FUELING FRUSTRATION

[cttractor]

I'm not sure why Deere and other manufactures put a tractor's fuel cap on the engine hood, but they do and I'm having problems with spilling when refueling my 2000 series tractor. First, there's the fact that I have to step up onto the operator's platform with a full 5-gallon container and bend over cantilevered over the hood with it while filling (it causes the arms to ache after a few minutes). Then, any spill goes all over the hood and onto equipment below, such as the mower -- it can be a real mess.

So, I'm looking for a better refueling approach. A standard fuel nozzle with a 120 VAC pump on a 15 or 20 gallon or so tank would be ideal. Even then, I'll have to buy and transport diesel in a couple of 5-gallon cans to fill the tank. This small a machine doesn't justify a pickup-up body tank, so there's no easier way to get the 15 or 20 gallon tank refilled.

I've tried to find a solution looking in catalogs like Northern Tools and such and they seem to primarily have gravity-fed siphon tanks and 12VDC pump systems -- I want to just plug the system into a 120VAC receptacle in the wall of my garage. I have to believe that other members also have to deal with these refueling hassles. What solutions have you guys come up with to deal with this mess? Any useful feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

TIA!

 

[Deere Dude]

I'm in the same boat with a 3720. It is hard to fill unless you are built like **** brick house. I just painted a 100 gallon tank yesterday and plan on forking that onto the truck and when filled fork it onto a platform 7 feet up. Then gravity fill. I don't know if it will work, but I will have a nice shiny new John Deere yellow tank.

 

[9973720wb19]

I have a JD 4720 and use one of those small folding bench ladder stools...I don't know what you call them...it's about 3' high, has fold out legs and it's like a small bench...i'm 5'2" it gives me the standing hight over the filling opening. I can use 5 gallon cans with not much problem.

 

[dmccarty]

Do you have a FEL? If so, I first put the 5 gallon can on the operator platform, then I get up there and lift the can to rest on the FEL support. On the 4700, I can pour the fuel without having to lift the can. Without the FEL, it would be a PITA.

Later,
Dan

 

[cttractor]

I appreciate the comments! Unfortunately, I've been trying similar approaches myself and they all seem to be a different PITA workaround when refueling should actually be a lot easier. And yes, I do have an FEL and your suggestion is better than climbing onto the operator platform. That is, unless the FEL is off and the mid-mount mower is the primary attachment in use, such as during much of the summer.

Has anyone other than me decided that their preferred approach is to fill the tractor's tank just as if he'd driven the tractor up to the diesel pump at a service station? I guess I should have been clearer in stating that this is the approach I've decided to pursue.

I have noticed that I could do it more cheaply by getting a pickup body tank that operates on 12VDC, but I prefer to not get some 12V power supply to or extra batteries and charger just to power the pump and a tank that sits low on the floor. There must be some such setup with a 15-20 gallon or similarly sized tank that has a nozzle and is powered by an ample capacity 120VAC driven pump. Is no one doing this?

 

[LBrown59]

I built both of these systems.
Either one of them is a perfect solution for you .
The great thing about them is there is no lifting carrying or handling of heavy drums of fuel as the system fills it's self.

I'm not sure why Deere and other manufactures put a tractor's fuel cap on the engine hood, but they do and I'm having problems with spilling when refueling my 2000 series tractor. First, there's the fact that I have to step up onto the operator's platform with a full 5-gallon container and bend over cantilevered over the hood with it while filling (it causes the arms to ache after a few minutes). Then, any spill goes all over the hood and onto equipment below, such as the mower -- it can be a real mess.

So, I'm looking for a better refueling approach. A standard fuel nozzle with a 120 VAC pump on a 15 or 20 gallon or so tank would be ideal. Even then, I'll have to buy and transport diesel in a couple of 5-gallon cans to fill the tank. This small a machine doesn't justify a pickup-up body tank, so there's no easier way to get the 15 or 20 gallon tank refilled.

I've tried to find a solution looking in catalogs like Northern Tools and such and they seem to primarily have gravity-fed siphon tanks and 12VDC pump systems -- I want to just plug the system into a 120VAC receptacle in the wall of my garage. I have to believe that other members also have to deal with these refueling hassles. What solutions have you guys come up with to deal with this mess? Any useful feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

TIA!

 

[texasjohn]

I bought 3 overhead tanks on stilts with gravity fed hose/nozzle. Fill up when prices are down.
One for red diesel
one for on road diesel
one for unleaded gasoline

Pickup has 100 gallon in bed diesel tank with 12V pump. It stays in back of pickup.
Also have 150 gallon tank which fits in back of pickup for unleaded, with 12v pump. I lift it in and out (only when empty) of the pickup

 

[Ken45101]

I'm not sure why Deere and other manufactures put a tractor's fuel cap on the engine hood,

I assume that is for a gravity fed fuel system on the tractor, it has to be higher than the fuel intake on the tractor.

For smaller tractors, I used a 55 gallon plastic drum with a hand pump. That worked well until I started getting equipment with 25 gallon tanks.

Ken

 

[cttractor]

I built both of these systems.
Either one of them is a perfect solution for you .
The great thing about them is there is no lifting carrying or handling of heavy drums of fuel as the system fills it's self.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

Texasjohn, I agree that filling your overhead tanks from your pickup tank is the way to go. At this point, I just don't have a need for a pickup body tank except for this purpose and it seems like overkill to get one just to fill a drum or such for my 24HP tractor. I've thought about just getting the pickup tank and filling my tractor from that, but it seems like a lot of extra weight to carry regularly for the small amount of diesel that I use. The real problem is that I'm in between needing a real system, such as for a farm or construction equipment, but having trouble living with 5 gallon cans because of the placement of the tractor's fill pipe.

LBrown59, please tell some more about your installation. It's not clear to me from your photos that you have two individual systems. But, it looks as if you are using a 12VDC pump powered by a large charger which pulls from two drums. I can see how that is used to fill your tractor(s). How do you get the drums filled in the first place?

 

[Soundguy]

I'm not sure why Deere and other manufactures put a tractor's fuel cap on the engine hood, but they do and I'm having problems with spilling when refueling my 2000 series tractor. First, there's the fact that I have to step up onto the operator's platform with a full 5-gallon container and bend over cantilevered over the hood with it while filling (it causes the arms to ache after a few minutes). Then, any spill goes all over the hood and onto equipment below, TIA!

that just keeps the hood from rusting!

i hear ya. when refueling my NH7610S it takes about 5 yellow jugs. UGH.

a rotary bbl pump comes in handy!

 

[pat32rf]

By putting it in the middle we can spill it equally on both sides, normally 1/2liter per fill-up.
I finally got fed up and installed an old 100 gallon tank, put a hand pump on it and probably haven't spilled 4 oz in the past five years. Fuel truck comes and fills it when I call.

 

[cat tracks]

Howdy fellas! I'm new to posting but have been checking out several forums here for some time now (tons of info) so, it's as good a time as any to jump in. I apoligize for any blips in advance.
I have a Deere 2520-same tractor I'm guessing-so I can relate. 35 pounds at almost arm length is a pain in the keester during peak grass growing season! What I did was get a "DELTA" brand 50 gallon square transfer tank-2x2x2 feet with a 12V pump. Build a dolley of 2x4's with 4 casters for it to set on.I roll mine under the end of the work bench for storage.The pump will probably come pre wired with alligator clips, mine did. I use an old battery from the boat but you could just as easy use the tractor battery and not mess with the extra battery issue. At the begening of the season I use a couple nylon chokers and the FEL to load the tank in the truck, fill it at the station, and reverse the process back home. I mow 2 acres 3 maybe 4x every 2 weeks and I can go most, if not all season on a tank. Works great, takes little space, and no need for delivery.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Around here, you need 150 gallon minimum order for home delivery. I have a 100 gallon tank with a 12v 15gpm pump and my brother in law has and identical set up (I bought both off Craigslist). I started out using one of those jumper batteries from Sam's Club but after a couple of years it didnt have the power to pump and wouldnt take a charge so I just bought a car sized battery that I set on top of the tank with a float charger to keep it charged. I keep mine in my boat shed so there is no sparks from my welding to worry about. The tank had some clips on each corner for bolt down to truck bed, so I just bolted on some heavy duty swivel caster wheels to it and now I can roll it around my shop easily even when full. I have a 20 foot hose on it with automatic shutoff nozzle. Now I just pull my tractor up to the garage door, unhook the hose from the pump bracket, turn on the pump and fill just like a service station. When both tanks are empty we call the dealer to come fill them up. If I needed to I could put it in my truck with the FEL and go get it filled then use straps to lift it off. So far in 3 years, I havent needed to do that.
I could just about manage to bulk the 150 gallons by my self if all my diesel equipment was empty. The bulk tank will hold 105, my RTV 6, JD 332 lawnmower 6, my LS tractor 25 and my B26 8 if all was near empty. I could put 10 gallons in plastic containers if needed but it seems that my BIL and I usually run out about the same time. We try to anticipate the rise and fall of prices a bit if possible to get the best deal, but sometimes the bulk rate doesnt coincide with the pump prices. He charges what it cost him when he bulked up his tanks till he buys again. He doesnt go up and down daily of twice daily like the service stations. So sometimes it is cheaper and sometimes it is higher.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I still use 20L plastic fuel cans and stand on the front tire of my Kioti DK45 (cab) to fuel. I used to use one of those cheap squeeze-start siphons, but now just upend the jug into a very large funnel inserted into the tank opening and let it sit until empty...I don't top up the tank, just put in 20L whenever it gets down below 1/4 tank or so.
A pump or gravity-feed system would sure be a lot more convenient/less back-breaking, though.
BOB

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a 28 HP tractor and a 300 gallon gravity tank. I bought it off CL for $50 and put a new filter and hose setup on it. Its in my pole barn and what I do is just once a year have 150 gallons of fuel delivered. I put a whole gallon of Power Server and a shot of bio-cide in it and have had no issue since 2004 when I got this setup.

No pumps, just gravity. Nice for me since we lose power at least once a month. Just lost power last weekend for 10 hours.


Chris

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!
system, such as for a farm or construction equipment, but having trouble living with 5 gallon cans because of the placement of the tractor's fill pipe.

LBrown59, please tell some more about your installation. It's not clear to me from your photos that you have two individual systems. But, it looks as if you are using a 12VDC pump powered by a large charger which pulls from two drums. I can see how that is used to fill your tractor(s).
How do you get the drums filled in the first place?

With this hauling drum.

 

[LBrown59]

Howdy fellas! I'm new to posting but have been checking out several forums here for some time now (tons of info) so, it's as good a time as any to jump in. I apoligize for any blips in advance.
I have a Deere 2520-same tractor I'm guessing-so I can relate. 35 pounds at almost arm length is a pain in the keester during peak grass growing season! What I did was get a "DELTA" brand 50 gallon square transfer tank-2x2x2 feet with a 12V pump. Build a dolley of 2x4's with 4 casters for it to set on.I roll mine under the end of the work bench for storage.The pump will probably come pre wired with alligator clips, mine did. I use an old battery from the boat but you could just as easy use the tractor battery and not mess with the extra battery issue. At the begening of the season I use a couple nylon chokers and the FEL to load the tank in the truck, fill it at the station, and reverse the process back home. I mow 2 acres 3 maybe 4x every 2 weeks and I can go most, if not all season on a tank. Works great, takes little space, and no need for delivery.

With my set up there is no need for this as the only drums I handle are empty ones.

 

[Eyecatcher]

If you think gas cap on hood is frustrating, look at my Yanmar Ex450. they put the tank behind the drivers seat!!! absolutely cannot reach any controls on 3pt equip such as rotary spreader or ph digger. And of course it had to be mounted high up to clear the 3 pt. Here was my solution. Found an old 100 gal heating oil tank and a small 2 wheel trailer. Mounted the tank on the trailer, found a 110v pump on CL for $100. It's about 2 miles to the station that sells off road, if I'm using the tractor a lot, I tow the trailer to the station and fill it and the tractor both. Minimum delivery is 200 gal, so when my buddy down the road has his 300 gal tank filled, I park my trailer right beside and get mine filled at his discount price.

 

[bcp]

I saw this once:

Barrel rolled into the loader bucket, raise, gravity flow to the fuel tank.

Bruce

 

[dfkrug]

I am a fan of using air pressure. I built this tank years ago, and it has
served me well. Note that I don't use a ton of diesel, but I sure don't
like lifting full 5-gal containers to shoulder height.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/117491-diesel-fueling-system-cut-owners.html

Harbor Freight makes a very nice pressure vessel for sand blasting that
could easily be converted for fueling operations. That would be far
less work than my converted propane tank.
Pressurized Sand Blaster