Heads up across the plains the Midwest and the Northeast

You can't buy a winter blend up north, just #2 and #1 and you mix according to your needs. Logging guys use straight #1.
Temps -20 to -35 nightly.

 

And yes they would rather pay 3K for a tow.

 

Somebody’s got rocks in their heads...

 

It's kinda sad but it is a calculated risk that large corporations take during changes in ownership or budget crisis.
For the past three plus years (Praxair to Linde) we (the drivers) have suffered from cuts to the budget directly affecting all aspects of our little air separation plant (30 drivers).
Everything from operational hours cut to save energy cost, resulting in less than adequate product for customer and contractual needs, to changing to a cheaper uniform vendor and no longer supplying winter parkas for rank & file members, and everything in between all in the name of the balance sheet.
We do not even keep plant or truck parts in stock any longer because of perceived cash tied up in inventory. So a truck will be put out of service because of a light out, per company policy.
And a truck will be towed back hundreds of miles on many occasions, like it just doesn't matter, but they must still be running cost effective.
You and I think it's foolish to operate that way but truth told I'll be long gone by the time they (corporate) figure it out.

 

Usually it’s been my experience that companies that start doing little things like that are setting themselves up for a big fall somewhere down the line.

 

I have an APU so idling isn’t an issue but if I see the temperature on the thermometer dropping towards 20 degrees,you bet Jurassic I’m putting anti gel treatment in the tanks. I’m shutdown in Sidney,Nebraska and right now the temperature is around 2 degrees F without the wind chill. I just used 2 bottles(1 quart each) between the tractor tanks and the reefer tank. One bottle supposedly usually treats up to 250 gallons of diesel fuel but I’m not getting overextended here!lol

 

I’m so glad my current customer gave me a fuel card! Straight #1 every night.

I ran outside to start my truck this morning and nearly shat myself when it was reading -20 :0

 

Well I’m still in Sidney,Nebraska shutdown. The good news is that the snowstorm has (finally) left the area so the shutdown may be lifted and I can start driving again tomorrow morning. The bad news is that it’s still subzero temperatures around here(without the wind chill). Don’t expect it to thaw out anytime soon! Make sure you have plenty of food,fuel and antigel!
Sidney, NE Weather Forecast and Conditions - The Weather Channel | Weather.com

 

Sidney Loves at a glance.

 

Was up in Duluth, MN today where they set a low record with -26 but had warmed to -12.
Supposed to be -25 here in the twin cities in the morning. Put in straight #1 fuel for the trip back.