Who keeps gasoline on the farm?

Bikewanderer · Apr 30, 2020

With fuel prices where they are I'm considering purchasing a fuel tank (1000 gallon) and storing gasoline here on the farm. I've kept diesel for years. Use a lot more gasoline, but really only in the cars. I'm thinking it would be a good way to buy in bulk and weather out winter fuels and not buy ethanol gas. Has anybody done this? Tank costs about $1.50/gallon, not a big cost overall.

Industrial Toys · Apr 30, 2020

You store Diesel because that's what's used on the farm. To store Gasoline, that is used in vehicles that travel about, passing dozens of gas stations a day, makes less sense.

Add to that, possible storage issues and the possible cost of crappy gasoline in a modern vehicle and to me, it's not worth it. Expensive to drop a tank just to get at the filter and pump.

bunyip · Apr 30, 2020

Would it impact on your insurance, we have to report storage to fire authorities.

BrokenTrack · Apr 30, 2020

At some point it becomes illegal because this makes it hoarding, but I am not sure what the legal amount is for that to happen.

The other problem is, I do not know of any fuel companies around me anyway, that deliver gasoline like they do diesel fuel. I found this out because we had a gasoline tractor and tried to get gasoline in bulk, but no one delivered gasoline that way. I suppose a person could buy tons of 5 gallon cans and fill a bulk tank that way, but for saving a few bucks, is that work really worth it?

Then there is quality of the gasoline while in storage, and safety storage too.

Gasoline is a far different animal then off-road diesel fuel.

Bikewanderer · Apr 30, 2020

BrokenTrack said:
At some point it becomes illegal because this makes it hoarding, but I am not sure what the legal amount is for that to happen.

The other problem is, I do not know of any fuel companies around me anyway, that deliver gasoline like they do diesel fuel. I found this out because we had a gasoline tractor and tried to get gasoline in bulk, but no one delivered gasoline that way. I suppose a person could buy tons of 5 gallon cans and fill a bulk tank that way, but for saving a few bucks, is that work really worth it?

Then there is quality of the gasoline while in storage, and safety storage too.

Gasoline is a far different animal then off-road diesel fuel.

Hoarding isn't illegal, and buying a commodity that is causing a national crisis because of lack of storage isn't in any way unethical.

Sawyer Rob · Apr 30, 2020

Trying to keep "todays" gas, isn't like the gas of the old days... (even the no E gas) Todays gas is junk when you buy it, compared to the old days!

SR

MossRoad · Apr 30, 2020

We have several local fuel companies that deliver gasoline, diesel, oils, lubricants, heating fuel, etc... to homes, farms, businesses, jobs sites, etc... they sell/rent storage tanks, and all accessories associated with storage and dispensing.

It only makes sense financially if you use LOTS of fuel.

The cost of delivery, storage tank, environmental requirements when storing over X gallons of gas, etc... the return on investment would be many years.

Clint S · Apr 30, 2020

It's only illegal if you try to sell it at a huge mark up to take advantage of people in need during a crisis. It would also be illegal to use in a car due to no road tax being charged for off road gas.

We keep gas on hand in 175 gallon tank. Honestly it is not much cheaper than at the pump due to the other taxes they slap on instead of road tax, but the convenience factor for the tractors, lawn mowers, wheelers , plow and farm truck and for the genny for emergencies. We get non ethanol and use stabil. Never had an issue to date. We go through a tank a year or so.

Jstpssng · Apr 30, 2020

My father had a bulk tank when I was growing up, back then all of the tractors were gas, plus the vehicles, lawn mowers, et.al. Agway came as needed to fill it. He said that it cost him more than going to the gas station, but was worth the convenience of just filling up.
Back then it was leaded gas, and we didn't worry about it going bad.

TnAndy · Apr 30, 2020

We keep a 500 gallon tank along with a 300 gal diesel. Get them filled about once a year, non ethanol on the gasoline. I put the recommended dose of PRI-G (a quart) and PRI-D in the tanks. Both run thru their own filters with water drains. Never a problem.