Re-fills: Is there an easier way than two 5-gal diesel jugs??

[Jerry/MT]

I re-fill two yellow 5-gal diesel jugs about once a week for my tractor, & it seems like there's got to be a better way.

I'd like to 1) get more fuel per trip to the station (maybe 25 to 50 gals) & 2) not have to hold 5 gallons in mid-air while it starts to empty into my tank.

I'd prefer to avoid an electric pump - I guess I'm saying a mechanical one should work for me. Or maybe I could bring the tank above the tractor & gravity-feed it. I've thought about making a contraption I could use to set the filled transfer tank on & crank it up above the tractor. Just wondering if there's an easier way without breaking the bank ... or any other ideas for that matter?

(BTW, just last nite I made a little mod to my current setup: I drilled a 1/4" vent hole in each of two 5-gal jugs. I've got them plugged with 5/16" bolts. I haven't tried filling & then emptying them, yet, but at least I won't have to hold 5 gallons in mid-air as long anymore)

I bought a 55 gallon drum from a local fuel dealer( It was originally used for Power Service White!) and a new barrel pump and hose and I use that for fuel. I use my loader and a drum lifter to lift the full drums from my pick up. The drum was $20 and the new pump was ~$100 and is a Tuthill. You can find some cheap ones at Harbor Freight or on ebay that work just as well for ~$40). The hose is about $10 and I use a 45 degree barb to pipe thread adapter for a nozzle. Works for me.

 

[kevinj]

I bought a 55 gallon drum from a local fuel dealer( It was originally used for Power Service White!) and a new barrel pump and hose and I use that for fuel. I use my loader and a drum lifter to lift the full drums from my pick up. The drum was $20 and the new pump was ~$100 and is a Tuthill. You can find some cheap ones at Harbor Freight or on ebay that work just as well for ~$40). The hose is about $10 and I use a 45 degree barb to pipe thread adapter for a nozzle. Works for me.

I use a similar set up but the OP can search for LBROWN59 and read for a while:laughing:

 

[JD3520Cab]

Do they have farm sales in your area. The older tanks that are perfectly serviceable go for a song because they are to small and slow for a big tractor. I bought a 150 gal. tank on a sale for $10 and put on a new hose, nozzle and filter setup. The fuel truck just brings it out and all i have to do is pull along side and fill up. it needs painted but will do thatin the spring. just a suggestion.

 

[adjusterr]

Not wanting to hold a five gallon can, I found one of the plastic hand siphon pumps made popular with the Kerosun stoves, every hardware store has them. Set the can up on the hood squeeze the siphon bulb several times and it will empty most of the fuel. Probably the cheapest way to go.

 

[MF 1532]

look on internet at magic siphon , they work :thumbsup:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

What about this:

Blitz 15-Gallon Professional Fuel Station™, Model# 11055 | Fuel Caddies | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Markcuda]

Just try and carry 15 gallons of fuel with no rolling wheels

 

[turbo466]

I have a similar 55 gal. system for my loader tractor but have a gravity system. When I need to fill up, I just lift the ol' barrel half way up on my forks and gravity does the rest.


uhhh...just kidding but that would be a way to do it I guess

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Just try and carry 15 gallons of fuel with no rolling wheels

Throw it in the back of your truck...

 

[bp fick]

Either my wife or I drive past the Fuel Mart every day, or every other day at most. It's just down the road. It's convenient, has fueling contracts with local fleets, so the fuel is always fresh.

I like the old style, plastic, with good vents, 2.5 gallon cans. The smaller size is perfect. Easy to lift and use. I have 3 or 4 of these smaller cans.

Our tractor isn't a fuel hog, so we can keep up with usage. It just easier for me to dump in 2.5 gallons, as many times as needed. At this point in life, I'm not lifting 5 gallon cans anymore.

 

[BethesdaEC]

I really like the no-spill containers, as they can be tilted and when in place, the plunger pushed to let the fuel flow. When 5 gal is too heavy to lift, I will just put in 4 gal at a time at the pump. I get mine here, although they are also available at a local farm store.
Bailey's - Fuel Cans & Fuel Additives > No Spill

I have a 30 gal barrel that I painted yellow and filled it in town and lifted it off the trailer with the FEL. Had a hose with nozzle to fill. But that became more of a nuisance and more fiddling around than just carrying fuel home in the no-spill cans.

I second the "No Spill" cans. I just lift it to the filler neck and let most of the weight rest on the neck. Press the button and wait for the auto shut off to stop the flow, you don't even have to look down into the tank.

 

[slowzuki]

Used to have a 250 gal bulk tank and hand pump. I miss it!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I use a similar set up but the OP can search for LBROWN59 and read for a while:laughing:

About every post on fuel ever. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

I made a simple setup using a 300 gallon tote, a filter body and element, hose, and nozzle. Got about $150 in it total.

I have to buy 150 gallons at a time minimum for my co-op to deliver it but well worth it.

Chris

 

[Gary Fowler]

I found my first 105 gallon tank with DC powered 15 GPM pump on Craigslist for $300. I added a fuel filter system to it for about $30. My BIL liked it so well that he has it in his shop so I found another one with same setup (again on Craigslist with filter and autoshut off nozzle and new hose for $350 that I welded 4 wheels on it and I can roll it around in MY shop to keep it out of the way. It worked out OK for BIL and myself with 210 gallons of storage capacity and of course what ever the 3 tractors might need. They distributor wants minimum of 150 Gallons to deliver so we just have to use up both tanks. Since we both work on whatever needs done on the 42 acres we have, we just share fuel if needed till empty and get it refilled. Never had any issues with sludge or water and we usually use up the fuel in less than 6 months and dont use any additives at all. Of course we dont have cold weather gelling problems and all fuel is stored under cover.
I bought a portable jump start battery at Walmart for power source so as not to have to hook up to tractor battery each time. They are not any good for jumpstarting anything bigger than a lawnmower, but works great for the pumps.

 

[LBrown59]

My first fuel station




My second fuel station .
http://s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk286/lb59/?action=view&current=100_2582.jpg

 

[bp fick]

There it is. :thumbsup:

 

[D7E]

Used one of these for years screwed into a 45gal oil drum worked fine .
http://www.princessauto.com/all-seasons/farm/transfer-pumps/manual/2460027-dual-action-piston-pump.

Then bought one same as this for $250 on an auction with 12v pump complete, Any thging is better than handling 20 odd 5 gallon drums of diesel every morning, even a hand crank !

 

[NativeSon]

I really hate this job also, especially the new style jugs its like you need 3 hands just to get them to work then they take forever to fill.

I hate the new jugs also......brought to you be your federal govt.(EPA)
EXTRA PAIN IN THE.......??????

 

[Haywire]

Anyone ever make their own tank? I have been looking for weld on stainless fill necks and hose bungs, but haven't found any that are economally priced. The tank I sketched is about 20 gallons (48x18x6) and has a sloped bottom with a drain at the low point to get rid of any condensation that appears. The hose bung is about 2" higher than that low point. It's tall and thin to hang on the barn wall for better gravity flow.

Ian

 

[Diamondpilot]

Anyone ever make their own tank? I have been looking for weld on stainless fill necks and hose bungs, but haven't found any that are economally priced. The tank I sketched is about 20 gallons (48x18x6) and has a sloped bottom with a drain at the low point to get rid of any condensation that appears. The hose bung is about 2" higher than that low point. It's tall and thin to hang on the barn wall for better gravity flow.

Ian

Why? Just get a 55 gallon drum and make a stand or do like I did and get a 300 gallon tote and make a stand. Put a little pitch on it, a filter, then a hose with a nozzle.

Chris