School me on diesel fuel

[GamblerAcres]

Just bought a new Kubota, delivered last week. It's my first experience with a diesel engine...ever. Please educate me.

Do I have to worry about the diesel breaking down and going bad like in all my small gas engines? I've read about gelling in the winter. What's the best additive for this? Do I still need the additive for "winter blends" from the gas station? How do I know if it's a winter blend? Is it all "ultra low sulfur" grade at gas stations or could I possibly buy the wrong thing? Should I put a treatment in the tank now or is it likely treated from the dealership (I'm only a couple hours into its first fill)?

Thanks

 

[murph1]

1st welcome to TBN. 2nd relax its not rocket science. How far north are you? I use power service white bottle,a couple of glugs[2] per tankful.

 

[iflywhatevr]

Or read the lubricity studies online that have much better options than Power Service! But if you live in the cold do use anti-gel additives keep water out of your fuel and buy fuel from places that tend to sell a lot of it rather than some tiny place that fills its diesel tank once a year. Other than that enjoy the new tractor!

 

[dalola]

A quality additive is good peace-of-mind and cheap insurance if nothing else. I run Opti-Lube in every tank. A couple ounces is all it takes. I buy my diesel 5 gallons at a time at my local Kroger, and treat it when I fill the jug. I also fill the jug through a separator funnel, mostly to catch any water. Never had a fuel related issue.

 

[GamblerAcres]

Or read the lubricity studies online that have much better options than Power Service! But if you live in the cold do use anti-gel additives keep water out of your fuel and buy fuel from places that tend to sell a lot of it rather than some tiny place that fills its diesel tank once a year. Other than that enjoy the new tractor!

What additive is best according to the studies?

 

[iflywhatevr]

What additive is best according to the studies?

http://www.jatonkam35s.com/DeuceTechnicalManuals/Diesel_fuel_additive_test.pdf

 

[nyone]

First we need to know where you live? If in warm climates antigel wont do anything.

For the most part use a lubricity additives almost every tank. Anti algee if your not useing the fuel in about 6 months. Antigel if it gets below 10 or 20* and you need to use the tractor.

Nothing will really happen bad if the fuel gels. You just cant get the tractor started until its thawed out.

 

[ruffdog]

In the mid-west, most winter fuel is treated, not blended. You have to ask YOUR supplier.

 

[Diggin It]

Farmer down the road gets the red stuff delivered into a 500 gallon tank for his big old JD stuff. I take a barrel there and get 40 gallons or so at a time from him.

I haven't thought about treating or not yet.

 

[ovrszd]

1st welcome to TBN. 2nd relax its not rocket science. How far north are you? I use power service white bottle,a couple of glugs[2] per tankful.

And never trust anyone telling you the fuel is treated. Take care of that yourself.

#2 diesel fuel begins to gel at 20F. Gel means the parafin lubricant in the fuel begins to solidify.

I buy Power Service by the 80 ounce bottle. It treats 250 gallons. So one ounce of Power Service treats three gallons of fuel. I start treating as soon as the potential for below 20F temps exist.

Remember,,,, never,,, ever trust someone telling you their fuel is already treated. Do it yourself.

Congrats on the new tractor.