understand this because I thought untaxed red diesel is the same as taxed road diesel, the sole difference being the addition of a red dye. Also, I thought all diesel fuel sold now-a-days is all low sulfur content, both road diesel fuel and red diesel fuel.

Does any of this make sense?

[BigAl52]

I worked for a trucking company for 35 years. They owned 2 John Deere loaders and other farm and off road equipment. We had an off road diesel tank for all of that equipment and never had any issues. I would not be scared to use the off road red diesel in your tractor. If your worried about it find and Amsoil dealer in your area or order some online. They make an all in one diesel additive that is outstanding. My pickup has it in every tank full.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-diesel- ... e=ADBCN-EA


This bottle treats 40 gallons

[Hatchdog]

Just a guess here but when I look at ads for tractors I see some promoting no DEF required in older tractors. My tractor is 20 years old so does not have that requirement. I have only run the off road diesel in it since new and I have never had an issue. Possibly your concern is valid for a later model diesel.

[Mags]

...
I don't understand this because I thought untaxed red diesel is the same as taxed road diesel, the sole difference being the addition of a red dye. Also, I thought all diesel fuel sold now-a-days is all low sulfur content, both road diesel fuel and red diesel fuel.
...

That's my understanding too. #2 diesel dyed or not. I've used both, but lately just use road diesel because it's more convenient to buy. I report the number of gallons used each year on my federal taxes and get a deduction for the road tax.

Then there is Biodiesel (made from used cooking oil), or even mixed such such as E10 or E15. These might burn cleaner.

[Sir Henry]

I thought red diesel was No 2. If you want No 1 get green diesel.

[Mags]

I thought red diesel was No 2. If you want No 1 get green diesel.

The greenish tint #2 diesel for road/highway use isn't the #1 "green". #1 diesel can also be also found with red dye. Dyed or not, #1 is for extreme cold winter use.
"Green" ("Renewable") diesel is made from biomas to minimum #2 specification.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I'll never use anything but "off road" red diesel in my 50 hp John Deere tractor........Always have......Always will......NEVER a problem.

[rickhem]

I buy diesel from the station down the road, mostly for convenience. I have four cans, about 20 gallons, and I'll fill them 2-3 times each year. Mostly used by my mower, a Deere 455 that gets used about 5 hours each week during mowing seasons. I don't even know where I could go buy off-road diesel, most that I know that use it, have it delivered to their on-site tanks.

The part about deducting the tax caught my interest. I'll have to see how much that would be and if it's worth going through that for another deduction from my taxes.

Co-workers have told me that my fuel oil is the same thing, and I could use those two interchangeably.

[Sir Henry]

Does anyone know all the colors and what they are for? I know the military has a color and so does the railroad. It keeps people from stealing.

[Mags]

Does anyone know all the colors and what they are for? I know the military has a color and so does the railroad. It keeps people from stealing.

Military is blue. Railroad is red same as off road.
https://bostechauto.com/blog/what-color-is-diesel-fuel/

[rickhem]

Interesting link Mags, thanks for posting that.

[Hatchdog]

Interesting link Mags, thanks for posting that.

Yes, thanks Mags. Didn’t know about blue diesel until Sir Henry mentioned it.

[Mags]

Interesting link Mags, thanks for posting that.

Yes, thanks Mags. Didn’t know about blue diesel until Sir Henry mentioned it.

I didn't either. I had to look that one up.
You're both welcome.

[Sir Henry]

I spoke with my friend in the Army and he said they use JP8 in everything that could run on diesel. It doesn’t have a lubricant in it so any civilian Diesel engine would siege up. Military vehicles are designed for it.

[Mags]

My grandfather had an AllFuel John Deere tractor. The thing was ancient when I was a kid. He could run diesel, kerosene, gasoline depending on what fuel was the best buy at the time. He once told me, it would also run on moonshine.

[HenryFan]

Terrible misuse of corn liquor.

[Vaquero]

Terrible misuse of corn liquor.

RP

[Mags]

Terrible misuse of corn liquor.

For sure. He was a farmer through the depression and afterwards still during WWII. At some point I guess he couldn't get fuel and tried it. I've since read they could run on many different types of distillates.

[rickhem]

Kawasaki made a version of their KLR Enduro motorcycle for the Marines that ran on whatever fuel you could put in the tank. I remember reading an article or two about it, and it made sense for that application. Never saw one, or knew anyone that had direct experience with one, but it sounds like a pretty neat idea that came to fruition.