Portable fuel station finished

[Teikas Dad]

I had posted previously about using a cleaned out 33 gallon closed head drum for my fuel transfer setup. My initial efforts looked like this:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/312666-new-fuel-storage-dispensor.html

I had a couple of comments, which I really appreciate, voicing concern about the drum tipping over due to the weight of the pump on one side.

So, back to the drawing board. Being that I'm basically a cheap Yankee I looked around my barn and came up with a solution. I had an old gas grill frame that I had been using as a portable tool table. Previously, I took the grill part off and bolted on a piece of MDF. For this project I removed the MDF and cut one end off the grill frame. I then welded a couple cross pieces on to the base with some flat steel stock that I had laying around. I was concerned that the el cheapo plastic wheels that are found on a gas grill wouldn't support any real weight. To deal with that I found a piece of 3X3 steel angle that I had left over from welding hooks on the top of my tractor bucket. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/273546-finally-got-chance-add-bucket.html?highlight=
I cut 4 pieces of the angle, drilled some holes and bolted them to the sides of the frame. Added 4 wheels from Harbor Freight, a little black spray paint, a couple muffler clamps welded on to hold the power cord and this is what the final product looks like.

I put swivel wheels on the front so I can turn it. Works like a shopping cart. I purchased the rubber wheels, as mentioned, from Harbor Freight for about $14 total. The only other things I purchased were the pump and the filter. I got the drum for free, had the grill frame in my barn and the leftover steel in my workshop. I made sure the frame was strong enough by standing on it. If it holds me it will hold 30 gallons of diesel with no problem. By mounting the drum towards the back of the frame coupled with the spacing of the wheels it's really stable now. To those of you who pointed out their concern about it tipping, again, thank you.

I tried wheeling it around on my driveway and it works like a charm. I gave half a thought about making a mount to hang a battery on the back of the frame, but I found an easier method. I've got a battery jump box that I'll bring outside and hook up the power leads to. That way everything is portable and I don't need to buy anything else other than fuel. Now I can just push it up along side the tractor when I need fuel and no more lifting 5 gallon cans to the top of the tractor or spilling fuel all over the hood.

 

[Utopia Texas]

Very nice set up! On mine I use one of those tiny 12v batteries that are used on trailer tongues to initiate the brakes in case the trailer breaks free of the tow rig. This type of battery is about the size of a soft ball, easy to carry in one hand and will last a long time between recharges.

 

[Teikas Dad]

Very nice set up! On mine I use one of those tiny 12v batteries that are used on trailer tongues to initiate the brakes in case the trailer breaks free of the tow rig. This type of battery is about the size of a soft ball, easy to carry in one hand and will last a long time between recharges.

I'll have to look into one of those, thanks!

 

[Ken45101]

Where I live (nothing flat!), I would have a concern about it taking off down the hill on it's own!

I would seriously consider putting casters with brakes on it, even on level ground. You don't want 30 gallons of diesel rolling off on it's own!

Otherwise, good solution!

 

[Utopia Texas]

Wow, We sure are making things complicated from your original set up! Ok, I suggest you add hydraulic brakes, starboard and leeward navigation lights and a cab with air conditioning!!!

 

[Teikas Dad]

Where I live (nothing flat!), I would have a concern about it taking off down the hill on it's own!

I would seriously consider putting casters with brakes on it, even on level ground. You don't want 30 gallons of diesel rolling off on it's own!

Otherwise, good solution!

My driveway is flat, but if it becomes an issue HF has the same caster wheels with locks. I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

Wow, We sure are making things complicated from your original set up! Ok, I suggest you add hydraulic brakes, starboard and leeward navigation lights and a cab with air conditioning!!!

I'm putting a CB radio, running boards and mud flaps on it this weekend!

 

[GGB]

Hey, don't forget the SMV sign or the safety police will be paying you a visit!

Seriously, you should get a lot of satisfaction from this project. My Dad has one that is close to yours, but not quite as nice. He uses a barrel cart to move it around, but yours looks to be more manuverable. My compliments, and thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Arc weld]

I'd put some gussets on your angle iron caster mounts and a bar joining the handles together to beef it up. You don't want it bending or twisting with about 350 lbs. of diesel in it. How it rolls empty isn't a concern. How it rolls full is. You may need larger diameter casters. I'd also mount a battery tray on it so you don't have to make two trips getting it set up.

 

[George2615]

I had posted previously about using a cleaned out 33 gallon closed head drum for my fuel transfer setup.
I tried wheeling it around on my driveway and it works like a charm. I gave half a thought about making a mount to hang a battery on the back of the frame, but I found an easier method. I've got a battery jump box that I'll bring outside and hook up the power leads to. That way everything is portable and I don't need to buy anything else other than fuel. Now I can just push it up along side the tractor when I need fuel and no more lifting 5 gallon cans to the top of the tractor or spilling fuel all over the hood.

A couple questions:
What make and where did you buy your pump and hose.
How do you fill the 30 gallon container.

 

[Teikas Dad]

I'd put some gussets on your angle iron caster mounts and a bar joining the handles together to beef it up. You don't want it bending or twisting with about 350 lbs. of diesel in it. How it rolls empty isn't a concern. How it rolls full is. You may need larger diameter casters. I'd also mount a battery tray on it so you don't have to make two trips getting it set up.

I was concerned about that but I did reinforce the bottom by welding pieces across. They don't show in the photos. Before I put the drum on top of it I stood on it and had my wife wheel it around a bit. I don't plan on filling it more than 1/2 to 3/4 full anyway so at around 7lbs a gallon, 20 to 25 gallons of fuel is only 140 to 180 lbs or so. I weigh more than that. I appreciate the comments though and I will keep an eye on it.

A couple questions:
What make and where did you buy your pump and hose.
How do you fill the 30 gallon container.

Ebay - GPI pump - saved about $120 over TS prices for the same pump. I fill the container up with 5 gallon cans. It's easy to lift them waist high and poor in. Lifting them to the top of the tractor and spilling fuel all over the tractor even with a giant funnel is a PITA.

 

[k0ua]

Nice project. I was wondering about putting some Anderson Powerpole electrical connectors with a fuse on the battery and just up under the side of the hood to be weather protected (use grease on the connectors) and a set on your power leads and you could plug it into your tractor for power.

Anderson Power Poles, Connectors & Housings - Powerpoles for Sale | Powerwerx

These connectors could also be used for a trickle charger for your tractor battery during storage, or depending on size and fuseing you could use the power port for many other uses. Anderson powerpoles are excellent connectors for low voltage dc connections and I and many other amateur radio operators have used them for years for these type of connections. They are self cleaning by the wiping action of plugging them in and unplugging them. Anyway, just an idea.

 

[Teikas Dad]

Nice project. I was wondering about putting some Anderson Powerpole electrical connectors with a fuse on the battery and just up under the side of the hood to be weather protected (use grease on the connectors) and a set on your power leads and you could plug it into your tractor for power.

Anderson Power Poles, Connectors & Housings - Powerpoles for Sale | Powerwerx

These connectors could also be used for a trickle charger for your tractor battery during storage, or depending on size and fuseing you could use the power port for many other uses. Anderson powerpoles are excellent connectors for low voltage dc connections and I and many other amateur radio operators have used them for years for these type of connections. They are self cleaning by the wiping action of plugging them in and unplugging them. Anyway, just an idea.

Interesting....I could see where they would be useful for a lot of things like you mentioned. I'll have to look into the connectors. Thanks for the info!

 

[Monster5601]

Nice project. I was wondering about putting some Anderson Powerpole electrical connectors with a fuse on the battery and just up under the side of the hood to be weather protected (use grease on the connectors) and a set on your power leads and you could plug it into your tractor for power.

These connectors could also be used for a trickle charger for your tractor battery during storage

Make sure the grease is dielectric (non-conducting).

Power poles are great and most Hams use them myself included. My Battery Tender's use the Motorola connector so I use that for a power take-off from the tractor.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've got them on my service vehicles in several places... never had any issues.

 

[TomSeller]

I had posted previously about using a cleaned out 33 gallon closed head drum for my fuel transfer setup.
.

very nice work. Good job!

 

[smilinjak]

Nothing fancy from me but it might be helpful. Plug the outlet end of the fuel nozzle when not in use. All kinds of critters find the nice round hole a fine place to nest. Their nest in a fuel tank can cause an impossble to find fuel flow rstriction.
Nice build of a fine idea.
Smilinjak

 

[Teikas Dad]

Nothing fancy from me but it might be helpful. Plug the outlet end of the fuel nozzle when not in use. All kinds of critters find the nice round hole a fine place to nest. Their nest in a fuel tank can cause an impossble to find fuel flow rstriction.
Nice build of a fine idea.
Smilinjak

Great tip, thanks! I don't get too many mice around here by there's plenty of spiders and other little bugs looking for a home.