Don't laugh, but its going to get down to 15 next week here and yes in my neck o' the woods we start acting crazy when that happens. So do I need to run out to the farm and add the non-gelling additive to my tractor or is that only for those that are planning on working their rig during those temps? If I know I wont be firing it up until another week from those temps, where the forecast is calling for it to get back up to 50s-60s, do I need to fool with adding it? its it bad for it gel then ungel? Ill make the drive if its better to add it. Some say you don't even need it. This is my first winter as a tractor owner so I'm still learning. Thanks for support.
Fuel additive
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Bmyers
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Grand L3560 with LA805 loader, EA 55" Wicked Grapple, SBX72 BB, LP 1272 mower
For no more than the fuel additive cost, I think it would be a wise investment.
We get cold here and I add the fuel additive year around.
As far as which to use, that is a huge debate, everyone has their preference.
I use Stabil All Season for my tractor. Power Service, Lucas, Howes, are just a few of the major brands. I would say anyone of them will work to get your through this cold spell and you will have plenty to last you the next two years if you just add it when it gets cold.
We get cold here and I add the fuel additive year around.
As far as which to use, that is a huge debate, everyone has their preference.
I use Stabil All Season for my tractor. Power Service, Lucas, Howes, are just a few of the major brands. I would say anyone of them will work to get your through this cold spell and you will have plenty to last you the next two years if you just add it when it gets cold.
If you're not going to be needing to start the tractor and the weather will be back to 50-60 deg. I would not be concerned. You make it sound like it's a ways to get to the tractor.... if it was next door it might be easy to add something if it made you sleep better, but not necessary.
85Hokie
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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Most of us use this - bought anywhere too - you might not need this large bottle however!
fried1765
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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
85Hokie
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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
I would add it anyway - the ONE TIME you need to fire it up in the cold-cold , and the fuel has gelled, you will be glad you did add it!
mcmxi
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***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Another option too.
I've been using Stanadyne since 1992 when I bought my first diesel truck, a Ford F350 XLT 7.3L crew cab dually with a 6-speed transmission. Living in Hawaii back then, water and algae in the fuel was the big concern rather than gelling. I should never have sold that truck!
I add Stanadyne to all diesel fuel all year round. That's fuel for two tractors, an F250 truck, an M1078 military truck and a generator. No gelling problems for me, no injector problems, basically no problems of any kind.
I've been using Stanadyne since 1992 when I bought my first diesel truck, a Ford F350 XLT 7.3L crew cab dually with a 6-speed transmission. Living in Hawaii back then, water and algae in the fuel was the big concern rather than gelling. I should never have sold that truck!
I add Stanadyne to all diesel fuel all year round. That's fuel for two tractors, an F250 truck, an M1078 military truck and a generator. No gelling problems for me, no injector problems, basically no problems of any kind.
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yeah, the ONE TIME line convinced me...so many times Ive said to my wife,,the ONE TIME this and ONE TIME that...that really resonated withe me..ha
im kind of a scaredy cat..my granddad told me i could break an anvil with a rubber mallett
wow..i like the no problems of any kind line..alot. thanks for sharing your experience...thats 30 some odd years of using a product.
"I should never have sold that truck!"-- that made me think of the truck I shouldnt have sold ten years ago...*($&#(@!!...
I think we have at least one of those. SMH
i hear you and thats what I was thinkin before I posted...I think im gunna give in...theres a good taco place not far from the farm.
mcmxi
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***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
There was a discussion about fuel additives last year sometime and a link was posted to some testing. Take it for what it is, but Hot Shot's Secret and Stanadyne did well, not just for anti-gelling, but also for lubricity, corrosion protection and fuel flammability.
These were the products tested.
Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement
Power Service Diesel 911
Howes Lubricator Diesel Treat
Stanadyne Performance Formula
Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel
Amsoil Synthetic Dominator 2-stroke oil
These were the products tested.
Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement
Power Service Diesel 911
Howes Lubricator Diesel Treat
Stanadyne Performance Formula
Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel
Amsoil Synthetic Dominator 2-stroke oil
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Diesel doesn't start to haze until 14°f. And, it has to stay there for a bit. A 5 gallon bucket of diesel won't get that cold unless it's that cold for several hours. The air has to suck all the heat out of the fuel before it will start to gel. So, no. You don't "need" to run right out. Pump fuel is generally treated for your climate already. Off road fuel possibly even more so. I know the supplier nearest me has a sign on the pump that says it's treated to 0°f already.
That said, adding some lubrication to the very dry diesel we are forced to use is never a bad idea. It wil also help pull water out of the fuel so the water separator can do its job.
Edit- this photo is fuel straight from the pump. The outdoor temp got down to-5°f that night. Daytime temps were in the 20s. Well below our normal temperature. Would this have happened in my truck? Probably not. All the lines are protected and most are insulated. There was no mass diesel catastrophe that year. But....not too long ago in TX, I had to mail my BIL a quart of additive because trucks were gelling and there was no additive to be found. So it can happen.
That said, adding some lubrication to the very dry diesel we are forced to use is never a bad idea. It wil also help pull water out of the fuel so the water separator can do its job.
Edit- this photo is fuel straight from the pump. The outdoor temp got down to-5°f that night. Daytime temps were in the 20s. Well below our normal temperature. Would this have happened in my truck? Probably not. All the lines are protected and most are insulated. There was no mass diesel catastrophe that year. But....not too long ago in TX, I had to mail my BIL a quart of additive because trucks were gelling and there was no additive to be found. So it can happen.
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