Cold Weather operation

[JD2K]

Hey Folks,

I have just switched from all JD to 2 Deere,2 Kubota. Now I have a fuel question. On the Deeres it is #2 fuel no matter how cold it gets.

In winter the Oil co's cut the fuel around here anyway. So I jsut run what is sold at the pump. Just like in my Chevy Truck. I do use a diesel additive from JD for cold weather. But I have never run straight #1 or added any to further cut my fuel. The Deeres never bothered that way at all. Last year we had 41 days that never made 0F and I logged alll winter so I guess I was OK

Now the Kubota M6800 Manual says very clearly that Below 14F a person should run straight Kero(#1). My dealer says no just add the Kubota diesel treatment and the usual cut fuel from the pump.

What are your opinions. We've had -30 to -40 lows for a week and we expect another 10 days of that before we get a break.

I have not run the new Kubota up to rated speed yet, and I will not use her hard until I've gone through the break in. In very cold weather I start the tractors and let them warm up for a whilke and I am gingerly with them on the coldest days.

My JD 4700 was broken in in May so I* used her very hard after that and then all winter for 3 winters. The 4700 I kept is a hydro and the cold weather does not bother it after warming up for 15 minutes. I noticed that the Kubota M6800 takes longer to warm up in even warmer temps like 20 to 30 degrees.

Any opinions or information would be greatly appreciated. Anyone from the west who can tell me how bad this is ginna get in the next week?

Cadillac Tony

 

[GregJ]

Tony,
Can't help you with the fuel question, but as far as a weather report from the "West". Last week we had temps in the teens and twenties. We call that an "Arctic Blast". This week we are going to be in the upper 40's and 50's, a veritable heat wave. So, if this weather is moving east, you should be enjoying our heat wave in about a week????

Greg

 

[JD2K]

Thank Christ!

 

[Deerlope]

I have run a diesel pickup for the last 14 years here where I live and always use a fuel conditioner winter & summer. The big 18 wheelers don't run kero they just run a fuel conditioner. If mixed properly it will lower the pour point and keep the fuel from gelling.

 

[art]

In our area I can't think of a single customer running there Kubotas on Kerosene. I haven't read the owners manual in that area but I find it interesting as some pumps have internal lubrication and some don't. Obviously the Kubota is an internally lubricated pump. Nite before last 26.5 below, high of -7 during the day.

 

[Deerlope]

Most #2 diesel fuel whloesaled in cold areas is already conditioned for the cold weather. Because they have to be able to pump it off the tankers.Fuel around here comes in from 150 miles away. That a lot of cold road miles. A little more additive is a little extra insurance.

 

[cisco]

Oh boy, and I was feeling abused this morning at 34 degrees for a few hours while I dug (box blade and FEL) a pit to place irregular limbs and other debris I can't use for firewood or easily run through the chipper.