Oil & Fuel Diesel Fuels

[Piperflyer]

Does it make a difference if your not using your equipment that much with diesel fuel stored in the tank.

 

[JDgreen227]

I could be wrong but I am reasonably sure that diesel fuel stores much better than gasoline, I have used diesel from a can that had been stored two years and it was fine. That is about all I know on the subject.

 

[PA hayseed]

This really belongs in the other thread devoted to this topic.

 

[kubotal175]

hi it's ok to store you tractor with diesel because the diesel does not go bad as fast as gas.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

The fuel itself does not break down as fast as gasoline, but be aware that bacteria will grow in diesel that has moisture in it. Those little buggers will stop the flow if you let them move in.

 

[TRR]

If you're not going to use the tractor much you should fill the tank. This will keep water from condensation out of your fuel. Another thing to keep in mind if you store it for long periods especially if you fill in the summer and go to use it in the winter is cloud point.

What is the Cloud Point of Diesel Fuel

There are also comments about algae growth, but I've only found discussions on what it is by companies that make algaecide so I don't know if that is a real problem or a product looking for a problem.

In either way, I've not had any problem with fuel even when stored for more than 6 months, probably closer to a year. Just be sure to change filters on schedule.

 

[Soundguy]

keep em full to prevent misture from condensing.. and treat tanks with biocide and stabilizer. same for tractor tank too.. run it some to get that circulated into the injector pump as well.

soundguy

 

[TripleR]

If you're not going to use the tractor much you should fill the tank. This will keep water from condensation out of your fuel. Another thing to keep in mind if you store it for long periods especially if you fill in the summer and go to use it in the winter is cloud point.

What is the Cloud Point of Diesel Fuel

There are also comments about algae growth, but I've only found discussions on what it is by companies that make algaecide so I don't know if that is a real problem or a product looking for a problem.

In either way, I've not had any problem with fuel even when stored for more than 6 months, probably closer to a year. Just be sure to change filters on schedule.

I am sure it exists, I just don't know where. I have spoken to numerous farmers in my area who store fuel for long periods of time and whose tractors don't move all winter and none of them use it. My father in law owned a fuel distributorship an d he did not recommend it. I have run diesel tractors for many years and on a couple of occasions not moved a particular tractor for over a year and not run into problems.

I have seen posts on here where people have experienced it so maybe they can provide some information.

 

[Soundguy]

down in our tanks here in florida it can be an issue where you get moisture inthe fuel. sure HAVE to use a biocide or you get black gunk that plugs up the filters and taps..

soundguy

I am sure it exists, I just don't know where. I have spoken to numerous farmers in my area who store fuel for long periods of time and whose tractors don't move all winter and none of them use it. My father in law owned a fuel distributorship an d he did not recommend it. I have run diesel tractors for many years and on a couple of occasions not moved a particular tractor for over a year and not run into problems.

I have seen posts on here where people have experienced it so maybe they can provide some information.

 

[Don87]

Does it make a difference if your not using your equipment that much with diesel fuel stored in the tank.

Hop on over to 'Oil, Fuel and Lubricants' , Oil, Fuel & Lubricants - TractorByNet.com

and you will find lot's of info on that subject, as well as others.:thumbsup:

It ain't just algae that you need to be concerned with nowadays.

 

[JMynes]

I picked up a 30 gallon 'natural' colored poly barrel to store diesel fuel for use in my tractor. The 'natural' color is white, not quite clear, and I used it so I could see the level in the barrel. Stored outside, used very little fuel due to the efficient little tractor, and six months later I had floaties in my fuel. Since I wanted a filter in the dispenser line, this was a great time to make it happen. Administered biocide and installed filter, pumped fuel through the filter and back into the barrel for a while, and haven't had any trouble since. I don't think I had a water problem, no water is evident in the barrel. It did have plenty of exposure to sunshine. Keep your fuel dark and dry for best results. I dose with PS biocide and PS white bottle when filling the barrel. Stored fuel 12 months later still looks and works great.

 

[CTW]

I picked up a 30 gallon 'natural' colored poly barrel to store diesel fuel for use in my tractor. The 'natural' color is white, not quite clear, and I used it so I could see the level in the barrel. Stored outside, used very little fuel due to the efficient little tractor, and six months later I had floaties in my fuel. Since I wanted a filter in the dispenser line, this was a great time to make it happen. Administered biocide and installed filter, pumped fuel through the filter and back into the barrel for a while, and haven't had any trouble since. I don't think I had a water problem, no water is evident in the barrel. It did have plenty of exposure to sunshine. Keep your fuel dark and dry for best results. I dose with PS biocide and PS white bottle when filling the barrel. Stored fuel 12 months later still looks and works great.

Well that would have been my next question, thanks JMynes. I wonder if the problem(s) exist or occur just as quickly with different types of diesel, let's say gas station diesel vs ag diesel vs bio, etc.

 

[smstonypoint]

Well that would have been my next question, thanks JMynes. I wonder if the problem(s) exist or occur just as quickly with different types of diesel, let's say gas station diesel vs ag diesel vs bio, etc.

No expert here, but from all I have read/heard/observed, over-the-road diesel and off-road diesel differ mainly by the dye added to the off-road. However, there may be differences in sulfur content. I defer to the experts.

I have no experience with bio, but according to the link below, it has a shorter shelf life.

"Bio blends also have a shorter shelf-life than conventional diesel with the lower BX/BXX level having the longer shelf-life."

Wisconsin Department of Commerce: Storage Tank Program - Converting to biofuel storage -

Steve

 

[JMynes]

Well that would have been my next question, thanks JMynes. I wonder if the problem(s) exist or occur just as quickly with different types of diesel, let's say gas station diesel vs ag diesel vs bio, etc.

My experience was with gas-station diesel. I try to fill the barrel in November-December for snowblower season, and top it off before the Summer blend hits the street. I don't fill the barrel in the summer time, I don't want to get caught in December with a full barrel of Summer blend.

 

[Lem]

I found on here years ago a page about all of the weights of oils and what they mean and I didn't save it and now I cannot find anything like it.......For instance 10w30 VS 5W040