Winter fuel

[DarkBlack]

And no recommendation for any temp below -8 F,

That 2 degree Celsius range, line in his manual looks like a technical writer mistake. Happens all the time in owners manuals

 

[Gord Baker]

What's your strategy for a not-often-used tractor?

I've let my tank get pretty low, hoping I can fill it with winter blend. But, when do they start putting out winter blend?

I feel like I have three choices.

• Wait until I need the tractor (snow removal) and hope they have the winter blend out by then.
• Fill it with summer fuel and add conditioner (I have and generally use Howe's)
• Buy and mix #2 & kerosine (what ratio?)

How do you approach this situation.

Note that I am in Vermont, so it will get below 15°F before you know it. We've already seen 26°.

Get your Diesel now.

 

[thclimer]

I'm waiting another few weeks just to be sure its winter blend even though the station I buy it at is where a lot of big trucks fill-up

 

[ruffdog]

I'm waiting another few weeks just to be sure its winter blend even though the station I buy it at is where a lot of big trucks fill-up

Around here, the early winter fuel has only been treated with anti-gel. Later, when it really gets cold, is when the fuel starts being blended with #1-D fuel.

 

[WinterDeere]

Use a kerosene fire spaced heater for an hour on your mule warming it from one side
and you will not have to worry about freezing fuel.

Yeah... but you will have to worry about being late for work!

Your method would be great for those who have schedule flexibility, like retirees or those working from home. But the last thing most "working folk" need, when they wake up to a surprise blanket of snow, so to waste an hour warming up their tractor... before they warm up their tractor.

Everything from my winter gear to storage was arranged based on being able to clear my way out within 20 - 40 minutes, on any morning I wake up to a surprise snowfall -- or in which the snowfall ends right as I should be leaving for work, as seems to often be the case around here.

 

[dnw64]

Yeah... but you will have to worry about being late for work!

Your method would be great for those who have schedule flexibility, like retirees or those working from home. But the last thing most "working folk" need, when they wake up to a surprise blanket of snow, so to waste an hour warming up their tractor... before they warm up their tractor.

Everything from my winter gear to storage was arranged based on being able to clear my way out within 20 - 40 minutes, on any morning I wake up to a surprise snowfall -- or in which the snowfall ends right as I should be leaving for work, as seems to often be the case around here.

Ditto. Although I've rarely been surprised by a significant storm in the last 20+ years what with the advent of internet forecasts and notifications. And I am in a situation whereby, as long as the road is plowed, and we got less than 3' of snow, I could almost certainly get to work, as it's all downhil and pretty steep at that. Then again, I'm not really needed at work...

 

[WinterDeere]

I've rarely been surprised by a significant storm in the last 20+ years what with the advent of internet forecasts and notifications.

The data certainly is there, but I catch myself failing to look at it enough, during the work week. I always know what the weather is going to be on the weekend, as I plan my outdoor chores for the week, but I've been surprised on random Tuesdays or Wednesdays, more than once.

 

[LouNY]

Of course if you're running #2 fuel in your salamander it may take an hours work to get it purged out and flushed with #1 fuel so it works.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Gasoline, huh? That’s really interesting.

The owners manuals for my Deutz tractors says to add gas to the diesel fuel in the winter to turn it into winter fuel, they even have a recipe for how much, but I don't remember how much though.

SR

 

[WinterDeere]

Of course if you're running #2 fuel in your salamander it may take an hours work to get it purged out and flushed with #1 fuel so it works.

That's when I'd be using @leonz's recommendation, to just heat the machine with my kero jet heater prior to starting, until I can get that old fuel run thru and replaced with the proper fuel. While I'd not want to have to "pre-heat" my tractor all winter long, doing it for the purpose of just running some old fuel through does sound better than draining, purging, cleaning, and disposing of what's already in the tank.