Fuel?

[cold1313]

My brand new H3200HSD gets delivered on Saturday, can't wait!

My dealer said to avoid the diesel at the gas stations because they blend with bio-diesel and he's had problems with that clogging fuel filters and issues in the winter starting.

I talk to my local farmer (since my local co-op wont sell in small enough volumes for me to use) and he said all the diesel he gets from them is biodiesel.....


so....what do I do now?

 

[G-Man]

Just ask the local station if they sell BioDiesel. They have to post on the pumps as to what percent if any is BioDiesel. I know at least here the stations sell off-road (red colored) diesel and about 30+ cents less.

Never heard BioDiesel cloging fuel filters. OTR trucks use it with no problems that I have heard of.

 

[cold1313]

Is it by law that they have to post how much is bio diesel? Federal law? (i.e. will include Ohio too)

Only the local cooperatives sell off-road around here, no stations. Unless there is a website that will point it out. This is the same coop that my farmer friend gets his biodiesel from. I want the straight stuff according to my dealer

 

[skeets]

I think if you read through your book it says something about not using bio fuel but damned if I know why

 

[cold1313]

Haven't gotten the book and all of my diesel friends don't understand it either. All I know is that the dealer said it'll clog fuel filters quicker and I might have issues starting in cold weather.

 

[Apogee]

B5 blended biodiesel won't hurt anything. The fuel companies are now blending it in because they've figured out the fuel has better lubricity. They've had problems because the ultra low sulfur fuels are too dry and the bio helps with that issue.

If you run straight (100%) bio, you have to watch it in cold climates because it will gel on you. However, with mixes up to B20, you won't have any problems with that.

The sulfer in "old" diesel fuels used to lubricate the valves, pump seals, and injectors. They've taken it out for emissions reasons so now lots of folks are using additives to protect their injection pumps and seals especially on older diesels. If you run bio in the mix, you don't have to do that as it has much better lubricating ability than petro.

I'd run up to B20 in it and not look back. The B5 at your local pump is definitely not an issue. The engines make more power and suffer less wear using it.

Here is Kubota's take on it. Your new tractor is listed as being compatible with up to B20 (20% bio mix):

http://www.kubota.com/service/biodiesel.aspx

Again, the issue in winter is the fuel gelling due to low temps. If you put stabilizer in your fuel (always a good idea anyway especially in winter), you won't have any problems.

Just my $.02,

Steve

 

[GWD]

Here is a study on additives. Biodiesel proved to be the best lube.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76-gm-trucks/64-maintenance-fluids/177728-lubricity-additive-study-results.html

But I just add Optilube XPD. No gelling with it.

 

[cold1313]

I was going to ask about additives. I'm new to the diesel world. I see Stabihl makes an additive for diesel...not sure if it addresses the biofuel issue or not (seems to go bad quicker?)

What do you guys recommend? (Optilube?) and where do you guys pick it up at?

 

[GWD]

Look at the study in the post above regarding additives. Then make your choice..

Optilube can only be purchased online if that is what suits you.

http://opti-lube.com/xpd-diesel-fuel-improver-product.html

 

[Stubbyie]

Stanadyne is the best diesel admixture material on the market. Specified by Bosch that makes virtually all pumps and injectors (or made by others under license from Bosch). Never a problem when using it. Lowers gelling temperature and increases lubricity.

Next best is PowerStar used by marine diesels (found at large marinas).

Golden Eagle Sta-Bil is the same material as in their usual lineup just in a different package.

 

[Bluegill]

Off road diesel sold here at the stations. Just ask your dealer where to buy it since he is telling you what to run.

 

[Stumpy]

Not sure where you're located exactly (I'm near Mentor) but Chardon Oil carries off road diesel and I'm sure it can be found other places. I think Apogee is right though. The only addition I would make is make sure you don't have a full tank of #2 diesel when winter comes.

 

[cold1313]

Unfortunately my dealer is 30-40 minutes from my place, so his local stations, aren't so local for me.

I'm located in the sticks, outside of Sandusky.

What is #2 diesel?

 

[Apogee]

#2 diesel is normal diesel you buy at most filling stations (at least out here on the west coast). #1 diesel is thinner and is used where the temps are colder. It flows better in really cold weather, but makes less power.

Matt - not sure about your last sentence. I think you were trying to say "make sure you don't have..." because I'm assuming it gets much colder where you're located.

One call also mix #1 & #2 together to give the #2 a lower cold pour point.

Steve

 

[Bluegill]

Unfortunately my dealer is 30-40 minutes from my place, so his local stations, aren't so local for me.

I'm located in the sticks, outside of Sandusky.

What is #2 diesel?

I'm in the sticks too. Anything I want is at least 30 minutes away. My dealer is one hour.

 

[Bluegill]

I drive 30 minutes one way to get non-ethanol gas and off road diesel.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Here's Vic's write up on bio-diesel in Kubotas.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2009/03/ok-to-use-biodiesel-in-my-kubota/

 

[motorhead]

I agree with Apogee, Bio diesel that you get at the pump is going to be B5 or B20. I own a common rail injected Dodge/Cummins powered and the rail pressure runs up to 22,000 psi. I have run B5 while I traveled in the mid west with absolutely no issues. I just wouldn't run "Home Brew" bio diesel.
Bio diesel keeps the fuel system cleaner and as Apogee said, it adds better lubricity for the injection pump and injectors. The dealer is F.O.S.

 

[Stumpy]

Yeah that's what I meant Apogee. I swear I proof read these posts but my brain keeps on putting in things that aren't there...

We spent most of this winter at about 20F. I know they start phasing in cold weather gasoline blends around September and we're on full winter gas by November\December and I'd imagine they do the diesel at the same time. Not sure what they use exactly but I wouldn't go into winter with a full tank of summer blend diesel is what I'm saying least not without some sort of anti gelling additive.

 

[cold1313]

Signed the papers today, it gets delivered tomorrow and received some more clarification on the diesel thing from the dealer, I'm all set. Also have a can of Stanadyne to give a try.