OK. I'm new to this. I recently purchased some additional equipment, and I got tire of having to run into town to fill up five gallon cans every day. Our ranch is in rural Texas and a round trip to town take a minimum of an hour. Short is I bought a 200 gallon tank, got my permit for farm diesel, and got it filled. We are in Central Texas south of Abilene. Fairly dry, and usually not terribly cold. I know that I need to put additives in the tank, but what do I use and how much of it?
Diesel Additive - which one, and how much?
- Thread starter STCL01
- Start date
MAX-24-Dean
Veteran Member
I have been using Opti-lube products. See link for different formulas. Would be a good starting place to see there are additives for different seasons.
RalphVa
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Really don't need additives in your situation: dry and not cold.
Think the mix is 0.15%. So, convert your 200 gallons (can do online) to tsp, tbsp or oz to know how much additive to put in. (Multiply by 0.0015)
If you use any, just use the white Power Service.
Think the mix is 0.15%. So, convert your 200 gallons (can do online) to tsp, tbsp or oz to know how much additive to put in. (Multiply by 0.0015)
If you use any, just use the white Power Service.
pokey1416
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DEWFPO
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I've used both Power Service and Howes and have had good results with both (as in no problems) and I live in a cold climate.
Wagtail
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I use "Fuel Doctors". It's a biocide + fuel treatment.
Unfortunately for you (OP) it isn't available in N.A. but I thought that I'd mention it for those of us Downunder who can get it. (Auto shops, Independent Oils, etc...)
Unfortunately for you (OP) it isn't available in N.A. but I thought that I'd mention it for those of us Downunder who can get it. (Auto shops, Independent Oils, etc...)
dodge man
Super Star Member
I personally am not a fan of additives unless you are using them for a specific reason, say anti gelling. In your case that’s not a problem. What is the turnover on your fuel? If you go through that 200 gallons in a month I wouldn’t add anything. If it’s several months I’d add a biocide. If you have an older tractor I’d add something like the above mentioned Optilube for its lubrication properties.
Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate your thoughts and time. To answer some questions, the tractor is a Kubota M4700, a 2001 model. Pretty low hours. I think I've got about 950 hours on it. Runs like a top. Also have a back hoe and a skid steer. Fuel turnover is going to be fairly slow. This time of year I'm not working on things as much, since it's hunting season. Food plots are in, and I'm not clearing brush till after deer season. So I'll burn a little each time I am out simply working on roads etc. After season, when things start growing and I'm clearing brush I will be out there for longer periods of time, as my schedule allows, and I'll burn 15 - 20 gallons a day. So a full tank will last me a couple of months. As for cold, it usually doesn't really get lower than the 20's with an occasional dip into the teens. Last winter was an anomoly with it getting below 0.
The biocide I use is 1oz for 20 gallons on a initial shock treatment if you have algae growth than 1oz for 55 gallons maintenance. I've had my current bottle about 2qts going on 5 yrs still 1/4 full never had problems when using it I'm confident it works and is cheap insurance. I've seen and worked on getting algae growth out of smaller sailboats aux diesel fuel systems.