How Low can I go?

[Ranger Rick]

We stopped using heating oil last year and I have been pumping the heating oil out of the tank into my transfer tank to fuel my tractor. The heating oil tank is now down to about 8 inches in the vertical tank. My question is how low can I pump out the tank without getting into whatever lurks in the bottom of a 30+ year old tank?

 

[Soundguy]

drain it off into 5g bucket and check out what you got in there.

you might be surprised.

might be able to pour 95% of it off thru a tshirt and then treat it and be fine..

the rest dump on the next fire pit...

 

[90cummins]

I 2nd that!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I hope you are running it thru a good water trap and filter on your pump also. This should trap any particulate that would harm your tractor.

 

[Ranger Rick]

drain it off into 5g bucket and check out what you got in there.
you might be surprised. might be able to pour 95% of it off thru a tshirt and then treat it and be fine..
the rest dump on the next fire pit...

Soundguy I have lots of old t-shirts, is that fine enough to get most of what might be in there? Should I look for a finer filter?
Gary, Yes I do have a filter on the transfer tank that does block water also.
Thanks for the ideas. Rick

 

[Diamondpilot]

You will clearly see water or algae as a "blob" lurking at the bottom of a bucket. Just let it sit for a hour or so.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. the water will seperate.. and any algeae and debris will be sediments.. though the algea may flaot.

the doubled or trippled tshirt should grab sand and algeaa, and PROBABLY water.

the rest that pours into the 'clean bucket should be about as clean as you get out of your plastic 5g can.

from there.. treat it, and your tracotrs sediment bulb and primary or primary/secondary fitler for sure should catch the rest.

i know my diesel has a ? 5 micron final...