The Pros and Cons of Red Diesel in Modern Farming Practices

1. The Pros and Cons of Red Diesel in Modern Farming Practices The modern forms and processes of farming are added with various new technologies. In the farming industry, red diesel plays a vital role in increasing the level of productivity and making the farmers assured about the consistency and efficiency of the operations. The substances of this farm heating oil is also coined as the agricultural diesel or gas oil and it is coloured in red. This is a cost-effective option for fueling various machines for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes. Various farmers depend on the use of this gas oil for empowering and enhancing their heavy machines like combined harvesters, tractors, and different kinds of systems used for irrigation. This type of fuel is also useful for large- scale and sustainable farming. This article will explore the pros and cons of the use of this agricultural oil in different methods of modern farming. It will also discuss the storage methods of this fuel to reduce the drawbacks and the government policies that have been implemented for its best usage. Let’s get an idea about when an agricultural vehicle usesred diesel. When Can An Agricultural Vehicle Use Red Diesel? In the UK vehicles like tractors, harvesters and various other kinds of heavy machines used for agriculture can work with red diesel. They can also use this farm heating oil for purposes like forestry or horticulture etc.

2. Cutting trees and hedges: Red diesel can be used in various machines and vehicles of horticulture and fish farming. This fuel helps the vehicles to cut the hedges and verges. Clearance of snow: The gas oil can be used for clearing the snow by machines and vehicles like wheel loaders, snow blowers, snow pushers, etc. Building drainage processes: This farm fuel is also used in machines for building various drainage systems. Like trenchers, vertical and double-wheel ditchers, dump trucks, and backhoe loaders. Fueling mowing machines: The agricultural oil is also used for fueling the mowing machines that are used for mowing or cutting the grains or grass. Fueling agricultural tractors and engines: Fueling various two or four- wheeler vehicles like tractors can also be done by the use of red diesel. Use for mobile cranes and diggers: This type of farm heating oil is also used for fueling mobile cranes for moving heavy and large materials. Other uses in off-road vehicles: Red diesel use cannot be illegal if used for off-road vehicles and machines like various generators and construction machines. Red Diesel Pros And Cons This category of diesel reduces the operating cost of farming and works to empower the important machines. Nevertheless, it is having some negative impacts on the environment, and people using this fuel have to follow some of the strict policies. Pros Including agriculture, this fuel can be used in various off-road vehicles of businesses. This is also used as a fuel for heating and powering different kinds of vessels for aquatic business.

3. Red diesel is more reliable: Red diesel is a reliable source of fuel. It works with the release of less pollution than the other types of fuels from farm oil storage. It also has low levels of substances of sulphur which create less emissions during the methods of burning. Use of red diesel needs low levels of fuel duty: This farm heating oil has low level of fuel duty as compared to regular diesel. If you take delivery of red diesel less than 2300 litres you have to pay 5% of the VAT charges. On the other hand, the other fuels have a 20% VAT charge. It's Easy to store: With a complete adherence to rules this fuel should be stored in a proper heating oil system. Can fuel different types of engines: Red diesel can also be used as a fuel for different kinds of engines like the engines of gasoline and other sorts of diesel. Can work in harsh winters of the UK: The various blends of red diesel can manage to fuel the machines and can work for farm oil storage even in harsh winters. It has additives that prevent it from developing the crystals of wax and freezing of the oil in a situation of a low temperature. Users need to pay less tax for red diesel: This form of farm heating oil is famous for having better efficiency of burning and it produces less smoke. In the UK the people who use red diesel pay the duty tax of only 11.14 ppl which means pence per litre. On the other hand, the people who use regular road diesel pay the duty tax of 57.95 ppl. Cons: Is The Use Of Red Diesel Right In Modern Farming? The gas oil can be used for the process of harvesting crops and carrying the relevant products from and to the area of farming. However, it cannot be used in the activities of haulage for farm products. Red diesel is having some negative impact on the environment: As per the studies, this agricultural oil is among 15% of all those diesels that are being

4. used by the people of the UK. It releases 14 million substances of CO2 emissions every year into the atmosphere. Chances of oil spills: If not taken safe initiatives and if kept in an improper farm oil storage the substances of red diesel can lead to spills of oil. You can find issues of quality of fuel: The use of fuel additives into red diesel like FAME can lead to damages in the quality of the fuel. The use of FAME can result in the creation of sludge that blocks the filter and way of the fuel flow. If not properly filled you can find the failure of the engine: If you fill the engine with red diesel improperly it can create air pockets, lead to contamination, and can block the filters. This can lead to failure of the engine. Illegal usages of red diesel: Using this heating oil system for on-road vehicles is illegal as per rules. Can create blockages in your engine pipes: The substances of gas oil can also block the engine pipes due to the existence of various impurities. Types Of Modern Farming And Use Of Red Diesel The heating oil system of red diesel can be used in modern methods of farming, however, there are restrictions for some areas, locations, and situations. Precision Farming: In some processes of precision farming like vehicles for soil analysis, and equipment management this gas oil can be used. Vertical Farming: In urban locations where the land for farming is limited vertical farming can be done. The different vehicles used here can work with this farm heating oil. Aquaponics and hydroponics: The modern methods like hydroponics and aquaponics are farming that do not need soil. Here the need for red diesel is very low.

5. Fuel Storage Methods To Reduce The Drawbacks If you know the proper use of red diesel, this will not be enough! You also have to know how to properly store it in a heating oil system. Regular checkups for contamination: Cheque your agricultural oil for any kind of contamination. You can work on visual inspections and conduct tests for microbes and sludge. Management of safety: You can work on managing safety and should be prepared for any kind of emergency. Managing the quality of the fuel: Also, manage the quality of farm heating oil by checking if there are any leakages and also cheque whether it is stored in a proper heating oil system. Cheque fuel thefts: Work on checking and preventing the theft of fuel from the farm oil storage by the use of alarms and locks. You also can cheque the fuel usage and fuel levels inside the tanks. When red Diesel will be Your Only Option: In a farming process where red diesel is the only option, you can store it in a bunded tank and that should be away from sunlight. Rules Of The UK Government For Red Diesel Usages As per the current rules of the UK government, this agricultural oil can only be used for farming purposes like in various machines and vehicles. You have to submit a SORN or Statutory Off-Road Notification: For using the red diesel in your farming vehicle and farm oil storage you need to submit a statutory off-road notification or SORN that the vehicle you are using is for off- road purposes.

6. Follow the Transport and work act 1992: The farmers also need to follow the rules of the Transport and Works Act or TWA 1992 that have been prepared for the management of the transport system. Rules of DVLA or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: The farmers also need to get a licence from DVLA or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for storing this fuel in a heating oil system. National Association of Agricultural Contractors: The NAAC sets the rules for the use of agricultural oil. They instruct the rules for best farming. Red diesel and effects of government rules on green energy usage: The rules of the government of the UK have been prepared to reduce the CO2 emissions from the environment. Thus, the farmers need to have modern technical implementation for using this agricultural fuel. Wrapping Up Red diesel has more effective sources of energy than gasoline and it works for a better fuel economy especially if used in the methods of modern farming. You may need to pay less cost of operations if you use red diesel as an agricultural oil. This is very effective to be used in heavy machines. However, this fact cannot be avoided that the red diesel is having some drawbacks. The government of the UK has made restrictions on the use of this farm heating oil due its co2 emissions into the air. In the modern days, the use of this fuel is also affected by the shifts towards more renewable energy. Additionally, it can be said that red diesel can be used effectively if it is added with more sustainable fuel-using methods. Source URL - https://compassenergy.substack.com/p/the-pros-and-cons-of-red-diesel-in