Winter Fuel Additives ?

[JimBinMI]

Guys,

Last winter was my tractor's first...and I'm in south-central Michigan. The tractor, a NH TC18 used diesel straight from a off-highway heavily used truck stop. I never put anything in it and never had a problem. Last winter was mild, but still had it out in very cold weather. The tractor sits in an unheated pole barn and I don't use any kind of heater on it, dealer/salesman said it should do fine with just the wind break of the barn, he was right...NO PROBLEMS and it started every time I needed it.

JimBinMI

 

[bpence]

I live in Michigan and don't use any fuel additives. I buy my fuel from a brand name filling station that does a lot of diesel fuel business, so the fuel is always pretty fresh.

I keep the B7100 in an unheated pole barn and have only used a magnetic engine heater when the temperature has dipped below zero for several days. I have also tried putting a work light under the tractor motor as a heater on occasion when it's been very cold and that works well, too.

I haven't had any winter starting difficulties. The trick seems to be pre-heating with the glow plugs and keeping good fuel in the tank.

Bob Pence

 

[GeorgeH]

What is the advisability, advantage, or danger of mixing small amounts of kerosene or JP4 aviation fuel to your winter diesel fuel supply. Would either help prevent gelling, or improve cold weather starting and engine performance? Would the engine blow its head through the hood. I understand the use of engine starting fluid is not reccomended for diesel engines with glow plugs. What else can you do for really cold weather starts?

George<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by GeorgeH on 12/9/00 06:59 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[Thomas]

GeorgeH,
I don't think its all a good idea to starting mixing different fuels together,especially if one has new tractor for you might lose your warranty if something goes wrong. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
I would talk to your tractor dealer than purchase the right additive from him. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Purchase a name brand diesel fuel which eveyone like to use in your area.

For could weather starts...I keep my PM work up on the tractor..good fuel..battery charged..and if its really cold I plug in the the engine heater and let it warm up,much easier on the engine etc...

Does your BX have a engine heater?

Now for the older farm tractors,well kept charged battery..extra set of spark plugs..park on a side also let the early morning sun warm it up..jumper calbes..hand hope its not a hand crank when the weather well below zero,for if the engine should kick back. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Stay warm out there and have a pleasant weekend.


Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[gerard]

George,
While I agree with Thomas because I'm not 100% sure, I beleive that kerosene is just more refined diesel. I was told you can run striaght kerosene without a problem but it costs more so most people don't. I know a lot of truckers cut their diesel with kerosene, just don't know what the proportions are. Talk to an owner operator of a big rig and ask him/her. Someone with 150K invested isn't about to do anything to jeopordize a 30K engine. I personally use my fuel oil right out of my tank (heating oil) and then add one of the anti gel additives. I have a block heater with a thermostat hooked up to kick on below 20deg f. I just do that because a warm start is better on the engine. Even without it I've never had a problem starting it and I'm on a mountain in upstate NY. We haven't seen above 15deg F for the last week. Pretty cold winter so far.

 

[art]

I know I've said this before but I'll say it again kerosene has no lubrication ability for your injection pump like diesel fuel and I love you people who don't listen it will cause the pump to set up or fail prematurely $$$.

 

[gerard]

I stand corrected Art and I'll defer to to you on this one. As I said I wasn't sure and don't use kerosene myself! I thought that was what fuel suppliers used to make the "winter mix" diesel fuel but I'm not sure. If you reduce the lubricity I'd rather go with straight diesel and use the additives. (Can I retract my previous post??)

 

[GeorgeH]

Thanks for the insight everyone. I knew I could get good information here. I'll just stick with my regular fuel and I don't really anticipate any problems this winter. I was just curious what could be gained and at what risk. I wouldn't want to void my warranty in any event.

George

 

[TomG]

I always thought the choice was between #2 & #1 diesel, as opposed to #2 and kerosene. Kerosene costs a bundle and as noted will wear out fuel pumps (although an additive could be use with kerosene as well).

I ran #2 with additive last winter without problems. However, I'm switching over to #1 with additive right now. The main reason is that a supplier of #1 off-road is closer than a supplier of #2 off-road. #1 is used here in institutional back-up power generators year-around. True, #1 produces a little less power than #2, but I figure I'll be spinning tires on ice most of the time anyway, so power's not the problem.

A guy on CTB did a bit of research and posted a fuel comparison. I reproduced a bit of it here some time ago. Cloud point is the temperature at which wax crystals start forming in fuel. Cloud points for #2 vary both across region and time of year. Cloud points for winter blends can be as high as 15F. Cloud points for #1 are about -25F. Additives lower the cloud points in both types. Fuels also have other characteristics, and flash-point is one of them. #1 has a lower flask point than #2. An engine running #1 may be a bit easier to start when it's really cold.

I think either #1 or #2 with additive will work just fine, but the key is 'with additive.' I may have a little less concern about gelling if something really cold comes through here, but convenience is the main reason I went to #1. I just don't drive down the highway in the direction of the #2 off-road supplier often during the winter. Regular gas stations are closer then either off-road supplier, but I really don't like paying taxes. My dealer did say that #2 or #1 could be used. It's always good to check with a dealer.

 

[redhawk]

i have not been able to find a retailer of off-road diesel in southern lancaster county, PA. i know with the amount of farms it should be easy. the farmers i have talked to say that they get 500 gals. at a time delivered. does any one know of a website for off-road diesel dealers. thanks

kevin..PA