Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/932759
AGGREGATES MANAGER / February 2018 27 Monitor temperature and shelf life Ensure a pure transfer system Know your equipment Be mindful of DEF temperature and ensure the han- dling system used can accommodate when it freezes into a solid state at 12 degrees F and then expands — upward of 7 percent. DEF handling systems have been developed with specialized tank designs to ac- commodate expansion as DEF freezes. A two-in-one DEF pumping system back fl ushes residual fl uid into the tank so it can safely be stored in the trailer during winter months without causing damage. DEF shelf life is a function of ambient storage temperature. Optimum storage temperature is 77 degrees F, but shelf life is easily a year to 18 months if DEF is stored between 10 and 90 degrees F. To maintain purity of the diesel exhaust fl uid (DEF), either use a closed system for transfer or follow the ISO standard that recommends sterilization between each use. Always be sure to use a container spe- cifi cally made for DEF. It should be constructed of materials that meet the ISO standard and properly sterilized and sealed. Empty containers found around the shop or a fuel island — i.e. pop bottles, gas jugs, etc. — cannot be fi lled with DEF because the fl uid could easily be contaminated, and its previous con- tents may not be known. Depending on the vintage and brand of each ma- chine, it could have varying degrees of emissions solutions that require the operator to understand what is happening when warnings go off. Equipment operators and fl eet managers need to take time to understand the details of the emissions solutions that are relevant to the machines they run or manage. Know the equipment-specifi c details and features and create a simple way to understand it, such as creating a "cheat sheet" with the pertinent informa- tion to keep inside the machine's cab, at the fuel is- land, or in the maintenance shop. Tell new operators what to look for, how to manage it, and have them become knowledgeable about the specifi c equipment they handle. 2 3 4