Fuel Tank on trailer

[bradal]

I will be picking up my JD 2305 next friday from the dealer. I bought a tandem axle trailer to haul it, as well as other things, for example wood for the 10x10 shed I built today.

I am looking for some sort of fuel system to mount on the trailer. I was thinking the triangular area between the hitch and the flatdeck part. I was thinking that 50 gallons would be enough (200 liters, I am a canuck, eh!) I might be able to make a barrel work but would like something that looks appropriate. Do they make slip tanks in this size? All I have found is 100 gallon tanks.

 

[Roady]

EDIT: Nevermind, I read that wrong.

 

[tommu56]

Some place that makes custom tanks might make one, or boat tanks
Marine Fuel Tanks, Holding Tanks and Water Storage Tanks by Custom Marine Tanks LLC

tommu56

 

[LoneCowboy]

I think you'll find that putting all that weight on the tongue is bad.
There's no real good place to put it on the trailer without throwing the balance off. You'll find that the trailer will run tongue heavy anyway (because the tractor with implements is long, but all the weight is up front) and adding 400+ lbs over the tongue won't help

Get one for the truck, the L shaped ones and put it under your toolbox.

 

[sandman2234]

I agree with LoneCowboy about not wanting it on the trailer, but the same and different reasons. How many times have you seen a trailer jackknifed? Putting the fuel tank on the tongue seems like a good idea and use of otherwise wasted space, but in reality is only asking for trouble in the way of a fuel spill should somebody pull out in front of you or you just get a little lax in your backing skills.
Inside the bed, under your toolbox seems like a good idea.
David from jax

 

[RoyJackson]

I also agree with LoneCowboy. You'll be putting too much weight on the tongue...and your tractor has a limit about the vertical load on the draw bar. There's little doubt 50 gallons would exceed that limit.

Another thing..you'll probably find 5 gallons (just under 20 liters) would be quite adequate, considering the low fuel consumption of these CUTs.
I was going to get a 55 gallon drum for a refueling station (208 liters), but I doubt I use 55 gallons in a year. I don't want the fuel (especially diesel, with it's potential to jell or be contaminated with microbacteria) setting around that long.

 

[bradal]

I agree that amount of fuel might be excessive, maybe I could just buy another Jerry Can and fill two at once. Nothing more of a pain than almost done mowing/working and need to make a run to town to fill the little red jug. I guess I will see once I run the JD a bit and witness how much fuel it uses.

Thanks alot!

 

[woodlandfarms]

Why not get a tank for your truck?

Transfer Fuel Tank and Toolbox Combo — 91 Gallon, All Diamond, Model# 71788 | Transfer Tanks | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[bradal]

Same reason I guess, wouldn't use that much diesel and my truck is gas.

 

[sandman2234]

I am just wondering how many people burn more than a tank a day during operations of their tractor? With my first tractor, I tried to fill it up in March on my wife's birthday and again in August on our Aniversary so I didn't run out. It didn't use nearly as much fuel as the JD2555 or the Ford 7710, but I haven't run them nearly as much as the little Ford 1100. Actually I am just kidding about those two dates, but it really did make me forget when the last time I filled it up. The other two aren't as forgiving dispite their larger tanks.
I would take a spare amount of fuel with me on the first trip or two and see what the consumption actually is before spending the money having a tank built that might be too large or too small. I have a local station less than a mile away, so I just drive up there and fill it up. I ran the Steiner out of fuel yesterday, and had to make a run to the station. I could have taken some out of one of the tractors but it is too easy to drive up there.
David from jax

 

[flINTLOCK]

I'll use about 5 gal a day if discing or especially bushhogging all day on my 40hp NH.

 

[droy]

I came accross some small drums that work pretty good for me;
one is a 15 gallon chemical drum, that I got from an agricultural fertilizer store, it is round, with 2 threaded openings on top- one, a 2" pipe thread; the other is 3/4" pipe thread, perfect for a drum pump, and vent, if needed.
The other also has a capacity of about 15 gallons, but is rectangular shaped. This one also has two threaded openings, both are 2"- one pipe thread, the other has very coarse (large) threads, but the bung, (plug), has a knockout built into it that is 3/4" pipe threads.
They are both white transloucent plastic, very strong, well built. Easy to move, filled, or empty. Paid a "deposit" of $10.00 for the chemical drum, the soap drum was a freebie, and my source told me that some of the soap drums they handle are for "one time soap use",the dealer doesn't want them back, Also available in 35, and 55 gallon sizes, this is the liquid soap they sell to car, and truck washes, so check with those places if interested.

HEADS UP!
Be sure to thouroghly clean them, and store out of sunlight, after 4 years of use, being in the sun, one of my soap drums cracked open when I moved it. Thankfully it was only about 1/4 filled. My other soap drum that I contain used motor oil also has some "sun cracks" in it so I'll be carrying it to the recycler to empty it, then replacing both.

 

[sandman2234]

I wonder what the laws are about adding fuel to non approved containers? I know with gasoline it is a problem, but not sure about diesel. Anyone know their local laws about it?
David from jax

 

[Stampeder]

I just bought a 100 gallon tank from my neighbour and bolted it on a pallet (slightly reinforced). Then I wired a piece of 14/2 from the pump to run to the RV 7 way plug on the rear of my truck.
I have pallet jacks so when I'm doing a bunch of work with the tractor I load the tank/pallet on the back of the truck and go get diesel. When I get back I plug the 7 way plug into the rear of the truck and gas the tractor when I need it.
Once the big work is done I unload the tank with the pallet forks and put the tank in a storage shed ( out of site out of mind, if you know what I mean). That way I'm not hauling an extra 400 lbs around and burning up expensive gas in my truck.

Cheers.
Glenn.

 

[BTDT]

What will you be using your tractor for? Might go to an RV dealership, they have plastic tanks (holding tanks, for septic and water) that you could probably mount under the trailer between the axles, or behind, and adapt for fuel. Just a thought. Like some said, unless you are doing a lot of work, you may not need to carry any extra fuel. Good luck with your search.

 

[familyman]

Perhaps some brackets could be welded up to carry a tank beneath the deck over the axles?

 

[tlbuser]

What will you be using your tractor for? Might go to an RV dealership, they have plastic tanks (holding tanks, for septic and water) that you could probably mount under the trailer between the axles, or behind, and adapt for fuel. Just a thought. Like some said, unless you are doing a lot of work, you may not need to carry any extra fuel. Good luck with your search.

For plastic tanks of different sizes and shapes, Custom Plastic Tanks Marine Water Holding RV - Plastic-Mart

 

[Kendrick]

I wonder what the laws are about adding fuel to non approved containers? I know with gasoline it is a problem, but not sure about diesel. Anyone know their local laws about it?
David from jax

Diesel is a different type of problem then gasoline. diesel uses compression to blow gas just needs a spark. the problem with diesel is if it spills it is a pita to clean up. the approved containters issue also comes in with post fuel usage. if it was not marked a fuel can and some one now tries to store vegie oil for a fryer in it. wala you now have sick patrons. yes people are that stupid.

 

[sandman2234]

I was more concerned about highway use of a fuel tank. Most trucks that use diesel have "tested" tanks on them, marked and certified. Kind of like that tag you see on the tank of your air compressor. Before I would take the chance on adding a tank of unknown origin, I would either add a rack to hold a series of 5 gallon cans or mount an existing tank from a known source. I acquired several steel diesel tanks from straight trucks that were in the 80 gallon range. They are long gone except for one aluminun 100 gallon tank which I intend to keep. Another option is removing one from a commercial lawnmower. I recently purchased a Jacobsen greens mower for parts and it has a pretty good sized diesel tank on it. Something like that would probably keep you out of trouble in case you wrecked the trailer and somebody got sue-happy.
David from jax

 

[firemanpat2910]

I havent seen any one mention theft, I would not want $300.00 worth of diesel left unattended on my trailer. I have had probably 5 gas and diesel cans stolen from in front of my house, and 1 smart ask even brought back the empty can, and my dumb ask filled it back up thinking my pops filled his mower with it while he was cutting my grass. He swears he did not use any of it, didnt know if it was gas or diesel so he wasnt going to put it in the new mower I gave him. So I would be very wary of leaving a large tank full anywhere. (But if you do let us know where and we will keep an eye on it for you )