Fuel Tank Score

lostcreekranch · Jan 28, 2014

DT86 said:
1) I'm sure it contains some off road diesel and some water. Ratio unknown. 2) Yes, easily. (otherwise it'd still be in the back of a truck ) 3) No, surprisingly enough. All it has are 4- 2" and 1 - 4" bungs across the top. I might just dump some biocide in it, change the filter, add a swivel to the hose, redo the shabby wiring and call the fuel truck. I looked up the manufacturer by comparing pictures online and it was built by Highland Tank out of Pennsylvania but it turns out it is a single wall tank.

DT;

Hard to believe no bottom tank drain but, I would suggest, since this fuel will be going in your tractor, that you remove the pump, filter, etc. and put temp plugs in all openings. Then with slings and some rigging expertise, get the tank on its end, redo your rigging and get it elevated and upside down so it can be drained completely. You will be surprised what is in bottom of the tank.

I know this because our 300 gallon diesel tank was originally same as yours, a skid mounted tank. Went thru above, steamed cleaned tank, and added a 1" outlet on bottom side of one end of the tank. We found a used HD tank stand and added some height to it with heavy angle iron that lifted tank bottom to about 7' above base. We now get good gravity flow without a pump and can lift tank off of the stand with slings and FEL.

Top of the tank had a 3" filler cap and a 2" flange for pump. Used the former pump inlet to plumb up a tank vent using 2" PVC pipe, elbows, etc. and created an inline vent filter with dome fine screen glued into a 2" coupling. Added a simple metal ladder to side of the fill end of the tank for the tank truck operator to get up to top of tank for filling. It gets filled about every 10 months.

This has been working since 1992 with no issues. Location of tank is a ways from any power source so gravity flow works great.

Good luck with your excellent find!

Gary Fowler · Jan 28, 2014

DT86 said:
3) No, surprisingly enough. All it has are 4- 2" and 1 - 4" bungs across the top.

I might just dump some biocide in it, change the filter, add a swivel to the hose, redo the shabby wiring and call the fuel truck.
QUOTE]
I would think seriously about adding a drain to the bottom before filling it. You could drill a hole in the bottom(opposite end of the pump) and drain the contents, flush it with soapy water and pressure washer to remove the sludge and then weld on a 3/4" thread-o-let. This would enable you to put in a threaded nipple and valve so you could check the contents occasionally. Set the tank up so the drain is at least 2" lower than the pump end and also make sure your pump suction is 3 inches off the bottom to avoid sucking up any contaminated fuel.
One other thing, notice where the hose fits after the filter, I would put another 90 ell, or at least a 45 ell there to keep the hose from kinking. If left as it is, it is going to destroy the hose in a short time as it is already kinking there.

Gary Fowler · Jan 28, 2014

Oh, very good buy for the price if the pump works there is your $400 right there so the tank was free.

DT86 · Feb 21, 2014

There was much more liquid than I thought in the tank, from watching it pour out I'm guessing 20+ gallons @ 2/3 - 3/4 diesel and the rest nasty water.

So this is what happens when you dump the questionable contents of a used fuel tank into an old loader bucket and set it on fire.

It was interesting to hear the water boiling off as the fuel burned. It was a good time to get rid of the wad of net wrap and trash that has piled up in the RTV.

Also bought a new filter element at NAPA for $16. The wiring is spliced together and looks sh##ty so I'll replace that and it needs a swivel in the fuel line. Also discovered that it is a manual nozzle that must be held. :thumbsdown:

Still thinking this was a good deal over new!

Looking4new · Feb 22, 2014

DT86 said:
There was much more liquid than I thought in the tank, from watching it pour out I'm guessing 20+ gallons @ 2/3 - 3/4 diesel and the rest nasty water.

So this is what happens when you dump the questionable contents of a used fuel tank into an old loader bucket and set it on fire.

View attachment 362003

It was interesting to hear the water boiling off as the fuel burned. It was a good time to get rid of the wad of net wrap and trash that has piled up in the RTV.

Also bought a new filter element at NAPA for $16. The wiring is spliced together and looks sh##ty so I'll replace that and it needs a swivel in the fuel line. Also discovered that it is a manual nozzle that must be held. :thumbsdown:

Still thinking this was a good deal over new!