Diesel FAQs What's the difference between diesel and gasoline? Isn't diesel a "dirty fuel"? Compared with diesel, doesn't LP gas reduce emissions and reduce our dependence on foreign oil? Aren't diesel mowers more expensive? Can I really save fuel by using diesel? How do diesel emissions compare with other alternative fuels? How can diesel help me increase my mowing efficiency? What is B5? Why should I consider a Grasshopper MaxTorque™ diesel mower? What's the difference between diesel and gasoline? Both diesel and gasoline are refined from crude oil. (LP gas is also a petroleum processing byproduct.) Diesel, however, packs up to 12 percent more energy per gallon than gasoline. That's one of the reasons that diesel is more economical than gasoline. Diesel is combusted, or burned, as a result of very high cylinder pressure, thus diesel engines are designed to withstand greater pressure and deliver more power per stroke. This is in contrast to a gasoline engine, in which an air-fuel mixture is ignited by a spark from a spark plug. Diesel engines thus have a higher thermal efficiency (i.e. power) than gasoline engines due to their compression ratio, which is another reason that diesel is more economical than gasoline. Because diesel fuel is commonly used in hard-working equipment on farms and job sites across the country, off-road diesel is available at many locations, which is taxed less than on-road diesel to provide additional significant savings. Learn more.  [ Back to Top ] Isn’t diesel a “dirty fuel”? Diesel is commonly misperceived as a dirty fuel as people recall decades back in time when the fuel and engines were less efficient. The reality is that due to recent technological advancements, many of the harmful particulates (such as sulfates and silicates) in diesel fuel have been nearly eliminated, making diesel fuel cleaner than ever. Learn more. [ Back to Top ] Compared with diesel, doesn’t LP gas reduce emissions and reduce our dependence on foreign oil? LP gas is a petroleum processing derivative and, like gas, and diesel is dependent on oil. Carbon monoxide emissions from LP gas are "sky high" compared to diesel, and LP gas emits higher levels of other harmful emissions as well. With all factors considered, diesel is the cleaner choice Learn more. [ Back to Top ] Aren’t diesel mowers more expensive? When viewed as a two- or three-year investment, Grasshopper diesel models are actually a bargain because of the savings earned by less fuel use, fewer stops to refill, faster job completion times and more billable hours (for the commercial operator). To offset the initial purchase price of diesel models, many customers take advantage of Grasshopper's low-interest rate finance or lease options that use lender funds at little or no cost during the time that great savings are realized by diesel's fuel economies.  Learn more. [ Back to Top ] Can I really save fuel by using diesel? Absolutely. Because diesel engines have better power and fuel efficiencies than gasoline, LP or CNG engines, you will use less fuel over the same time period compared to other fuel options. In fact, a Grasshopper MaxTorque™ diesel mower can save up to 900 gallons of fuel over 1,000 hours of use compared to gasoline. Learn more. [ Back to Top ] How do diesel emissions compare with other alternative fuels The EPA Tier 4 Final-compliant MaxTorque™ diesel engines used in Grasshopper mowers consistently outperform other alternative fuel engines – including LP – in emissions tests. Even with greater power output, our diesel engines emit lower levels of CO (carbon monoxide) and CO2 (carbon dioxide), non-methane hydrocarbons and NOx (nitrogen oxides). Learn more. [ Back to Top ] How can diesel help me increase my mowing efficiency? Mowers powered by MaxTorqueª diesel engines transmit more power to the cutting deck, allowing the mower to cut the grass more efficiently in hard-working conditions, especially in wet, heavy or thickly grown grasses. With the more efficient power transfer, you will spend less time on each job site, allowing more time for additional jobs or more acreage each day. (The same efficiency applies to Grasshopper tasks like aeration and snow removal, too.) Learn more. [ Back to Top ] What is B5? The "B" factor is commonly used to state the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix. Biodiesel is truly "green" in the sense that it is a renewable resource. Biodiesel has come a long way in recent years. At present, biodiesel is being generated from many sources and by many producers. (Grasshopper was the first commercial zero-turn mower ever to run on "green diesel" at the Algae Fuel Summit near Opelika, Ala., in 2008.) B5, or 5 percent biodiesel, is currently approved for use in Grasshopper diesel models. In addition to fuel savings already gained from diesel power, a B5 blend reduces fossil fuel consumption another 5 percent. Now that's a breath of fresh air!  Learn more. [ Back to Top ] Why should I consider a Grasshopper MaxTorque™ diesel mower? With more than 25 years of diesel experience, and more than 40 years of zero-turn leadership, Grasshopper has the knowledge and engineering expertise to harness the power of diesel for maximum performance with minimal fuel use, as well as ease of maintenance and overall operator comfort. With the fuel savings and additional revenue potential, a Grasshopper MaxTorqueª diesel mower is the sustainable choice for any contractor or government entity looking to reduce fuel cost, increase productivity (and profitability), while easing the stress on the environment.  Learn more. [ Back to Top ]