Do you fill your tractor after every use?

PineRidge · Jan 6, 2005

Actually, I'm not sure I understand the concept though I've heard the rule too. I seems to me that I have a 5 gallon plastic tank in the tractor and a 5 gallon plastic can that I fill from. So if I pour a gallon from the can to the tractor, what have I accomplished? Either it will condense in the can or in the tractors tank. Same amount of air either way.


Cliff my take on the concept is this. If you fill your jugs with diesel and at the end of the work day use Mr. Funnel to filter your fuel as you fill your tractor tank then you will most likely prevent condensation within your tractor tank from ever forming.

Steve we have a dirt and water separator on our 275 gallon tank. At the end of the day we fill the tank on our New Holland to keep condensation from forming in the tank. If there was any moisture in the 275 gallon tank the water filter catches it before the fuel hits our tractor.

All this fuss may not be necessary but I think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

stevenf · Jan 6, 2005

Thanks to all who responded Bird also fills his before putting it away so I guess that will be another new night time chore from now on. Thankfully there is a bung in the bottom of the tanks so saturday I'm going to drain the entire system and start over and refill every night after use.
Steve

kensfarm · Jan 6, 2005

"I'm going to install a see thru water trap on the storage tank "

I use a fuel water filter from TSC.. they are not "see thru".. but looks like an oil filter.

stevenf · Jan 6, 2005

kensfarm
I considered the regular oil filter looking water filter as then I could use the existing base that the distributor put on the tank but then they used just a regular debris catching filter and not one designed to also catch water. But I decided after the trouble I've had the last week I'd like to be able to see when I'm having a water problem and also the Goldenrod 496 water block one that I got from TSC also has a drain cock on the bottom to drain only the water out without removing the filter and you can see exactly when you have drained all the water out of it whereas the one you've got the only way you know is when you have a reduction in fuel flow volume that you might not notice unless you have lots of water like I do in which case the fuel would probably stop coming out about every minute or so. When yours does stop flowing do you have the option of dumping it or is it an absorbtion type that once full you have to change filter.
Steve

RedDog · Jan 6, 2005

( I have never filled any of my equipment until it's needed it and have never had any water/fuel problems..
I have 425 hours on my Kioti DK and have never gotten around to changing a fuel filter on it yet. )

Same here.

With a 26 gallon tank, it takes me a while to empty! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RedDog

Varmintmist · Jan 6, 2005

Not for the most part. If I run 1/4 tank out I'll sometimes fill it, if I run 1/2 out I will fill it. If I know I am going to park it for a few days or there is going to be some swinging temps, I fill it. If I know that tommorow I am going to hit it hard, I fill it.

rozett · Jan 6, 2005

I don't fill after every use and have not had (knock on wood) any problems with water in the fuel. My Cub has a 9 gallon plastic fuel tank. I buy fuel 10 gallons at a time (two 5g plastic cans) and dump 5 gallons in whenever it nears 1/4 tank. My fuel funnel has a metal screen and the fuel filler has a plastic screen. Since I haven't any problems thus far (175 hours), I will continue to do what works. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

stevenf · Jan 6, 2005

Varmintmist thats exactly the way I've been doing it but I only use a gallon a hour and the tank hold 23+ gallons so I have been using it about 3 days then filling it. I'm not sure yet because the diesel distributor hasn't arrived they are due at 9:30AM today but I think using mine this way is what may have caused the problem. I originally said I was going to change my name to desparate Steve but I think after today It'll be full tractor tank Steve.
Steve

Glenn9643 · Jan 6, 2005

I refuel as needed, generally when it's down below 1/4 tank. There's about 400 hours on the tractor and I've not changed fuel filters yet. My 200 gallon storage tank is an old aluminum spray tank and I use the same canister type filters as Ken mentioned and buy them from my fuel distributor. My understanding is that they must be replaced when they get restricted. I have a goldenrod filter mounted on the hand pump on my 30 gallon fuel drum that I use when going far from my place. It works OK, but the red dye in offroad fuel will color the bowl so it's difficult to see if you have water after a while.