Small acreage fuel storage - 50 gallon drum of diesel or?

GManBart · Feb 14, 2016

I had a 55gal drum set up with a 12v electric pump, but found that it wasn't enough to feed my backhoe and dump truck for my dirt moving project, so I got a 300gal tank off Craigslist for $200. Around here the suppliers have a minimum of 150gal for delivery.

The least expensive solution would probably be to get a 275gal IBC tote (under $100 on Craigslist) and then find a way to elevate it, rig up a hose from the ball valve, and get an inexpensive nozzle to match. That would give you a gravity feed system for probably $125 or less. If you don't want to elevate the tank, you can get a 12v pump that you can even run off your tractor battery. Here's the pump I got:

Amazon.com: Fill-Rite FR1616 Portable Diesel Fuel Transfer Pump, 12V DC, 10 GPM, 1/5 HP, Plastic Nozzle: Industrial & Scientific

medic3720 · Feb 14, 2016

Last year i turned a blue food grade barrel into a fuel station with a hand crank for my 27hp Cub cadet 7275 and my Kubota ZD231 and had to fill it twice last year with mowing and baling 1 time. This year I plan on purchasing a new 75hp tractor for baling. So I went with a 50 gallon tank from Family Farm and Home for $250, then I bought a BOSS 15 gal. p/min Fuel pump on sale for $200. Bolted it to a pallet, and place a used good battery for the pump. I do plan on bolting the battery to the pallet, and then running a cable to the battery that will hook up to my 7 pin trailer plug on my truck to charge the battery when I take it to the field to fill the tractor when cutting and baling hay this year.

buickanddeere · Feb 14, 2016

20 Liter yellow jerry cans in a locking flame cabinet.

Texasmark · Feb 14, 2016

I have a trailer made from an old Chevy PU bed. I park it under a "car port" kind of steel roof....keep the sun and rain off it. I have 3ea sealable steel 55 gallon oil drums in it with my pump, outlet filter, and battery. When I need farm diesel, I hook to it, go and get the diesel and bring it home. Whole lot easier and safer than what I originally did and that was to make a sling and load the drums in the back of my PU and unload with my FEL. I checked the hasmat tag requirement and leaving room for air aka fuel expansion, the 3 come in just under the 1000# hazmat tagging threshold.

CurlyDave · Feb 14, 2016

buickanddeere said:
20 Liter yellow jerry cans in a locking flame cabinet.

I second this. In the US, a 20 liters is 5 gallons. I keep mine in a locked shed, no flame cabinet.

I use 50-100 gallons per year and have no problem at all with 5 gallon plastic "cans". I have 4, which cost less than $30 over the course of a few years.

My armstrong pump works by gravity and has never failed. Of course, every time I have the tractor on a trailer and drive by a station, I stop and fill the tractor...

GaryLock · Feb 15, 2016

farmeratheart said:
I saw these mentioned on another forum. Roughneck HD UL Listed Fuel Caddy 30-Gallon Capacity | Fuel Caddies| Northern Tool + Equipment If you can transport this to a filling station and back it might help ???

Same thing but for a lot less.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/30-G...948766?hash=item35def6475e:g:KG4AAOSwhkRWeX~G

Gary Fowler · Feb 15, 2016

Lots of cheaper options than a stationary 100-300 gallon tank if you don't mind handling the containers a lot and possibility of fuel spills while manhandling 5 gallons of fuel in a not so friendly fuel container (CARB compliant type). I think many of the older TBN members are in the boat with me and my bad back and over 60 years of abuse to my body so I opted for spending the dollars on my fuel handling so I have very little to lift or spill. The dollars don't seem like much when you compare to a possible stay in the hospital from a slip and fall or a herniated disc in your back or just a strained muscle and the pain associated with these injuries.

Your option on how you spend your money!!

sw99 · Feb 15, 2016

Thanks everyone. After considering all that has been said, I am strongly considering a used stationary tank. I have a 6' x 6' concrete pad I can bolt it to with some redheads. I may try the 150 gallon minimum my local supplier delivers. I have dealing with fuel jugs and I think I can save some money this way.

TnAndy · Feb 15, 2016

8x12 fuel shed I built last year to replace a smaller, older one. 300gal gasoline, 250gal diesel. Tanks were on stands in the older shed, but I put them in the loft of the new one, giving me more room for oil/grease storage underneath in the left bay, and whatever in the right.

I either call a fuel distributor to come fill, or take a few 55gal drums to the local farmer's co-op, fill, and transfer from them to the tanks with a 12v 13gpm "Fillrite" pump. Gravity does the work to fill the vehicle.

I use PRI-G, and PRI-D for fuel preservatives. Gasoline will last several years in a vented tank using it, and in a sealed 55 gal drum, 4-5 years easy. Diesel will last many years even in a vented tank, the PRI is probably overkill.