How Do I Refuel?

[Wombat125]

I have a little dilemna. I need to figure out how to install more diesel in my 5303. I understand the mechanics, but I'm having trouble with the logistics. Here's the facts:

1. I have a 19 gallon fuel tank
2. It takes me several months to go through a tank full, especially in this drought
3. I've been told it's not good to store diesel for long periods of time
4. Buying four 5 gal diesel cans/jerry cans is expensive
5. Buying one 30 gal diesel can is very expensive
6. The gas station is ~4 miles from my house with about half on pavement

Here are the options I'm aware of:

1. Drive the tractor to the gas station
2. Suck it up and buy the four deisel cans
3. Get some kind of storage vessle for the house to refill at home

I think I am leaning toward just driving to the gas station. That seems to have the least overhead and I get fresh fuel. So my first question is, how hard is it on my R1 tires to run 8 miles on the road every few months? My second question is, are there other refueling options I haven't considered?

Thanks for the input!!

 

[CurlyDave]

You can just get one can.

No need to keep the tank more than half full, if that.

Just keep a full one in the garage and refill after you put it in the tractor.

 

[RWolf]

For diesel tanks it's better to keep them as full as possible. The reason is condensation. I use a single 5 gallon can and when my tank gets to about 3/4 then I top it off. I use one of the cans from the local auto parts store (plastic) that has a controllable spout so I don't spill any fuel.

 

[LBrown59]

This is the first time I've ever heard of a tractor fuel tank being to big.

 

[LBrown59]

I have a little dilemna. I need to figure out how to install more diesel in my 5303. I understand the mechanics, but I'm having trouble with the logistics. Here's the facts:

1. I have a 19 gallon fuel tank
2. It takes me several months to go through a tank full, especially in this drought
3. I've been told it's not good to store diesel for long periods of time
4. Buying four 5 gal diesel cans/jerry cans is expensive
5. Buying one 30 gal diesel can is very expensive
6. The gas station is ~4 miles from my house with about half on pavement

Here are the options I'm aware of:

1. Drive the tractor to the gas station
2. Suck it up and buy the four deisel cans
3. Get some kind of storage vessle for the house to refill at home

I think I am leaning toward just driving to the gas station. *That seems to have the least overhead and I get fresh fuel.

So my first question is, how hard is it on my R1 tires to run 8 miles on the road every few months? My second question is, are there other refueling options I haven't considered?

Thanks for the input!!

How many gallons a month does that equate to?

*And probably the most dangerous method.

 

[LarryRB]

You can just get one can.

No need to keep the tank more than half full, if that.
Just keep a full one in the garage and refill after you put it in the tractor.

You must not be in a very cold climate, It is preferable to keep diesel tanks full and not half full, 3/4 or less, especially winter time, and condensation, gelling...Ikeep my tractor topped off at all times, and try to keep my Cummins powered Dodge topped off too. Although more times than not, I top off the truck every third day or so in the winter time,..

 

[greenmule]

Whatevers the easiest to do is what you should do,A,B or C,[probably a D in there also].

 

[RollTideRam]

Buy one fuel can. Drive your tractor to the store and fill it and the fuel can. When you use up 5 gallons fill it with the can and refill it next time you are at the store. JC

 

[LBrown59]

Here are the options I'm aware of:

1. Drive the tractor to the gas station
2. Suck it up and buy the four deisel cans
3. Get some kind of storage vessle for the house to refill at home

 

[Bird]

So my first question is, how hard is it on my R1 tires to run 8 miles on the road every few months? My second question is, are there other refueling options I haven't considered?

!. I had R1 tires and never hesitated to drive 7.75 miles to my brother's place on asphalt roads, and back, or 4 miles to a brother-in-law's place and back. When we were baling hay, we sometimes drove as much as 15 miles on asphalt with an 85 hp tractor with R1 tires. So how hard is it on the tires? Not hard enough for me to give it a second thought.

2. I, too, am one who liked to keep my tank full or nearly so. I had a 55 gallon barrel and pump so I refueled after nearly every use. Otherwise, I concur with the guys who suggested one 5 gallon can to top off the tank when it gets more than a quarter of the way down.

 

[FastPauly]

Based on your reported fuel consumption I would;

A) Buy one 5 gallon can.
B) Put the required amount of fuel treatment in it.
C) Take it to the filling station and fill it up when needed.
D) Transfer fuel from the can to the tractor when the moment feels right (that reminds me of a commercial on TV?).

Advantages;
A) You always have the correct amount of fuel treatment in the tractor.
B) You avoid running a 12mph vehicle on a 60+mph highway....in my mind, tire wear is not the issue. Avoiding this whenever possible may prevent a driver from forcefully swallowing his cell phone when he crest over that little knoll.
C) Gives you something to do when the moment feels right?

I use this method on both my diesel and gasoline equipment. When it comes time to put a seasonal piece of equipment to rest for the off-season...there is no worry about treating the fuel system....automatically already done.

I have noted that on some of my gasoline powered equipment, they respond well by starting and idling better with fuel stabalizer in them....especially my Bass boat.....I am told the stabalizer has octane boosting properties to it.

 

[Wombat125]

Thanks guys. I think I'll probably drive it to the gas station once since it's empty and then try to keep it topped off with a 5 gal diesel can thereafter.

I realize there are some potential safety issues driving on public roads, but I realized I can stay on gravel back roads most of the way. I think the ol' 5303 will do a bit over 20 mph. This is almost faster than I'm comfortable driving it. I'll probably end up throttling back just a touch.

 

[PILOON]

Drive it!
Your tires will probably get weather checked before you ever can wear them out anyway.
Make sure you have that 'slow moving' triangle on the back!
And if you have a FEL, carry a couple of 5 gals cans in it when you fill up.

 

[Ken]

How does this driving to refuel effect your insurance. My insurance quits at the property line. If it takes several months to empty a 19 gal tank. would think sometime a trip to town to buy what ever and a 5 gal of diesel at same time would work.
I use the 15 gal. plastic barrels to haul fuel easy to identify the red farm fuel from highway fuel and small pump easy to fill tractor.
ken

 

[LBrown59]

How does this driving to refuel effect your insurance. My insurance quits at the property line.

Very go0d question.

 

[CurlyDave]

Now you guys all realize that any container which is not emptied completely into the fuel tank in one go is going to sit partially full, maybe even less than 1/2 full for long periods of time.

If condensation is a problem in the tank, why isn't condensation in the fuel container (15 or 55 gal, take your pick) equally evil?

 

[LBrown59]

Now you guys all realize that any container which is not emptied completely into the fuel tank in one go is going to sit partially full, maybe even less than 1/2 full for long periods of time.

If condensation is a problem in the tank, why isn't condensation in the fuel container (15 or 55 gal, take your pick) equally evil?

Quite true

 

[jenkinsph]

Were not talking about much fuel usage here so I vote for filling with 5 gal cans as needed to top off. Keep tabs on fuel treatment then find something else to worry about. These little tractors most of us have here have to be used all day to burn over 5 gallons so it is a non issue.

My equipment is insured on the road but I avoid roading equipment whenever possible. I pass too many pumps everyday in normal driving to see the need to make a special trip to the stations with my equipment.



Steve

 

[RWolf]

Curly- You do have a point but it's the amount of fuel and the time. For an average weekend tractor operator a 19gal tank "can" last quite awhile so there's more time to build up condensation. When using a 5gal can then it's either full or empty. I don't know many people who will use only a couple of gals of diesel at a time.

 

[Wombat125]

Well, the decision was kind of made for me. We are in the middle of what appears to be a fairly major snow storm. Since my opportunity to drive the tractor into town has passed, I ended up buying a couple 5 gal yellow diesel cans and filling them up this morning.

I would still secretly like to drive down the road in high gear once just because I can.

Thanks again for all the input.