Winter and the diesel in my tractor?

[newdeal]

I live in canada, niagara falls Ontario more specifically. It gets cold here in the winter obviously and I was wondering if there is anything I need to do to my tractor for the winter. I have heard the fuel could gel but I have no idea why they would sell such a fuel in Canada or what I need to do about it. Can someone please give me some help?

 

[leonz]

Diesel fuel can be thinned with gasoline or kerosene if desired which always works and the percentages are easy to ask for at a bulk fuel dealers office or the APA.org home page- the fuel dealer will be faster.


The even better option is to purchase a Racor 1100 model centrifugal fuel filter it separates the water and dirt with its patented centrfugal filter system.


The model 1100 unit can be purchased with a 12 volt heating element installed to keep the fuel warm at all times to make it your tractor happy.


The diesel fuel can be treated with "Heat" fuel conditioner or Seafoam to keep it happy as well.


You should try to keep the can or cans off the floor of the garage, barn, etc., during the winter and spring months.


You can safely dilute the diesel fuel with kerosene and use the Racor filter which will remove water and debris down to 5 micron but you cannot use gasoline as a diluting liquid as it will eat the plastic drain bowl.


The clear drain bowl will allow you to drain the water and dirt from the fuel every day with no worries about water or dirt and ice in the fuel if you purchase a Racor filter unit with thermostat controlled fuel heater. (it does not draw a lot of amperage when heating fuel for you).

I can tell you from personal experience they are an excellent fuel filter and will be worth every penny in the piece of mind department especially when working in the winter months.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I use this year round

Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economyPower Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boos

Also good for fuel pump due to lubrication properties of ULSDF.

I started my tractor last winter at 0F (-18C) with this suppliment with no problems. I also use 5w-40 in engine and SUDT everywhere else. Keep fuel fresh to assure you are getting winter mix from fuel supplier. Before and near winter I buy in smaller quantities to assure this.

What are the coldest temps you will see (windchill does not count in these matters)

Philip

 

[bp fick]

Our weather here, is as cold or even colder, and I've had no issues. Your supplier is even now transitioning to winter blend. Do not buy diesel now and store it for winter use. Use up your summer blend over the next month or two.
You don't need to do any home chemistry experiments or custom blending, the major oil companies do it for you.

If you wish, a splash of the White Bottle, sold everywhere, or someone else's "favorite", and there are loyalists for each, cannot hurt. Just a splash. No need to over do. Also, there is no substitute for clean fuel filters. "Wax" seems to like dirt to gel around. You'll be just fine.

 

[funwithahoe]

Diesel fuel can be thinned with gasoline or kerosene if desired which always works and the percentages are easy to ask for at a bulk fuel dealers office or the APA.org home page- the fuel dealer will be faster.


The even better option is to purchase a Racor 1100 model centrifugal fuel filter it separates the water and dirt with its patented centrfugal filter system.


The model 1100 unit can be purchased with a 12 volt heating element installed to keep the fuel warm at all times to make it your tractor happy.


The diesel fuel can be treated with "Heat" fuel conditioner or Seafoam to keep it happy as well.


You should try to keep the can or cans off the floor of the garage, barn, etc., during the winter and spring months.


You can safely dilute the diesel fuel with kerosene and use the Racor filter which will remove water and debris down to 5 micron but you cannot use gasoline as a diluting liquid as it will eat the plastic drain bowl.


The clear drain bowl will allow you to drain the water and dirt from the fuel every day with no worries about water or dirt and ice in the fuel if you purchase a Racor filter unit with thermostat controlled fuel heater. (it does not draw a lot of amperage when heating fuel for you).

I can tell you from personal experience they are an excellent fuel filter and will be worth every penny in the piece of mind department especially when working in the winter months.

Never knew you could thin deisel with gasoline - Someone told me once that they put a gallon or so of high octane gas with every fill up of their deisel truck to get extra power out of it but I thought he was crazy and wrote it off - Maybe he isn't??

 

[kuboman]

Never knew you could thin deisel with gasoline - Someone told me once that they put a gallon or so of high octane gas with every fill up of their deisel truck to get extra power out of it but I thought he was crazy and wrote it off - Maybe he isn't??

Want to do damage to your fuel system and engine then mix in gasoline.:confused2::confused2::confused2:

 

[crazyal]

Years ago at the local ski area the state police had something to say to the bus drivers who came up from NJ and were using gas to treat the fuel in the busses. You can do it but I wouldn't. I've used Kero before with no problems but hear it burns hotter so you don't want to use it in the summer.

Are you talking about the fuel in your tractor now or fuel you'll be putting in over the winter? If you have a full tank now and don't think you'll burn it off before the cold weather sets in then you can take a guess as to how much you have in your tractor and add an additive like PS now so it will have time to mix. If you have any diesel you've bought this summer you should also add something like PS to it as well.

Otherwise, like others have said, diesel fuel dealers are starting to add anti gel into the fuel. However I would wait at least a month, if possible longer, to make sure it's been added in. At least one of the local gas stations relies on the supplier to add it so what's in the tank could be a few weeks or a month old (depending on how much they've sold since the last time the truck came).

If you do gel up because you thought you had treated diesel but you were incorrect PS sells an additive that will ungel the fuel. It doesn't do it in seconds so don't expect to pour it in and start the engine, think drain cleaner.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Another suggestion to make sure you get winter blend diesel, buy your fuel at a place that moves alot of diesel, ie, truck stop. I do not buy my diesel from the local station at the corner, they do not move that much. I drive a few more miles and get it from the truck stop. Just use the additive I recommended year round and you will be fine. Philip.

 

[Thomas]

Try find out where your local highway dept. electric company,folks plow for living diesel up,chances are good the turn over in diesel fresher.

 

[techman]

Want to do damage to your fuel system and engine then mix in gasoline.:confused2::confused2::confused2:

Mixing gasoline is a known method and will not damage the fuel system if not overdone. Generally a 2-4% total gasoline mix is all you should add. Kerosene can also be used, but up to 20% mix.

paul

 

[RoyJackson]

I live in canada, niagara falls Ontario more specifically. It gets cold here in the winter obviously and I was wondering if there is anything I need to do to my tractor for the winter. I have heard the fuel could gel but I have no idea why they would sell such a fuel in Canada or what I need to do about it. Can someone please give me some help?

It's definitely not as cold here in southern Pennsylvania, but diesel retailers do change over to "winterized" fuel sometime in October/November.
However, that doesn't help if you have a nearly full tank. These CUT (and I suppose you are discussing a CUT?) ae very frugal when it comes to fuel use and your tank full of "summer" fuel might last all winter (with the potential of gelling).
So, unless you're willing to drain your system and replenish it with winterized fuel, an additive is the way to go.
I just picked up cans of both Power Service and Sea Foam. I'm trying the Power Service first.

BTW, for us with older iron (2000 Deere 4400 here), these additives add upper cylinder lubricants. New diesel fuel, being low sulphur, doesn't lubricate the upper end as well as older fuel. Not required for newer diesels, so I've read...

 

[smstonypoint]

Mixing gasoline is a known method and will not damage the fuel system if not overdone. Generally a 2-4% total gasoline mix is all you should add. Kerosene can also be used, but up to 20% mix.

paul

Not to be argumentative, but the explanation from a mechanical engineer in the link below says mixing gasoline and diesel, even in small doses, is a bad idea.

Mixing Gasoline And Diesel

A bottle of the Power Services additive isn't that expensive and would last most TBN members a long time.

Given the red flags raised in the linked article, mixing gasoline and diesel is being penny-wise and pound-foolish in my opinion.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Steve

 

[Egon]

Want to do damage to your fuel system and engine then mix in gasoline.

Especially if the gasoline has alcohol mixed in. The fuel pump could suffer.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

The only issues I've had were last winter - my BX fuel pump froze up two days in a row before I could get to a store to buy an additive designed to remove water from the fuel. No issues after that.

Trying to keep a tarp over the 'Bota while running a propane heater under it, in high winds and snow, was a PITA. Once started, she ran great.

Thanks for reminding me to get more additive!

 

[RoyJackson]

The only issues I've had were last winter - my BX fuel pump froze up two days in a row before I could get to a store to buy an additive designed to remove water from the fuel. No issues after that.

Trying to keep a tarp over the 'Bota while running a propane heater under it, in high winds and snow, was a PITA. Once started, she ran great.

Thanks for reminding me to get more additive!

I'm not sure this would have helped....but you might want to add a block heater...that applies to all you folks in "The Great White North". Especially if you leave your machines outside or unheated buildings.

 

[newdeal]

I have a bx2360 and its on full, no way i will burn all that fuel before it gets cold so an additive it will be

 

[ruren]

I'm not sure what sort of fuel filter the BX uses, but if it is the type where you just replace the element I would suggest keeping an extra element around. The only time I couldn't start my old B21 in the winter the element was gooped up. Luckily it was a week day and I was able to get to the dealer and pick up a replacment, but since then I kept a spare around for the few dollars it cost, and made sure to replace it every fall.

The block heater is a great suggestion. I find my current tractor starts pretty well with just the glow plugs but the block heater makes it easier on it when it is really cold. My older Deere backhoe that I plow the parking lot at my office with has to be plugged in for an hour before it will start on those cold days.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

An anti-gel additive is all you need. The cetane boost makes it easier for the fuel to diesel, and will help with low temperature starting. A block heater will keep your engine oil warm enough to pump, and also help cold starting. You didn't mention a temperature range, but if you are out on the prairie where it gets really cold, a block heater or synthetic 5w-40 engine oil is just about required.

The typical diesel you buy is #2 diesel. #1 diesel is the winter blend, and is comparable to kerosene, though it has better lubricant quality. Kerosene does not lubricate well, and will lead to injector and fuel pump failure. DO NOT MIX GASOLINE WITH DIESEL! Not if you want the engine to run next year.

Any water in the system will of course freeze solid, blocking fuel lines, filters and damaging pumps.

 

[bp fick]

I don't put on THAT many hours a year. 60-70, but if someone really still has a full tank of summer diesel in their tank come January, that is really, really low usage. :laughing: No tractor hours from September through December? That's kind of sad.

I guess if this is the case, then planning ahead, I suppose, is necessary. Such a user would have to desist filling it up in after August. Just keep it below half and wait to top it off in December when the "big one" is forecast.

The oil companies aren't making much money off diesel consumers like that!!

 

[Egon]

[QUOTEJust keep it below half and wait to top it off in December when the "big one" is forecast.][/QUOTE]

Then you risk water accumulation due to condensation.

Sometimes you can't win.