what do you do for fuel storage?

roadhawk · Nov 19, 2011

I use two 5 gallon plastic "cans" and fill up as one goes empty, using the fuel treatments in them as I fill them. And I can tell you, they cost more than $5 at Lowes...more like $13.

PAfarmer · Nov 19, 2011

I purchased two 250 gallon steel tanks for home storage. And have a portable 500 gallon unit for the jobsites. For home use bulk delivery, I would look for a decent shape used 250 bulk tank. Hand pumps are relatively cheap or you could look into and electric pump,,,,I guess ?I would judge the need for a bigger tank by yearly useage rates on fuel....

oldboyscout · Nov 19, 2011

for those of you who fill tanks on your trailer or truck bed, do you do anything for a ground strap/static discharge? I realize this isn't a big deal with diesel, but for reference, or possible legalities, I'm curious

Gale Hawkins · Nov 19, 2011

oldboyscout said:
for those of you who fill tanks on your trailer or truck bed, do you do anything for a ground strap/static discharge? I realize this isn't a big deal with diesel, but for reference, or possible legalities, I'm curious

When I was a kid I was always intrigued by the leather strap dragging under the jobbers fuel truck when he would come to fill our gas tanks.

Gale Hawkins · Nov 19, 2011

PAfarmer said:
I purchased two 250 gallon steel tanks for home storage. And have a portable 500 gallon unit for the jobsites. For home use bulk delivery, I would look for a decent shape used 250 bulk tank. Hand pumps are relatively cheap or you could look into and electric pump,,,,I guess ?I would judge the need for a bigger tank by yearly useage rates on fuel....

In our area on craigslist or vci.net nice clean 100-300 gallon tanks with quality hand/electric pumps, filters and sometime meters will run $1.50 to $2 per gallon. That is about 25% to 33% of the new cost.

One reason I would like to get some fuel stored is I see a real potential of something happening that could lead to a couple weeks or more of fuel distribution issues.

Gale Hawkins · Nov 27, 2011

Yesterday was the last day of summer for us and was hoping to get our used tanks checked out/cleaned out but it was getting late in the day when we got to that project but got the pump pulled in each. The diesel tank was in good condition on the inside where as the empty gas tank needs some more cleaning.

We picked up new filters last night. The gas hand pump has the sliding self adjusting pick up tube but the electric pump had a PVC 1" ID for the pick up tube that is 6" short of the bottom so we make a late run to Lowes.

The funny thing Lowes had a 5' stick of schedule 40 for $3.98 Since I had my daughter with me I told her to find the 10' sticks and check the price. After a lesson on thin wall/thick wall options she found the schedule 40.

Twice as long was $1.00 cheaper at $2.98 for 10'.:thumbsup:

We had driven the F-700 just to get it out and pick up a 12' 4x4 to make runners for one tank so we just brought the 10' stick home. Had I been in the Blazer I would have cut it in half in the store to save a buck and got a free 5' stick of 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe.

We will get them prepped when the sun comes back out even though it will be about 25F colder. We focused on getting the 265 MF buffed out with Bar Keeper's Friend and applied 10 coats of Red Max Pro #3 since it will have to set out this winter but from the muffler to the PTO will be covered with a silver tarp so only the nose and fenders will be directly in the weather. I did not get a photo before we covered it but it looked sharp for a 35 year old tractor.

I wanted to do BKF/RMP the fuel tanks before filling them but that will have to wait until another year. I bought both at Lowes but Home Depot has the same product under the ZEP Wet Look acrylic floor finish. It is a DIY motor home and boat finish that makes dead looking surfaces shine like when new.

Anyway my point was if you are looking for tubing when setting up your fuel storage and shopping at Lowes look at the full stick prices. :thumbsup:

CurlyDave · Nov 28, 2011

Gale Hawkins said:
50+ gallons of gas in 5 gallon cans is a pain in the butt and back.:laughing:

Well, it may be easy to steal, but it is also easy to barter.

If the roads are bad and there is a long outage, I might run out of something other than gasoline. If I have a bunch of 5 gallon cans, I can show one to someone to see if he will trade for what I do need. I don't know that I want to show him 50 gallons all in one place while I fill his can.

Gale Hawkins · Nov 28, 2011

Actually I have gone round and round on this subject of fuel storage in my mind. Fear seems to rule the day but at some point one has just to take some risks. Living 2-4 gallons round trip from town/work we will consume about 40 gallons a week when we factor in weekends/side trips.

The major concern is an ice storm or other issues that could stop the flow of electricity. In the dead of winter with no power we can burn one gallon an hour so that adds up.

We burned over 1000 gallons in one month on our recent MH cross country but we have not had any gas companies to offer us any discounts. :laughing:

I am one who rather have access to fuel at most any price then need it and not have a supply.:thumbsup:

covefarm · Nov 28, 2011

grsthegreat said:
Im trying to find a 50-100 gal diesel tank with electric pump for a reasonable $$$$, but no luck yet. Id just load/unload it on a pallet with forks... and haul to station to fill.

Where did you get your pallet forks and if you don't mind how much were they? I have a Woods Loader with Quick Attach / Skid Steer brackets but haven't been able to find a set for lees than $600. I wouldn't mind used but don't know where to look. Thanks.

redhorse1955 · Nov 28, 2011

I have a used 55 gal steel oil drum from local repair shop [originally had ATF in it] and a Barrel pump from Harbor Freight [ Barrel Pump ] Some plastic tubing as a fill hose. I also made a "Diesel Fuel" stencil and spray painted the drum on 2 sides to denote contents. Nothing fancy but it serves the purpose..... Since it's small and only gets filled about once a year it's easy to manhandle off the trailer when I return from the fuel depot.

oldboyscout · Nov 28, 2011

CoveFarm,
try everythingattachments.com
Construction Attachments 42" Compact Tractor loader Pallet Forks CAL-1PFCMPSM42
those are light duty-1800 lbs,
but there are others
sweettractors.com also

grsthegreat · Nov 28, 2011

covefarm said:
Where did you get your pallet forks and if you don't mind how much were they? I have a Woods Loader with Quick Attach / Skid Steer brackets but haven't been able to find a set for lees than $600. I wouldn't mind used but don't know where to look. Thanks.

I got mine from "Quickattach"
http://www.quick-attach.com/

but not cheap. They were about $800 back when i bought them, but i needed a stout set that could handle the lifting capacity of my tractor. Plus at the time i also purchased my plow and loader mounted blower at the same time, so i got free shipping and i got the forks for free by buying the other stuff.

crazyal · Nov 28, 2011

bruceha2000 said:
I know if you screw up and run out of fuel oil for the furnace you can dump diesel in to get by rather than pay through the nose for emergency delivery. Are they close enough that you can safely run it in a diesel tractor??

I have to answer the OP's question for myself, once we get the property (Tues AM, fingers crossed) AND I figure out which tractor to buy AND figure out how much fuel I'm likely to use in a year so I don't either over or under size. Gonna be a crap shoot that one, but the other option is 5 gallon jugs in the back of the car 'cause I don't have a truck and (sorry guys) I DON'T want a truck. I know that gives me like minus 10,000 redneck points .

As for designs, my Dad had a 275 gallon oil tank he put up on stilts so it was higher than his tractor. No pump needed. Not sure how he knew when to stop, by sound I guess.

The dealers around here say there is a difference. Some here say there is no difference. I have used it in a pinch but try to only use off road diesel.

What I've been told is that off road diesel has additives that help lubricate the injectors and pump while the heating oil has additives that help deal with the sediment on the bottom of 275 gallon (and larger) tanks that have built up over the years.

Are they telling the truth? I don't know but two different dealers who brought me fuel made it a point to switch the tanks on their truck before filling up a 55 gallon drum. One even had the valves labeled as to what they were. I was even told that they switch between Kerosene and off road diesel which required flushing of the tank. Because of that they could deliver heating oil on any day but if I wanted off road diesel I would have to wait a few days. Seams like an awful lot of work since they are with in a few cents of each other per gallon if there's no difference between the two.

crazyal · Nov 28, 2011

I have a 55 gallon drum. I made a simple cage for it out of angle iron so lifting it and transporting it (strapping it down) is easy. I have a wooden frame on casters I place it on so I can roll it around the garage. I ended up with a Fill Rite 12v pump and have both the power cord and fuel hose on quick disconnects so I can remove them when I need to transport it.

What you have to ask yourself is how long do you plan on owning your tractor? Most of us the answer is a lifetime. Why not spend the money and make life easy? Life is too short to mess with 5 gallon cans and spouts.

RJFCO · Nov 28, 2011

I have used 5 gal cans and also bulk 150 gal storage. My fuel dealer stopped delivering less than 500 gal so I came up with a better solution.

I fitted a 55 gal drum with a 20' hose and nozzle. I lift it with my FEL and gravity feed. Works like a charm and when low, I load in my truck and go to the nearest station offering off-road tax-exempt fuel.

I rigged a short 4' chain with flat hooks on both ends for lifting horizonally and I slightly loosen the 2" bung for venting.

boatbob2 · Nov 28, 2011

Hi,i have a 55 gal (new oil drum) cleaned out good,i welded 2 rings on sides near top,(to lift into truck)to refill,, the drum has 2 bungs on top,1 is about 3 inches in diameter,one is about 1 inch in diameter.in the large bung,i drilled a hole,and welded a heavy wall piece of conduit,that stops about 1 inch from bottom of drum,theres about 3 inches of conduit sticking out of bung.i attached a 10 ft piece of tubing with a ball valve on end,to conduit,,and a 6 inch piece of tubing on other end of valve.in the small bung,i drilled a hole,and installed a tubless tire valve.to use, i use my 12 volt compressor,to put pressure in the tank,i use 15 to 20 lbs of pressure...more pressure,faster flow of fuel...to refill drum,remove large bung ..it is NOT a good idea to use this system to pump GASOLINE...

jalewis · Nov 28, 2011

My uncle owns an HVAC company, not too long ago, he pulled a 240 gallon tank out of someone's basement and gave it to us for free.

We welded some steel to the legs so that we could bolt some 4x6 runners to it. I then cut a couple pieces of 2x12 in the shape of the tank, and then screwed another piece on each end, and attached them together with some 1x6 decking boards. I put an eye bolt on each corner so that I could strap it down to a truck or trailer.

I bought a 12v pump, and installed it with alligator clips on the end, so that whatever piece of equipment I'm filling can power the pump. I put a fuel filter inline so that I could avoid putting the stuff in the bottom of the tank into any of the tractors.

I had it filled when Woodfin came to fill the generator tank at work, and then loaded it with a forklift onto the trailer, and hauled it to the farm.

We ran out of fuel on Saturday and had to load it in the back of my truck with the skidsteer and take it up the road to the closest station with off road (thankfully only 9 miles from the property). It was a little unnerving bringing it back with 200 gallons in it...

The original 240 gallons lasted about 4 months, although we won't go through it that fast in the winter.

Gale Hawkins · Nov 29, 2011

Someone reported the legality of hauling in a tank larger than 110 gallons. It seems an operator in MO got fined for transporting in more than a 110 gallon tank.

I know there has to be a 'catching' before there can be a 'hanging'.

Does anyone have DOT facts about transporting fuel in non DOT approved tanks.