Diesel
Diesel fuel first started appearing in large agricultural crawlers in the 1930s, but it was not until the 1950s that diesel became a major fuel source for farm tractors. Difficult starting limited the use of early diesel engines. Some manufacturers built spark-ignition diesel engines, or engines that started on gasoline and were switched over to diesel. Others used small gasoline "pony motors" to warm and start the diesel main engine.
By 1960, diesel engines had greatly improved and were becoming very popular for large farm tractors. By the 1970s, nearly all farm tractors used diesel engines.
Kerosene
Kerosene was commonly used as a tractor fuel in the early part of the 20th century. Like tractor-fuel, it was used in "all fuel" engines after the engine had warmed enough to allow efficient combustion of the kerosene. Cheaper gasoline after World War II, plus the onset of diesel engines, caused kerosene to disappear as a tractor fuel.
Gasoline
Starting with John Froelich's 1892 tractor, gasoline had always been a fuel for farm tractors. Most tractors built through World War II either used gasoline, or could use gasoline (in an all-fuel engine). By the 1960s, diesel was replacing gasoline as the primary fuel, although gasoline was often an option into the 1970s. Today, gasoline is only used in lawn tractors or other small equipment.
LP Gas
Liquified propane, or LP, gas was commonly used in the 1950s and 1960s as fuel for farm tractors. Farmers began converting their gasoline engines to LP gas in the 1950s to take advantage of the low cost. Manufacturers soon began offering these engines as an option. LP gas engines were discontinued as diesel engines began the primary fuel for farm tractors.
Tractor-fuel/distillate/TVO
Known as tractor vapourising oil or distillate, this once-cheap fuel was commonly used in farm tractors until World War II. Many manufacturers built low-compression "all fuel" engines designed to burn tractor-fuel, gasoline, or kerosene. The engine was started on gasoline from a small tank, and switch to tractor-fuel once it was warm. In some nations, high taxes on gasoline (for automotive use) made tractor fuel a cost-effective alternative.
Tractor-fuel was a low grade fuel produced between gasoline and diesel in the traditional distillation of crude oil. The refining techniques developed during World War II made it possible to convert this into more useful fuels, and it began to disappear.
Power Fuel was a high grade of tractor fuel. Power fuel had a lower grade than gasoline, but higher than kerosene or distillate. Power fuel was sometimes specifically formulated to avoid road taxes imposed on automotive fuel.
A tractor-fuel engine can be run on modern gasoline. The lowest grade of gasoline available today is often better than the highest grade available when these engines were built.
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FAQs
Today, diesel is still a common source of fuel for tractors, and it is the preferred alternative for full-sized tractors.
Is tractor fuel the same as diesel? ›
Tractor fuel is a type of diesel known as the standard number two diesel. It is a low-grade fuel between gasoline and standard diesel and is adapted for a specific climate. Tractor fuel is typically standard number 2 diesel.
What fuel did old tractors use? ›
Liquified propane (aka “LP”) was commonly used in the 1950s and 1960s as a fuel for farm tractors. Farmers began converting their gasoline engines to less costly LP gas in the 1950s.
Can I put tractor diesel in my truck? ›
Tractor fuel and reefer fuel can both be used in trucks and heavy equipment. However, there is one key difference: reefer fuel cannot be used on vehicles that will ever be driven on public roads.
What is the best diesel fuel for tractor pulling? ›
Power Service Products is the official diesel fuel additive of the National Tractor Pullers Association for one reason: Power. “No one works harder than tractor pullers to find that last bit of extra horsepower, it's often the difference between winning and losing.
Should I use ethanol free gas in my lawn tractor? ›
Choose fuel with the lowest ethanol content possible.
To minimize issues, you should use either ethanol-free gas in your lawn mower or fuel that has the least amount of ethanol content possible. Fuel sold at a gas station is often E-10 gas, which contains 10% ethanol and can be used for your outdoor power equipment.
Can I run regular diesel in my tractor? ›
Any vehicle licensed for use on roads in the United States is required to use on-road diesel. Off-road diesel is meant for any machine not being driven on a road, like tractors, construction equipment, and generators.
What kind of diesel do farmers use? ›
Red diesel is usually purchased by construction firms and farmers. Anyone who wants to buy this fuel must meet the requirements established in their specific state. You must also be sure that the company you purchase from is legally able to sell dyed diesel and knows the requirements for you to use it.
Is John Deere tractor gas or diesel? ›
All John Deere engines can use renewable diesel fuel:
Renewable diesel fuel (paraffinic diesel fuel) can be blended with petroleum diesel or used at 100% (RD100). Renewable diesel fuel must meet the standards set by either ASTM D975, EN 590, or EN 15940.
What gas to use in an old tractor? ›
For older tractors that run on leaded gasoline, there are two options when it comes to using unleaded gas. Bouchard said there are commercially available additives formulated specifically for engines that run on leaded gas. All you need to do is pour in the additive when you gas up your tractor each time.
Some tractors in the 1930s and early '40s, like the Oliver 70 KD (kerosene distillate) and International Harvester's Farmall H and M models, actually started on gas then switched over to kerosene once the engine warmed up. This was important because kerosene was significantly cheaper than gas.
What was the original fuel for the diesel engine? ›
Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and from biomass materials. One of the fuels that Rudolf Diesel originally considered for his engine was vegetable seed oil, an idea that eventually contributed to biodiesel production and use today.
Why is red dye diesel illegal? ›
Red diesel is illegal for on-road vehicles because it's not taxed. Federal and state governments have strict standards in place about its use in on-road engines. Distributors and fuel retailers cannot knowingly supply on-road vehicles with this type of fuel.
Is off-road diesel the same as kerosene? ›
Dyed diesel and off-road diesel can be kerosene (which crosses as #1 diesel fuel), but not necessarily. Do not assume a dyed fuel is kerosene, which is a rarer fuel. Kerosene is different than #1 diesel for one characteristic: its confirmed ability to be absorbed and taken up by a wick. All kerosene is #1 diesel.
Is tractor fuel normal diesel? ›
Tractor Fuel. Tractors rely on regular diesel, so the distinction between reefer and tractor fuel is the same as that between reefer and diesel. Tractors typically use diesel #2, the most common diesel type for everyday use in transportation and agriculture.
Which type of fuel is used in tractors? ›
As we have already explained above, tractors can have either diesel or gasoline engines. Unsurprisingly, each engine type has specific oil requirements. Diesel engines generally require oil with higher viscosity ratings and additives to meet the demands of their high-pressure fuel injection systems.
What type of diesel should I use in my tractor? ›
Off-road diesel is meant for any machine not being driven on a road, like tractors, construction equipment, and generators.
What type of gas does a tractor use? ›
Tractors typically use a special type of diesel fuel known as 'tractor diesel', which has properties well-suited to heavy-duty engines. This fuel is designed for high torque, efficiency, and durability, making it ideal for use in agricultural and commercial machinery.
How do farmers get gas for tractors? ›
Farms typically have a large fuel tank on the property. This tank is filled up by a local distributor. Some of the smaller farms have tanks mounted on stands and let gravity do the work. Larger farms have tanks on or in the ground and an electric pump feeds the gas.
