Fuel addative

TheMan419 · Nov 1, 2017

I live in northern Indiana. During winter my primary tractor use will be plowing snow and moving horse manure.

They are predicting a colder winter for us.

So.... What do I need to add to the fuel to stop jelling? In the winter I don't expect to use too much fuel. By not too much I bet 10 gallons would do it.

I have about 3 gallons in the tank now. That is summer fuel. I plan to fill up both the tank and the 5 gallon jerry can here in a week or so. That way winter blend will be available. Stabil will be added.

What are the recommendations for an anti-gel agent. We can get ambient air temps well below zero.

Thanks!

newbury · Nov 1, 2017

Power service, winter blend.

Slowpoke Slim · Nov 1, 2017

newbury said:
Power service, winter blend.

Yup.

Winter blend fuel with Power Service fuel additive. Around here they sell it at NAPA, TSC, and Menard's.

IRISHBOOMER · Nov 1, 2017

Polar Power

buickanddeere · Nov 2, 2017

Instead of trying to make something that it isn’t . Use fuel that does not contain wax . No potions, lotions or elixirs required .

oosik · Nov 2, 2017

I use Power Service, winter blend. Does anybody think that the attendant at your local service station knows if his diesel has wax or not.

thatguy · Nov 2, 2017

i use Howes diesel treatment, anti-gel.. VA doesnt get that cold, but i have not had any gelling issues in 7 yrs with the tractor or a diesel truck before that

Brian

jaydee325 · Nov 2, 2017

I live in SW Michigan and never used additives and never had a problem. By November 1, all diesel distributers should be converted over to winter blend. Buy from a major truck stop who moves lots of fuel.

cat fever · Nov 2, 2017

jaydee325 said:
I live in SW Michigan and never used additives and never had a problem. By November 1, all diesel distributers should be converted over to winter blend. Buy from a major truck stop who moves lots of fuel.

What he said ^^^^^

I too have never added anything to my fuel and have never had a problem. I do make sure all the summer grade diesel is used up and get new winter grade after it is being produced at the refineries. Many times I am starting my truck and tractor in sub zero temps with no problems.

nybirdman · Nov 2, 2017

Most small tractors don't use a lot of fuel;mine uses 1.25gph@PTO speeds ,a lot less just putting around.The trick is not to purchase large quantities;burn summer fuel and then winter blend.I have had good luck with PowerService year round.

powerscol · Nov 2, 2017

I also use power service and keep a quart of their 911 just in case.

TheMan419 · Nov 3, 2017

Looks like I will go get some Power Service.

I have been getting the tank on the tractor down near the empty mark. However I need to fill up this weekend. So not sure I will have fuel that is totally winter blend. Thus my thought of putting something in it to help.

As for finding a station that does not put wax in the fuel, ok sure.... how does one go about finding that out?

TheMan419 · Nov 3, 2017

Looks like I will go get some Power Service.

I have been getting the tank on the tractor down near the empty mark. However I need to fill up this weekend. So not sure I will have fuel that is totally winter blend. Thus my thought of putting something in it to help.

As for finding a station that does not put wax in the fuel, ok sure.... how does one go about finding that out?

nybirdman · Nov 3, 2017

TheMan419 said:
Looks like I will go get some Power Service.

I have been getting the tank on the tractor down near the empty mark. However I need to fill up this weekend. So not sure I will have fuel that is totally winter blend. Thus my thought of putting something in it to help.

As for finding a station that does not put wax in the fuel, ok sure.... how does one go about finding that out?

I don't know about that "wax" statement either.Just ask the station if the are selling winter blend.I would think they would by now.My tractor is filled with "summer" with a good dose of PS.
You also may want to ask if they are selling "Bio" diesel;you may want to treat with a bactericide.

ray66v · Nov 3, 2017

Yes, if you buy fuel at the gas station, you never know what you are getting.

I found out where the farmers buy their bulk off road diesel. I go there, and buy my fuel from them.

They assured me, they know exactly what they are selling, and they put in all the best additives.

I have never had a fuel related issue.

coobie · Nov 4, 2017

TheMan419 said:
Looks like I will go get some Power Service.

I have been getting the tank on the tractor down near the empty mark. However I need to fill up this weekend. So not sure I will have fuel that is totally winter blend. Thus my thought of putting something in it to help.

As for finding a station that does not put wax in the fuel, ok sure.... how does one go about finding that out?

I agree.Been using anti-gel treatment for the last 20 plus years.Know a few local folks who stated the diesel fuel is treated no need for anti-gel products until they were stranded in -20 below Michigan winter.LOL

Cat_Driver · Nov 4, 2017

I use REDLINE in every diesel I own, and swear by it. I've used others REDLINE seems like it does "something" whereas other don't seem like they do anything
There was a test on a lot of brands and REDLINE came out on top. I know that means nothing, that's why I only beleive what I experience.

check · Nov 4, 2017

coobie said:
I agree.Been using anti-gel treatment for the last 20 plus years.Know a few local folks who stated the diesel fuel is treated no need for anti-gel products until they were stranded in -20 below Michigan winter.LOL

I use nothing, and do't even bother with winter diesel. Never had a problem in 9 years, and it gets down to -30 or more up at the cottage. Should I be worried?

fried1765 · Nov 4, 2017

check said:
I use nothing, and do't even bother with winter diesel. Never had a problem in 9 years, and it gets down to -30 or more up at the cottage. Should I be worried?

I find this entire diesel fuel discussion to be mostly much ado about nothing.
There is diesel, from all sorts of questionable sources, stored in 55 gal. drums, all over the world, sometimes stored for years, and basic diesel engines are running on such fuel every day.
Do the DPR/Regen/electronic diesels need special quality diesel?
Maybe some ethanol should be added to diesel fuel..... only in the USA.
We all know that ethanol is good for our engine systems ? Right?

pmsmechanic · Nov 4, 2017

We can hit -40 occasionally. I don't use additives and I don't have fuel gelling problems. I fill at the local Federated Co-op which refines their fuels in Regina Saskatchewan. My supplier tells me that additives are blended in at the refinery starting in September.

The only issue I have is if I go rototilling in spring with winter fuel. Winter fuel doesn't have as much energy and my tractor uses noticeably more fuel untill the winter stuff is gone.