Algae in fuel tank of diesel

[BeeKool]

I recently purchased an old tractor.
I'm cleaning the sediment bowl out every few hours of use.
I'm not wanting to remove the fuel tank. Until winter maintenece6
Is there any product I can add to the fuel that will safely dissolve and blend the algae with the fuel?
I can disconnect the fuel and drain it but it leaves some on the bottom of yank.

 

[Mike67]

I think Sta-bil has an algeacide.for diesel.

 

[moper]

I'm not a big diesel guy but my MF is diesel so I run an additive every few tanks that is supposed to do that. Ask your local farming equipment dealer - they'll have it.

 

[BeeKool]

I'm not a big diesel guy but my MF is diesel so I run an additive every few tanks that is supposed to do that. Ask your local farming equipment dealer - they'll have it.

They'll want to remove the tank and boil it and do it by the book. The checkbook. Lol

 

[Mike67]

Do y'all have a storage tank on the farm? I have 2 2000 gal and 1 450 gallon tank for my generators at the hospital and have it tested for water and bio every year. Most fuel suppliers can treat or "polish" the diesel that will get rid of any growth or water.

 

[oldbee]

Any farm/tractor should have some stuff. Keep running & draining & you should be ok. That stuff can really plug up a filter fast though. Sta-bil maybe, but keep changing filters.

 

[PRND21]

Talk to your fuel supplier. You sure don't want that stuff to get started in your storage tank. Do you use any biodiesel, that will eventually clean your system but will take a while. What tractor did you get?

 

[oldbee]

You could also "thin" with a little kerosene; maybe a qt. per 4-5 gal. I even remember having drivers put in 5-10 gal of gas per 100gal sidetank in winter, but that was just to thin out the parafin from cold cold temps.

 

[oldbee]

Back in the early 80's when real cold hit Midwest&NE we were buying tanker loads of #2 diesel that was 90% kerosene,( only stuff that would flow in the temps) you lost horsepower&mileage but the trucks kept running.

 

[BeeKool]

Talk to your fuel supplier. You sure don't want that stuff to get started in your storage tank. Do you use any biodiesel, that will eventually clean your system but will take a while. What tractor did you get?

A 4430 deere. Was an old feedlot tractor so she's a bit rough but mechanically sound.
There's 2 fuel tanks,

each with a shut off and a sediment bowl before the cartridge filters. The bowl is what plugs..
I have an extra screen for the sediment bowl. Can swap it in 2 minutes, and ckean the old one. but my help isn't capable. I have to drop what I'm doing to fix it.

Do y'all have a storage tank on the farm? I have 2 2000 gal and 1 450 gallon tank for my generators at the hospital and have it tested for water and bio every year. Most fuel suppliers can treat or "polish" the diesel that will get rid of any growth or water.

I can hold 3800 gallon storage. Usually have it filled 5 times in the fall and 3 in the spring. The fuel supplier brings us good fuel. I think thus problem came with the tractor. I haven't noticed it with anything else.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to dump a bunch in the entire system. It's not as if the supplier will take blame

 

[Mike67]

A 4430 deere. Was an old feedlot tractor so she's a bit rough but mechanically sound.
There's 2 fuel tanks,

each with a shut off and a sediment bowl before the cartridge filters. The bowl is what plugs..
I have an extra screen for the sediment bowl. Can swap it in 2 minutes, and ckean the old one. but my help isn't capable. I have to drop what I'm doing to fix it.



I can hold 3800 gallon storage. Usually have it filled 5 times in the fall and 3 in the spring. The fuel supplier brings us good fuel. I think thus problem came with the tractor. I haven't noticed it with anything else.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to dump a bunch in the entire system. It's not as if the supplier will take blame

It's not the supplier that is the problem, when the fuel levels drop, condensation forms in those tanks which allows the algae to grow and water to contaminate the diesel. The test are relatively cheap.
I try to keep my tanks >3/4 full at all times to keep as much air out as possible.

 

[oldbee]

You need to look for a 'biocide' that will kill the bacteria. Mix it for a full tank, pour in,& add fuel to fill tank(& mix it up) let sit overnite to kill& coat interior of tank. If you have drains,drain a gallon or so of sediment. You'll still have to change filters more often for at least rest of tank. Then maybe some regular sta-bil after that. The bacteria grows faster in stagnant/unused tanks.

 

[PRND21]

4430s are still good tractors, I've got a friend with a couple of them. He had algae get started in a 5000 gal storage tank, fought with it for a year or so and eventually had to replace the tank. I worked at a Deere dealer during the 30-40 series era. We've got a 4250, which is basically a 4430 but with a 15 speed and the bigger 466 engine. I've never had the algae problem but our supplier will come out and pump out the bad fuel and treat the tank.

 

[BeeKool]

4430s are still good tractors, I've got a friend with a couple of them. He had algae get started in a 5000 gal storage tank, fought with it for a year or so and eventually had to replace the tank. I worked at a Deere dealer during the 30-40 series era. We've got a 4250, which is basically a 4430 but with a 15 speed and the bigger 466 engine. I've never had the algae problem but our supplier will come out and pump out the bad fuel and treat the tank.

50 series are my favorite deeres

 

[PRND21]

4250- Excellent planter tractor!

 

[Pops1967GTX]

get a diesel fuel filter/water separator.

 

[PP1RT]

Talk to your fuel supplier. There is some stuff that you shock the tank with. After that you will need to put an additive in every tankful from now on until you are sure the **** is dead.

 

[Ranger16]

http://www.biobor.com/products/biobor-jf-fuel-additives/aviation-fuel-additives/

 

[d fark]

4250- Excellent planter tractor!

4455 here, Had algae problem in my 6620 combine years ago. Think the product was called
Biocide or something, purchased from fuel supplier.
Helps to fill tank at night to prevent condensation.

 

[BeeKool]

My combines are red and always have been.
My main tractors were green, now are red.
As far as auxiliary tractors go. I have every color and make.
If they're cheap at an auction I'll drag them home and repair them
Perkins Cummins Deere Chalmers IH Ford.
Everything but a Cat.
I'm still a bit perplexed why this is the only tractor that has fuel problems. It probably gets 250 hrs per year