From transport trucks to construction site equipment, diesel fuel keeps the industry going and the economy strong.
But neglecting equipment maintenance and responsibilities can cause all kinds of problems for your diesel-fueled equipment.
One way to counter that issue is by using diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to keep your equipment up and running. Keep reading to learn about DEF and why you need it to prolong your equipment’s life.
DEF was created as a solution to fuel efficiency requirements.
DEF is composed of both water and urea. Urea is a compound that occurs in nature and is sometimes referred to as a carbamide. You’ll be glad to know that it isn’t classified as a hazardous mixture or substance.
DEF’s purpose is to neutralize harmful emissions, converting them to water and nitrogen.
This is done by injecting the diesel exhaust fluid into the exhaust stream rather than the vehicle’s fuel tank. That way, you can say goodbye to nitrogen oxide gases, including NO and NO2.
You shouldn’t mistake DEF for a fuel additive. Instead, the liquid is contained in a different tank.
Use DEF for all diesel-fueled equipment.
If you are using one or more heavy-duty or medium-duty vehicles that are fitted with a diesel engine and came out after 2010, then DEF is most likely a requirement in your case. This allows you to better meet emission caps.
Other equipment that uses DEF includes:
- Construction equipment
- Farm equipment
- Large trucks
- Off-road vehicles
- Generators
- Some regular consumer vehicles with diesel engines
If you attempt to forgo DEF, you can not only get into legal trouble, but you could jeopardize your equipment’s health.
1. DEF boosts the efficiency of your equipment.
Regarding maintenance tips, you’ll be glad to know that DEF does more than just neutralize hazardous emissions. It can also allow your vehicles to perform at a more efficient rate.
This is partly because the exhaust gets filtered in the process.
DEF filters debris that can clog and gum up your engine, ensuring peak efficiency.
The beauty of a particulate filter is that it can stop the spread of ash, soot, and other damaging debris.
Over time, the efficiency will continue to dwindle until you have to repair the engine or replace the piece of equipment altogether.
To avoid running out of DEF when your vehicle needs it most, you can equip it with a tank that suits its size. If the tank is too small, you’ll run out of DEF long before you finish a supply delivery, for instance.
2. DEF makes your equipment easier to clean.
A professional service you can’t neglect involves cleaning your equipment regularly.
Keeping things clean will ensure that everything is operating as smoothly as possible from the inside to the outside. Plus, it can have the added bonus of keeping up employee morale.
If employees see that you don’t care about your equipment, for instance, it can cause them to question how much they care about their work responsibilities.
DEF keeps many of the important parts clean for longer.
With DEF, you don’t have to spend as much time and energy getting rid of dust and gunk.
Instead, you can put that time toward other maintenance responsibilities, such as:
- lubing parts
- keeping an eye on wear and tear
- replacing filters
Depending on the equipment and how often it’s used, you may even be able to get away with an annual service instead of a month-to-month one.
3. DEF reduces the need for frequent oil changes.
Since DEF improves engine efficiency across the board, you can reduce the number of oil changes required on your equipment.
Forgetting to change your oil can often be a fatal mistake for your equipment. With a reduced need for oil changes, you can get more out of each one. Just be sure you don’t forget to change the oil when the time comes.
It’s a good rule of thumb to check the oil level and its consistency every few months.
The rate will also depend on how often the equipment is used and if you employ it for heavy-duty tasks, such as towing.
Get high-quality DEF from a reliable diesel provider.
It’s an unfortunate fact that not all DEF service providers are alike. If you want to take the best care of your equipment, you must find a diesel provider with high-quality DEF.
They also need to be reliable with their shipping. If you run out of DEF because of delays, your entire operation could get put on hold. This is a disaster that’s best avoided at all costs.
You can feel much more confident in your choice of diesel exhaust fuel provider by doing some in-depth research.
Prolong your equipment’s life with DEF.
By investing in DEF, you can ensure that you get the most out of every piece of equipment. The last thing you’d want is to buy a whole new piece of equipment because the last one wasn’t maintained properly.
At Sperr’s, we can supply you with the highest-quality diesel exhaust fluid on the market. We offer competitive prices and tiered options so you can get the amount you need, such as 2.5-gallon jugs or even 300-gallon totes.
To satisfy your fuel delivery needs, contact us here.
