Diesel fueling system for CUT owners

[dtd24]

not sure how I missed this thread either, but I am taking down an old mobil station in order to build a new one and found a brand new gas pump handle with a hose today!!! I think it was fate that I stumbled upon this!!

I too will paint mine JD Green!!!

[wfontjr]

first i would never use air to pressurize a hydrocarbon, the only thing you are missing in the vapor space is a spark, most vessels containing hydrocarbons have a nitrogen blanket to prevent this, second its probably a good idea to ground the tank when filling tank or tractor, flowing liquids can build up static electricity, and when it discharges, boom

i have seen static discharging inside a closed vessel, the only safety was the vapor contained no oxygen

[gerard]

Originally Posted by wfontjr

first i would never use air to pressurize a hydrocarbon, the only thing you are missing in the vapor space is a spark, most vessels containing hydrocarbons have a nitrogen blanket to prevent this, second its probably a good idea to ground the tank when filling tank or tractor, flowing liquids can build up static electricity, and when it discharges, boom

i have seen static discharging inside a closed vessel, the only safety was the vapor contained no oxygen

I don't think that's as much a concern with diesel, especially at 10 psi.

[Minotbob]

Doesn't NASCAR use pressurized tanks to fill the car during pit stops?

[orangebluegreen]

Originally Posted by Minotbob

Doesn't NASCAR use pressurized tanks to fill the car during pit stops?

No, gravity.

[have_blue]

Originally Posted by gerard

I don't think that's as much a concern with diesel, especially at 10 psi.

I only use 3-5psi on my pressurized drum, and it puts out a hefty stream. It fills my 8gal tank in half a minute or so. I was afraid 10psi would give it recoil, and if I would fumble it, I would have an expensive mess on the floor. I guess I need a nozzle!

I'm with you on the diesel. Even gasoline is rarely set off by a static spark, and diesel is twice as safe.

[BearKiller]

I just found/read this.

That is an excellent idea to keep your feet (and the heavy tank) on the ground while fueling.

Like someone else stated, probably a lot more people have near broke their necks from slipping and falling off precarious perches, while trying to balance a five- to seven-gallon can of fuel, than will ever be hurt building/using your invention.

A few points I will add to the discussion :

One could make this even more portable by employing a pump from a 3-gallon garden-spray to pressurize when no compressed air was available.

For that matter, the whole thing could be built from two or three of the sprays grafted together for increased capacity, and replacing the tiny hose ports with bigger fittings/hose.


I would add a GoldenRod water-separating filter/sediment-bowl ahead of the delivery hose.


Also, no mention was made of it that I read, but it is absolutely a must to have a couple of good water separating air cleaner/filter units for the compressed air to pass through before it charges/enters the fuel tank.

Compressed air, especially in the humid Eastern-central states, is about two thirds water as it comes out the hose; we don't want this in our injector-pump.

[dfkrug]

Originally Posted by BearKiller

Also, no mention was made of it that I read, but it is absolutely a must to have a couple of good water separating air cleaner/filter units for the compressed air to pass through before it charges/enters the fuel tank.

Yes, that is clearly a good practice for anyone that uses air tools or a
plasma cutter. I have a dual separator mounted near the compressor.

I am not too concerned about adding significant water to the Diesel in
that I pressurize the tank, fuel the tractor, trigger the nozzle off, then
loosen the tank's fill cap to release residual pressure. All that takes
less than a minute. A positive shut-off nozzle that does not drip is
a big plus here. Also, a dipper tube (vs a bottom outlet) will leave no
residual pressure in the hose, and its pickup leaves sediments at the very
bottom of the tank.

I have no concerns about the flammability of Diesel in this application. I
HAVE been known to buy pressurized aerosol cans of very highly flammable
Gumout and starter fluid, however.

[BearKiller]

Originally Posted by dfkrug

I
HAVE been known to buy pressurized aerosol cans of very highly flammable
Gumout and starter fluid, however.

Yeah, I once got a real close shave, nose-hairs, eyebrows, and all, back when WD-40 was actually volatile; they have since watered it down considerably to protect such idiots as I; it will no longer start an engine like it once did, nor does it seem so wonderful as it first did.


The short version of the story is I had the wife's vacuum-sweeper in my lap with all the fenders and hood off.

I gave the workings a good saturating with good old WD-40 and told the wife to plug it in (the switch had been gone for years, so the cord/plug was now the switch).

WHOOOOFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!

For about half-a-milli-second, the whole kitchen was afire; and, as a result, I was slick as a mole.

[have_blue]

Originally Posted by BearKiller

WHOOOOFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!

For about half-a-milli-second, the whole kitchen was afire; and, as a result, I was slick as a mole.

Nothing like the smell of scorched nose hairs to make you jump back.

I got me a nozzle. Someone gave it to me. Doesn't have automatic shut off, but hey, it was free.

Last winter my fuel barrel got empty... guess there was 1/2 gallon of red diesel my dipper tube wouldn't pick up. I turned the 55gal. drum up and dumped it into a 5gal bucket. There was a small piece of trash I couldn't identify, and about 5 drops of water rolling around in the fuel. Even if it would have gone into the tractor's tank, I'm confident the dual filters would have easily handled it. I poured it back into the drum, wasting less than a coffee cup of fuel. I like my pressurized fuel drum.