Living in the elements of Colorado we all know we often experience Winter weather conditions well into the months of Spring. Working in farming and ranching, any seasoned farmer knows this obstacle of working outdoors with heavy equipment. Being one step ahead and always making sure you are prepared helps prepare you and your equipment for the unexpected.
We are brought together a few quick tips to help you navigate the unexpected until we reach consistently warmer temperatures.
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One of the main concerns for fleets and owner-operators working in hot environments is a decrease in lubricant film thickness due to lower viscosity. The viscosity of an oil is crucial as it dictates its ability to form an oil film to protect moving engine parts from excessive contact. If the oil’s viscosity is too low, the oil film thickness may be too low which could mean that the engine parts aren’t being protected effectively, causing an overheated condition. This can cause serious operational problems such as a breakdown of the oil film, reduced power, increased oxidation rates, and fuel economy losses due to oil thickening.
It is critical that the operating temperature of the equipment is taken into account when selecting an oil. A warm climate often necessitates a heavier engine oil such as an SAE 30 or 40 grade; one able to resist the breakdown that comes with higher operating temperatures by ensuring proper and adequate film thickness and the protection of critical engine components. SAE classifications values that do not include the “W”, define oil grades designed for use at higher temperatures. The second number in the viscosity rating – the “40” in 10W-40, for example – means the oil will have a thicker film at high temperatures than one with a lower second number. Planning and preparation is key Regardless of the climate and conditions, a fleet owner-operator is working in, it’s crucial that they have prepared and considered not just their choice of lubricants, but multigrade hydraulic, driveline, and gear oils too to ensure all engine components are protected. Operators should also be regularly checking coolant condition and batteries to ensure engines are running safely and efficiently, no matter the weather or time of year. Contact Us The Team Petroleum squad is here to field any questions and help you prepare your equipment for any condition and season. Team Petroleum has been locally owned & operated for over 35 years in Colorado. We are dedicated to offering unparalleled customer service while supplying Northern Colorado with the highest quality fuels & lubricants. We take pride in gaining our customers’ trust while building relationships that last through the ages.We have a large fleet of vehicles prepared to handle any sized job or project whenever and wherever our customers need us. We are the hometown authorized Shell dealer, with access to a variety of products & specialized pricing to meet all your equipment needs. Team Petroleum has created a strong reputation for providing exceptional service and high quality products to the front range & are committed to continuing this tradition for years to come.
As the cold sets in for the winter, diesel drivers and fleets need to start thinking about winter maintenance, if not hopefully already have their vehicles and machinery ready for lower temperatures. Diesel fuel is impacted by ambient temperatures, so its performance components need to be carefully managed throughout the year to ensure proper equipment and engine operation – especially in cold environments, like Colorado.
Why is diesel impacted by low temperatures? Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax molecules, which means that at low temperatures, the wax separates from the fuel as wax crystals. In normal diesel at normal temperature, the waxes are happily dissolved in the diesel fuel and burn right along, thus helping to provide some of the diesel’s energy value. But when it gets cold, the wax becomes undissolved, and the fuel clouds up. This is when cloud point and gelling up becomes an issue. As the temperature drops in winter, these crystals grow and cover the fuel filter surface, which can lead to fuel starvation, loss of engine power, and eventually stalling. Wax plays an important role in fuel by enhancing cetane, which improves cold starting. The only way to keep diesel fuel running is to add an anti-gel additive to your fuel tank. An anti-gel additive is used to modify the shape of the wax crystals so that fuel keeps flowing through fuel filters at lower temperatures. However, this must be done before it gets cold. Once it reaches a cloud point, an anti-gel additive cannot reverse the gelled fuel once it’s reached or passed the gel point. Team Petroleum is a proud authorized distributor of Shell and Power Service products. For more information about how we can help keep your engine clean leading to less downtime, let us know! We would be happy to answer any questions about our products and services! Phone: 970-482-2533 Email: teampetroleumco@gmail.com Bringing the most up to date technology in an old industry. Team Petroleum offers FluidSecure, a fuel inventory management system that allows for security of your fuel. FluidSecure is The Next Generation of Fuel and Fluid Management which includes the FluidSecure LINK, CLOUD, APP and HUB. It uses the power and flexibility of modern smartphone technology, along the ubiquity of the cellular phone network. Plus, it is securely hosted on the fast and powerful Microsoft Azure cloud-based servers.
Fuel Security with FluidSecure: With FluidSecure you can have an unlimited number of vehicle numbers and personnel numbers. In order for the vehicles and/or personnel to obtain fuel, they must be set up in the database before they attempt to fuel. When they enter their information to refuel, if the system does not confirm them in the database, they will not be authorized and cannot fuel their vehicle. FluidSecure HUB – Hardware and Software
Team Petroleum makes sure that customers and clients feel secure in their fuel tank fillings and security. Team Petroleum has been locally owned & operated for over 35 years. We are dedicated to offering unparalleled customer service while supplying Northern Colorado with the highest quality fuels & lubricants. We take pride in gaining our customers' trust while building relationships that last through the ages.We have a large fleet of vehicles prepared to handle any sized job or project whenever and wherever our customers need us. We are the hometown authorized Shell dealer, with access to a variety of products & specialized pricing to meet all your equipment needs. Team Petroleum has created a strong reputation for providing exceptional service and high quality products to the front range & are committed to continuing this tradition for years to come. Diesel is commercially available in many grades. The grades of course have their own advantages and disadvantages and must forgo certain characteristics in order to achieve different features. For example, #1 grade diesel fuel has lower energy components compared to, #2 grade diesel fuel. #2 diesel fuel will also gel up in cold weather environments. Read more to help you understand the differences between #1 and #2 diesel fuel varieties.
#1 diesel fuel#1 diesel fuel products have less energy components and are more expensive than, #2 grade products. However, it rarely has problems in cold weather conditions, which is completely the opposite of #2 grade. This is because paraffin (a type of wax) has been removed from the chemical mix. The absence of this chemical allows it to remain in liquid form during the winter months. #2 diesel fuel#2 diesel fuel is the most readily available at most gas stations throughout the world. This chemical compound holds the highest amount of energy components and lubricant properties in one mixture and offers the best fuel performance available on the market today. Most studies show that #2 grade diesel fuel will protect injection pumps, seals, and other important engine parts. Typically, #2 diesel fuel is less expensive than #1 diesel fuel.The downside to #2 diesel is its tendency to mold into a thickened gel when the temperature drops. This often leads to hard starts and other complications during winter. Where to find high-quality diesel fuelAt Team Petroleum we are a family owned & operated petroleum distributor serving Northern Colorado, with sister locations in Wyoming and Nebraska. We specialize in servicing customers in the industrial, commercial, construction, agricultural and ranching industries by supplying fuel and lubricant products to customers throughout Wyoming and Nebraska. If your business is in need of wholesale fuel or if you have any questions give us a call at 970-482-2533 or Contact Us by email. Preparing for winter can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are a few tips to help you get your machines prepared for the harsh winter season.
Team Petroleum services most of Northern Colorado. We ensure the best customer service, quality care and products. Team Petroleum offers delivery of bulk fuel, oil and, more. Reach out to Team Petroleum for all your oil needs in the Northern Colorado area. OUR CLEANING PROCESS IS MORE THAN A TOUCH-UPWith every completed project, our experts give you a report sheet detailing the status of your tank before and after cleaning. Three separate samples are also taken before, during, and after the cleaning process.
A detailed examination is conducted during your tank cleaning to ensure you that your fuel is safe to use and store, keeping your equipment moving so you can get the job done. Microbe and water tests are conducted in the beginning of the process to display how much of your tank is contaminated and where that contamination lies within the tank. After examining the tank’s current condition, the next step is to clean and grind off any dirt or microbes stuck to the tank that could potential damage your fuel. Upon completion, the tank and fuel is then re-examined to ensure the job was done right. Our cleaning process is perfectly paired with our tank renting system. Keeping your equipment fueled and protected is our guarantee. Get in touch with the experts at Dooley. 👍 BENEFITS TO tANK cLEANINGWater
One of the most common fuel contaminants is water. Water, of course, doesn’t burn. Nor does it mix with diesel or other oil-based fuels. Water can get into your fuel system when its being filled, or from condensation from air that’s in the tanks. Water can mix with fuel to form a ‘mayonnaise-like’ goo that blocks filters and gets stuck in fuel lines, leading to system failure. Microbes Microbes are also a problem, especially with modern fuels. They can get in to fuel tanks along with the air. After this they’re free to grow, largely clinging to fuel additives and living off of air in the system. Microbes can form both a jelly-like substance and sediment from their dead bodies. Both of these lead to fuel line blockage, filter blockage, and system failure. Microbes are more common near water, so they can be especially problematic in marine industry. They’re also more of a problem where fuel is stored for a long time, so emergency tanks stored near the sea are especially vulnerable. The slime and sludge that microbes can produce may also cause equipment and fuel lines to crack, make filters last less time, and can cause raised emissions and black smoke. If your tank filters need changing a lot more often than usual, there’s a good chance that microbes are to blame. Sediment, Sludge, and other Particles Sediment formed from dying microbes, shed from decaying tanks, or brought in from outside as dust or dirt on the wind can also cause problems. Not only can it block pipes and filters, it can also get into running equipment and cause friction and other wear and tear on moving parts. Sometimes these particulates come from organic matter, such as dead microbes or other organic waste that has gotten into the tanks. Other times rust or even just plain old dirt is the culprit. Both of these are a big problem and need to be dealt with as soon as possible. Decaying matter especially can damage tanks and other equipment in the long term, leading to increased maintenance costs and sudden unpredictable failures. The Benefits of Removing the Unwanted Keeping your fuel supply clean and viable is essential no matter how long you store it, but the longer you store it for, the more likely you are to face problems with fuel degradation. Water and sediment in fuel can lead to blocked fuel filters on the equipment that’s using it. Ultimately you can end up seeing equipment suddenly fail. If mission critical equipment fails you can end up facing all of the problems the equipment should be protecting you from, along with a hefty maintenance bill. This is especially pertinent where lives are at stake, or in situations where power failure will lead to high costs for customers using your service. Fuel contamination and degradation is one of the main causes of equipment failure in an emergency, making looking after your fuel a key part of your emergency back-up maintenance responsibility. Why Should You Consider Tank Renting for Equipment Refueling?Every piece of equipment no matter the industry needs to be refueling often and in a timely fashion to keep your projects up and running in order to meet your deadline.
Whether its mobile fueling or tank renting, both can provide a great alternative to traditional purchasing that allows you to adjust your cost efficiency and work production. Why Rent a Tank? This is a flexible option for fuel storage that allows you to reduce your outlay to a monthly payment. In fact the cost of a fuel tank rental can be factored into your ongoing fuel purchases so it can be indexed to a fixed price per gallon. Whether it’s a short-term solution to cover some immediate fuel storage demand, such as a tank failure, or a long-term way of supplementing existing infrastructure to handle issues like seasonal variance and peak-demand. Tank renting fuel storage is a way of ramping up your fuel supply when its necessary and adding additional equipment as needed. Easy Set-Up & Maintenance Setting a tank is one of Team’s many specialties, and we can be in and out of your work area as fast and seamlessly as you need us to be. With the initial set-up also comes the first fueling of the rented tank and any maintenance issues along the way are a phone call away from fixed. Relocatable & Convenient Set up of our double-walled tanks is as easy as dropping them on-site. It’s also just as easy to pick it up and move it to a new location. Wherever your project is located, tank renting be can be a great way of providing immediate access to fuel in remote areas, off-site projects and any situation where a long-term fuel storage solution may not be financially viable. Whether you’re filling a large construction project, or just need an on-site fuel storage option for your business, Team Petroleum has you covered. Get in touch with the experts today. 👍 |
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