Polar Vortex Preparations

[ovrszd]

My truck does get used everyday but the post I responded to wasn't regarding stored or old fuel. The poster said they didn't trust diesel that came out of the pump and always added anti gel

That is a waste of time IMO unless you are treating summer blend

The reason I asked where you are located was because it's common for posters in certain geographic areas don't have to treat their fuel. Not so lucky here in Missouri.

 

[ruffdog]

Holy frozen body parts Batman! The local news guy just said that Wed may have a -60f windchill. Darn that is nasty. I see Alaska will be way warmer than we will be this week. We just got 12" of snow....real heavy stuff like it was all sleet....like sand...weird. I got it all plowed so the machine will hibernate until it warms up again.

 

[TheMan419]

Holy frozen body parts Batman! The local news guy just said that Wed may have a -60f windchill. Darn that is nasty. I see Alaska will be way warmer than we will be this week. We just got 12" of snow....real heavy stuff like it was all sleet....like sand...weird. I got it all plowed so the machine will hibernate until it warms up again.

I have to go clean it up after work. Same nasty stuff. Plan is after that tractor hibernates. But emergencies happen.... knock on wood.

 

[coldsteelva]

Wind chill is simply a relative term for how cold the air feels (and how fast your body will lose heat). At a certain point, you can no longer detect any difference in temperature even though the heat loss may be faster. Essentially hot is hot and cold is cold. Beyond a certain point you can no longer quantify or qualify that by 'feel' - beyond those points, you will suffer frostbite or thermal injuries, your nerve endings will be gone and you will feel nothing.

 

[wayne48]

FWIW, in the 20 years I've been living in Northern Vermont, I've had my tractor gel up twice, in the freezing cold, in the middle of my 1/4 mile + driveway while clearing snow. I can't tell you how much fun I had dealing with that! And that was using fresh off road diesel (first time). First time, I figured it was just a fluke. Second time, I was just being stupid for not taking the first time as a sign. I add anti-gel to my diesel year round just because I don't know if it will be what I'll be using when the weather turns cold. I guess you would call me a belt and suspenders type of guy- but 2 times trying to change out a gelled fuel filter in 10 degree temps with no heat made me see the light. Better to prepare for the worst and not have it happen, than not be prepared and have it happen. Just saying.

 

[TheMan419]

FWIW, in the 20 years I've been living in Northern Vermont, I've had my tractor gel up twice, in the freezing cold, in the middle of my 1/4 mile + driveway while clearing snow. I can't tell you how much fun I had dealing with that! And that was using fresh off road diesel (first time). First time, I figured it was just a fluke. Second time, I was just being stupid for not taking the first time as a sign. I add anti-gel to my diesel year round just because I don't know if it will be what I'll be using when the weather turns cold. I guess you would call me a belt and suspenders type of guy- but 2 times trying to change out a gelled fuel filter in 10 degree temps with no heat made me see the light. Better to prepare for the worst and not have it happen, than not be prepared and have it happen. Just saying.

Yeah I hit the fuel in the tank with Power Service (white) and then ran the tractor for about a 45 minutes clearing snow. I also hit the 5 gallon jerry can as well. Shook it all up real good.

Instructions on the bottle were 3.2 oz per 5 gal (actually 32 oz per 50 gal) if the temp is below zero. So I hit with about that much measured in a measuring up.

I also bought their 911 product as a reserve. Both bottles are in the house so they are warm.

Spent about $20 total on both at wally world. Cheap insurance.

 

[ovrszd]

Fuel gelling as Wayne described is a life changing event.

Never, ever trust purchased fuel.

 

[TheMan419]

Fuel gelling as Wayne described is a life changing event.

Never, ever trust purchased fuel.

No trouble at all last winter and none so far this winter. However with actual air temps predicted at -20 or so I am taking no chances. Of course the hope is not to start the machine until Friday when we are at a balmy 15 or so....

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can't be exactly sure what is in my storage tanks, so I filled the GMC up with station Diesel while in town. That should be temperature/formula correct. Equipment not working is one thing, but ones truck has to be reliable.

 

[MossRoad]

No trouble at all last winter and none so far this winter. However with actual air temps predicted at -20 or so I am taking no chances. Of course the hope is not to start the machine until Friday when we are at a balmy 15 or so....

Still calling for a high of -14 tomorrow with a low of -24. I'll be hunkered in my house with two cats and the wood burner going.