Your last generator Maintenance Run

[WinterDeere]

There's actually a station not far from my house that carries and sells off road diesel. They're often out of stock, they don't seem to do a good job of actually monitoring who's using all of it, since I routinely see contractors filling their trucks from the "offroad only" pump. But I'll buy that if I happen to be passing it, and have my can with me, and they happen to not be out of the stuff.

Otherwise, it's whatever is closest and easiest. I really don't use enough fuel in my tractor, to make any enormous effort in saving a little per gallon worth any effort. YMMV, but I suspect nearly all people not using their tractor for their daily living, fall into the same boat.

Gasoline is another story. My damn little zero turn mower easily uses more fuel per week than my tractor does in a month, despite more total hours on the tractor.

 

[Williy]

My fuel man told me that the diesel at the pump
is the same as home heating fuel and for off road
the same fuel is used with a red dye added. I
treat all my fuel with PS white so ready when ever the temp drops

willy

 

[bdhsfz6]

My fuel man told me that the diesel at the pump
is the same as home heating fuel and for off road
the same fuel is used with a red dye added. I
treat all my fuel with PS white so ready when ever the temp drops

willy

It's pretty much the same here but blends can vary by location. As suggested earlier in the thread, it is always a good idea to ask.

 

[3930dave]

I came up with a way to fuel my standby diesel generator, which is installed in the back of the barn. Presently, I fuel my tractors from a pump on the 1000 gal. fuel oil tank at the house.

View attachment 1850864 View attachment 1850865

I can't use it for the generator, so I built this fuel caddy to transport fuel out to the barn:

I try to repurpose items I have around the place for projects like this. I took an old unused cart I built to haul barrels of coal to the stove, and mounted a 30 gal drum.

View attachment 1850870 View attachment 1850869

I took a 12V transfer pump off an old tank and installed it on the barrel. I powered the pump with cordless tool batteries so the whole rig is self contained and can be used during a power outage.

View attachment 1850871 View attachment 1850872

I fill it at the house and roll it out to the barn, or anywhere else I need fuel. The only thing I had to buy was the barrel and the 20V to 12VDC converter.

View attachment 1850873 View attachment 1850874

Yes, there are wheeled fuel caddies out there but they're pricey. Most have hand crank pumps, which I hate. I find it too difficult to watch the fuel level while cranking the darn thing.

There may well be a battery powered fuel caddy on wheels out there but I have yet to see one. If one does exist, it would surely cost more than the $100 I have invested in this home made rig.

Liking your caddy Guys @ work that are pulling tanks off G4500s for coating, would def like it even more...

Cool to see how power sources "travel".... esp. once they are common (I'm assuming that's a tool-battery that you have many of). I remember the first USB chips rolling out, and being focused on the communication aspect.... not suspecting @ the time the spread of the power-standard feature.....

Some years, I think a bit slowly I guess !

Dzl/Cold issues..... another timely reminder.

Rgds, D.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Liking your caddy Guys @ work that are pulling tanks off G4500s for coating, would def like it even more...

Cool to see how power sources "travel".... esp. once they are common (I'm assuming that's a tool-battery that you have many of). I remember the first USB chips rolling out, and being focused on the communication aspect.... not suspecting @ the time the spread of the power-standard feature.....

Some years, I think a bit slowly I guess !

Dzl/Cold issues..... another timely reminder.

Rgds, D.

Yes, DeWalt batteries, I have a dozen or so.

Wheeled fuel caddies have been around forever, but most I've seen have just two. They're moved like a hand truck and have a balance point. I saw one full of used motor oil get away from a guy at a gas station once. It fell backward on it's side and it took two men to get it upright again.

There are some out there with caster wheels on the front instead of skids, but they won't roll over rough ground. I did come across this one with 4 smallish wheels and a wagon handle:

The $4K price tag was a bit rich for my taste though.

Years ago, I had an old diesel poly tank with a hand crank pump that lived in the barn. I never had an issue with gelling and it was far colder around here back then. We'll see this winter if a steel drum is any different.

 

[3930dave]

Yes, DeWalt batteries, I have a dozen or so.

Wheeled fuel caddies have been around forever, but most I've seen have just two. They're moved like a hand truck and have a balance point. I saw one full of used motor oil get away from a guy at a gas station once. It fell backward on it's side and it took two men to get it upright again.

There are some out there with caster wheels on the front instead of skids, but they won't roll over rough ground. I did come across this one with 4 smallish wheels and a wagon handle:

View attachment 1858630
The $4K price tag was a bit rich for my taste though.

Years ago, I had an old diesel poly tank with a hand crank pump that lived in the barn. I never had an issue with gelling and it was far colder around here back then. We'll see this winter if a steel drum is any different.

$4k !!!! IF those things are selling..... I'm in the wrong business !!!!

Pails...... can be big problems..... I was in an Auto-Parts shop,when one of the guys from a nearby industrial shop came tearing in, looking for oil. One of their guys was backing a payloader in, and managed to run over 1 or more 5 gallon pails. If you've ever spilled even half a quart of oil..... you can imagine how much fun that was to clean up.....

Not having something tip-over, for the cost of 2 extra wheels....... money well spent.

Rgds, D.

 

[Popgadget]

My fuel man told me that the diesel at the pump
is the same as home heating fuel and for off road
the same fuel is used with a red dye added.

That can be true sometimes. Ultra Low Sulphur fuel oil needs a lubricity additive to be safely used in common rail diesels. Green Diesel has the additive, Red home heating or off road diesel “might” have it. My oil dealer just sells heating oil as off road diesel so I add the lubricity and cold flow additives to my tank when I get it filled.

Biobor JF – Biobor Fuel Additives

www.biobor.com

Coldflo with Lubribor – Biobor Fuel Additives

www.biobor.com

 

[3930dave]

That can be true sometimes. Ultra Low Sulphur fuel oil needs a lubricity additive to be safely used in common rail diesels. Green Diesel has the additive, Red home heating or off road diesel “might” have it. My oil dealer just sells heating oil as off road diesel so I add the lubricity and cold flow additives to my tank when I get it filled.

Biobor JF – Biobor Fuel Additives

www.biobor.com

Coldflo with Lubribor – Biobor Fuel Additives

www.biobor.com

Good point.

Sulphur caused one problem, but prevented others @ same-time....

Rgds, D.

 

[WinterDeere]

Good point.

Sulphur caused one problem, but prevented others @ same-time....

Rgds, D.

Like leaded fuel! Great for preventing knock (lead raises octane), and has the side benefit of lubing valve guides, as I understand it… but bad in every other way.

 

[DarkBlack]

Like leaded fuel! Great for preventing knock (lead raises octane), and has the side benefit of lubing valve guides, as I understand it… but bad in every other way.

Cushions valve seats, not valve guides. Guides are oil lubrcated.