Reducing Costly Filter Change Intervals with OPT Advanced Fuel Additive

Fuel Additive Success Story

Agri-Applicators, Inc. | Schaefferstown, PA

Manure hauling, equipment, and application company 

Eric Martin, Fleet Manager

Jeff Zimmerman, Owner

Background

With production expenses continually rising across the US, Agri-Applicators, Inc. is helping farmers in Pennsylvania and along the East Coast increase yields, save resources, and improve their bottom line. 

As with the clients they serve, fleet fuel, equipment, and parts are significant costs for Agri-Applicators. When the manure hauling and application company identified an opportunity to cut costs in this area, it turned to Advance Fuel Solutions for help.

“Our 350HP tractors were performing terribly, and we were changing expensive fuel filters every 20 to 40 hours.”

—Eric Martin

Fleet Manager, Agri-Applications

The Problem

“Our 350HP tractors were performing terribly, and we were changing expensive fuel filters every 20 to 40 hours,” points out Agri-Applicators Fleet Manager Eric Martin. Like most large-scale operations, the company has its own fuel storage tanks, which supply thousands of gallons of fuel to its tractors and manure application equipment each day.

“We were convinced we were receiving contaminated fuel and that it was causing the problem,” Eric points out.

This was a familiar story to Tim Porter, regional sales manager at Advanced Fuel Solutions.   “We speak with a lot of fleet managers who are struggling with fuel quality and equipment performance issues, Tim says. “When we first met this customer, they were actually ready to switch fuel providers,” he adds.

Testing and Analysis

Tim offered a complimentary fuel analysis to help Agri-Applicators get to the root of their problem. “Turns out there was nothing wrong with the fuel we were getting; we just had some ugly stuff going on inside our tank,” Eric says.

“Bacteria and fungi thrive in the moist environment of a fuel storage tank. Uncontrolled growth of these microorganisms can lead to a slimy biomass that clogs fuel filters, produces corrosive byproducts, and degrades the fuel. This is what happened here,” Tim explains.

>Experiencing Fleet Fuel or Performance Issues? Contact us to request a FREE Fuel Analysis.

The Solution

Based on our analysis of the company’s fuel, we recommended our OPT Advanced Fuel additive. This custom-blended chemical solution keeps our client’s large fuel storage tanks clean by preventing the buildup of sludge, rust, and microbial growth that can clog filters and damage engines. 

“After Tim got the lab test results back, he explained the results in a way that made sense and recommended that our provider add OPT-AF in every fuel delivery,” Eric notes.

Results

“Our fleet has never run better and we have no fuel-related problems whatsoever,” Eric says, pointing out that their tractor filters are now making it to the 300-hour mark with no reduction in power.  

"Bottom line, pre-OPT we were changing filters every 20-40 hours; post-OPT we are changing filters at 300-hour intervals."

—Eric Martin

Fleet Manager, Agri-Applications

Continued Service

“Every month for the next 14 months, Tim checked in with a quick text just to ensure we’re not having any fuel issues,” he says. “He stopped in again just recently to pull some more samples just to make sure we’re staying on track with perfect fuel—now that’s customer service,” Eric adds.

About AFS

Founded in 1994, AFS excels in formulating proprietary high-performance fuel additive packages that enhance the quality of diesel, gasoline, biodiesel, marine fuels, and home heating oil. These solutions cater to a diverse clientele, including bulk fuel terminals, wholesalers, distributors, fuel quality service companies, trucking fleets, and marinas. For further information about our company, products, and services, please visit our website.