Maintenance practices designed to keep diesel vehicles and equipment operating smoothly
The changes in the components of diesel fuel through the years has sparked the need for producers to pay closer attention to the maintenance and care of their diesel equipment and vehicles. The very nature of diesel and the way it is typically transported, stored and pumped produces the necessity for diligence and preventive actions to ensure diesel powered engines operate with fewer difficulties.
Problems with Diesel
Mike Glover, co-owner of Northeast Diesel Service in Springfield, Mo., sees firsthand the effects of poorly managed diesel fuel in fuel injection pumps, injectors and engines.
“The biggest problems we see when people bring in their components from their tractors and trucks is dirt and water. It’s not necessarily any of the fuel manufacturer’s fault, it is just the way it is,” Glover said.
Water, dirt and debris make their way into diesel fuel cans and bulk tanks and then eventually end up in the equipment’s operating system. “What people don’t realize is water and oil don’t mix at all. So, what happens in diesel fuel is the water will dissipate to the bottom, and a lot of people are filling up their fuel cans from the bottom of their bulk tanks. So, they are constantly getting the dirt, debris and water that is presented into that tank,” Glover explained.
Additionally, diesel fuel has a lower sulfur content than years past and therefore reduced lubricity. The lack of lubricity is hard on internal component parts. B-10 biofuel has been introduced can create a coking effect. This occurs when greasy, oily residue gets inside parts of the injection pump making a hard, tacky substance that could clog the pump. To make matters worse, as the substance builds, algae can occur in the system and start to grow.
Preventative Maintenance
However, there are ways to stave off the problems generally associated with diesel fuel. The first tactic is to stick to a maintenance program. “Preventative maintenance is critical. You can catch a lot of small problems early with preventative maintenance,” Glover said.
Experts recommend producers change the fuel filter on their vehicles and equipment on a regular basis. The timing can be determined by mileage or hours used; or the fuel filter can be replaced at a minimum of once a year regardless of the amount of usage. “A clean fuel filter will eliminate a lot of headaches and repairs down the road,” Jim Crawford, University of Missouri Extension Field Specialist in Agricultural Engineering, said.
In addition to routinely replacing the fuel filter in vehicles and equipment, it is also important to change the filters in diesel fuel storage tanks and containers. This provides an additional layer of protection from water and other elements that can get into diesel fuel.
Fuel additives
Due to the current makeup of diesel on the market, experts recommend utilizing a fuel additive on a regular basis. The fuel additive will inject more lubrication into the fuel and help pull water through the system.
“I treat all our diesel fuel when it goes into the barrel and that way, I don’t have to worry about whether I use it in the summer or the winter or store it,” Crawford said. “When you look at the price of diesel, treating it with an additive is a pretty inexpensive option.”
Winter Strategies
When the winter months arrive, a fuel additive will help provide protection from water freezing in the lines or other fuel related problems. Experts also recommend using a block heater or engine heater to keep the equipment and vehicles warmed up and ready in cold weather.
