Simple(maybe)questions-hose heater, ULSD

[Dixie379]

I've done quite a bit of reading and there seems to be an ongoing argument/debate over ULSD. From what I gather, ULSD is alright, toss in a lil additive? I don't really have access to Off-Road, since the one lil place within a reasonable distance to my tractor is run by a bunch of dirtwads that claim I need to fill out a book of forms and drop 500$ deposit on an account...B.S. since in a month I've used maaaaybe 3 gallons of fuel in the MF. It had a bit of old fuel in it, I filled it with the same ULSD that goes in the dodge, and added a bit of the white jug (powersource maybe? I never remember the name..not the 911. I use Howes in my truck though).

So for my fuel situation, any suggestions? Or keep fueling the way I did 1st time?

And for second question...I picked up a Kats hose heater. Prolly gonna attempt to install it this weekend. Assuming the intallation goes well...(lol my rate of luck prevents me from believing even the simplest tasks will go uneventful) Leave it plugged in all the time or just an hour or so before I wanna use the tractor? (referring to cold weather etc. one goober at work thought I was gonna install and plug it in, 24/7/365.... :confused2: )

 

[MFRED]

As for the fuel, my opinion, a little Powerservice, Howse, Lucas, pick your poison. I always add a little. Usually some Marvel Mystery Oil at about an 8 to 1 ratio as well, when I can remeber ahead of time. I do this on everything diesel I own, 2006 Cummins to the old 165. Some object, that's just what I do.

For the heater hose heater, I plug in about 3 hours before desired use. With a smaller engine, an hour would probably be good. I plug in my "new" tractor longer, sometimes overnight if its going to be real cold. Probably doesn't amount to anything more than a higher electric bill, but it makes me feel good.

 

[jonyyuma]

If you determine the heat-up time, then you might want a timer ahead of it?I did it with my truck, just to keep down the power bill.Just depends on 750 watts or 1500 watts heaters?.Your a whole lot colder up there..Jy.

 

[Mur386]

I agree with jonyyuma, you need a timer, just plain silly to heat a tractor all the time.
Bill

 

[Dixie379]

Ok. Yeah, I was figuring on a timer cause I don't always know exactly but usually within an hour or two of when I'll be out to do chores so i was just gonna set it for a window time. Was asking cause couple other people off line said to just leave it plugged in when its below freezing.

Thanks for the info! Least I was on the right track

 

[irvingj]

Dixie- I always use a bit of additive here in NH... as I have a VW TDI, I use the same in both, Stanadyne. Not a bad idea to add something, I hear; VW insists that US diesel is not up to the standards of European (particularly biodiesel) and recommend an additive. Who knows- but still good insurance.

As far as a timer, be sure to get a good one- I tried one on my TDI, which has a 1000 watt heater; the inexpensive household type that I got couldn't handle the load and failed fairly quickly. Now I just plug it in when I first get up, which gives it a good 1-1/2 to 2 hrs of heat-up time. Tractor I leave on the heater a bit longer, esp. when it's really cold. (It's not DI like the VW.)

I also don't bother with off-road, I just fill up my tractor can at the same time I fuel up the VW.

Curious- what's your over-the-road tractor? Never drove a big rig, myself....

 

[DEWFPO]

Was asking cause couple other people off line said to just leave it plugged in when its below freezing.

They're not paying your utility bill.

Maybe if you needed the tractor to be ready to run 24/7 this makes sense but in most cased it does not.

I have an H.D. timer connected to a ThermoCube (thermostat) and it only comes on 1 hr before I need it and only if the temps are low enough.

DEWFPO

 

[MF RED in MT]

+6 for the HD timer, . I have block heaters and even when the inside of the garage is at 8 degrees F, it only takes about 45 minutes and about 1 hour on the truck, . If I know I am going to use either, I will plug em in the night before, otherwise I sill plug em in and go inside and have some more coffee and wait, . KC :thumbsup:

edit / oh by the way, I use these HD timers on my outisde Christmas lights, kc.

 

[Mur386]

if your worried about when temps are below freezing set multiple times for it to be like on one hour off two then back on again for another hour, or however it will work best for you. On all the time seems like a waste of energy to me. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a ocd person (I'm one) to do a series of tests setting various on times/ off times and measuring temps next morning woohoo! break out the clip board!
Billy

 

[Dixie379]

You guys rock! Even with different opinions, and experiences, the info I get/find here always helps. It's amazing how many 'friends' (off line) have crawled from the woodwork since word has gotten out I bought a tractor LOL and honestly, some of em should have just stayed with the termites!

I'll leave the research to you Mur lol all I care is IF I can get the lil MF to start and not have to use the dodge and drive back an forth for 20 minutes to make a 'path' in the snow! Or tryin to get the ol Roper to start, or getting mad and just shoveling lol I had thought about setting it to kick off and on throughout the day/night but didn't know if it was worth it or not. I'm sure it'll be a learning curve for a lil bit.

I'ma get a (HD) and/or thermostatic control timer I think. the package on the heater didn't say anything about thermostatically controlled, so my dad was a bit worried it may boil and fry out my seals/gaskets over time.

Gonna keep goin with the regular ol diesel fuel an a lil additive, too.

As for the big rig Irving, we run the lil FL60's with goosenecks. I usually don't have trailer runs cause I stay local-ish. Home ever day at some point to do chores. IA, MN, KY is some of my longer runs. I also get to use a 1 ton truck we have once in awhile if the 4x4 is really really needed at the customer. This season has already been a fun one...most recent 'issue' was a couple months ago I lost BOTH drivers' duals on the 1 ton chevy on I80!

P.S. Only one or to busted knuckles and I got my hose heater in yesterday! LOL I think it was a hair too big, but a lil cursin and extra coffee and its on and hopefully works (gonna plug it in today and check, ran out of time yesterday)