Winter fuel

[dnw64]

What's your strategy for a not-often-used tractor?

I've let my tank get pretty low, hoping I can fill it with winter blend. But, when do they start putting out winter blend?

I feel like I have three choices.

• Wait until I need the tractor (snow removal) and hope they have the winter blend out by then.
• Fill it with summer fuel and add conditioner (I have and generally use Howe's)
• Buy and mix #2 & kerosine (what ratio?)

How do you approach this situation.

Note that I am in Vermont, so it will get below 15°F before you know it. We've already seen 26°.

 

[Cycledude]

I filled up two 5 gallon plastic cans with off road diesel fuel the first week of November, I’m thinking it should be winter blend by now but asked the fellow working there and he didn’t have a clue, I just don’t understand why the fuel pumps don’t have any markings to indicate if it’s winter or summer blend. Leaded gasoline disappeared about 50 years but most gas stations still waste money advertising unleaded gasoline.

 

[Thomas]

I purchase regular diesel where highway power companybuy often and add anti gel also new fuel filter before the cold sets in,yet to have issue over the years.

 

[RjCorazza]

I got an answer from my off road supplier here in Maryland, and they add cetane improver and anti gel additives on the second Monday of November. That is 11/10 this year.
In Vermont I would imagine fuel is treated earlier
That said, I still begin treating my fuel with an anti gel additive November 1st, and make sure to get the tractor down to about 1/2 empty, add the anti gel, fill up, and run the treated fuel through the whole system.

 

[dodge man]

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.

 

[big bubba]

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

 

[LouNY]

I add an anti-gell at the higher dose. Most years I run a 70-30 blend of #2 with #1 kerosene. This year my tank is filled with #2 and maybe 40 gallons of my blended fuel, I've double dosed that tank and when it starts heading for winter temps I go to town and fill a couple of 5 gallon jugs with kerosene to dump in the tanks when needed, (sub zero).
If the forecast starts to get real nasty I'll get a barrel of kerosene and get the tanks blended to 50/50 with the initial additive. I also keep at least 2 sets of fuel filters on hand in case I get gelled again.

 

[mjonesnh]

Almost never buy fuel in winter months, as very limited use in cold months. Use left over summer blend with double dose of anti-gel if I need to add fuel. Last time I used tractor I gave an extra shot of additive in tank so fuel in tractor should be ready for cold weather, probably more ready than I am.

 

[leonz]

What's your strategy for a not-often-used tractor?

I've let my tank get pretty low, hoping I can fill it with winter blend. But, when do they start putting out winter blend?

I feel like I have three choices.

• Wait until I need the tractor (snow removal) and hope they have the winter blend out by then.
• Fill it with summer fuel and add conditioner (I have and generally use Howe's)
• Buy and mix #2 & kerosine (what ratio?)

How do you approach this situation.

Note that I am in Vermont, so it will get below 15°F before you know it. We've already seen 26°.

Use a kerosene fire spaced heater for an hour on your mule warming it from one side
and you will not have to worry about freezing fuel.
The winter blend fuel is already out, at most you would want to use some HEET in the mules fuel tank.

 

[Cycledude]

I have never experienced tractor diesel fuel jelling but after reading so many reports of problems I started using this stuff during winter a few years ago , it’s on sale right now but I still have plenty leftover from last year.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB1026
I believe one quart bottle treats about 100 gallons of diesel fuel