Fuel Storage
Each state has laws concerning the storage and handling of fuels so read up the regulations for your state. Fuel needs to be stored outside buildings and should not be stored for a long period. A lot of engine problems arise from fuel that has been stored too long and from dirty fuel. Try and avoid high sulfur fuel as sulfur in fuel can combine with water to make sulfuric acid which harms engines.
Refueling your Farm Machine
Where possible, fill the fuel tank at the end of the working day as this helps keeps moisture from gathering in the fuel tank. Moisture that moves into the carburetor can combine with sulfur in the fuel which then leads to erosion the metal parts. If water gets into a diesel injection pump, it can result in the pump parts sticking. It is always a good idea to drain off any water from the sediment bowl before starting the engine each day.
Here is a check list when filling with diesel, gasoline and kerosene:
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Shut off the engine to prevent a fire hazard.
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Remove any dirt from the hose nozzle.
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Clean the area around the tank opening.
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Fill the fuel tank to almost full.
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Replace the fuel cap tightly
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If you are refueling with LP-gas:
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Shut off the engine and check for any naked flames nearby.
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Attach the vapor-return line to the vapor-return connection on the machine.
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Open hand valve to equalize the pressure between the storage tank and tractor tank.
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Attach the liquid-fill hose to the connection on the machine and open valve.
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Check the fuel overflow valve until liquid appears.
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Close both line valves and disconnect from the machine tank.
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Carburetor Maintenance Tips
Carburetor adjustment is a routine maintenance task:
Adjust the carburetor during engine tune-up or when the engine idles badly.
Service the unit every year or at the beginning of the season.
Check the height of the float (as per the service manual) when assembling the carburetor.
Don’t adjust the needles too tightly against their seats as you may damage them.
Don’t use compressed air to clean out a fully assembled carburetor as this may cause the metal float to collapse.
Bleeding Air from a Diesel Fuel System
Each time you drain the fuel lines or filters, air is left in them and can form an air lock when you try to start the engine. Before bleeding this trapped air, fill the fuel tank and then start to bleed the system from the filter closest to the fuel tank first. Open the fuel supply valve and push the hand primer until fuel free of air bubbles escapes from the bleed hole at the filters. If the air lock is still present you will need to bleed the injection lines as well.
