DEF at the pump is frozen

It's not so much the holding tank temp as the pipeline to the pump nozzles is hard to keep insulated against very low temps. Some freeze easier then others.

It's a little late now for the new guys coming in, but since last winter, I learned to stay on top of the weather and the last day or 2 before things were going to turn [real] cold, I'd top off whether I needed it or not. I don't like standing out there in 20 degree temps, in the wind holding down the pump handle as it takes 5 minutes to pump 10 gallons at some of them, then there's the possibility of finding them inoperable (frozen) when you absolutely need DEF (nearly empty)

 

I tried to tell a friend that, but his company regulates the purchase of it to the miles driven. They actually prefer they do it at the yard.

 

I switch over to my 30 min break when I put in the DEF, lol!

 

DEF?? Oh that's that stuff for the green trks.
I like my old 99 FLD

 

That crazy limiting DEF purchase [on the road] to miles driven. If you're in the yard once a week (or more often) maybe, but running OTR/48, a company can not impose those sorts of limitations. We have enough to deal with without that sort of BS.

DEF operation is funny, where you expect it should work, often it doesn't, where you doubt it will work, it runs fine. Go figure. I do know the truck stops spent a HUGE amount of money installing at-the-pump DEF dispense capabilities. And they charge a pretty penny for it ... I wonder if they will drop the price once the equipment and install costs are paid for? ... sort of like they do for toll roads?

 

How much DEF are you all using? Should they use more in the winter? Last summer I could go a full week easy between fills, now it's using way more, I just filled it today, 14 gallons for 1600 miles, seems like a lot, I remember before winter I would put in about 13 or 14 gallons after 2500 miles, something wrong here or just cold?

 

I guess no one here has experienced fuel stations that don't have def at the pump, they sell it by the box only they really do exist. how about the def pumps down in the islands? no one has seen that either eh..hmm I must be unique.

 

My old company did that, too. A couple of times I had to have them ok a purchase of DEF in the 2.5 gallon containers. If that happens to your friend, tell him to keep one or two containers (with the lid parts intact) and to fill them up at the yard next time he's there, then store them under the bunk.