Fuel storage

remington270 · Sep 17, 2012

I am considering storing diesel fuel in a 55 gallon drum (metal or plastic). I would then use a had crank to pump it into the tractor. I'm sure some of you guys have done this. How did it work? What's the best way to get the container to/ from the gas station?

smstonypoint · Sep 17, 2012

There have been a lot of threads on this topic in Oil, Fuel & Lubricants. Search there for "fuel storage" or similar.

Good luck.

Stev

mikehaugen · Sep 17, 2012

You may actually be able to buy the fuel in a drum, I haven't tried but I think I have heard that you can. Of course maybe that is just racing fuel or some specialty blend or something- not sure. Might be something to look into, may even save a penny or two.

LBrown59 · Sep 17, 2012

remington270 said:
I am considering storing diesel fuel in a 55 gallon drum (metal or plastic). I would then use a had crank to pump it into the tractor. I'm sure some of you guys have done this. How did it work? What's the best way to get the container to/ from the gas station?

Like this.
Drum is always empty when ever it is put on or taken off the truck.

Jerry/MT · Sep 17, 2012

This is exactly what I do. I remove the hand pump and just manually lift the drum into the pick up when it's empty. I have a drum lifting tool that I picked up at Harbor Freight that I use with a chain and a bucket hook on the FEL to remove the full drum. I do the same for our ranch gas. I keep it under cover in the machine shed. I've done this for about 7 years now and have not had any fuel contamination problems with either type of fuel.

newbury · Sep 17, 2012

Jerry/MT said:
This is exactly what I do. I remove the hand pump and just manually lift the drum into the pick up when it's empty. I have a drum lifting tool that I picked up at Harbor Freight that I use with a chain and a bucket hook on the FEL to remove the full drum. I do the same for our ranch gas. I keep it under cover in the machine shed. I've done this for about 7 years now and have not had any fuel contamination problems with either type of fuel.

Since LBrown hasn't kicked back in yet -
The drum is always empty when ever it is put on or taken off the truck. He transfers it to "ground based" drums.

94BULLITT · Sep 17, 2012

I have heard if you use a plastic drum that the light shining through it will promote algae to grow. I would recommend a pump with a filter on it.

remington270 · Sep 17, 2012

newbury said:
Since LBrown hasn't kicked back in yet -
The drum is always empty when ever it is put on or taken off the truck. He transfers it to "ground based" drums.

That's a great idea. Never thought of doing that. The heavy weight of lifting a full drum is avoided!

Dick · Sep 18, 2012

Have you ever considered checking out if you could get delivery? Obviously you want to get fuel for ag use (not road taxed). Delivery fees might be less overall cost and hastle than you are currently encountering.