What do I need to know about buying diesel fuel for my Kubota?

[smstonypoint]

What is the best Power Service product for the cold winter months-grey or white container?

The white bottle has the anti-gel additive.

Steve

 

[jodebg]

Just went through the test results and looks as if the top rated product is opti-lube xp.

Higher rated than power service. Is anyone using opti-lube?

 

[DEWFPO]

Just went through the test results and looks as if the top rated product is opti-lube xp.

Higher rated than power service. Is anyone using opti-lube?

Opti-lube is expensive, hard to get and you really don't need it in a tractor. White PS works great and I live at 7,200 ft. High in the Rockies. We get -20F to mid 90's here. Been using White PS for years all year round. I plow and blow snow with a Bobcat Toolcat with a Kubota engine in it.

DEWFPO

 

[Ken45101]

yeah if you want to simply add lubricity.. just dump a small bottle of two cycle engine oil in the fuel.
Have been using this for years with great success. Try to stay away from MMO and ATF as a fuel additive. It worked great 2 years ago but not really for todays fuels and fuel systems.

Not just "two cycle oil" but rather outboard two cycle oil. They are different. From the study I quoted Walmart's comes in #7 (of 19):

7)Super Tech Outboard 2-cycle TC-W3 engine oil
Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 or newer systems)
HFRR 474, 162 micron improvement
200:1 ratio
16.64 oz/tank
$1.09/tank

also note:

CONCLUSIONS:

Products 1 through 4 were able to improve the unadditized fuel to an HFRR score of 460 or better. This meets the most strict requirements requested by the Engine Manufacturers Association.
Products 1 through 9 were able to improve the unadditized fuel to an HFRR score of 520 or better, meeting the U.S. diesel fuel requirements for maximum wear scar in a commercially available diesel fuel.
Products 16 through 19 were found to cause the fuel/additive blend to perform worse than the baseline fuel. The cause for this is speculative. This is not unprecedented in HFRR testing and can be caused by alcohol or other components in the additives. Further investigation into the possibilities behind these poor results will investigated.
Any additive testing within +/- 20 microns of the baseline fuel could be considered to have no significant change. The repeatability of this test allows for a +/- 20 micron variability to be considered insignificant.

Re: biodiesel
Yes, it provides excellent lubricity. However, it also attracts moisture which leads to algae growth if not used fairly quickly.

 

[Ken45101]

Here is the list from
Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums


In Order Of Performance:

1) 2% REG SoyPower biodiesel
HFRR 221, 415 micron improvement.

2)Opti-Lube XPD
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, demulsifier
HFRR 317, 319 micron improvement.

3)FPPF RV, Bus, SUV Diesel/Gas fuel treatment
Gas and Diesel
cetane improver, emulsifier
HFRR 439, 197 micron improvement

4)Opti-Lube Summer Blend
Multi-purpose
demulsifier
HFRR 447, 189 micron improvement

5)Opti-Lube Winter Blend
Muti-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver
HFRR 461, 175 micron improvement

6)Schaeffer Diesel Treat 2000
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, emulsifier, bio-diesel compatible
HFRR 470, 166 micron improvement

7)Super Tech Outboard 2-cycle TC-W3 engine oil
Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 or newer systems)
HFRR 474, 162 micron improvement

8)Stanadyne Lubricity Formula
Lubricity Only
demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 479, 157 micron improvement

9)Amsoil Diesel Concentrate
Multi-purpose
demulsifier, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 488, 148 micron improvement

10)Power Service Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost
Multi-purpose
Cetane improver, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 575, 61 micron improvement

11)Howe痴 Meaner Power Kleaner
Multi-purpose
Alcohol free
HFRR 586, 50 micron improvement

12)Stanadyne Performance Formula
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 603, 33 micron improvement

13)Used Motor Oil, Shell Rotella T 15w40, 5,000 miles used.
Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage systems)
HFRR 634, 2 micron improvement

14)Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant
Gas or diesel
HFRR 641, 5 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)

15)B1000 Diesel Fuel Conditioner by Milligan Biotech
Multi-purpose, canola oil based additive
HFRR 644, 8 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)

16)FPPF Lubricity Plus Fuel Power
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
Emulsifier, alcohol free
HFRR 675, 39 microns worse than baseline fuel

17)Marvel Mystery Oil
Gas, oil and Diesel fuel additive (NOT ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 and newer systems)
HFRR 678, 42 microns worse than baseline fuel.

18)ValvTect Diesel Guard Heavy Duty/Marine Diesel Fuel Additive
Multi-purpose
Cetane improver, emulsifier, alcohol free
HFRR 696, 60 microns worse than baseline fuel

19)Primrose Power Blend 2003
Multi-purpose
Cetane boost, bio-diesel compatible, emulsifier
HFRR 711, 75 microns worse than baseline

For anyone really interested, I suggest reading the referenced thread. He is very thorough and explains a lot.

Ken

 

[Soundguy]

Its more precise than a Measuring cup.:laughing::thumbsup:

it's at least easier to find when needed! and always clean!

 

[Soundguy]

yeah if you want to simply add lubricity.. just dump a small bottle of two cycle engine oil in the fuel.
Have been using this for years with great success. Try to stay away from MMO and ATF as a fuel additive. It worked great 2 years ago but not really for todays fuels and fuel systems.

no way i'd add modern atf to a modern diesel.

anything with a friction modifier ( oil ) or a DPF ( engine )..

In an older diesel I don't mind using some old tech type F atf or dex. III/merc etc..

 

[Soundguy]

What is the best Power Service product for the cold winter months-grey or white container?

white bottle for cold weather.

 

[DT86]

white bottle for cold weather.

Most places I shop locally don't even keep the gray in stock. I don't suppose there is anything wrong with running white year round, or is there?

 

[JerryK]

I've used the white bottle year round and never had a problem up here in Michigan... Good 'nuf fer me.....

But it seems to be three times more expensive than it used to be, and the jugs are smaller....