You could have a major, expensive failure on an almost new tractor that wouldn't be covered under warranty and today's video details how to prevent it. It all relates to what's going on in your fuel tank.

Many of us who are "hobby farmers" don't use our tractors that much. When diesel sits for a long time in a dark environment bad things can happen. First, microbes can exist in a fuel tank that make a slimy substance that, over time, can get into your injection system and cause everything to stop. There are additives available that can prevent slime from growing and if you leave the tractor sitting for a long time, it would be wise to use them.

Second, especially in humid areas and in a tank that's low on fuel, condensation can occur in the fuel system and it doesn't take much water, especially in these new engines, to cause a major issue. Condensation leads to rust and injection system rebuilds. None of it is covered under warranty. If you're in a humid area, you may want to regularly use an additive that atomizes the water and let's it burn through the system. Also, be sure to keep an eye on your strainer, that houses the fuel filter on most tractors. If there's a clear bowl there it can tell you if you have any water present and it can easily be emptied.

Next, the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel that we're all burning now has improved our air quality, but removal of the sulfur reduced the lubricity of the fuel. Diesel with sulfur in it lubricates the injection system as it passes through, without it, an additive may be needed on older engines that were designed to run with it. The tolerances are so tight on new engines that extra lubricity can help extend the life of the engine so I wouldn't rule out the use of it on a new tractor.

Finally, this won't damage your engine, but it can sure cause frustration. If you live in an area where it can get to 10-15 degrees (and we found out in March, that's possible in Texas), you may want to add an anti-gelling agent to your fuel before winter. When it gets really cold, diesel can gel, and the fuel turns into slush. It'll stop a tractor in it's tracks. There are additives that try to break it up after it's happened, I'm not sure how well they work. Best wisdom is to dump some anti-gel additive in the tank before the cold weather gets here so it never happens.

I'm not trying to sell you that you need to constantly be using additives, but you should contact the service manager at your local dealership and find out what he recommends to fight diesel issues that are common in your area. I've not found one additive that deals with all of these problems, so you may want a combination of them to keep you safe.

The last thing we want is for you to have a major repair bill on a nearly new tractor that's not covered under warranty. Keeping the fuel fresh and protected is the best way to avoid that scenario.

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