Diesel fuel noob . . .

[Bruze Heim]

Hi all: I bought a '13 New Holland T1510 last month, got rid of my '51 Fergie that needed A LOT of work.

I have never owned anything diesel before. I saw someone mention online that you need to add an anti-algae substance to the fuel. A trusted local buddy said you don't need to, it's a standard additive in all the pump fuel -- around here anyway (northeast).

Googling/AI I get mixed results.

What say you?

 

[Midniteoyl]

Its added if the fuel is going to sit for a longer period, like if you rarely use the machine or have a large storage tank, otherwise it's not really needed.

Using a Winter Anti-Gel additive during winter in cold climates is a good idea, however.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I say, I never add ANYTHING to my fuel and over all the years I've owned diesels I've never had algae even one time.

I agree with your buddy, as long as you buy fuel from a station that sells a decent amount of fuel.

SR

 

[RjCorazza]

I really doubt there is an anti microbial added to the stations fuel supply, but it's possible. In the finger lakes region I would definitely ensure that your fuel is winterized, which it SHOULD be at the pump after a certain date based on location.
I winterize my fuel regardless of the supply, but do not add any anti microbial additives. Careful fuel handling and storage to keep water out will prevent any microbial contamination, as water is required for them to develop.

My recommendations are :
Store your fuel at the very least under cover, preferably in a shed or barn
Use a water blocking filter and particulate filter when dispensing.
Keep long term storage tanks full if possible.
If you don't want to add additional anti gel for winter use, at the very least I would test the supplier's fuel by placing a mason jar of it in the freezer for 24 hours and see if it gels up, and at what temperature.

 

[kneedeep]

Only treat stored fuel.

 

[IH3444]

HayDude uses Hot Shot diesel fuel additive, and I have great respect for his technical expertise. I'm still using up my supply of Power Service but will transition to Hot Shot.

 

[chim]

Back in the day when I bought diesel 5 or 10 gallons at a time at local stations I didn't worry much about additives. Now I buy 150 gallons of offroad diesel every year to year and a half. It gets biocide and anti-gel.

 

[dodge man]

I also don’t use an additive except in the winter for anti gel. If you store fuel for a long period of time, say more then a few months, an anti algae additive is probably a good idea.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

I say, I never add ANYTHING to my fuel and over all the years I've owned diesels I've never had algae even one time.

I agree with your buddy, as long as you buy fuel from a station that sells a decent amount of fuel.

SR

Do you just use normal pump diesel fuel like you would put in a truck in the winter?

From what I’ve told the red died diesel fuel does not have cold weather additive in it, but that’s just what the neighbor told me. I have only bought that twice but because we fill our trucks with diesel, I just fill my diesel cans then instead of wasting time for a couple 5 gallon cans.

 

[Thomas]

I for one wouldn't want the fuel to jell it can be p.i.t.a to free up.
I use anti jell also purchase diesel where lot sold to truckers city towns.

 

[chim]

Do you just use normal pump diesel fuel like you would put in a truck in the winter?

From what I’ve told the red died diesel fuel does not have cold weather additive in it, but that’s just what the neighbor told me. I have only bought that twice but because we fill our trucks with diesel, I just fill my diesel cans then instead of wasting time for a couple 5 gallon cans.

When I buy ORD from the supplier, I ask. In Summer they don't add antigel unless requested. Last time I bought they already had biocide but not antigel.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Do you just use normal pump diesel fuel like you would put in a truck in the winter?

From what I’ve told the red died diesel fuel does not have cold weather additive in it, but that’s just what the neighbor told me. I have only bought that twice but because we fill our trucks with diesel, I just fill my diesel cans then instead of wasting time for a couple 5 gallon cans.

In the summer I buy non taxed red diesel that's not at the regular pumps, here.

In the winter I buy my diesel right out of the pumps that all on road vehicles use, and I don't have to add anything to my fuel.

Do you see a bunch of trucks sitting around with jelled diesel?? NO you don't, because it's already treated before it even gets to the station.

SR

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

In the summer I buy non taxed red diesel that's not at the regular pumps, here.

In the winter I buy my diesel right out of the pumps that all on road vehicles use, and I don't have to add anything to my fuel.

Do you see a bunch of trucks sitting around with jelled diesel?? NO you don't, because it's already treated before it even gets to the station.

SR

That depends where they buy it and where they are going.

A couple years ago we drove down to the Chili Bowl race in Tulsa in January, 19° the last day we were there, driving back to Minnesota I quit counting at 50 the number of trucks sitting on the side of the highway, I assume they all bought fuel in a southern state that doesn’t normally get very cold.

Some of them even had torpedo heaters under the fuel tank and a shelter built to contain the heat.

 

[not2old]

My 2024 F350 diesel will sit for about five months every winter. I'm not concerned about jelling or freezing, but do I need to be concerned about anything else?

 

[sandman2234]

The new trucks now come with automatic tank heaters that the ECM controls, so the additives put in the fuel for the high volume users may go away.
If I was worried about it, I would add my own additive just to be sure OR keep my butt in the house when the temperature drops!
David from jax

 

[spruce Deere]

The only thing I add to my 250 gallon bulk tank is hot shots secret winter anti-gell treat treatment, and run it year 'round. Zero issues even in the dead of winter.

Back when I had ALOT more going on, I have had gelling issues with supposedly 'treated' winter diesel on and off-road fuel. Back in '96 i was 62 miles up a long mountain valley in December plowing snow with a 966 and a 12 foot angling blade. Made it a couple miles from the pick-up befor it happened. Tell ya what, at 7 degrees things where looking bleak and getting very cold fast when the loader would not stay running till another employee came along on the freshly plowed road.

Second was in my 648 g-III skidder. Not as bleak of a feeling but at 0 degrees it started acting like I was running out of fuel not 200 feet out of the landing. Again, supposedly treated fuel from the depot.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

That depends where they buy it and where they are going.

That's a given, but that's NOT what this thread is about.

I'm pretty sure the OP it's driving his tractor out of state, my point was/is that IF the fuel at his station was jelling there would be a problem easily seen right there at the station.

SR

 

[Bruze Heim]

That depends where they buy it and where they are going.

That's a given, but that's NOT what this thread is about.

I'm pretty sure the OP it's driving his tractor out of state, my point was/is that IF the fuel at his station was jelling there would be a problem easily seen right there at the station.

SR

Actually, my original question was about anti-algae additives. My tractor isn't going anywhere except to plow my driveway in the winter.

But that's fine, this other stuff is interesting too.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Keep the water out of your diesel and you won't have any algae.

SR

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

That depends where they buy it and where they are going.

That's a given, but that's NOT what this thread is about.

I'm pretty sure the OP it's driving his tractor out of state, my point was/is that IF the fuel at his station was jelling there would be a problem easily seen right there at the station.

SR

I’m guessing the bold is from my post but it is what the op was talking about. If locals bought the diesel the same place many of them truckers bought it they would have had gelled fuel in their tractors. It wasn’t enough for the low temps they were experiencing at the time.