Small tank for farm diesel installation

[nwind]

It's going to to a ultra low sulfur colored off-road diesel fuel delivered by the same company from which I got this tank. Price difference is significant and tank should pay for itself in about a year or two (depends how much fuel I'll use).
I saw good tips on the forum about installing it with a small angle to separate the water and easy water removal (last post) and perhaps to use Goldenrod Water Block Filters:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-goldenrod-water-block-filters-anybody-2.html

but as mentioned on the beginning I'm looking for some help to properly install it since there is no instruction with the tank and dealer only said by the law it should be installed on the cement pad and, 10' away from my propane lines and have some collision protection.
Ventilation, protection, any other things which you guys already have experience with and I don't have any at all

 

[nwind]

That's a good size tank. +1 on the concrete cradle. We poured a footing and laid block. Set the tank skids on the block between two 4x4's. Not sure if your tank has a drain cock or where it is, but if it's on the back side, set your tank with a slight tilt so that water forms at the back drain cock. Set your pickup tube 2-3" from the bottom. We had a hand pump on the old tank. Would recommend electrical if you're going to be using it often enough. You'll tank yourself later...sorry, couldn't resist :laughing: Here's some more pictures if you're bored. https://www.flickr.com/photos/121757047@N03/sets/72157645592226671/

Your pictures actually are quite helpful! Thank you

 

[weathda]

You're welcome. If your supplier is very strict, I'd find out if they could point you to someone (like you) whos setup does meets their requirements. Take a look at how they're setup. Would hate to do a bunch of work and them refuse to fill because it's not "up to code".

 

[nwind]

Looks like they are not

 

[nwind]

Anybody else can give me some directions?

 

[nwind]

Do you guys have more pictures or installation suggestions? Any particular suggestion about vents?
Maybe just one or two 55 gal drums is enough for one 100hp tractor and I don't really need this tank

 

[5030]

My suggestion is, don't have a storage tank at all. Get a portable one for your truck and fill and use that. I run numerous farm tractors from a 100 gallon tank in the bed of my F350. Diesel storage with ULSD is a touchy proposition at best. ULSD likes to grow microorganisms that will clog your fuel system among other things. Best to turn the fuel over regularly and a portable tank does that.

If you have to have a storage tank no matter what, use a biocide like Power Service Bio-Kleen. Not diesel additive alone. Diesel additives like Lucas or Power Service 911 contain no biocide, only lubricant for injector pintles and pump surfaces.

I know what happens, been there did that (with algae in my fuel). It's an expensive lesson and my bulk tank got drained and scrapped a few years back.

The other issue is temperature differential will cause condensation in the tank and that condensation accelerates algae growth and unless it's full all the time, you can't stop it from occuring.

Something to ponder......

 

[Gary Fowler]

IF you plan to use your 100 HP tractor to it fullest capacity, it will burn 50-100 gallons per day depending on load. Myself, I wouldn't want to be going to fill up my truck mounted tank everyday. Keep the water out of the fuel and no algae will grow. I don't use that much fuel but in order to get home delivery, I get 200 gallons at a time and takes a year or more to use it up. In 4 years, I have not had any water in my tank nor any algae problems. I get clean fuel, store it inside my boat shed and it doesn't seem to sweat like folks describe their outside tanks doing. I would put at minimum a shed over if that is closed on the sides and only open on the ends. Make it tall enough and wide enough to use your pumps and be able to get to all the fittings to service the tank. The support post should serve as guard post for collisions.

You will soon enough be tired of pumping 50 gallons of fuel into your tractor at each filling. Electric pumps are well worth their price. I use a 12 volt one on mine but I have electrical power to run a trickle charger to keep the car battery charged up. I bought 2 ea 100 gallon tanks off Craigslist for about $300 each including tank, pump, hoses and shut off nozzles.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I run my pumps off separate battery rather than taking the trouble to raise the hood on the tractor to get to a battery which on my LS means unlocking the grill protector, pulling it forward then raising the hood all the while working under the FEL which has to be raised in order to get to the grill protector and move it.

 

[5030]

I've never had any12Volt electric pump last more than 2 years up here in Michigan winters. 2 Years ago I switched to a GPM lever double action pump and no issues. Certainly not hard to pump and fuel filling (my 100 gallon truck tank) is a trip up town to the co-op, not a big deal for me.

You get algae one time and by the time you are done, your wallet will be depleted of it's contents........... It's a stinky. slimy dark red goop.