When to use additive? in SW NC....

[RadarTech]

hey folks,
It's that time of year.. and I am such a newby...
I have read all kinds of posts on here about to use additive, and not to use additives...


And well, I just cranked the L3400 yesterday for the first time in a month..
It was fairly cool but not below freezing somewhere 38-43....
Had to clean out the ditches and fix some rain damage on the gravel drive.
I hate leaves!!!! or should I say the 10 bucket loads at least-- another story....

Since it was the first time in at least 2 weeks, I let it idle for about 10 min before heading off.. There was a post about some cold weather rough running so I am still being careful-- ya know I only have about 150 original hours!

Anyway, she ran great..

But as I consider ice and snow coming and my fuel was purchased almost 2 months ago....
what should I do to make sure it is okay?

I only have about 5 gallons left.. (bought about 30 gallons for a $1 less than the market price so I could not pass it up..-- Long story- involves actually driving the tractor about 5 miles up the road with a bucket of fuel cans...)


So what do yall think?


Thanks,
Jim

Kubota L3400-HST,LA463 loader, 6 foot scrape, 5 foot box, 4 foot finish mower(a gift!), loaded rears

 

[dirtworksequip]

Just take your pick of any of the name brand anti gel diesel treatments and dose per bottle instuctions and you should be good to go.

 

[john_bud]

I treat anytime the temps are going to be under 40-45F. That is where untreated fuel will cloud up. Cloud point is the first step to trouble.

I like in an ice box and use Howes Diesel Treat. It's head and shoulders above the competition around here. You probably don't need that and about any good anti-gel will be fine.

 

[LBrown59]

hey folks,
It's that time of year.. and I am such a newby...
I have read all kinds of posts on here about to use additive, and not to use additives...

I just dump a quart of Power service / white bottle in my 55 gallon drum and fill it with 55 gallon of fuel the year around.

 

[kthompson]

I sitting warmer than you and was told by dealership and guy who use to rebuild injector pumps, about same stories on fuel and treating it. I do about same as LBrown. I try to treat all. Especially if not going to be burned the day it is bought.

 

[thatguy]

I add Power Service year round when i fill up my truck and 5 gal cans for the tractor.. Doesnt add that much to the cost and that way you know that 5 gal pail of fuel has been winterized.. I add it just as much for the additional lubricity as i do gelling..

Brian

 

[marc2000gt]

I have read about different diesel fuels, off road and on road. Does the on road fuel also need the additive?

 

[thatguy]

I have read about different diesel fuels, off road and on road. Does the on road fuel also need the additive?

Depending on where you live the fuel being bought by a station may be already winterized (mixed with up to 20% kero) at the terminal.. BUT if you are buying fuel from a low volume station they may still have unblended (ie summer) fuel in the ground...

My quess would be anywhere north of NC/SC/TN would be winterized fuel..

So to answer your question, on-road fuel may not need an additive if it is a blend.. I personally run Power Service yr round, i feel its cheap insurance..

Brian

 

[dirtworksequip]

marc, yes. On road vehicles need treament also. We have two diesel cars and I always use an anti gel diesel treatment with the on set of cold weather.

 

[marc2000gt]

Thanks for the info. I will start using an additive.

 

[jcmseven]

RadarTech,

I live in Haywood County at 4000 feet, 2/3 of the way up our 6100' mountain. It gets cold here, as you likely know. I run Power Service or an equivalent ALL the time, but I make sure I run additive in winter. One cannot assume our area's fuel is winterized and especially if one has fuel in storage it. I have found a startup improvement and better winter fuel economy when using the additive, with anti gel. Interestingly I have had both direct injected and indirect injected diesels and the indirects seem to derive more benefit with regard to smoothness and fuel economy.

John M

 

[LBrown59]

I have read about different diesel fuels, off road and on road. Does the on road fuel also need the additive?

The on road and the off road is fast becoming the same stuff and the terms on road and off road is leaning more and more toward describing where the fuel is used rather than meaning a type of fuel so yes no matter what it's called the fuel needs to be treated.

 

[Workstead]

The on road and the off road is fast becoming the same stuff and the terms on road and off road is leaning more and more toward describing where the fuel is used rather than meaning a type of fuel so yes no matter what it's called the fuel needs to be treated.

My understanding of ON ROAD and OFF ROAD fuel is the color of the fuel to indicate if a tax has been paid on the fuel for ON ROAD use. The two fuels are a different color. I think I read somewhere that the off road has a red dye added to indicate no tax paid. If red fuel is found on an ON ROAD vehicle they take you to jail!

Clem

 

[LBrown59]

1*My understanding of ON ROAD and OFF ROAD fuel is the color of the fuel to indicate if a tax has been paid on the fuel for ON ROAD use.
2*The two fuels are a different color.
3*I think I read somewhere that the off road has a red dye added to indicate no tax paid.
Clem

1*Correct.
2*Almost right,except a more accurate way of putting it would be.
1 fuel but 2 colors.
3*Not quite : It's more like taking the on road and putting red dye in it.
It's still the same fuel it was before you put the dye in it.

 

[dirtworksequip]

OFF ROAD can still be LSD (up to 500 ppm) until 2010 for off road equipment and until 2012 for locomotive and marine use.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[LBrown59]

OFF ROAD can still be LSD (up to 500 ppm) until 2010 for off road equipment and until 2012 for locomotive and marine use. /quote]

This just means they have until those dates and it's no guarantee that LSD will be available up until that time.
Nothing says they can't discontinue LSD prior to then.
It wouldn't surprise me it they aren't phasing it out or have done so already and what little is available is just the remainder of what inventory they may have had on hand.
I would not think they would want to keep right on producing LSD then be caught up with a stock pile they'd be stuck with that they couldn't get rid of because of the dead line.
I don't really believe they'd want to do that.

L . B .

 

[RadarTech]

RadarTech,

I live in Haywood County at 4000 feet, 2/3 of the way up our 6100' mountain. It gets cold here, as you likely know. I run Power Service or an equivalent ALL the time, but I make sure I run additive in winter. One cannot assume our area's fuel is winterized and especially if one has fuel in storage it. I have found a startup improvement and better winter fuel economy when using the additive, with anti gel. Interestingly I have had both direct injected and indirect injected diesels and the indirects seem to derive more benefit with regard to smoothness and fuel economy.

John M

John-- Well howdy!
I have been over to Waynesville so many times!!
well-- I added some to one can of fuel and the tractor tank--- and it appears that my second can is missing..
I hope I did not just stick a full can somewhere on the proprty while workin and forgot about it..
I did that a few months ago clearing a trail..
Left the tractor down there for a couple of days and just rode the ATV up and down. used the tractor bucket to carry fuel cans and storage box..
and then had left a can there for days...
Too cold right now to run down there....

Let's hope I don't have a gelled can of diesal sitting down there!


anyway.....
thanks for the advice---

Tanks to all of you!

and Merry Christmas!

Later,
J