Diesel fuel in winter time

Anonymous-0 · Jan 21, 2012

With a barrel on the farm for diesel fuel and only one tractor and skidloader using it, we do not use enough fuel to have winter blend in the winter and have it used up before summer. Having trouble now with fuel gelling in tractor. How do others handle this situation?

centralilbaler · Jan 21, 2012

I dont use much either during the winter, but when i do i use Power Service Fuel Supplement to keep it from gelling up. I guess it depends how cold it is, where you live, but here in central Illinois in the winter it works great

gregger · Jan 21, 2012

need to add antigel to the tractor and skidder tanks when filling them

buickanddeere · Jan 21, 2012

We had half a tank of summer diesel in both tractors. Just bought a few Jerry cans of kerosene at the airport and filled the tractors

jdtractor · Jan 21, 2012

Add fuel treatment, or add kerosene. Ive done both, as xample I add approx. 5gal kerosene to 35 gal. diesel depending on how cold. Never had issuses, and Ive done it with several of the tractors and heavy iron Ive owned. I generaly use POWER SERVICE Treatment, its easier then fooling with the kerosene, and Ive had no problems. I use it year round here in southwestern Pa. just my 0.02cts.

jdtractor · Jan 21, 2012

Add fuel treatment, or add kerosene. Ive done both, as xample I add approx. 5gal kerosene to 35 gal. diesel depending on how cold. Never had issuses, and Ive done it with several of the tractors and heavy iron Ive owned. I generaly use POWER SERVICE Treatment, its easier then fooling with the kerosene, and Ive had no problems. I use it year round here in southwestern Pa. just my 0.02cts.

cjk · Jan 21, 2012

I haven"t been using anything but straight #2 the last few years here in SE Wi, down to -9f this morning. Cows will need a roll of hay today so I guess I will find out how good of a decision that was.

dixon boy RL · Jan 21, 2012

my fuelsupplier will just fill my tractors with winter blend. tried the power serve stuff and you have to have it mixed in before hand for it to help,if you are already jelled it takes alot to get it flowing again. been there done that

BushogPapa · Jan 21, 2012

I'd advise you to PUT the Treatment IN the fuel, BEFORE you have jelling...!!
Had that trouble over-the-road and I can tell you it is a waste of time, trying to keep the engine running, to pull any treated fuel into the engine..
Had a 3408 in a cab-over KW in CREEPER and barely made it into a garage..!!
As the fuel starts to Jell, it will get what look like flakes floating around in it..those pull into the Fuel Filters and PLUG them..
At that point, you MUST either get into a warmer place, get heat on it or change the fuel filters..
Just put some treatment in the fuel, you don't want the Headache...!!!

Ron..

showcrop · Jan 21, 2012

I've always added 1/3 kero to the fuel then add the PS conditioner to that.

Kelly MT · Jan 21, 2012

I use straight #2 but always treat the tank at delivery with Power Services. It will prevent gelling, scavenge water and prevent algae growth which will occur in diesel. We burn diesel all winter feeding and plowing. No problems in 30 years. I also treat my on road diesels with it. I haven't used it but Stanadine has a real good reputation doing the same thing. Also look for something with a lubricity additive. The ULSD fuel we now get is "dry" and will damage older injector pumps.

donjr · Jan 21, 2012

TSC has a fuel treatment in 1 gal jugs. We just add a gallon to each 275 gal tank on the farm before I call for the fuel truck. It helps keep the crud out of the tank and has an anti-gel in it. It's worked well for us over the years.

randy hall · Jan 21, 2012

volkswagon rabbit diesel manual said to put a little gasoline in with the diesel fuel when it is very cold.

wijim · Jan 21, 2012

Winter blend around here Oshkosh wi is 70/30 and fuel supplers start early so there are no troubles. Most of you that dont have troubles and think you have straight #2, probly have a blend from suppler and you dont know it. If you have room in the tank add some #1 fuel or kerosine. The same goes for you equipment after you change fuel filters. Jim

willie in mn · Jan 21, 2012

Had fuel gel twice in Cummins 14 liter, at the home base shop. Company instructions were to fill at shop pump with "blended" fuel before parking, in case we came in with some southern fuel left in tanks.
First time it wouldn't fire at all, second time it would start, but no power & wouldn't come up from idle. Shop dumped a jug of Power Service "911" in each tank, let it sit 15 minutes. Fired right up, ran like summer.
Fuel supplier got a couple nasty calls from shop manager.
The "911" is for emergency use, different from the normal treatment that is used before trouble happens.
WJ

Tramway Guy · Jan 21, 2012

Kerosene or jet fuel blend is the best way, you can go as high a percentage as you feel comfortable. 50 percent kero is plenty.

Jerry/MT · Jan 21, 2012

Put some #1 diesel in it in ratio of 2 parts #2 to 1 part #1. You can also treat the fuel in the vehicle fuel tankks with anti-gell additives. However, are you sure it"s gelling? It could also be water that"s freezing in he water seperator of the filter. BTDT!

kyhayman · Jan 21, 2012

I drop 2 of the 275 gallon bottles of Power Service in each tank whenever I get a fill in mid winter. Usually add a half a quart to each tractor and a half a quart of Lucas injector cleaner at the same time. Never had one jell or a filter ice since I started doing it.

cjk · Jan 21, 2012

Ok, fed the cows this afternoon without problem, temps up to 20f.

What causes fuel to gell? It can"t be temperature only. Is there water in the fuel that starts to freeze?

I don"t doubt it can be a problem, just that I have never had it so I must be doing something right.

paul · Jan 21, 2012

I have a 50 gallon hand pump tank i had them fill with #1. I can make my own blend with that.

I really end up just using Power Service as recommended on the bottle, and pour it in the tractor fuel tank.

Couple of my Ford's have the plug-in coolant tank heater right below the fuel filter. This seems to be a good idea, the heat rising from the tank heater warms the fuel filter a bit.

Only had trouble a few times, mostly got a little chinzy with the Power Service; once I grabbed a product similar to PS but it was labeled for gasoline only - oops! Drained it out & changd filter; when it got warmer I used those gallons through my fuel furnace and no harm done.

Gets down to 15 below or colder - try not to run when it's worse than that - and works for me.

--->Paul

504 · Jan 21, 2012

Power Service,PPPF fuel additive or just and 10%gasoline.

buickanddeere · Jan 21, 2012

It's literally wax that precipitates out of the fuel blend as a solid when the temp drops.

36 Coupe · Jan 21, 2012

Put a little olive oil in a glass and set it in the refridgerator.

JDseller · Jan 21, 2012

Your fuel supplier must be mixing a winter blend and you just don't know it. At much below 5 degrees some engines will start to gel/wax up. At zero just about all will unless they have fuel tank heaters and are running.

Bio-diesel is just terrible about gelling up at much below 15 degrees it will start to gel. I use it in the summer and get caught sometimes with too much to use before winter. Makes a lot of problems.

Bus Driver · Jan 22, 2012

The 10% gasoline is the easiest solution. No gasoline in your barrel but in the tractor tank with the fuel. Hard to believe, but gasoline does not ignite as quickly in a Diesel as does Diesel fuel. The gasoline keeps the fuel flowing and there is still enough oil to keep the injector pump lubed.

Diesel fuel in winter time

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