Oil & Fuel Runing Diesel Dry

[john_bud]

New tractors that are self bleeding are really easy.

My neighbor (former H equipment repair tech) was needing some help when I first got the kubota. Was so busy, I didn't watch the needle sit on the E until is coughed and stopped. Uh-oh, He went in to get his tool kit, charger, extra battery etc. I added 5 gal from the can, turned the lever, cranked for 5 seconds and it started. Turned the lever back and continued working. He came out with his jaw dropped --> "How'ed you get it going so quick?".

It's a whole nother story on the 1963 ford tractor!

Still, keep fuel in there and keep it on the top of the tank to keep water out. Also, when you run dry you usually run the tank droppings out and that can foul the filter.

jb

 

[milkman]

Two weeks ago, I tilled the neighbor's garden, went over it three times, was still showing 1/2 tank of fuel so I went to my garden and started tilling there. I tilled for about twenty minutes and the tractor stumbled and died, I thought the fuel filter was stopped up so I went to the house and got a new filter and installed it. I turned on the key and the fuel pump started so I left the key on and put the tools away, cranked it over and it started and died again. I looked at the fuel filter and it was still empty so I took the fuel cap off an it was dry as a bone, got some fuel and put in it, turned the key on again and the filter filled with fuel, cranked less than 5 seconds and started, run rough for maybe 5 more seconds and back to normal. I didn't have to bleed anything, same when I change a fuel filter, starts up and runs rough for a few seconds and levels off. Never have to bleed anything.

 

[CurlyDave]

Do it once and you won't do it again.

The only violation of this rule I have ever seen was my neighbor, whose kids have run it dry several times, but he is the one who has to get it started again.

 

[Egon]

Not so Curly! There are some of us that are very slow on the uptake or is take up and do end up checking the bottom of the fuel tank for debris on an regular basis. Actually this may be a good thing to know what is in the bottom of the tank.

My Kubota B7100 is quite easy to bleed and the two wrenches required are usually in the minute sized tool box. about the only tools in there.

 

[Bedlam]

My friend, has an older ford tractor, and it always stops running, but not for the lack of fuel.The small screen in the tank get clogged and he is 'stranded' And then its a 30 minute job for him to bleed the system after he has used an air line to blow back and clean the screen.
Id think removal and cleaning would be in order.
I suggested maybe draining it and then using a shop vac to get into the tank and vac out the crud. I'm not sure it the screen would come with it or not.
Either way I sure wouldn't leave it that way

 

[Aguanga]

I suggested maybe draining it and then using a shop vac to get into the tank and vac out the crud. I'm not sure it the screen would come with it or not.
Either way I sure wouldn't leave it that way

Not to hijack the thread, but this instantly reminded me of a bad story... keep in mind that diesel has a higher flash point and is less volatile than gasoline - none-the-less. However, I knew a guy that was undergoing A LOT of physical therapy and treatment for extensive burns over most of his body. He had to wear a clear plastic face mask most of the day and the special garments over most of the burned skin on his body as it slowly healed. It turned out that he was changing a fuel filter in his garage and had some spilled fuel. He used his wet/dry vac and quickly set himself and everything around him on fire. Diesel is different from gas, but you'll never catch me using a shop vac on anything remotely flamable!

 

[Bedlam]

Guess I should ad that I was more on the line of it being allowed to dry best it can first.

 

[milkman]

I have a Kubota BX-2230, and the fuel gauge does not seem to be very accurate. I have heard that running a diesel fuel tank dry is bad news. How paranoid do I have to be about running low on diesel?

Since you asked about your specific tractor, I should have made it clear that yours has an electric pump and is self bleading so you don't have to be paranoid about running low on diesel. The only inconvenience is you may have to carry fuel to the tractor, but there is no problem getting the tractor restarted after you run it out of fuel. Just wanted to answer your specific question. Other tractors that are not self bleeding, that may not be the case.

 

[daTeacha]

Not to hijack the thread, but this instantly reminded me of a bad story... keep in mind that diesel has a higher flash point and is less volatile than gasoline - none-the-less. However, I knew a guy that was undergoing A LOT of physical therapy and treatment for extensive burns over most of his body. He had to wear a clear plastic face mask most of the day and the special garments over most of the burned skin on his body as it slowly healed. It turned out that he was changing a fuel filter in his garage and had some spilled fuel. He used his wet/dry vac and quickly set himself and everything around him on fire. Diesel is different from gas, but you'll never catch me using a shop vac on anything remotely flamable!

Then there was the genius who removed himself from the gene pool when he used a propane torch to try to thaw the frozen fuel line on his pickup one winter day. I think that one won a Darwin Award