Cheap "block heater"

[mendonsy]

At what temperature does the possibility of gelling take place?

I can't offer any facts about that, but my experience has been that it occurs at temperatures below about 10 degrees F.

 

[BotaLoda]

I can't offer any facts about that, but my experience has been that it occurs at temperatures below about 10 degrees F.

Thanks, if so I don't think I need to worry about that. But just in case, any idea how long a shelf life that additive has?

 

[mendonsy]

Thanks, if so I don't think I need to worry about that. But just in case, any idea how long a shelf life that additive has?

I buy it in gallon jugs from the local Tractor Supply store. For my use that lasts me about 5 years. I haven't had any problem with it.

 

[BotaLoda]

I buy it in gallon jugs from the local Tractor Supply store. For my use that lasts me about 5 years. I haven't had any problem with it.

Great! Thanks! I think I'll get some just to be safe. I need to take a couple cans over there anyway for some "red fuel".

 

[JerryMT]

I can't offer any facts about that, but my experience has been that it occurs at temperatures below about 10 degrees F.

It varies but summer blend fuels can jell as high as 28°F

 

[Lil Foot]

It varies but summer blend fuels can jell as high as 28°F

I run Power Service in all my tractor fuel year round, but I once left a small glass bottle of untreated summer blend outside overnight at 25 degrees F and could see a little waxy build up at the surface the next morn. It was gone in minutes after the sun hit it, but that was enough to convince me it was better to be safe than sorry.

 

[2458n]

Fond memories of the little glass bottle outside the back door at the farm. It held antifreeze from the 8n in the barn.

 

[Dave_eng]

Thanks for the feed back guys, I will probably just but the block heater from the dealer to be safe but like the last gentleman said the rest of the tractor (driveline/hydraulic wise) is still ice cold.

- Jake

If you read a Kubota owner's manual carefully, after getting the engine started there is a significant period it should run at a high idle. The amount of time depends upon the outside temp.

Below is a Kubota idling time chart.

Dave M7040

 

[BotaLoda]

It varies but summer blend fuels can jell as high as 28°F

I had wondered if there was a summer/winter blend and was going to ask!
I'll have to ask when my CO-OP get's winter blend because my tractor doesn't see a lot of use all the time.

 

[BotaLoda]

If you read a Kubota owner's manual carefully, after getting the engine started there is a significant period it should run at a high idle. The amount of time depends upon the outside temp.
Dave M7040

At temps of 60 and above do you think 1 minute is sufficient? Actually if I'm putting on a nearby implement I'll use LOW range to position it then let it run. I did read that chart before but I didn't remember the "half throttle" part. I'll probably still let it go a minute at 2K then half for just a few minutes. It isn't often it gets very cold here.

 

[mendonsy]

I run Power Service in all my tractor fuel year round, but I once left a small glass bottle of untreated summer blend outside overnight at 25 degrees F and could see a little waxy build up at the surface the next morn. It was gone in minutes after the sun hit it, but that was enough to convince me it was better to be safe than sorry.

I do the same thing. MUCH better to be safe than sorry.
I do add a bit extra in cold weather just to be safe.