Winter Diesel Blend

EUG560 · Oct 12, 2018

I am looking to buy 10 gallons of diesel fuel at the local gas station for my Ford 5600 tractor. I will be using it to help clear snow. At what point do the stations switch to winter blended fuels, or should I not worry about it and just throw in some anti-gel product? Thanks for responses in advance.

Russ from MN · Oct 12, 2018

The dealer where I buy my diesel doesn't switch until early November, he waits as long as he dares, because he raises the price to cover the change. The loggers in N MN used to just switch to #1 diesel in late October, but I'm not sure if that's available in your area. I think you could buy some additive and treat your own, but I think summer diesel has more Bio in it and that causes problems in cold weather.

David G · Oct 12, 2018

Around here it is blended after November 1st to -10, I usually add to mine so I get -30 protection in winter.

paul · Oct 12, 2018

Depends what state (how far north) you are in.

I believe it is October 1st in my state. It is 27 degrees out, 2 of my tractors would be hard starting today.

I haven?t gotten any fuel yet, need to run down the summer blend a little more, my bulk tank is half full.

Paul

MSS3020 · Oct 12, 2018

S.E. Nebraska starts Nov 1 at the coop.. I always add my own just for my peace of mind..

paul · Oct 12, 2018

This is on the summer bio and additive blend, vs the winter low bio blend.

If you mean the way they blend in #1 for cold weather, they pretty much blend week by week to match the forecast. #1 costs more and has less power, so they use as little as they can over time. My understanding anyhow.

Paul

MarkB_MI · Oct 12, 2018

Here in SE Michigan, fuel oil switches November 1st. It's easy and cheap enough to add your own treatment.

showcrop · Oct 12, 2018

I am in NH and most of my fuel comes from a Canadian company. When I asked this at the station a year ago the answer was Nov. first. Adding a little anti-gel is no substitute for blended fuel. You want both.

VicS · Oct 12, 2018

I would just fill it with k1.

jd man wis · Oct 12, 2018

I myself do my own that way I know what is in there at every fuelling time. Trusting some place to have it in there is for sure not knowing if it in or not.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 12, 2018

K1 is $1+ a gallon more than diesel, can't swipe your card at the pump, and you have to sign a ledger like some sort of criminal.

timcasbolt · Oct 12, 2018

(quoted from post at 13:34:03 10/12/18) I am looking to buy 10 gallons of diesel fuel at the local gas station for my Ford 5600 tractor. I will be using it to help clear snow. At what point do the stations switch to winter blended fuels, or should I not worry about it and just throw in some anti-gel product? Thanks for responses in advance.

The best thing to do is pick up a winterizer such as Stanadyne, Seafoam, or one of many others from the auto parts store or retailer of your choice. If it was me, I'd throw a couple gallons of kerosene in the can and call it a day.

buickanddeere · Oct 12, 2018

Jet A-1 from the airport

Determined · Oct 12, 2018

Not always a set date, ask your supplier.
This time of the year we can still get either one delivered.

Dean · Oct 12, 2018

Who knows.

It depends upon your location, the stations distributor, etc.

Dean

guido · Oct 12, 2018

Hello EUG560,

Just ask the gas attendant. He can find out for you. When I was working at Mobil, middle of the East coast, blending started in October or November? @10%. 10% increased every month, up to 40%, if I recall correctly. Then tapered back 10% again even month. That was done at the rack where the tankers filled up. That is the reason the price went up too. No additives needed if you use the product in the area where it was sold, as the blend is tailored to the locality,
Guido.

Bob Harvey · Oct 12, 2018

They 'may' switch when the current in-ground tank is just about empty - that will vary. As to the 'blending', a pal of mine that runs a fuel station (commercial), has NO idea what is actually in his tanks - he is told by his supplier that this or that has been put in there. Just sayin'.

Bob N.Y. · Oct 12, 2018

I use fuel oil from my furnace tank in my MF 65 diesel. I add 1 once of Power Service per 1 gallon of fuel. Haven't had a gelling problem since I started using the Power Service.

Wheat47 · Oct 12, 2018

Here near Billings Mt, the co-op does not blend anymore.
They just use additives. I make my own blend. I only use
maybe 20-30 gallons of diesel over the winter...depends on
how much snow. I usually get a 5 gal bucket of #2 and a
5 gal bucket of #1 and mix it about 2 gal of #2 and 1 gal of #1.
If it gets really cold I may add a bit more #1.
However, I also ad a "glug" or two of fuel additive, too.
This works for me. But I can definitely can tell when I add #1.
Less power, more smoke, but we get the snow moved.
I'm using it in a Kubota B 7510.
Jon

showcrop · Oct 12, 2018

(quoted from post at 14:21:52 10/12/18) They 'may' switch when the current in-ground tank is just about empty - that will vary. As to the 'blending', a pal of mine that runs a fuel station (commercial), has NO idea what is actually in his tanks - he is told by his supplier that this or that has been put in there. Just sayin'.

Bob, He KNOWS what is in his tanks. It would be fraud to invoice him for other than what is delivered, and he knows to the tenth of a gallon what has been pumped out from when it was filled, because he takes readings from each pump daily doesn't he? Just sayin'

SVcummins · Oct 12, 2018

Because the flunky at the bulk plant has never not
put something in the tank that he should have
maybe that?s why the fuel pumps jelled at the gas
station here last winter

PopinJohn · Oct 12, 2018

Makes one wonder if the change to blended fuel in the fall is nationwide,
and the change back to #2 in the spring is nationwide.
Take for instance a highway Diesel that fills up in El Paso, TX and could possibly
be in Minneapolis, MN in 36 hours or less. Opposite climates.
Or, a highway Diesel that fills up in Bangor, ME and is in Miami, FL in 36
hours or less. Opposite climates.
OTR drivers and truck stops have to be up to date on what fuel they use.

tomNE · Oct 12, 2018

make your own with number 1 diesel. leave the additives on the shelf!

buickanddeere · Oct 13, 2018

(quoted from post at 20:27:31 10/12/18) Here near Billings Mt, the co-op does not blend anymore.
They just use additives. I make my own blend. I only use
maybe 20-30 gallons of diesel over the winter...depends on
how much snow. I usually get a 5 gal bucket of #2 and a
5 gal bucket of #1 and mix it about 2 gal of #2 and 1 gal of #1.
If it gets really cold I may add a bit more #1.
However, I also ad a "glug" or two of fuel additive, too.
This works for me. But I can definitely can tell when I add #1.
Less power, more smoke, but we get the snow moved.
I'm using it in a Kubota B 7510.
Jon

Don't know what you are saving ? Why not just use #1 diesel that has had the wax removed instead of trying suppress wax precipitation from #2 diesel ?
#1 diesel , a little IPA to absorb water and good to go.

caterpillar guy · Oct 14, 2018

Either there is a lot of very poor fuel used, or the suppliers/local delivery does not care about the customers they lose. I can count on one hand the number of times I have needed to supplement fuel, to either prevent or cure problems due to gelling fuel in the winter. I am with Guido on the blended for the local area. I have run trucks all over the US winter and summer. From 115 to -30 with few problems. If south and fuel up, buy fuel going north during winter, and as the southern fuel mixes and blends with northern fuel things will be fine. If I am in FL I get some fuel in TN then again in OH or MI on the way home and fuel will be good without any treatment. I also change my fuel filters about October before it is cold to work on things.

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