Is it to cold to buy diesel

[Williy]

That's why I add power service (white bottle)
any time that I get diesel just to make sure that
I am always ready for any cold weather. Its
better to be safe than sorry

Today it looks like frosty the snow man was playing
here every thing is white and its +20 degrees.
Yesterday it was in the teens and I just wanted to
see if my tractor would start without using the glow
plugs no problem about 2 rev's and it was running

willy

 

[BobInSD]

I was underwhelmed with the power service winter/white. I put three pickle jars on my porch-straight #2, #2 w/ normal power service added (whatever the bottle called out), and #2 with double that amount (also mentioned on the bottle). At about 0 F all three were equally cloudy. Not sure if it would have been enough to clog a filter, but it gets much colder here. This wasn't a very controlled experiment, I just looked at them on cold mornings. There very well may have been some temps where the Power Service treated fuel looked better, but at +14 F none were cloudy, and near 0 all were cloudy, but not clumped or solid.

I too struggle w/ knowing how much #1 to buy at the beginning of the season and end up normally getting too much. I'd hate to be stuck w/out any when I need it. (I use #2 w/ Power Service gray bottle in the summer and #1 with Stanadyne in the winter).

 

[ruffdog]

I was underwhelmed with the power service winter/white. I put three pickle jars on my porch-straight #2, #2 w/ normal power service added (whatever the bottle called out), and #2 with double that amount (also mentioned on the bottle). At about 0 F all three were equally cloudy. Not sure if it would have been enough to clog a filter, but it gets much colder here. This wasn't a very controlled experiment, I just looked at them on cold mornings. There very well may have been some temps where the Power Service treated fuel looked better, but at +14 F none were cloudy, and near 0 all were cloudy, but not clumped or solid.

I too struggle w/ knowing how much #1 to buy at the beginning of the season and end up normally getting too much. I'd hate to be stuck w/out any when I need it. (I use #2 w/ Power Service gray bottle in the summer and #1 with Stanadyne in the winter).

I too use PS white bottle and was questioning its value. After a bunch of testing over a few years, I have some ideas about diesel fuel clouding/gelling. I find that the fuel treatment helps against large/thick strands or solids forming compared to straight #2 fuel. Some will separate out and make a solid layer at the bottom of the jar but the treatment seems to keep the paraffin suspended in a cloud. Most of my testing was in a freezer at -4 deg F. My latest test was 25% #1 blend at -11 deg F on the deck. The sample was VERY cloudy with no solids except for slight thicker waves in fuel. This sample has been sitting for at least 2 weeks. Normally, sitting longer will make the sample look worse as more separates. I'm pretty happy with this sample as it was all still suspended.
If you are running summer fuel and your solids are all sitting at the bottom of the tank, I don't think it will take long for your filter to gel up.

 

[MF RED in MT]

What percent #1 are they blending in the fuel you buy in the winter?

Today I filled up my 2 portable containers with #1 Winter blend Offroad diesel.

I could not find any information on the pump nor the staff inside about what temperature rating this fuel is good for.

If I can remember correctly, I asked a few years ago and I'm thinking it's good for -25F to/or -30F.

I'll ask again the manager that gave me the specifications a few years ago, when I see him.

I know they sell a lot of diesel and offroad diesel with all of the logging operations in the area, the county roads equipment, and the state roads equipment.

I do use 2 to 3 times the amount recommended of the white bottle Power Service additive.

KC

 

[ljgordon]

Winter blend is nothing more than adding 10-15% kerosene to the diesel. I buy the summer fuel and add kero myself as well as diesel winter additive.

 

[Randy52]

I live in Pa always use a fuel additive in my tractor fuel.

 

[LouNY]

Well here is some info on #2 Fuel with double dose Power serve,
picture from 5F (-15C);

same bottle at -14F (-25.55C);

Lots of cloudiness from paraffin particulates that would plug a filter and bring a diesel to it's knees.
The same fuel in the tractors that had to run today had kerosene added to them to make a 50/50 blend of #2 and #1,
they are running and working.
Anything with this fuel wouldn't be running for long. The filter would be plugged.

 

[Citydude]

This was pretty informative.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Nah, you’ll be fine. The temp below ground is much warmer. Add an anti-gel to your tank. Probably already cut with kerosene/winter additives.

I'm a north country guy as well. The above answer covers all the basis. Even when the frost is 5 feet into the ground--pretty uncomoon these last years--the fuel in undergrround tanks should be in the 40 + degree range. Add at least 1/3 kerosene and a good anti-gel additive. That should eliminate all the problems.

 

[Lee plows]

I need 5 gallons of diesel.
It's a bright sunny day but it's only 5 degrees and windy outside.

What's the chance that the diesel in the pump at the gas station is gelled?

After I get it home, it will be in a 45 degree heated garage.

I buy diesel at 5gal a time, I tend to buy it at a station with high fuel turn over and add a little conditioner haven't had an issue yet. Ontario Cdn

 

[Robin Veerman]

Me too. I usually have 5 filled jugs on standby. 2 are filled with winter fuel and 3 are summer fuel. Early in March I fill up the tractor with its last winter fuel of the season and then refill the 2 winter jugs with winter fuel and store them away for use come next November. That way I’m ahead of the cold season each year….

 

[Gord Baker]

I need 5 gallons of diesel.
It's a bright sunny day but it's only 5 degrees and windy outside.

What's the chance that the diesel in the pump at the gas station is gelled?

After I get it home, it will be in a 45 degree heated garage.

Diesel is stored in underground tanks that are above freezing temps. It will also be Winter grade.
Go get some diesel and enjoy your stuff.

 

[Dangre]

I need 5 gallons of diesel.
It's a bright sunny day but it's only 5 degrees and windy outside.

What's the chance that the diesel in the pump at the gas station is gelled?

After I get it home, it will be in a 45 degree heated garage.

This time of year all diesel has the anti gel added to it. If you bought diesel in late summer that might gel. Diesel Suppliers know cold winter is coming.
Add it for the fall deliveries. 99% trucks, furnace oil etc is outside in the element. Comfy of 45 degrees garage who cares.

 

[menofiron]

Check out Project Farms diesel additive video on YouTube.

 

[MHarryE]

Before I really got into this farming for a retirement time killer business, I did try filling a 5 gallon can when it was -20 to -30 and barely got any flow trying all 4 of the station's diesel pumps. Granted the fuel is stored underground so it must have been a pump problem, but I wondered how people with diesel trucks got fuel. Fuel at the on-road pumps was advertised as #2 with cold-flow additive between October 15 and March 15. So I went to the specialty pump island and got my 5 gallons of on-highway #1. Now come November, I fill my fuel trailer with #1 in my rear 100 gallon tank and #2 with cold flow in the front 100 gallon tank. This winter we have had much milder than normal temps, probably only a dozen days colder than -10, so I only got 50 gallons of #1 and blend it with fuel from the #2 tank every time I fill. But yes, I have run into the case where I can't pump regular #2 from the pumps at temps lower than 20 below.

 

[beenthere]

I need 5 gallons of diesel.
It's a bright sunny day but it's only 5 degrees and windy outside.

What's the chance that the diesel in the pump at the gas station is gelled?

After I get it home, it will be in a 45 degree heated garage.

Not too cold, and will not be a problem. But if it makes you feel better, go ahead and treat it.

 

[AnotherBueller]

I need 5 gallons of diesel.
It's a bright sunny day but it's only 5 degrees and windy outside.

What's the chance that the diesel in the pump at the gas station is gelled?

After I get it home, it will be in a 45 degree heated garage.

It comes out of the ground55 - 60 F, or ground temp. Except for the little bit in the hose of course

 

[bigtiller]

It comes out of the ground55 - 60 F, or ground temp. Except for the little bit in the hose of course

That little bit was the reason for the question.
It's been 15 days now and everything turned out fine.
Thanks.

 

[john12566]

Used Optilube antigel once and fuel gelled up with outside temp of 10 F. while blowing snow. Boy that suprised me. Switched to Hot Shots Secret and no problems since then. FWIW, Hot Shots did well in Project Farm testing for antigel

 

[john12566]

Also, keep in mind that Mfr usually recommends antigel be stored at relatively warm temperature