The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) knows that it’s a busy time of year for Wisconsin’s soybean growers. They have a lot on their minds, which is why WSMB, in partnership with MEG Corp, is reminding farmers of the importance of end-of-season diesel tank maintenance. 

When it comes to getting diesel tanks – both storage and on machinery – winterized, the early bird gets the worm.   

“Right now (in late September), we have beautiful temperatures that are in the 80s,” said Lisa Pedderson with MEG Corp. “Fast forward about a month from now, and the lows may be starting to get in the 20s.”  

Established to wisely direct Wisconsin soybean checkoff investments, WSMB has partnered with MEG Corp to answer questions, solve problems and educate end users on proper use of biodiesel.  

“MEG Corp is an invaluable resource for Wisconsin soybean farmers,” WSMB Executive Director Adam Kask said. “Investing checkoff dollars in MEG Corp means that we have biodiesel experts on hand to assist with any issues that arise and to help guide the state’s fuel industry. Wisconsin is better off with MEG Corp.” 

A fuel industry leader in product solutions, testing services and fuel consulting, MEG Corp plays a vital role in Wisconsin’s biodiesel industry. Here are a few tank maintenance tips for Wisconsin producers as the fall season progresses:  

1. Remove water  

Water may be essential to life but it’s not essential to diesel tanks. Before the thermometer hits 32 degrees Fahrenheit, removing water that has accumulated from condensation from diesel tanks is critical.  

“There’ll be some people having problems with their dispenser filter when the temperature drops because the filter froze,” Pedderson said. “That’s probably because they have water in the bottom of their tank, and the filter does what it’s supposed to do – it filters that water out.”  

1. Fill tanks  

Top off those fuel tanks to prevent problems down the road. When fuel tanks are kept full, fuel degradation from exposure to oxygen and moisture is reduced.  

“It’s really important to keep tanks full so that you don’t have excess air,” Pedderson said. “When you’re done with harvest, fill everything up. A lot of farmers don’t like doing that because they view that as money that they don’t need to spend, but in order to not accumulate water, it’s recommended.”  

1. Winter blends  

With the beginning of October already here, it’s time to start thinking about the transition from warm weather to freezing temperatures. 

“It’s really important to get your blend down to B5 before it gets too cold,” Pedderson said. “Five-percent biodiesel is considered diesel fuel; the specification for number two diesel allows for up to five-percent biodiesel. It’s going to operate exactly the same as B0.”  

1. Replace filter  

Many farmers can replace filters in their sleep – fuel filters, oil filters, air filters, etc. But don’t forget about replacing the dispenser filters on diesel fuel tanks, especially when the weather changes. MEG Corp recommends installing a new 30-micron filter before harvest, or at the very least, before the weather turns cold.  

“Fuel gets thicker as it gets colder and so it doesn’t go through the dispenser filter as easily,” Pedderson said. “We always recommend putting on a new 30-micron filter to handle the increased viscosity of the fuel.”  

1. Look everything over  

Like any other piece of farm equipment, diesel tanks need to be examined consistently. To avoid downtime during harvest, MEG Corp encourages growers to look over their tanks to avoid hiccups during harvest.  

“Make sure that caps are on tight, check gaskets and hoses and check places where there could be leaks,” Pedderson said. “That should be done regularly but the end of harvest is a good time to look everything over to make sure it’s in good operating order.”  

For any fuel related questions or for help troubleshooting a fuel related problem, contact MEG Corp at the diesel helpline at 800-929-3437.