Bulk fuel at home

[HR_Mutt]

We are considering having the company that delivers our LP gas setup a tank for off-road diesel use, probably a 300 gallon one. I can think of a lot of advantages but there has got to be a downside. We'll have a pickup load of 5 gallon containers available soon/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Thanks
Mutt

 

[GlueGuy]

You probably want to be sure you can use the 300 gallons within a 6 or 8 month time frame. I had thought that I might need storage or something. However, our B7500 has only used about 10 gallons over a 26 or 27 hour run time. I think the 6 gallon jobby I have will do just fine./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

 

[HR_Mutt]

GlueGuy
300 gal. is minimum size they offer, planning on starting out with 100 in it. As far as using it, since I got a bigger tractor, the wife is running the wheels off of the hand-me-down/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
regards
Mutt

 

[cowboydoc]

Mutt,
NO downside whatsoever for me!!! I love having fuel right here. I have regular fuel and diesel. Anytime I'm low no fighting people at the gas station, no waiting to pay, etc., etc. My lawnmower is low, just pull her down to the pumps, tractors low pull her to the pumps, need a few gallons of diesel for spray just pull to my pumps, EVERYTHING, fuel is right there and easy as cake to fuel anything and everything. My fuel guy just stops by whenever he is this way and fills me up. IF I have fuel for an extended period of time you can get additives to it that will make it last just fine for a year or more. Just make sure you get the filters for the tanks. There honestly is no down side for me.

 

[Bird]

I agree with cowboydoc; just use a filter, don't let water water get into the tank, and use a fuel additive. I only use a 55 gallon barrel, but a neighbor has a 250 gallon tank on a trailer. I prefer "fresh" fuel, but mine sometimes lasts 6 months and the neighbor says his may be over a year old when he's not using the tractors a lot in the winter.

Bird

 

[heehaw]

the only downside i can think of is comin up with the $$$ to pay for that much fuel at one time, especially if the price doesn't stabalize a bit. maybe losing the ability to shop for the best price?? but convience would sure go a long way toward outweighing these or any other "downsides"..
heehaw

 

[HR_Mutt]

Thanks Everyone for the positive input/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.They'll install the filter, any preferences out there on additive?I'm not used to diesel being around very long.The price quoted per gallon was towards the low side of another thread about fuel cost in your area.They also offered 2 grades of diesel fuel, regular and premium $1.299 & $1.329. Just for your info the cost of tank installed is under $500. It sure looks like a worthwhile addition.
regards
Mutt

 

[Bird]

Mutt, you may want to ask your fuel distributor what additives he'd recommend. My neighbors and I use Power Service, seems to be as good as any and is readily available locally, and isn't very expensive. I just buy it by the quart and put a pint in 55 gallons. My nearest neighbor buys it by the gallon. I've also heard that Stanadyne (not sure of the spelling) is good.

Bird

 

[cowboydoc]

Mutt,
I'd shop around for suppliers. My guy provides the setup, delivery, and cost of the tank plus changes the filters every third fillup for free. I keep the tank for free as long as I get fuel for him. He guarantees the lowest prices.

 

[JerryG]

Bulk fuel is usually cheaper than the fuel you buy at a station. I haven’t fill my 300 gallon tank up sense last December, but at that time I only paid a $1.04 a gallon. I am sure that I will have to pay more when I refuel in about June. A gallon jug of Power Service does 300 gallon, so it works out just right for me.

 

[MReeter]

Mutt,I also looked for a tank that would suit our needs,everything I came up with was too big to put inside the shop.So,I had one made to my specs and it works out great.Cost of the tank was $200,I did the clean up and painting.The 120 volt pump,filter and fittings was around $250.It will hold a little over 100 gallons,I had it filled last Fall at 102.9 per gal.Today Diesel was 149.9 at the pump.That $450. was the best money I have spent in a long time,it is sooo handy to pull up to the tank,flip a switch,fill up with fuel and take off again,almost as quickly as Dale Jarretts Pit Crew.Well,almost.

 

[M. Sullivan]

Just watch the age of the fuel. Diesel absorbs water (hydrolocizes (sic), I believe) even from the air to a considerable extent. Likely not an issue for a tractor (guess it has a low speed fuel pump). But watch uing older fuel in newer diesel trucks with high speed fuel pumps--they tend to emulsify the fuel/water and it goes right through the injectors/engine. Blow-by gets it in the crankcase, etc..

Wish I had the option here; MI requires you farm 40A I believe for a permit to escape the road taxes. Maybe next year.

 

[Joeinindy]

Just curious about the different fomulations for winter and summer in the diesel fuel. Both the Kubota dealer and the co-op said it makes a difference in performance. I have a 300 gallon tank that just needs a new filter and hose, so I'm about set up to store fuel in bulk, but it would take me a long time to go through even 50 gallons for my use.

 

[M. Sullivan]

Believe I'm getting 6-7 hours on 5 gallons with my 2710. So 50 would last me about 70 hours, or close to a year. With seasonal temp. changes here in MI would be concerned about having summer grade left in the winter....

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Explain it to your supplier... it's for Ag use, and at the present time you "expect lower than normal usage", so please only deliver about 75 gallons, and you'll call for the refills.

Most suppliers would appreciate "any" business now {and suspend any "minimum" delivery gallons}.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MJB]

I asked my local fuel supplier (Agway Energy Products) what the difference was between their #2 heating fuel oil and their "off-road diesel". They told me the only difference was that they mix the off-road diesel 50/50 with kerosene in the winter and they add a fuel conditioner. It is true that your fuel mileage will be slightly lower when running on "winter mix" but I doubt you will notice a significant difference. I am going to take fuel for my tractor out of my heating oil tank and add a fuel conditioner and mix with kerosene as necessary. Since I will also be heating with the same oil it will not be sitting in the tank for more than 6-8 months worst case. Good Luck

Fugitive from the Cubicle Police

 

[HR_Mutt]

Well I asked and the great crew from TBN came thru/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.My wife will have the phone lines zinging tomorrow.MReeter,that is a sweeeet tank you have there!Even inside, you have me dreaming now!
regards
Mutt

 

[HarleyBob]

I am looking for a good manual pump to use on my 500 gallon tank. Who has a good one to recommend and where to order. It will need a supply tube of at least 40 inches or so and an 8 foot nozzle/hose.
The tank has a 2" fitting. At 8 gallons or so per fill, I don't think I need a 12 volt pump.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Best & cheapest place to find one... local farm equip. auction.

Look for Gasboy or similar... I picked one up last year for $2....Works Great! /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

An auction two weeks ago, had pump and 300 gallon tank for $40.

Good luck!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[gerard]

I use my heating oil too right out of the tank in the garage. Just add a conditioner in the winter. Any of the farm supplies will have hand pumps, also Harbor Freight, Gemplers, and Northern Equipment. Mine cost about $20 and screws right inot he 2in bung opening in the fuel tank. Like you said for the amount of fuel you pump per time electric would be a luxury, not a necessity.