gas and tractors

bumblebee · Apr 1, 2015

I have a few tractors that only get started a couple times a year. Most are parked in my pole building. It was not uncommon to have some sort of gas related problem. I was talking to a friend about this one day and he said to put premium fuel without the ethanol in the
tractors and that would end my problems. I have been doing this now for a little over a year and it seems to have solved the problem. Yesterday my L John Deere started on the first crank after sitting for over 6 months.

I just thought I would pass this along for what its worth. I also add some seafoam with the gas.

What are you guys thoughts on this?

bumblebee · Apr 1, 2015

I forgot to mention that I had been using regular grade gas without the ethanol. I also used some seafoam.

Oregon Tractor Jack · Apr 1, 2015

Ethanol is the worst thing to be put into gasoline that is going to sit for any length of time. I have a small fleet of Farmalls that have ethanol free gas in them. Some of them only get fired up once every 6 months or so. They start every time. When ethanol gas first started showing up in our area I started using it in my tractors, what a mistake. After the gas had sat in the tanks for 6 months it was yellow and did not smell like gas anymore. None of the tractors that had the ethanol gas in them would start. I could also tell you stories about my brother in-law and his misadventures with ethanol gas in his boat.... I WILL NOT put ethanol gas in anything that runs on gas at my place, period.

rustyfarmall · Apr 1, 2015

Here we go again!!!

Part Time Pete · Apr 1, 2015

I don't use the high test in my gas tractor, because I'm not sure how it would react (that,and it gets used quite a bit), but I started using it in my saws and I do seem to have fewer issues.
Pete

Janicholson · Apr 1, 2015

What ever works is best. Gasoline with alcohol is only an issue when redoing a system that is dirty and has bad gas/residue in it. then it should be cleaned first. I get the impression this topic will die when we have no gasoline. Jim

rrlund · Apr 1, 2015

I think it depends on the engine. I've got an Oliver 70 with a Continental engine that won't start on stale gas unless I tow it. The Super 55 and 66 have Waukesha engines and they can sit for 6 months and start right up like they were running yesterday.

ditchwitch · Apr 1, 2015

I would say the seafoam did you the best justice. Because all gas will turn to lacquer weather its premium or regular over time. Crank the tractor up turn the gas off let the tractor run till it just stalls. It will crank right up when you turn the gas back on next season. Thats how ive personnaly done it myself and so far no problems.

wilson ind · Apr 1, 2015

Of course Marvel Mystery oil is hands down the best , mixed 10 to 1 with STP, for long term storage add one carters little liver
pill. LOL

gene bender · Apr 1, 2015

amen rusty

jimg.allentown · Apr 1, 2015

Well, here goes the ethanol argument all over again......
Personally, I don't like it. I also don't like having it forced upon me. I ask only for the choice of whether or not to use it.
Now, having said that, be advised that the addition of ethanol to gasoline is NOT limited to regular. It is also added to premium in most places - at least in the US. Note that there is NO ethanol added to fuel in Alaska. Nor is there ethanol added to aviation fuel - at least so far.
The one trend that I see on these forums is that the Midwestern farmers that raise corn all sing the praises of ethanol while the ones that make their living from fruits, vegetables, or truck farming are not so convinced. It is a fact that ethanol contains less BTUs than gasoline causing higher fuel consumption. It is also a proven fact that it does not play well with marine engines.

All I ask for is the choice. Let the market decide.

black · Apr 1, 2015

My gas tractors are stored for months and I only use reg gas and never had any problems . But the problem would probably be gumming in the carb. and not in the tank . So just shut the gas valve off and let the engine die to drain carb or drain carb at the bottom plug on carb .

Larry --ont.

mkirsch · Apr 1, 2015

Both sides of the ethanol argument have become so overblown in the never-ending argument that there is virtually no truth left to either side.

I've got tractors with gas that is several YEARS old, 10% ethanol, and they start and run just fine.

True you get better fuel economy and more power from straight gasoline, but that's science.

What kills me is that you, FARMERS, are some of the loudest anti-ethanol voices out there. Shoot yourselves in the foot much? Cut off your nose despite your face much?

Ethanol makes corn worth more, meaning more money in your pocket! There's plenty of corn to go around! The government is going to waste money, so why not let them waste it on YOU for a change?

Farming has to be the only industry in existence that does everything it possibly can to ensure that it is as unprofitable as it can possibly be.

Goose · Apr 1, 2015

50 years ago when it was a current tractor, we had an Oliver 70 that wouldn't start half the time with fresh gas and freshly tuned. It was routine to belt a VAC Case onto it just to start the dammed thing. I'll admit it was a nice running and nice handling tractor if you ever got it started.

My dad got so fed up with it one day he called a salvage yard to come and get it. He wouldn't even dump it onto someone else by trading it.

Blackhole49 · Apr 2, 2015

I must just be lucky. I have a 60's era 7 hp Wisconsin on a leaf collection unit that runs for about 6 weeks in the fall. When I'm done, I put sea foam in it and bury it in the barn. Been starting on the first or second pull (rope start) for 27 years.

ss55 · Apr 2, 2015

The ethanol subsidies did raise corn prices enough to save a lot of grain farms from going broke, but it pushed some livestock and dairy operations over the edge.

I'm noticed that when farm prices rise to highly profitable levels, inputs seem to get bid up enough to wipe out most of the profit: land rents, feeder calves and feeder pigs, etc.

Frank 41 · Apr 2, 2015

I buy premium gas WITHOUT ethonal. After a year it still smells like gas and not the 87 octane crap that gums up. I am not against bio but not in things that do not get used every day. I quit bio diesel totally.

gas and tractors

bumblebee

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bumblebee

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Oregon Tractor Jack

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rustyfarmall

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Part Time Pete

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Janicholson

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rrlund

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ditchwitch

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wilson ind

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gene bender

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jimg.allentown

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black

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mkirsch

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Goose

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Blackhole49

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ss55

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Frank 41

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