One of the biggest investments in any farm system can be the fuel. And as gas and diesel prices continue what seems to be a steady climb upwards, making sure that investment is protected just makes sense. That’s where our friends at GROWMARK come in. Marketing manager of refined and renewable fuels for GROWMARK, Mark Dehner, explains that sometimes that fuel can be stored longer than originally intended in tanks that are quite old, and unwanted particulates can form.

“The new engine technology of today, the tolerances, are very much tighter,” with a difference of just a few microns; no room for any kind of foreign material, Mark says. “It’s very, very important that the fuel is particulate-free,” whether it’s fuel oxidization, the deterioration of the fuel itself, or rust or corrosion particles.

Mark goes on to say that it’s not a necessarily sophisticated process and sometimes boils down to just checking the fuel and tank periodically for a water bottom and any debris or sludge that forms over time. GROWMARK even has a fuel tank cleaning process. “We call it polishing the fuel,” and the method for cleaning the diesel uses a two-filter system to remove particulates and make the fuel ready for customers to use.

“Not only do we want to be the supplier of the fuel gallon to our farm customers and fleets, but we want to make sure we’re good stewards of their investment. It’s just part of the offering we have throughout the FS System.”

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Mark here: Interview with Mark Dehner, GROWMARK Fuel Quality Management