Homemade diesel fuel in the early 1900's

[Electromotive]

My grandad (born 1902) grew up and worked at a large lumber mill in lower S.C. The mill was huge and had a narrow gauge railway that snaked through the woods several miles to haul lumber, and also a number of Model T trucks (the seat was a wood crate and no windshield according to him).
The company store had a gasoline and a kerosene pump. He said that when the first diesel engines came on the scene (couple of trucks and a Lima log handling crane), that they would use a mix (not sure of ratio) of kerosene and motor oil to make diesel fuel for some time until they had a diesel fuel tank installed. I remember him telling this many years ago. Has anyone else heard of this being done in the past when diesel fuel was not readily available?

 

[ABN_CBT_ENGR]

Goose Creek or Georgetown mills?

Yes that is old school and the ratio was about 1 qt per 5 gal ( to be on the safe side)

Depending on the engine and oil, it may take a gas rag over the intake to start it going.

They are both mid column but Kero has virtually no lubrication ability

 

[Electromotive]

Goose Creek or Georgetown mills?

Yes that is old school and the ratio was about 1 qt per 5 gal ( to be on the safe side)

Depending on the engine and oil, it may take a gas rag over the intake to start it going.

They are both mid column but Kero has virtually no lubrication ability

Schofield lumber mill near Olar S.C. in lower Bamberg County (on the Salkehatchie River near Buford's Bridge , almost at the Allendale County line). The mill burned in early 1920's and was rebuilt, later becoming Kearse Mfg. Co. The Kearse company produced hardwood veneers for the N.C. furniture industry, back when U. S. made furniture was made of quality hardwood veneers.

 

[ABN_CBT_ENGR]

cool, I know that area reasonably well from back in the day