Winterize my B2320

[Missouribound]

I have had my Kubota for 3years now.
It has lived in my attached garage since it was new. It has never experienced below freezing or probably below 50° temps.
But now I am thinking of building a small enclosure for the machine and implements.
What will I need to do to treat the fuel so that it won't gel under freezing conditions?
I won't be heating this enclosure...I think most likely it will be a shelter rather than an enclosure.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Dave_eng]

I have had my Kubota for 3years now.
It has lived in my attached garage since it was new. It has never experienced below freezing or probably below 50° temps.
But now I am thinking of building a small enclosure for the machine and implements.
What will I need to do to treat the fuel so that it won't gel under freezing conditions?
I won't be heating this enclosure...I think most likely it will be a shelter rather than an enclosure.
Thanks for any advice.

There will be many suggestions for the additive to use......

What I see happening in my area where we have 95+F some months and -40F other months, is that people buy their fuel in one season and then use it in a completely different season.

The refineries blend both gas and diesel for the climate where it will be sold and the blend changes with the seasons.

Buying in the winter for year round use will avoid gelling issues. Buying in the fall for winter use will get you in trouble.

If you are buying at a service station, use one with a lot of truck traffic because the blend in their storage tanks will be in sync with the weather.

The anti gel product this truck centered service station sells will be adequate for you.

My tractors are in open sided enclosures. I buy my fuel in bulk for the coldest winter weather and then use it year round. It costs a few cents more but having a gelling problem is a very bad experience at -40F.

I never have to use an additive.

Dave

 

[SidecarFlip]

My 500 gallon bulk tank gets filled usually, every spring and I add biocide to it (Power Service Bio-Kleen) and Powerservice summer additive and if it gets real cold here (and it does sometimes), I'll add a couple ounces of Powerservice winter additive.

Everyone is different but I've had a jelling issue before so I don't take chances.... and an algae issue that cost me 1000 bucks out of pocket and I did all the remediation work myself. My tractors live in an unheated barn with no power.

Might add, I use 5-40 T6 year around. They spin easier when it's real cold out.

 

[D2Cat]

Simply fill your tractor fuel tank after local supplier has winter blend available. Nothing else required for freezing conditions.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I'd say in Misery. jelling is a non issue.

 

[Tughill Tom]

I'd think about a Block Heater connected to a Wi-Fi Controller, depending on how cold it gets where you are. Also just use Stanadyne Performance Formula year round, I've never had any fuel issue's in trucks, tractors or Snowmobile Trail Groomers that I own and operate.... Zero!

 

[Dave_eng]

With

I'd think about a Block Heater connected to a Wi-Fi Controller, depending on how cold it gets where you are. Also just use Stanadyne Performance Formula year round, I've never had any fuel issue's in trucks, tractors or Snowmobile Trail Groomers that I own and operate.... Zero!

The following comments are not meant to disagree with anything you have said but add a few additional details from my end.

With the more modern emission systems and common rail engines, I think we all have to be a bit cautious about blanket solutions.

Eserv, one of the forum's most knowledgeable members, cautioned about some diesel additives being harmful to engines using DEF.

Block heater installation affects engines with a logic based Glow Plug controllers. In some instances, the controller sees the warm block and does not use the glow plugs. When the engine (around 2012 vintage) inhales very cold air, it is reluctant to fire without GP operation even though the block is warm.

On newer engines than 2012, the dealer can change where the GP controller temp signal comes from. It no longer comes from the block temp but rather the intake air sensor. Thus, in cold weather, the GP's come on even though the block is warm and an effortless start is achieved

Owners installing their own block heaters do not have the ability to make this change.

Dave