Can I add anti-gel to my tractor

[bigtiller]

You do have an full extra can of fuel on hand, I hope. Good idea to read the instructions. My bottle(s) are out in the shop, so I can't quote the specs from memory.

No I don't. I filled the tank in September, mowed for an hour in October and toped of the tank with what was left over from the Sep. purchase.

Since then I have ran the snowblower for 2 hours. I seldom use more than 1 tank of fuel during the entire winter.

 

[bigtiller]

Both Yanmar and Deere state not to idle more than 10mins max. Too long of an idle creates soot on the exhaust side.

Thanks, the tractor is my 3039R and I don't want any of those problems in this weather.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Good to know, I'll follow directions.

It has an 11.8 gallon fuel tank so I'll check the gauge and do a best guess as to the gallons remaining and add accordingly.

Would 5 minutes idling at 1600 rpm be enough to get a good start on the mixing?

oh yes... 5 minute and you be good to go.

Also I read you store inside and heated. I find the additive is even more important when people do this as condensation inside the tank when changing temps so drastically 9especially if you have bio diesel in your tank) requires more care as well.

I made some loader work last night and temp here was -31c (-24f) and with winter diesel and a little shot of PS it worked perfectly as it always does. 10's of thousands of diesels run perfectly fine in cold weather as long as you take care and sounds like you are.

Cheers

 

[WilliamBos]

I use Howes, and also Amsoil.

 

[seville009]

I get my diesel in 5 gallon containers; I put some Silver PS in each container before I fill it up, so it’s always already mixed in. I do that year round.

Keep the Red 911 PS bottles available just in case I need it, but never have.

The only equipment I’ve ever had gelling issues with is my MF1540, presumably because the fuel filter is small and sits exposed on the side of the engine. I keep spare fuel filters for that, but that’s just used as backup snow removal equipment.

 

[deserteagle71]

I would also add an anti gel regardless of how long you intend on being outside. Not likely to be a problem for a short time, but the fuel in your primary sediment bowl filter is particularly vulnerable.

The filter bowl is where I saw I had a problem a couple days ago. But the filter bowl was on my bulk diesel tank, not on the tractor. Minus 6 degrees and I was out moving snow. Went to fuel the tractor and the diesel wouldn't flow...then I noticed the (clear plastic) bowl was showing a cloudy white instead of the usual red dyed diesel. But it was just the diesel in the bowl...exposed like it was to the wind the diesel in it gelled. Once I cleaned out the bowl I was able to pump diesel just fine. So it looks like I need to add a bunch of anit-gel to the bulk tank and mix it up!

 

[Oaktree]

Double dose would foul the engine as it's not really fuel.

Don't see how it would foul the engine, even a double dose is pretty small compared to amount of fuel in the tank.

I treat my diesel with PS year round.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have never added anti-gel to my tractor because it sits in a heated garage and it takes less than an hour to clear my driveway.

But it is -15° F and the neighbor wants me to blow a 4' x40' drift in his driveway and I am concerned about the fuel gelling. Both driveways may take 2 hours.

If I pour some Power Service White Bottle in the fuel tank before I head outside, is there any chance it will get mixed up and do it's job before gelling?

Add it, then run your engine for 15 minutes. That will make sure all the fuel in the lines that is NOT treated is used and give the additive a chance to blend into your tank.

 

[Thomas]

Settling in warm garage than out about zero plus weather wise to add anti gel.

 

[bigtiller]

Success, Woo hoo. It was 2 hours total for both driveways and I made it back into the heated garage with NO problems. And I had time to go to town to fill up my can, so now I have 5 gallons of treated treated fuel sitting on the bench, waiting for the snow snow & ice on the tractor to melt so I can top off the tank.

Thanks for every ones help. It really eased my mind.