Question regariding keeping the tractor tank full

[SylvainG]

Hi, so I've read that it's good practice to keep the tractor diesel tank full to prevent water forming in the tank. But what about the tank that diesel came from? Surely you don't go to the gas station to fill that tank every time you fill up the tractor! Aren't you just displacing the water forming from one tank to another? Just wondering, that's all

 

[Rebeldad1]

Keeping the tractor tank full is always a good thing. Anytime I am around 1/2 I fill up. Water is a factor but going out to do something the next day and running low/out of fuel is my next.
Diesel transfer tanks can also produce water from condensation. The tank filters offer way much better filtration than the tractor. Keeping the tank out of the weather is a plus.

 

[dodge man]

I keep my diesel in 5 gallon cans in a heated garage. I keep it pretty cool in there and do turn the temp up and down some, but yeah, you can get water in there.

 

[nybirdman]

My tractor holds 11 gallons;when it reaches half full I put in 5 gallons and top off.You don't want to run out of fuel.I also don't keep more than 20 gallons on hand to keep it fresh and in season.

 

[user.69169]

Been talked beyond death too many times.
Post is useless cause you don't say where you parking machine. Different locations produce different problems.
Different machines come wid differnet problem built in..

#2 fuel NOT go bad over time. Only settles paraffin out as lower temperature crystalize wax.
No point to talking bout water unless you using detecting paste on ruler to know you got water.

 

[SylvainG]

Tractor is kept outside, and my 5 gallon gas jug is stored in an unheated shelter. Temperature here usually swings by 20F daily, 0F to 20F in winter and 65F to 85F in summer. Humidity are around 75% in winter and around 55% in summer.

 

[tibadoe]

I keep tank full if tractor will be sitting for a while. Otherwise when it hits about 1/2 tank I top off with 5 gal can. Both sit in unheated garage.

 

[workinonit]

I've never really noticed condensation on poly tanks before. Are they overly susceptible to condensation? I basically fuel mine up when it gets low and have never had issues with water. I do periodically open the valve in the bottom of the tank but I don't think I've ever gotten any water that I recall. Obviously there's no downside to keeping a tank full but it's just an inconvenience for me.

 

[ericm979]

The tank at the gas station is usually underground. It's temperature does not change nearly as much as an above ground tank. So there's less air being pulled in and water condensing. A plastic tank will also condense less water than a metal one.

 

[PILOON]

Good practice is to always top up the reservoir after every work period.
Many reasons, most already mentioned.
Same goes for greasing,---daily or every 8 hours of usage.

It is a common routine, 8 hrs, grease and fuel!