fuel

[blackdog1]

I'm not very familiar with diesel power, but was at the local country store and a people were complaining about fuel prices. One older farmer was bragging how it wasn't a problem for him as he filled his CTD (looked to be a late 90's) out of his bulk fuel tank on the farm. He said 9 times out of ten they fill it with fuel oil because that is what the trucks are carrying in the area. My question is can this damage his truck? I thought the new technology in the newer diesels would make this a problem but as I stated before I know very little about diesels. Also thought you could get in trouble for doing this.

[CPSS]

There are several issues. First, it's illegal to use untaxed fuel on the highway. Most farmers around here have their own bulk tanks at the farm for the tractors and off road farm equipment. That fuel is dyed red, so that any inspector ( police, NYS En-Con, NYS DOT, NYS Taxation and Finance), can simply "dip" the fuel tank of your vehicle and see. There is a BIG fine if you get caught, thousands of dollars, to save the 20 or 30 cents per gallon.

Second, diesels will run on a variety of fuels, #1 diesel oil, #2 diesel oil, kerosene, Jet A, and home heating fuel. #1 diesel is best for REAL cold weather, but has less energy content than #2. #2 is the usual summer fuel sold at the pumps, but will gel up in cold weather. A blend of #1 and #2 is the usual winter fuel around here. Kerosene and Jet A are almost the same, and are very similar to #1 diesel. Lower energy content, so less MPG. Some also feel they don't properly lubricate the injectors. Home heating fuel is a blend of several different diesel type fuels, and I wouldn't recommend it in a modern vehicle as there is no real standard for the fuel, and could be less refined than real diesel fuel.

[cat320]

Well all that taxed fuel seams like it goes into some ones pocket.If you can run your truck cheaper than I say do it the senators don't feel bad giving themselfs a full paycheck forthemself when they retire.

[ratlover]

I wont argue the merit of the law but I garantee that you wont be able to argue the merit of the law with the cop or the judge. Trust me when I say you dont want to be caught running died fuel. Now what are the likelyhood of getting checked? :confused: I duno.....prebably pretty slim but like I said you dont want to be caught running untaxed fuel on the road.

CPPS was pretty much on with his explination. #2 and blended stuff is a bit more regulated but you can run other stuff through your tank. You are just at more of a rish of what you are putting in your tank and at a risk of getting caught. Just dont try to run her off gasoline ;) But post picks if you do so we can see the carnage :greenange

[Pelican]

The fine in NY is $10,000. They caught one shop in my area here with 2 trucks running fuel oil, cost them $20,000 and they're out of business.

I'm pretty sure #2 fuel oil is the same as #2 diesel plus dye. I've run it in my trucks when my tank was dry to get me to the filling station with no harm to the trucks. I run my skid steer on it on a regular basis, it's all that's ever been in that machine.

[Jay ALC]

I run only my skid loader on farm diesel or dyed diesel as we call it around here and have never had any problems.

[cat320]

Well do you think the truck that delivers fuel and home heating get emtied doen to bar metal they don't so the two do get mixed.As far as running the legal stuff I belive we pay enough taxes and exicse tax and then they want to charge you a bunch more when you get it at the pump.Let me tell you that the gov. officials could care less about us but they say they do.Clear and dyed just another way to milk the working man of his hard earned money for road repairs that seam to cost way too much and some that never get done. :mad:

[jakegypsum]

We keep a 1,000 gal diesel tank in our yard. we also pay sales/use tax and keep a log of what we purchase, and what we use per month. This is highway grade and not the lesser tinted grade.

We have had suprise inspections from the authorities but have never had a problem. They come and "stick" the tank, log everything they find and say seeya. Never a probelm. We don't run anything that would use the un-taxed fuel.
Our diesel use is primarily trucking but do use it in our 68 Ford 4400 farm tractor. Not enough use to warrant a separate fuel.

If we did use "jobsite" equipement, then I would absolutely have a separate tank with tinted fuel. Our boom trucks run all day on job sites with PTO driven drywall booms. You think that I would be able to complain about that but nothing comes of it. Not worth it.

Bottom line, don't get caught. Good luck.

Jake.

[CPSS]

CAT, I agree that we are taxed to death in this country, however, the tax on highway fuel ( gasoline and diesel ) is what pays for the federal highway system. If there must be a tax, I can't think of a more fair way to pay than by taxing the fuel that we must use to travel on the highway system. If you use the highways a lot, you buy more fuel, and thus pay more tax. If you don't use the highway system, IE: a farmer plowing his fields, you don't pay the tax. Sounds fair to me...........

[cat320]

I'm not saying that there should not be anything but it's like the gov. buying that toilet seat for $1K WE just need to have some one triming the cost and double checking these big companies that charge for equipment that never gets used but is there just in case they need it . That is what some one told me about the stuff at the big dig in boston and I belive them. so when they need more taxes for stuff like that it ticks me off.