Winter fuel

[dnw64]

I experienced it once, when summer fuel had not been cycled through. A hair dryer melted the fuel filter and I was good to go, but it was a bit of a hassle.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Around here it's usually Nov 1st to the 15th that they start switching to Winter Blend. I usually fill up between the 15th and Thanksgiving, adding in the anti-gel (I use Hotshot's) then put it away ready for any snowplowing.

 

[big bubba]

given all the anecdotes here re the use of diesel fuel additives:

keep in mind there are 4 reasons to use an additive. your location is paramount in that decision: why use an additive?
1) lubricity 2) moisture removal 3) anti gel in cold 4) anti algae/fungus growth, etc.
determine your needs given location, consumption, and storage method.

in addition, not mentioned in thread, is the fuel source: always purchase from high volume dealer

 

[DarkBlack]

I’m in central NH , so I see days below 15f also. It’s normally in the 20’s and 30’s, when we get major snow storms, so my normal usage of snowblowing, almost never occurs below 15f. I always avoid running in at those temperatures, with my open station, anyway.
I’ve never put anything but #2 in, with zero issues, but I keep it in a heated garage. It’s not the air temperature that gels the fuel, but the fuel temperature. For the 1-2 hours it takes me to clear the snow and such, the fuel tank system never gets cold enough to gel the fuel

 

[Hay Dude]

rule of thumb: always keep your tank full to help prevent condensation, then just use a field tested additive regardless of season. regards

Easy to say when you don’t have a 180 gallon tank. Just having $600 of diesel fuel sit in a tank is not easy.
I use additives instead.

 

[big bubba]

correct, please note i never said not to use additives, only to adjust to your situation. whether in tractor or storage tank, just address your additive needs within in your environment...

note the OP's question was about tractor fuel tank, not a 180 gal storage tank...

 

[deserteagle71]

correct, please note i never said not to use additives, only to adjust to your situation. whether in tractor or storage tank, just address your additive needs within in your environment...

note the OP's question was about tractor fuel tank, not a 180 gal storage tank... keep it simple dude

I do believe he is talking about the fuel tank on his Challenger tractor, not a bulk storage tank. Fuel tanks on the bigger Challengers hold up to 400 gallons!

And I ***** when I have to fill the 23 gallon tank on my Kubota!

 

[ruffdog]

I use an anti gel additive and blend in kerosene, about 20%. The kerosene is really only needed when the temps get close to zero in my experience. I had my previous tractor gel up 3 times even when running Howes but no kerosene.

A normal winter blend here would be a 70/30 blend. I can get straight #1 dyed fuel and blend myself or pump some 70/30 or 60/40 (depends on forecast) from the neighbors tank. I also siphon a small amount into a bottle and throw it in the freezer. It is easy to see the difference a good winter blend fuel acts when cold.

 

[anomad]

When I lived in Fairbanks Alaska years ago they sold 50/50 #1 and #2 blend at the pump when winter set in. Being a southern boy I had no idea how important that was to run in my pickup (12 valve Cummins). Cost me a tow bill and a -40F walk home to a land line (before cell phones). Back home here in NC I have never had to do anything special. It's supposed to be in the high teens this weekend. I'll try and fire the tractor up when it is cold and see if it goes ok.

Jackson County NC here set the record (measured) low temperature for the state when I was a little boy, -19F. I don't know if that record still stands. But it used to get cold here in winter.

 

[greenie]

A quick and easy way to check to see if your diesel fuel has been treated is to put a small clear glass bottle/jar with a cap or lid with fuel in it in a freezer. Let it sit there for 6 hours then look at the contents. Depending on how cold the freezer is you'll want to see clear the sample is. In most cases a cloudy sample shows wax crystals forming. The fuel will still pour but those wax crystals will collect in the filter and restrict the flow.
Years ago after my 7.3 IDI gelled miles from home I took the precaution of wrapping 3/8's" refrigeration tubing around the exposed fuel filter and teed the tubing to the heater hoses. After that, no more issues.