2002sliverado
Member
I had a conversation with my father a couple weeks ago, which prompted me to put this topic out there for discussion. Back in the early 1980's, our bulk fuel supplier at the time recommended we switch over from a standard grade #2 fuel in our tractors, to their new premium diesel. We were told our tractors would tend to smoke a bit less, possibly a modest increase in power, accompanied by a modest reduction in fuel consumption. We made the switch and have continued to use premium diesel fuel to this day. When I had one of those "infamous" GM diesel cars with the 5.7 liter Olds diesel, I had tried to conduct my own trials over the course of the first couple years I owned that car. My observations were: 1) a noticeable reduction in black smoke when under a load; 2) generally a 3 mpg improvement in fuel economy; and 3) the Stanadyne/Roosa Master fuel injection pump lasted nearly twice as long as others had experienced (most others needed the rebuild at around 60k miles, whereas mine went to 117k miles. When I worked at a Cenex cooperative, our fuel department manager told me about the key differences between the two fuels, but I don't remember much, as that conversation was had more than 25 years ago. I have stuck with Cenex premium Fieldmaster in the tractors, and I usually go out of my way to fuel my diesel truck with Cenex premium Roadmaster fuel. A lot has changed in fuels since my own personal trials from all those years back. The sulfur content has dropped significantly. There is the biodiesel mandate in Minnesota. We are using additives to keep contaminants and biological activity in our fuels under control. I am curious as to what others have experienced with the fuel they use in their farm equipment and diesel powered vehicles. Any thoughts or opinions on this subject?