Fuel drum and pallet set up/

powerscol · Feb 20, 2016

Not sure if this is the right place but here goes. I was at a gas station today and noticed a man fueling up a plastic drum set in a small plastic pallet. Looked like a 35 gallon drum, but could have been a 55. It was a trick set up with the drum in the middle of the plastic pallet, set in some sort of lip or depression, and strapped down. The pallet was small but fork lift compatible. It had a hand crank pump installed. I have searched high and low today to find anything similar with no luck.

I now kick myself for not wondering over and asking about it. It would be perfect for my needs.

Anyone have any resources for fuel rated plastic drums and a pallet that might work, or pictures of your set up? Anything would be helpful.

Thanks - Keith

Oldpath05 · Feb 20, 2016

I'm in the process of finding a better way to get fuel, what you describe sounds like something that I'd like to try.

countrybumpkin · Feb 20, 2016

Something like a secure barrel pallet? https://forsalebyinventor.com/products/portfolio-item/secure-barrel-pallet/

flyerdan · Feb 20, 2016

I'm wondering how you can run the forks in there without ripping a couple big gashes in the bottom of the barrel.

crazyal · Feb 20, 2016

I just use a 55 gallon steel drum. The top is not removable, just has the two bungs. But I got a locking ring and welded a couple individual links of a 1/2 chain to it and clamped it to the top of the drum. This allows me to strap it down onto a trailer or the back of my truck. It would be easy to put the barrel on a pallet with blocks of wood screwed to hold it in the center (or if you wanted to get a little more detailed you could use a jigsaw to cut a circle out of plywood the size of the drum and screw a couple layers to the pallet). Then you would just need to make something for the straps to hook onto on the pallet.

newbury · Feb 20, 2016

How much do you need to move?
What are the LEO's like?

Down in Fulton, MS I've seen guys driving around with those 275 gallon IBC totes in the bed of their truck, just filled from the local station.

I picked up 2 of the Northern Tool 50 gallon transfer tanks off CL for $50@

.

I've seen what looked like DIY setups with a 35 or 50 gallon drum in a "cradle".

Were you thinking of something like:

Available at Eagle 1633 Spill Platform - Modular - Single Drum

powerscol · Feb 20, 2016

countrybumpkin said:
Something like a secure barrel pallet? https://forsalebyinventor.com/products/portfolio-item/secure-barrel-pallet/

Its close, but the well was not as deep and black plastic. I'm wondering if he took a plastic pallet and made the depression for the barrel.

powerscol · Feb 20, 2016

newbury said:
How much do you need to move?
What are the LEO's like?

Down in Fulton, MS I've seen guys driving around with those 275 gallon IBC totes in the bed of their truck, just filled from the local station.

I picked up 2 of the Northern Tool 50 gallon transfer tanks off CL for $50@

.

I've seen what looked like DIY setups with a 35 or 50 gallon drum in a "cradle".

Were you thinking of something like:

Available at Eagle 1633 Spill Platform - Modular - Single Drum

Colorado CSP is pretty particular at what folks haul in and the fueling stations also check. I got asked when I used a regular red gas can and put diesel in it. So I invested in two yellow ones.

powerscol · Feb 20, 2016

I'm going to check next week with the few oil service folks. I drive by a Pennzoil distributor every day and notice several varieties of barrels and totes that might work, along with the plastic pallets. Plenty of wood ones around too and I have a bunch I put hay on.

Thanks for the help

Gary Fowler · Feb 21, 2016

Close by to me is an industrial plant that gets their raw material in 275 gallon TOTE tanks and you can have as many of them as you want FOR FREE. They have a small amount of resin in them that I washed out with pressure washer and then diesel flush. They used to clean them very good but I guess that got too expensive for a FREE tank so now they are just well drained. Cant beat the price for a fuel storage tank. I suspect many TBN members could find the same thing if they looked. TOTE tanks are used a lot and they are mostly a 'one shot' deal so a business getting rid of them at no cost is good for the business. Folks sell them on Craiglist and other sites for $100 or more and I would bet they get them for free.

The good thing about them is they have built in fork lift ports, they have a steel reinforced cage around the plastic, they are mostly chemical resistant and have a built in bottom drain valve + a large top cap that has a standard bung so a fuel pump can be screwed directly into the top cap.
I use mine as a reservoir for spare fuel to complement my 100 gallon steel tank. This allows me to get free home delivery (150 gallon minimum) + I can really stock up when fuel prices are low. I do store all my fuel inside an enclosed building so weather and sunlight do not affect it or the container.
For those who prefer to buy small quantities, 35 or 55 gallon drums filled at a local station and mounted to a pallet are cheap way to go albeit a bit more expensive on purchase price of the fuel.

RPW · Feb 22, 2016

I use 55 gallon steel drums. One for gas and one for dyed diesel. The diesel I get at our distribution center and the gas at the local filling station. I've properly marked each drum. I'll load the empty in the back of the truck and stap it down and after it's filled I'll use the bucket on the tractor to unload.

TnAndy · Feb 22, 2016

I store 15 drums of diesel/gasoline (9-6) and use my drums to transport fuel home which I then use a 12v transfer pump to put up in my large tanks (gas-300, diesel -250). I made some wood pallets that all my drums go in, makes them easy to move around with tractor forks, and keeps the drum on the pallet with the sides.

amigauser · Feb 22, 2016

Sweet idea there with the drums and carrier.

powerscol · Feb 22, 2016

TnAndy said:
I store 15 drums of diesel/gasoline (9-6) and use my drums to transport fuel home which I then use a 12v transfer pump to put up in my large tanks (gas-300, diesel -250). I made some wood pallets that all my drums go in, makes them easy to move around with tractor forks, and keeps the drum on the pallet with the sides.

Now were talking - I think I have the parts to put that together. I also found a plastic barrel for $10.

biodegraded · Feb 22, 2016

I made a wood barrel holder/transporter some time ago, but I like TnAndy's much better. I'm gonna whomp me up a couple of them soon. Great idea.

TnAndy · Feb 22, 2016

The problem begins when you have a Woodmizer sawmill. You start to find ways to make wood things.

powerscol · Feb 22, 2016

TnAndy said:
The problem begins when you have a Woodmizer sawmill. You start to find ways to make wood things.

To me, that is not a problem, but a blessing....wish I had hardwood around me...the closest I get is scrub oak. Looks like you have one sweet set up. How long a timber can you handel?

Ivan49 · Feb 22, 2016

Last fall I bought at an auction a marine fuel tank that holds 28 gals. It has a built in handle and sits on 2 wheels to be moved around. I took the hand pump off and added my 12 volt elec pump and filter. I can move it where it is needed and take up very little floor space. It was red for gas but I use plastic paint and sprayed it white. I put it in the bucket and load it in the truck when I need more fuel in it. I would have liked a little larger one but this works. I think is is called a gas caddy

TnAndy · Feb 22, 2016

powerscol said:
To me, that is not a problem, but a blessing....wish I had hardwood around me...the closest I get is scrub oak. Looks like you have one sweet set up. How long a timber can you handel?

Saw is rated for 21', but in the picture, I'm 'sneaking up' on a 30' beam. You saw 21', then cut the slab off with a chain saw (see that notch where the saw overcut ?), slide the log forward or back, depending on where the extra length was, and continue to that cut on that side. It's a pain, but occasionally for some special need, I'll do it.