Hydrostatic drive

[BleedDodge]

My uncle has an '80 D-100 with a 225, and we run diesel fuel and diesel oil in it all the time. Doesn't hurt it. It hasn't seen gasoline in about 15 years, and still runs like it's brand new...

[BleedDodge]

Forgot to mention this, but when I would go to the States all the time with my dad, we would see semi's piggybacking other semis. There would be a lead truck, 2 piggybacked behind it, and then a small pickup on a rack on the last truck. How come you don't do that? I think it would save a pile of tires on your truck from not having to drag it everywhere, at least that's what I would do.

[cdman3d]

None of you know just how lucky you are, your not stuck with a 2.5L Dakota lol. But its ok, I think im gonna dress it up real pretty and show it off instead of try and race it.

[Polecat]

Originally Posted by BleedDodge

My uncle has an '80 D-100 with a 225, and we run diesel fuel and diesel oil in it all the time. Doesn't hurt it. It hasn't seen gasoline in about 15 years, and still runs like it's brand new...

Now you got my attention. I have to confess my ignorance as to what a D-100 is, but a 225 is normally a gas engine isn't it? How is the power running diesel compared to gas? I have wondered for some time whether you could mix in a little diesel with the gas and get better mileage from the thicker fuel, but you're saying run straight diesel? Push me over with a feather! Is there any trouble with plugs fouling? Do you use regulation plugs? Any modification at all to accomodate the diesel fuel? And why the diesel oil? Man, that's cool as a moose!

[Polecat]

Originally Posted by cdman3d

None of you know just how lucky you are, your not stuck with a 2.5L Dakota lol. But its ok, I think im gonna dress it up real pretty and show it off instead of try and race it.

Good grief, Charley Brown! I don't blame you for retiring it from the track. That's like driving a two-ton VW. But take heart, I went to watch the races once when I was in college (Many years ago) and there was this underpowered or underskilled car (not sure which) that would get into every race and bump along in the gutter while everybody went whizzing past him along the wall. Well, believe it or not, he actually came in in the money once because so many of the other cars fell by the wayside that he finished second. So don't sell Number 2.5 short, it might surprise you someday. (But I wouldn't hold my breath!

[Polecat]

Originally Posted by BleedDodge

Forgot to mention this, but when I would go to the States all the time with my dad, we would see semi's piggybacking other semis. There would be a lead truck, 2 piggybacked behind it, and then a small pickup on a rack on the last truck. How come you don't do that? I think it would save a pile of tires on your truck from not having to drag it everywhere, at least that's what I would do.

Well, now that you mention, it that would be workable. I just saw a picture for the first time last week, of a rig set up like that. This one looked like it had a ramp built into a trailer that the guy could tow to wherever he picked up the tractors, then put it on the last one to drive up on, to hold him up off the drive wheels of the tractor. As far as tires go, that hasn't been a hugely expensive item. I have 120 thousand on my last set and still about half tread left.

[BleedDodge]

That is what you do right? Deliver truck tractors?

A D-100 is a half ton Dodge truck. 225's have always been gas engines. We have a small trucking company, and this truck is just used as a yard truck around the shop and everything, it usually never leaves the yard. All the semis run diesel, so we make the half ton run on it, I guess. Nope, no modifications whatsoever. I'm inclined to believe that those plugs might be the original ones the truck was bought new with, and the truck still runs perfect so I don't think they're fouled at all, like hey if it still runs why check?

I believe diesel oil should be run in everything, but that's just what I do. My truck, my cars, my lawnmower, and my trike all have diesel oil in them. It's simple because then you only have one kind of oil around the place.

[slantsixness]

Bleed,
you guys are getting out in left field here running straight diesel in a 225?. Does that D100's motor ever shut off? Somebody has to be putting ether or moonshine in that tank too, or you wouldn't get it started, especially in a cold northern climate.

But I will say that I've never tried it (diesel) in any of mine but are you sure they're not putting "tractor fuel" in it? Now I don't mean like a tractor-trailer tractor, I mean like a Allis-Chalmers/Ford type farm tractor. That crap is almost gasoline, but really low octane, and full of sediment and oils, but a 225 will run on it forever, give or take a valve or two.

Ok, maybe you got me confused?
Or is that D100 one of those 230 cu inch mitsubishi diesels from the late 70's? (not a slant six...)???

[Polecat]

I think we have a skeptic in our midst. Well, Bleed, what about that starting question? Or are you in a southern climate where that isn't a factor?

By the way, this thread started about hydrostatic drives. I finally found an "expert" that said what I would need for that is a pair of special variable-speed pump/motors which are very expensive, like four grand apiece. Not practical, but I'd still sorta like to do it, just to say I had. If I had the coins.

[BleedDodge]

Nope, it's got a 225 gas. This truck only runs in the summer months, and it starts like a joke. A day like today it's 85 degrees outside. It shuts off, eventually. We only ever put enough fuel in it to keep it running for like 15 minutes, then it will run itself out, or stall first. I'm serious, it runs on diesel fuel. I live in Manitoba Canada.

I believe that hydrostatic stuff would be practical if you were driving all the time and never used the truck for anything else. I think it would be a wise investment. If I delivered trucks, I'd go for it. I like pulling trailers a little bit more, but I'd probably try it someday, just to say I did it. Mind you, I'm young and single and I spend my money on so many things I don't need...