Indygunworks
Silver Member
Let me start by saying I thought this was going to be a cheap project. It wasn't. I predicted I would be into this for less than 100 bucks, but after I buy a MR. Funnel to finish the system off I will be right at 200 bucks. It could be done MUCH MUCH cheaper, but I had certain goals I wanted to achieve w/ required extra reinforcement.
Parts.
55 gallon steel drum
10 ft. fuel hose
Fuel nozzle
petroleum rated sealant
fuel pump
Wooden movers dolly
steel
The goal was to have 1 years supply of fuel for my 1980 Ford 340 3 cylinder Diesel 55+ HP tractor. I wanted the ability to load this into my truck using the tractor, and remove it the same way. I also wanted to retain the ability to move the fuel drum out of the way, but still keep it indoors out of the weather and away from prying eyes. A 16 dollar wooden movers dolly on sale for 8 bucks at harbor freight was the ticket. A 30 dollar pump, 54 dollars worth of steel, 27 dollars in grounded fuel hose, 15 dollars for the nozzle, 10 dollars for the metal drum, some paint and I was in business.
Started by welding up the bottom supports.
Then reinforced it w/ the left over steel tubing from the cross members.
Here she is sitting on the dolly
Added some reinforcement to where the chain is going to be permently attached so the pin wont pull through with 440 pounds of weight on it as I raist it into the truck. The dolly is separate so when its lifted the dolly stays on the ground, that way when I set it in the truck its resting on the angle iron and I can secure it with a single wratchet strap.
Then I welded a cross member the two uprights to keep them from wanting to pull together when its lifted in the air from a single lift point in the center.
I welded a single hook on the end of the fuel nozzle. I used a simple 3/4 inch ball valve so I could set it in the tank and pump. I didn't want to have to hold a nozzle open and pump at the same time, and the premade nozzles w/ a hold open feature were cost prohibitive so I made my own. Its put together w/ diesel rated sealant and the bare metal has been primed and painted even though the picture doesn't show it. the hook prevents the nozzle from dropping into the fuel tank, and it serves as a hook to attach the nozzle pointed upright when not in use. the remaining part of the nozzle that sticks up above the hook serves to wrap the extra hose around it when not in use and the fuel drum is wheeled out of the way.
Here is a close up of how it will be lifted (w/out the fuel pump in place of course) and how the center reinforcement works.
Then I welded a T to the smaller bung that way I don't need to track down a screw driver every time I want to use it. I will need to open this sealed port when I fill to prevent the pump from drawing a vacuum in the drum.
Finally I painted the word DIESEL on the side of the drum just to make it look more "official"
Parts.
55 gallon steel drum
10 ft. fuel hose
Fuel nozzle
petroleum rated sealant
fuel pump
Wooden movers dolly
steel
The goal was to have 1 years supply of fuel for my 1980 Ford 340 3 cylinder Diesel 55+ HP tractor. I wanted the ability to load this into my truck using the tractor, and remove it the same way. I also wanted to retain the ability to move the fuel drum out of the way, but still keep it indoors out of the weather and away from prying eyes. A 16 dollar wooden movers dolly on sale for 8 bucks at harbor freight was the ticket. A 30 dollar pump, 54 dollars worth of steel, 27 dollars in grounded fuel hose, 15 dollars for the nozzle, 10 dollars for the metal drum, some paint and I was in business.
Started by welding up the bottom supports.
Then reinforced it w/ the left over steel tubing from the cross members.
Here she is sitting on the dolly
Added some reinforcement to where the chain is going to be permently attached so the pin wont pull through with 440 pounds of weight on it as I raist it into the truck. The dolly is separate so when its lifted the dolly stays on the ground, that way when I set it in the truck its resting on the angle iron and I can secure it with a single wratchet strap.
Then I welded a cross member the two uprights to keep them from wanting to pull together when its lifted in the air from a single lift point in the center.
I welded a single hook on the end of the fuel nozzle. I used a simple 3/4 inch ball valve so I could set it in the tank and pump. I didn't want to have to hold a nozzle open and pump at the same time, and the premade nozzles w/ a hold open feature were cost prohibitive so I made my own. Its put together w/ diesel rated sealant and the bare metal has been primed and painted even though the picture doesn't show it. the hook prevents the nozzle from dropping into the fuel tank, and it serves as a hook to attach the nozzle pointed upright when not in use. the remaining part of the nozzle that sticks up above the hook serves to wrap the extra hose around it when not in use and the fuel drum is wheeled out of the way.
Here is a close up of how it will be lifted (w/out the fuel pump in place of course) and how the center reinforcement works.
Then I welded a T to the smaller bung that way I don't need to track down a screw driver every time I want to use it. I will need to open this sealed port when I fill to prevent the pump from drawing a vacuum in the drum.
Finally I painted the word DIESEL on the side of the drum just to make it look more "official"
