Oil & Fuel What do you use to fill your JD with Diesel?
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Nathan_OR
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 62
Call me a wimp but I went for two 2.5 gal yellow cans, instead of one 5 gal. My back hates the "fueling" position. There are all kinds of fancy setups if you find yourself refueling a lot. I put 8 hours on the tractor in the first week and didn't even get through half the tank, if I recall right. I bet you won't fuel as often as you think.
As for additive, my dealer said I don't need to worry about it with deisel, like I do with my gas engines. Is that wrong? Should I be putting an additive in for the less-used months of winter?
Nathan
As for additive, my dealer said I don't need to worry about it with deisel, like I do with my gas engines. Is that wrong? Should I be putting an additive in for the less-used months of winter?
Nathan
cast_and_blast
Platinum Member
If it gets colder than +40°F degrees where you live then, yes, you should worry about it. "Cloud Point" and "Gel Point" are the reason.
"Cloud point" is the temperature where the fuel becomes cloudy (makes sense, eh?). At this point, the wax precipitates out of the fuel in the form of small wax crystals. In biodiesel fuel, it is biowax, in diesel it is paraffin wax. Why the heck is there wax in the fuel? Lubricity. When the crystals get large enough they settle to the bottom of the tank. The fuel will become cloudier and thicker as the temperature is lowered, until the gel point is reached. This would be a good time to use one of those fancy filter-funnels.
#2 diesel fuel has a wax component; different fuel blends can have very different cloud point temperatures, generally ranging from -10°F to +40°F. #1 diesel fuel doesn't have much of a wax component and does not have a noticeable cloud point. Diesel fuel distributors blend local diesel fuel supplies so that the cloud point is usually not reached. Here in MN they belnd more #1 diesel in as Fall turns to Winter to ensure that diesel systems are good-to-go at well below zero (like -30°F and beyond). There are additives that add to the lubricity of diesel - this is a good time to use them.
To avoid filters being plugged with wax, diesel fuel filter systems are often supplied with an auxiliary fuel heating or return fuel heat recovery systems. I do not know enough about our JD fuels systems to know if we have this or not. My diesel Jetta does return "warm" diesel to the fuel filter. Fuel additives are also available that modify the formation of wax crystals, making them less likely to plug the filter.
"Gel point" is the temperature at which the fuel solidifies and can no longer be pumped or poured. At this point you can sit on your tractor and make motor noises with your lips while pretending to drive - you're not going anywhere for a while.
Good Luck!
Scott
"Cloud point" is the temperature where the fuel becomes cloudy (makes sense, eh?). At this point, the wax precipitates out of the fuel in the form of small wax crystals. In biodiesel fuel, it is biowax, in diesel it is paraffin wax. Why the heck is there wax in the fuel? Lubricity. When the crystals get large enough they settle to the bottom of the tank. The fuel will become cloudier and thicker as the temperature is lowered, until the gel point is reached. This would be a good time to use one of those fancy filter-funnels.
#2 diesel fuel has a wax component; different fuel blends can have very different cloud point temperatures, generally ranging from -10°F to +40°F. #1 diesel fuel doesn't have much of a wax component and does not have a noticeable cloud point. Diesel fuel distributors blend local diesel fuel supplies so that the cloud point is usually not reached. Here in MN they belnd more #1 diesel in as Fall turns to Winter to ensure that diesel systems are good-to-go at well below zero (like -30°F and beyond). There are additives that add to the lubricity of diesel - this is a good time to use them.
To avoid filters being plugged with wax, diesel fuel filter systems are often supplied with an auxiliary fuel heating or return fuel heat recovery systems. I do not know enough about our JD fuels systems to know if we have this or not. My diesel Jetta does return "warm" diesel to the fuel filter. Fuel additives are also available that modify the formation of wax crystals, making them less likely to plug the filter.
"Gel point" is the temperature at which the fuel solidifies and can no longer be pumped or poured. At this point you can sit on your tractor and make motor noises with your lips while pretending to drive - you're not going anywhere for a while.
Good Luck!
Scott
organ grinder
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2006
- Messages
- 70
I like to keep things simple. I use red cans for gasoline, blue for gas mixed with oil (two cycle) which has a blue appearance when poured, and green for diesel. Why green? Because that's the color of the pump handle where I buy the diesel fuel! I use several 5 gallon cans, but I only fill them to the half way mark. That way, I can still lift them without getting fuel all over the tractor or me.
cast_and_blast
Platinum Member
Organ Grinder -
I wouldn't store fuel that way - the fuel can colors have generally accepted meanings:
Red = Gasoline (mixed or not, makes no difference)
Blue = Kerosene
Green = Oils
Yellow = Diesel (Bio or Diesel, makes no difference)
Most states (maybe all - don't know) will not allow you to dispense fuel from a station into an improper container. Wrong color = improper.
Pouring and lighting mixed 2-stroke gasoline into a kerosene appliance could be a potentially dangerous situation.
I used a large Sharpie marker to label my smaller 2-stroke fuel cans. I usually put the equipment they are intended for (ice auger, chain saw, etc.) and the mix ratio (50:1, 100:1, etc).
Just my $.02.
Scott
I wouldn't store fuel that way - the fuel can colors have generally accepted meanings:
Red = Gasoline (mixed or not, makes no difference)
Blue = Kerosene
Green = Oils
Yellow = Diesel (Bio or Diesel, makes no difference)
Most states (maybe all - don't know) will not allow you to dispense fuel from a station into an improper container. Wrong color = improper.
Pouring and lighting mixed 2-stroke gasoline into a kerosene appliance could be a potentially dangerous situation.
I used a large Sharpie marker to label my smaller 2-stroke fuel cans. I usually put the equipment they are intended for (ice auger, chain saw, etc.) and the mix ratio (50:1, 100:1, etc).
Just my $.02.
Scott
MadDogDriver
Gold Member
jbrumberg said:
How do like your Mr. Funnel Jay?
I was considering getting one when I noticed that one of my YELLOW 5gal cans had what looked like black paint flecks lying down in the bottom of the can. I think it might be from the spout, not sure where else it could've come from. In anycase, Mr. Funnel is advertised to even remove water and was wondering what your experience was using it. Also what size and where did you get it?
Thanks
jbrumberg
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2006
- Messages
- 4,903
- Location
- Cummington, MA
- Tractor
- New Holland TC29DA, John Deere D130
MadDogDriver:
I got my Mr. Funnel through West Marine - Make Boating Better with New Boating Gear from West Marine. I purchased the 5 GPM Fuel Filter Funnel for ~$35.00. It really does a good job screening out debris. I purchase my diesel fuel from a high volume station that serves all the locals and have not had a problem with water contamination. I did rinse out the filter once and no water ran through the screen. My only complaint with Mr. Funnel is that it leaves some residual fuel in the funnel due to insufficient "head pressure". I use another regular large filter (very cheap) to pour the residual back into my 5 G can for reuse. Jay
I got my Mr. Funnel through West Marine - Make Boating Better with New Boating Gear from West Marine. I purchased the 5 GPM Fuel Filter Funnel for ~$35.00. It really does a good job screening out debris. I purchase my diesel fuel from a high volume station that serves all the locals and have not had a problem with water contamination. I did rinse out the filter once and no water ran through the screen. My only complaint with Mr. Funnel is that it leaves some residual fuel in the funnel due to insufficient "head pressure". I use another regular large filter (very cheap) to pour the residual back into my 5 G can for reuse. Jay
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,885
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
I keep a rag stuffed between the cap and filler door on the hood. When refueling, I spread the rag next to the filler door and lift the plastic 5 gallon container onto it on the hood. Then I use a TSC kerosene siphon to start it siphoning into the tank.
Fuel usage on my 4010 has been 0.46 gallon/hr over 230 hours. Just record your hours when you finish each 5 gallon container in a booklet to keep track.
Ralph
Fuel usage on my 4010 has been 0.46 gallon/hr over 230 hours. Just record your hours when you finish each 5 gallon container in a booklet to keep track.
Ralph