I wanted to title this video “Winterizing Your Tractor’s Fuel System”, because that’s what prompted me to do it. But, with the low sulfur diesels that we’re all using now, avoiding tractor fuel issues has become a year-round effort, at least it should be if you want to avoid costly injection pump repairs.
First, off, let’s discuss winter fuel problems. If you do nothing to protect your fuel, and it gets really cold where you live, when you go out to start your tractor to blade snow you could get an unpleasant surprise. It won’t start, and there’s nothing you can do about it, but warm up your fuel. Diesel can “gel” when it gets down below the 10-20 degree range and it becomes a gooey mess that won’t go through the fuel lines. Or, if you park the tractor in the fall and don’t come back to use it until spring, you could also have problems with starting. Both problems can be prevented by a diesel conditioner application while its warm. That will prevent the “gelling” situation and keep the fuel fresh for next spring while the tractor sits. This is one maintenance item you don’t want to fail to do.
If you’re in a warm climate, or if you’re watching this in the months when it’s not cold, these diesel treatments are of equal importance. With the advent of low-sulfur fuels that are less damaging to the environment, many engine makers reported problems with injection pumps. Sulfur, while causing pollution issues, was a lubricant, and when it wasn’t there, many injection systems suffered and most pump shops had to add new personnel. Often, the diesel conditioners that prevent gelling and storage issues also help add lubricosity (I’m not even sure that’s a word, but you know what I mean) to the diesel and help keep the pumps running and healthy.
Bottom line is, using a diesel treatment on a year-round basis is a good idea. And something I didn’t mention in the video that I do, after dumping that conditioner in the tank, run the tractor for a while to get it all mixed in.
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Mike I think they mean 4 fluid ounces which is a measure of volume not weight
I think the oz they mention is liquid oz not weight oz.
John Deere has a good video on this. Thanks!
I have used the Howes brand since my Kubota was new. I add it to every 5 gallon diesel dump into the tractor, while I don’t actually measure what I put in but just guesstimate, I do treat yr round and use a heavier dose during cold months here in Northeast Arkansas. While it may be a little wasteful in always over treating the fuel, it is not harmful. And I will throw this out there from my own experience. If your going to get some crazy cold weather like we got here last winter be sure to err on the side of caution and triple the dosage. Yea it will cost you a few more bucks but that’s money well spent as far as I’m concerned. If you spend approximately 30 grand or more on a big investment, Nows not the time to pinch pennies! Great Vlog Mike!
Get yourself a Ratio Rite measuring cup. They are handy for many things. It has markings for fluid ounces and milliliters, as well as markings for various ratios when mixing two cycle fuel. You can buy a lid for it too, to keep the dust out when it's on the shelf.
Mike.. Can I use seaform in diesel fuel and use it year around?
I think that the instructions are telling a person it is fluid ounces,
Anything a guy can do once it is gelled up? Night time temps are very low then day time above freezing.
Fluid oz. Not weight lol
Your weight vs volume error has been pointed out in prior comments. I would suggest you modify the video to at least have text explaining your error. Not everyone is going to read the comments.
Read those labels carefully! Many products make vague claims about 'treating' your fuel, but not all prevent gelling in winter. There's a lot of snake oil out there.
Don't add fuel stabilizer to the tank after parking the tractor for an extended period. Add the fuel stabilizer, then drive around and do some chores. You need to mix the product with the fuel thoroughly, and get some into the fuel injection system. It cannot work if it doesn't make it to every injector. Great videos, Mike!
Mike: Would the additive mix better if first you added the additive, then fill with fuel in tank??.. I add additives into my fuel container at the diesel pump…Thank You For All Your Info. Mike
Hey Mike, what model of New Holland tractor did you use in the video?
All fuel refined after 2010 Is ultra low sulphur 15 ppm for consumer purchase . The railroad and the ship industry still has higher sulphur fuel available Mexico and other countries still have the higher sulphur fuel. Sulphur is not the lubricant but when the sulphur Is removed it removes lubricant from the fuel
Hello Mike good information, one thing add the fuel conditioner before the fuel and always top off the tank in winter.
And yes you are correct diesel makes algae and will raise havoc with your fuel system (10 years in fuel injection shop)
Great video Mike. You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.
I moved from TX to the wet mountains of CO. I have say that the Howes diesel treat helped me tremendously. I must plow in the winters. The cold starts with both my Dodge and my small Hinomoto 28hp tractor were terrible until I started using Howes. I must add that Mike you are der Mensch for using your wife's pristine kitchen scale in the video! I would too but no one would visit me in the hospital! Just kidding, thanks for the great videos Mike. Good stuff. One more thing, if I ever get my greasy meat hooks on another old John Deere 4010 or 4020, I shall never part with it…again. So sad.
What about off road diesel? We buy that here in Maine and it has a higher sulfur content and its a different color.
I keep stabilizers for gasoline and diesel in the toolbox of my truck and pour it into my jerry cans befor filling them at the pump. Everyone with a diesel needs to also know how to change their diesel filters and bleed air out of the system.
My tractor runs pretty much every weekend for fire wood, leveling, bushhogging
Really glad I viewed this & thanks for the timely advice. I have a JD diesel that will surely benefit from this additive all year.
measuring that additive should be done in "fluid ounces" which is a volume measurement not a weight measurement so using a measuring cup marked in "fluid ounces" would be the correct way. but do not use the one from your kitchen you use for food buy one just for garage use.
Informative and helpful, thanks Mike. My tractor is a 1971 Ford 5000 that I just had completely restored. Am I right to assume that a diesel tractor of that vintage has injectors and not a carbeurator?
You answered a question I thought of with the fuel system on my tractor. I use it in my vehicles, and mowers, but wondered if the additive was useful in the diesel systems also. Thanks so much for the tip and I will go out and put some in my tractor tomorrow.
Oregon has 2 types of diesel. One is on-road (taxed) which is low sulfur and off-road (not taxed) which has HIGH sulfur. And Oregon diesel is dyed for officials to recognize which is a no no to run off-road in on road vehicles.
If I understood your vid correctly, you are confusing and oz. of volume with an oz. of weight. For water only, the 1 oz of volume equals 1 oz of weight – by definition. With other liquids, such is not the case. Some liquids are heavier that water and some are lighter. The prescribed usage on the bottle of fuel stabilizer is in liquid ounces (volume). There are probably lines on the side of the bottle indicating oz's. Go by them. As a side note: your wife will be much happier, as well as your local fire department, if you keep such chemicals out of the kitchen!
Hey Mike, great video.
ULSD is the enemy on any tractor older than 08!
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