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

[sixdogs]

I have a plastic 55 gallon drum with a 12 volt pump on it. I added a water and sediment filter to the output of the pump and a plug that plugs into the tractor. The pump was from tractor supply. I strap the drum to a pallet and put it in the back of my truck to fill. I then use pallet forks to move it when full. I treat the diesel with a stabilizer when the drum is filled. Much better than 5 gallon cans and the resulting mess.

This is a good idea with a low price. It's got my vote.

 

[bdog]

I don't think diesel needs near the preservatives that people think it does. I have a couple pieces of diesel heavy equipment that don't get used often. In fact the last time I used them and fueled them up was 2013. I go out and start them and let them run about 15 minutes once a month or so. Started them last week and they ran just fine with three year old fuel with zero treatment.

 

[sixdogs]

I have used Stanadyne Performance fuel treatment for around 25 years now and never had a problem or an injector issue in thousands of hours and different climates from 25 below to 95 degrees above. My friend that owns a diesel repair shop originally suggested it. Some of the fuel I have used was at least four years old. Apparently it's a preservative thing as well as a lubricity additive.

This is how I store my fuel. The hose isn't shown because I was about to paint it.



It's a used 150 gallon tank that I put on a roller stand and keep near the door of the barn. I just repainted it, Rustoleum Smoke Gray. The tank cost me $25 but I had to clean it out. I used a pressure washer inside, then dried it, banged it around and shop vacuumed as much as I could with a wand extension.

Anyway, I put two filters on it--overkill-but one is a waterblock/filter and one just a filter. I got an electric 12V pump at a sale, had an old fuel gauge and it's a dream setup. I don't roll it anywhere but it's plan B so I can push it out the door if I ever have to. The local fuel guy fills it up when needed and I get the bulk price. Almost none ever gets spilled and I don't even have to pull into the barn to fill up since the hose will reach outside.

 

[Ford850]

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...

This gets my vote, since I do the same. The OP says he only uses 30 gallons a year. 3 of the 5 gallon plastic fuel cans would mean 2 trips for fill-ups a year. It's hard to beat something that simple. This also ensures fresh fuel, with winter or summer blend, as needed.

 

[Fallon]

I've got a whit plastic 55 gallon drum & manual pump I use. Its strapped to a pallet & I load it into the truck to fill at the station a couple miles away.

I have a 500 gal tank on a stand I got for $100. I need to clean the tank, put hose & filters on it before I fill it. Planning on filling it full & treating it so it will last me a few years while the prices are low.

 

[Kubota 2350]

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.

That's a neat setup, do you have to clime to the top of the tank for filling?

 

[TnAndy]

10' step ladder leaned against the loft area.

 

[Copperhead]

I have oil drums stacked in the barn from oil I have used over the years. I just use a 55 oil drum for my diesel and a 30 for my gasoline. Have an electric pump and filter that fits in the large bung of the 55 drum and a hand pump in the large bung of the 30 for the gas. Got both of the pumps off of Northern Tool. This setup has worked for me for over a decade. Guess it all depends on how much you go thru and what your storage situation is.

 

[Gary Fowler]

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.

I don't find the statement of gasoline lasting several years to be true for me at least. I left some gasoline in my lawnmower after fall clean up and next spring it wouldn't start. I though sure a carb job would be required but after draining the tank and refilling with fresh gas, it started right up. I poured the stale gas out on my driveway with intention of burning it off. I tried throwing matches on it but it wouldn't ignite, finally I got out my propane torch and finally got it started to burn. It smoked more than diesel, somewhat like I was burning old tires. Stabil treated gasoline will last for 3-4 months for sure, maybe longer but I sure wouldn't try using 3 year old gas in anything.

Diesel, I wouldn't have a problem with using 5 year old fuel or older because it doesn't degrade like gasoline.

 

[TnAndy]

Stabil brand preservative isn't very good. Beats nothing, I guess.

PRI products (G for gas, D for diesel) are so far superior to Stabil it isn't funny. A year easy in open vented tanks (I also treat any small engine with it if storage is going to be a few months or more), and 3-4 years easy in sealed drums.