Plastic Barrel for Fuel

F350Lawman · Aug 1, 2003

OK I have a plastic barrel and pump that I want to starrt getting off-road diesel in for my tractor use. Someone on this forum mentioned that SOME barrels are not suitable and may leech some of the barrel chemicals into the fuel.

So far I have been able to find out on the internet that barrels are rated by the U.N. as to what they are approved to carry. The barrels I have all must be rated for somewhat hazardous chemicals because they had held cleaners/waxes, etc. for car washes. They are all THOROUGHLY cleaned out and have been used for the past 3 years for my wifes barrel racing.

I would think they would be sutable for diesel? I know gasoline is a solvent but diesel seems relatively mild?? These are the white heavy duty closed top barrels with the 2 screw in caps on either side of the lid. The pump screws perfectly in one.

Does anyone know what code I should look for on the barrels, they are LOADED with #s?????

MossRoad · Aug 1, 2003

I tried storing gasoline in a plastic barrel. 35 gallon size. It got hot in the garage and the barrel expanded so much that I was scared to take the lid out. I waited until early in the morning when it cooled, then drained and rinsed it. Won't do that again. Diesel may not have that problem.

Also, I have read several articles that plastic and static are a MAJOR concern. When fuel flows over the plastic, a static charge builds up. That is why you are supposed to only fill plastic containers on the ground, never in the bed of a pickup truck. Now we all seem to use plastic 5 gallon containers all the time without incident. So why would a plastic barrel be any different? I don't know. But there have been several instances of people filling plastic cans in pickup truck beds with plastic liners. A static charge built up and a spark ignited the can and the person /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

If I were using a plastic or metal barrel, I would ground it well. Sounds odd to ground plastic, but it needs to be done. How, I don't know. I would imagine several straps of copper connected to a wire with a clamp that you could ground. But, as a disclaimer, I wouldn't do it. I'd buy an approved storage container. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

F350Lawman · Aug 1, 2003

I know what your talking about with the gas containers. I have identical gas and diesel containers (diff. colors) and the diesel container does not "bloat" from the heat or emit that cool vapor when you crack it open on a hot summers day. I don't think the static charge is an issue with diesel or at least not a very significant one.

I may be able to get my oil company to fill it right at the house anyway.

MossRoad · Aug 1, 2003

Something about gasoline that I love. It is sooo explosive! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

When we move to our larger property in a few years I plan on getting a 300 gallon or so tank on a stand with a pump for gasoline near(but not too near) the barn.

There was a thread here somewhere about the flash point of gasoline and diesel. I'd like to find it again.

F350Lawman · Aug 1, 2003

F-350, if you fight with Blue Cross long enough they will give you an account number that is not your SS #. I did this already.

Not me! Before I rewired my lawn tractor it had exposed wires underneath the dash with no cover, I would ALWAYS overflow the tank and be riding around smelling like gas. I always worried that I would burst into flames from the wires sparking and the gas residue. Problmewas the wires and tank are right between your legs when you're riding the tractor /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It wouldn't have been pretty.

I am much happier dealing with my diesel truck or new diesel tractor, you can keep your 300 gallon potential gasoline fireworks show. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Phred · Aug 1, 2003

Guys,

I use a plastic barrel for storage of diesel.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/258093-gas%20can.jpg

Keep in mind that almost all the gas cans you buy at stores these days are plastic. So plastic is not a problem. The best material is the HDPE (high Density Polyethylene), often marked HDPE on the material. This may have a "2" recycle number.
You will not have any problems with this material.

I got my drums for ~$5 at a local gas station. They have a pile ready for sale. The ones I have used to be for soy sauce.

Static can be a problem for even metal drums. Use a ground strap. This is more critical for gas than diesel.

The other port on a plastic drum is a 2" butress rather than a 2" NPT. Your pump is NPT. You can buy a butress to NPT adapter that will convert that butress fiting to npt.
This would allow to use a vent/fill cap on the other port. The vent keeps the pressure from rising to high. Also handy for fill ups.

Fred

F350Lawman · Aug 1, 2003

Nice pic.

thanks for the info i am going to use it. Now I just have to locate the nearest place to go buy some off-road fuel.

What did you pay for that pump. It is much nicer than what I am going to use. I am only filling 6 gallons but it still will take me quite a few pumps. Either way it's better than my 5 gallon "spillomatic" jug /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. I have taken to pouring it through a funnel so that my margin for error is greater.

Phred · Aug 1, 2003

Lawman,

I do not recall the pump cost. It was tractor supply item not very pricey. That plus a repair coupling, a few NPT pipe nipples, a filter, hose barb, and a bit of plastic hose. Pretty cheap when you consider that off road is 50% the cost of on-road. I can't understand why the pumps don't come with a taped npt fitting on the ouput but they don't. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Call an oil company. They usually have off road. I just drive up and pump diesel into the drum(s) and drive off. Use a skid and forks to unload as necessary.
Its pretty common to see guys pull up with drums in the back of pickups at this place. Only bad part is they are open during the week only.

Fred

F350Lawman · Aug 1, 2003

Thanks again!

Pretty cheap when you consider that off road is 50% the cost of on-road.

Not quite as good up here in the colder Northeast. They stick it to us with higher heating oil prices ( even in the summer) but it still is much cheaper. Probably $1.00 vs. $1.60 right now. Still significant though.

I also like having the extra 55 gallons of diesel around for the couple of times we have run low on heating oil and had to get a quickie delivery when the weather was REAL cold and we burned it REAL fast. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Slamfire · Aug 1, 2003

Half the price! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The only break we get around here is some of the road taxes. They total $0.38/gallon. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif