Refueling

[Anonymous Poster]

I've been waiting for someone else to mention a gravity tank, since I've done a fair amount of jawin' about it in other threads. But, since no one has, here's my summary:

55 gallon drum on it's side on a 5' high platform, placed there with a FEL. galvanized fittings, ball valve shutoff, filter housing and filter, 14' petroleum hose, swivel, farm nozzle. Some more fittings out of the other drum hole, vent pipe rising above the tank, another ball valve. More expensive than a can, etc., cheaper than an electric pump, absolutely reliable (no pump to break), possibly some increased risk if you're not careful.

All parts available on the 'net or your local oil distributor (the route I took). Lif the empty drum into the pickup bed, remove filter and hose (leave the other fittings in place), strap in and take to the distributor to be filled with off-road diesel (still in the truck, remove one of the fittings for filling), return, lay it on it's side in the pickup bed, pick up with bucket (strap in) and put it back up on the platform, blocking it in place. Re-attach the filter/hose/nozzle assembly and you're back in business for another 55 gallons.

Drive up, open the vent valve and fill valve, put the nozzle in the tractor filler and fill the same way you would a car. A farm nozzle does not have an automatic shut-off so you have to watch, but watching is easy because you don't have to do anything else - no cranking, no lifting, etc. No electric needed. I always shut off the ball valves again after filling, so I'm not depending on the valve in the nozzle to hold everything back.

I have it on a slab at my son-in-law's garage right now (next to my property), but when my barn is done and I move it, I'm going to set it off from the building a little ways and put a roof over it.

 

[cisco]

Well, I spill a few drops of diesel on occasion, but what the heck. So, with an L3410, I hoist the 5 gallon plastic can onto the hood of the tractor (climbing up via the drivers access, and then placing 1 foot forward onto the front tire) on which I've already placed a cheap rag. I also wrap another cheap rag around the gas tank at the fuel tank inlet. Then I tilt the can forward as I direct the nozzle into the tank inlet, and, finally, I unscrew the air inlet "breather" cap on the plastic fuel can. Easy. Cheap -- and I'm too dense to think of anything else, and too cheap to buy a large gas tank from which I can pump diesel - and I can only bench press 250 lbs (just added such for interest - have no idea as to relevance).

 

[Anonymous Poster]

With my L3010 I struggle with the can on the loader arm and pour but if both the tractor and tank are empty I load it on the trailer and go to the gas station.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Hitting the gym doesn't appeal to me. Easy way to refuel does.
Hope you can be as lucky as me on cost.
A friend gave me the pump.
A distributor gave me the tank with hand pump (under the 5 gal bucket)
Pipe came with the purchase of the farm.
Axles left over when converted to brakes on another trailer.
I had to buy 4 old tires (about 25.00) and the yellow jack stand from Harbor Freight plus a few welding rods.
See attached.

 

[frank_f15]

HECK, I JUST USE 2.5 GAL CANS. much easier on these old arms, know that is not praticle for some one that uses a lot of diesel, but for me it works /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif also last time i checked i could bench press 12 oz's /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[DanCT]

Here's what I used to do with my JD3010 - set the fuel can up on the tractor and use a siphon, a couple squeezes of the bulb to get it started and off it goes. I haven't tried it on my TC30 yet as I have to buy a new siphon.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hey guys, I just wanted to thank all of you for your wonderful ideas and observations on this subject. My new tractor was just delivered yesterday, so I have until the tankful of fuel that the dealer provided is gone to decide what to do... You have given me lots of great food for thought.

Randall Smith

 

[Anonymous Poster]

When it runs out of fuel just trade it in on a new one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Don't even fool with that unsave messy re-fueling.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

This is the best idea yet! Time to upgrade to a cab model!

 

[Slamfire]

Dan, those are curls you're doin' with that 12oz weight. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Please don't take this as too dumb a question, but where to you get "off-road diesel"? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I get my new Kubota B7800 this week and would like to know. Being new to all of this, I had no idea there were different grades of fuel.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Not sure where you would get it where you are, but here in KY it is available at some rural locations and in bulk from fuel distributors. Off road diesel can be either the same as on road diesel or a higher sulfer diesel but no road taxes are paid on off road diesel. Big fine if you use it for highway use though. It might also have some identifying dye in it. Off road diesel is used for farm and construction machinery.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( where to you get "off-road diesel"? )</font>

My local Grange has it at the pumps with the rest of the fuel. It is identical to the other diesel except it is marked with red dye. Ask your tractor dealer, he may know where you can find it. My dealer buys his directly from the fuel oil distributor in bulk and didn't know who had it in town. I had to call around. It's 30-40 cents a gallon cheaper. For the amount I burn though it really doesn't make any difference... I fill my tank at the closest place unless I happen to be going by the Grange with the truck and think to throw the fuel tank in.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yes, it's pretty much the same stuff (may have some extra sulphur, considered good for lubrication?), is dyed red to distiguish from the fuel on which road taxes are paid, and is cheaper by the amount of Federal, state and local road taxes in your area - about 50 cents/gal for me. I don't qualify for Ag use, so I do pay the state sales tax on it.

Lot's of people use it. Farmers, construction equipment, stationary diesels (pumps, generators,etc), refrigeration units on semi trailers, maybe even boats in some areas. Therefore, it is available somewhere in your area. None of our local retail outlets have it, but our local oil distributor (heating oil, gasoline and diesel for small independent gas stations, etc) has a back lot with lots of pumps. One of them is off-road diesel. Most of the large farms, construction companies and stationary engines have their own bulk storage (300 gallons or more) and get it delivered by the distributor. I have never lived in an area that didn't have an oil distributor somewhere nearby.

Find someone who knows someone who is part of the heavy equipment industry and ask where they buy it.

As for whether it's worth it, on some other thread they talked about ALMsmanship - the art of paying the Absolute Legal Minimum taxes. Besides, 2 bucks or more on a can of fuel will buy a couple of adult beverages.

 

[buck1]

Hey, you've gotta start somewhere...and double up on mama's beans and taters /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[chico922]

I have a JD 755. When i first got it i went and bought a 6 gallon fuel can. Not a very good idea. My fuel tank is located under the hood in front of the engine. It would be fine without the FEL. (JD should of thought about this /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) I mow have a long funnel with a big end on it. You may need to people but it helps a lot.


John deere 755 w/ FEl Rockford IL

 

[fractal]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( HECK, I JUST USE 2.5 GAL CANS. much easier on these old arms, know that is not praticle for some one that uses a lot of diesel, but for me it works /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif also last time i checked i could bench press 12 oz's /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>

I concur with your solution. Only problem I have is finding yellow 2 1/2 gallon containers.

Speaking of 12 oz contaiers .. I used to brew in 5 gallon batches. A couple of years I switched to 3 gallon batches. You can get both carboys and kegs in 3 and 5 gallon sizes but I find the 3 gallon kegs fit better in the fridge and the 3 gallon carboys are easier on the old back to move. Same thing applies to diesel just as much as beer. Sure, I "can" hoist the 45 pounds of diesel in a 5 gallon container and hold it over the fill, just as I "can" slog around the 50 pound carboys. Just find it a lot more convenient to hoist the 25 pound jugs of diesel.

In my opinion, anyone who uses enough diesel that they need more than 2 1/2 gallons a fill (I fill mine at just under half tank and that takes about 2 1/2 gallons) should consider one of the larger solutions suggested (35 gallon caddy, 55 gallon barrel with pump or gravety or even bigger container), but for those of us with more modest needs, the 2 1/2 gallon can is an ideal solution.

Now if I could just FIND some 2 1/2 gallon cans in yellow /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ncengr]

I also use a gravity system. I got the distributor for my home heat LP gas to rig a used 55 gallon drum with fuel filter, hose, and nozzle. I built a wooden frame out of some excess treated lumber I had and the dealer brought the drum out, set it on my frame, and filled it with diesel fuel. He only charged me $53.00 and that included the parts and the fuel. Now about once/twice a year I call and they fill up the drum and I'm set to go again for awhile.

The drum sits horizontally and it works like a charm. No electricity and no back strain! The other advantage is you can buy diesel at off road prices (i.e. without the road taxes) and that will save you quite a bit.

 

[OkeeDon]

That's an incredible bargain! 55 gallons of off-road diesel at a very good price of less than a dollar a gallon would account for the $53 by itself! I paid $20 for a new drum (rather than a free used one), and about $150 for 14' petroleum hose, filter attachment, filter, swivel and farm nozzle (no safety devices), and the required plumbing fittings (connectors, nipples, shutoff valves, etc.). Then, I paid about $70 for my first fill - it was over $1 at the time. So, my first full tank cost about $240. It now costs me about $53 to have it filled, but I have to take the drum to the distributor - they would come out and fill it, but charge a premium if the delivery is less than 300 gallons.

 

[Chief]

I just filled up my refuel rig today with the off road diesel. Cost me 95 cent a gallon. Here is a picture of it.