Fuel, 101 way's to get it

[r8nger]

Two words " tractor supply"

 

[Oldpath05]

I use a 50 gal steel tank. It sets inside on a pallet so it should not rust and it is cheeper than aluminum. I put it in the back of the pickup with the front end loader and have hand pump. Ed

Your pretty much on my thinking track, I've heard hand pump several times, think I'll look in to that.

 

[newbury]

I didn't think it weigh's that much, might be getting close to the max lift with my L3400, I better play safe and go with 25-35 gal., I don't mind dropping a log, but fuel that would make me a little nervous.

If even 800 lbs is approaching your max lift capacity you better check your hydraulic pressure. I think your tractor has an LA463, which should be closer to 900 lbs. And you could always NOT FILL the tank, 10 gallons in 2 jerry cans would save 80 lbs.

Your pretty much on my thinking track, I've heard hand pump several times, think I'll look in to that.

The best is a 12V pump, but they make an inexpensive battery operated one and for me siphon is the best way to go.

Keep an eye out for transfer tanks, last year I bought two Northern Tool 50 gallon transfer tanks off CL, barely scratched, for $50@.

/edit - this tank
Better Built Steel Transfer Tank — 50 Gallon Capacity, Square, White | Transfer Tanks| Northern Tool + Equipment

I thought $50 was fair

 

[s219]

Where did you get a 55 gal. aluminum tank, and how is it transported so it can be unloaded when full of fuel and or how is it unloaded from truck? Have a flat bed pickup so that should help. Wonder what's the estimated weight of 55 gal. of fuel besides heavy.

This is the tank I have:

Square Transfer Tank - Brite-Tread

I believe I paid about $350-400 for it, but don't remember where I ordered from. They also have steel tanks for a lower price. Tractor Supply sells many of these tanks in different sizes and styles.

Mine is bolted to a heavy duty pallet which I strap down on my truck or trailer.

The weight is minor -- well under the lift capacity of my L3200 which can lift around 1200# or so.

 

[Gary Fowler]

A few year's ago it became to hard to get dy-lithium crystals for my warp engines, so now that I'm using off-rd. diesel in my tractor, that's also becoming a hassle, nuisance, and at time's a pain in the shoulder. I use 6 gal. of OR fuel in about 3-5 weeks, so to get the fuel, I'm using 3, 6 gal. containers, and a container for kerosene for my Pro-Temp radiant heater, one more thing to chase fuel for, but the good part is the store is close by.
Just wandering how many of you are still on the 6 gallon jug train, or have some here figured out a better way to get fuel?

PS, I've only re-written this post ten time's to try and make it make sense, sort of.

Lots of much easier ways to deal with fuel rather than hand lifting 5 gallon containers. 35-55 gallon drums in either plastic or metal are common solutions combined with a hand pump / electric pumps with water absorbing filters. I found many 100 gallon steel tanks for sale 5 or 6 years ago including DC pumps so that is what I bought and am using. I also picked up a free 275 gallon TOTE tank that I use as spare reservoir to hold the required 150 gallons of fuel purchase in order for my local distributor to home deliver. Since diesel will not go bad for years as long as water isn't present, I don't have a problem with storage of that amount. I don't use as much fuel now as I once did and 100 gallons lasts me all year.

As for refilling 55 gallon drums and unloading them, I used to unload many drums while in the army and the method was a single ramp centered on the drum and then just rolled off the truck, if possible, into some soft sand to stop it's momentum. You really don't need a pallet, pallet forks and FEL to get them off a truck if you don't have that available.

We used an outside storage upright gravity feed tank on the farm which is about the cheapest solution if you don't mind outside storage. Water will accumulate in this type of storage tank and has to be drained off occasionally. It wasn't a problem with the high sulfur fuels back 50 years ago, but may require a biocide additive in todays ultra-low sulfur fuels if you want to use that type.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I have a 55 gallon drum I got from a friend, it had mineral oil in it originally, figured diesel fuel was simular enough, drained it as best I could and filled it up. Used it last summer, with a hand pump into cans to transfer into the tractors, I have a hose I salvaged from work, hope to set up a stand to allow gravity feed for this summer. I also hope to have a filter/water separator in the line as well. In summer, with fresh fuel I wasn't worried about it, but if it were to sit over the winter, I'd want it treated and filtered. I went thru about 100 gallons last summer/fall, haven't used 10 gallons since November.

 

[grsthegreat]

i recently purchased a 55gal fuel transfer tank system called Enduraplas.

odd name, but cool system.It includes plastic fuel tank,electric fuel pump,diesel self shutoff nozzle. all in one.Pumps up to 10 GPM.

Ive used it and fills nice and fast with me standing on ground instead of balancing on tire with 5 gal can. I can load it on truck bed with forklift and fuel at gas station. Ive installed it on plywood platform with 4 roller wheels for easy storage. Im very happy.

 

[masscity]

I'm 69 years old and got tired of lifting a 5 gal can over my FEL on my L3540 or holding it up to fill my B7100. I went to TSC and bought a 50 gal tank, 10 micron inline filter and a 115V 12 gpm pump.
I have forks, but I don't take the tank to town to fill it. I fill five 5 gal cans and it takes less than 25 minutes to dump them into my tank and I'm ready to go.

 

[Rustyiron]

Old Path, do you use oil to heat your house? Got a 275g out side?:thumbsup:

 

[Oldpath05]

If even 800 lbs is approaching your max lift capacity you better check your hydraulic pressure. I think your tractor has an LA463, which should be closer to 900 lbs. And you could always NOT FILL the tank, 10 gallons in 2 jerry cans would save 80 lbs.

The best is a 12V pump, but they make an inexpensive battery operated one and for me siphon is the best way to go.

Keep an eye out for transfer tanks, last year I bought two Northern Tool 50 gallon transfer tanks off CL, barely scratched, for $50@.

/edit - this tank
Better Built Steel Transfer Tank — 50 Gallon Capacity, Square, White | Transfer Tanks| Northern Tool + Equipment

I thought $50 was fair

Man you really really got a good deal on that tank, I buy one like that all day long for $50.00, congratulations!!!, guess I will be checking CL too.
900 lbs. might be what I have for lift, but I think it's less at 4 ft. high, I know when I fill my bucket with dirt, it's all my loader want's and that's find with me.