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56 • ROCK products • August 2016 www.rockproducts.com EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY LOADING & HAULING however, using the cleanest fuel possible and using an efficient fuel filter helps minimize the amount of particles entering the machine. Additional best practices include: • Drain the water trap daily. • Never prefill a new filter during installation. • Never open fuel connections in the system upstream of the fuel filter. • Use the manufacturer's recommended replacement fuel filter. In case contaminated fuel is used in a machine, it's best to purchase an extra fuel filter for every Tier 4 HPCR engine equipped machine and keep it on the jobsite. Tip No. 5: Prepare for cold weather. Much of the chemistry added in the ULSD fuel can present challenges for diesel fuel suppliers to consistently provide fuel that performs well in cold climates. However, you can utilize cold-weather prac- tices, including removing trapped water from your machine's fuel filter daily, maintaining your machine's battery state of charge for optimum cranking speed, installing an engine block heater and choosing the best engine oil and hydraulic/ hydrostatic oil for the temperature conditions. Maintaining a cold-weather kit and following the cold-start- ing procedures in your Operation and Maintenance Manual, purchasing cold-weather accessories and switching to a spe- cial winter-blend fuel – typically No. 1 and No. 2 diesel fuel – can also help you prepare for cold temperatures. Tip No. 6: Attend a fuel management clinic. Heavy equip- ment dealers should be trained on fuel management, and they may host events to accurately relay those tips to you and your operators. On a daily basis, dealers can help assess your situation and provide a plan on how to treat any fuel-related issues. Tip No. 7: Ask a supplier to confirm the fuel's cloud point. A fuel's cloud point is the temperature where wax begins to drop out of fuel, creating a translucent appearance. The wax forms crystals – 50 to 200 microns in size – that can quickly plug the fuel filter. Since the cloud point from the refinery is based on the geographic location and the time of year that fuel is intended to be used, make sure to ask your supplier to confirm the fuel's cloud point. For instance, fuel in Texas during July will have a different cloud point than fuel available in North Dakota during September. Tip No. 8: Identify the market's poor-quality fuel suppli- ers. Seeking diesel fuel that meets your needs and choosing a reputable supplier are important. You may have to pay more for clean fuel, but investing in quality fuel that is blended appropriately for the climate may give you better peace of mind, lower your consumption, provide fewer filter changes and deliver long component life. Two questions you should ask suppliers before you buy include: "What micron level of filtration is used on your delivery line?" and "Is this the best fuel available for current conditions?" A good fuel distributor will provide diesel that meets specifications for all climate environments. Ron Hadaway is a product manager with Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment America.