#1 missed maintenance item

[Russell King]

Algae is a general term that is misused sometimes to indicate some sort of biological growth. While it is not algae in the fuel there is growth of bacteria and fungus growth in diesel fuel and probably worse in biodiesel since these problems weren’t as prevalent before the use of biodiesel.

That could have been because these problems did not effect the older diesel engines and pumps as significantly as today and that the filters were not as efficient as they are today.

It seems that obfuscation of the correct term is not consequential to the discussion but I appreciate you taking the time to make the statement that it is not algae.

 

[hagrid]

delightful yeasts!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

....
No 2 diesel is good for diesel engines, all you have to do is treat it with a well-known biocide and filter it thru a water-separator filter.

So if my BX2370 is gelling up in winter I can add some #1 Diesel to the fuel tank? Can I run straight #1 Diesel without fear of melting down the tractor engine?

 

[GeoHorn]

So if my BX2370 is gelling up in winter I can add some #1 Diesel to the fuel tank? Can I run straight #1 Diesel without fear of melting down the tractor engine?

View attachment 164563

If you expect temps down to 15F then use anti-gel or Diesel #1…. either of which is fine for your engine.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

If you expect temps down to 15F then use anti-gel or Diesel #1…. either of which is fine for your engine.

I don't expect temps above 15°F...

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

so our retired farmers club (our morning meet up group for coffee and pie at local diner) consists of our group of over the hill farmers. We talk / argue / fight over all kinds of things prior to starting our days work. non of us overly educated / some days our table is full and counting years of experience we often get near 1,000 combined years of farming experience across the group. It amazes us.

today the topic was delayed / missed maintenance on our equipment.

what kind of maintenance (preventative/seasonal/other) is most often missed by your hired help / family members?

seems like we are seeing a lot of fuel issues these days as bio-diesel is creeping onto more yard sites. given we get petroleum only diesel delivered to our yards I never thought this topic would kick up such a hornets nest of hate. I just didn't know as I rarely ever get exposed to bio diesel.

So Kubota says no troubles using up to B20 but:
- replace fuel filter every 200 hrs
- replace all fuel lines every 2 years
- If using up to B5 drain fuel tanks and replace with fresh every 3 months, and if B5 to B20 is used then the tractors tanks should be drained every month! so an extreme keep your fuel fresh approach is needed. Must be hard for guys that don't run a tank of fuel a month or so.

our local dealer e-mailed me the following clip and I had no idea. no wonders so much fuel related problems are surprising guys.

I got schooled.

View attachment 164387

Very interesting…personally I would have guessed wheel bolt torque check as most commonly missed item.

Anyway very interesting thanks for sharing.

 

[nbryan]

I don't expect temps above 15°F...

In Manitoba, the winter blend diesels seem to perform quite well at not gelling up. I've only ever used regular diesel not any premium, and add a bit of Sea Foam to the fuel cans mainly as a stabilizer. Here, half the year is below freezing and it drops to -25C for daytime highs any number of times over the winter. Usually right after a snow dump, snow blower time.

Never had any gelling issues.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

In Manitoba, the winter blend diesels seem to perform quite well at not gelling up. I've only ever used regular diesel not any premium, and add a bit of Sea Foam to the fuel cans mainly as a stabilizer. Here, half the year is below freezing and it drops to -25C for daytime highs any number of times over the winter. Usually right after a snow dump, snow blower time.

Never had any gelling issues.

I spent part of a winter in northern Wisconsin where the two month high was -19°Freedom (-28°Communist) and...it sucks! Similar outside the Twin Cities Minnesota where you drive on the ice pack because apparently it's not worth plowing...

That's not to compete with your -25°C either, we're rarely below -6°F (-21°C) and for me the less of that nonsense the better!

 

[Shawn T. W]

Ahh, quit your complaining ... Move South they said . . .

(I grew up in Southern Vermont!)

 

[GeoHorn]

I don't expect temps above 15°F...

There’s a Reason to live down ”Souf’”. …..

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I pledge allegiance to the flag…

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

There’s a Reason to live down ”Souf’”. …..

Even my sportscar doesn't require that much maintenance.