Best way to get diesel into the tractor?

[mikester]

 

[bdhsfz6]

I use this one to fill generators & lawn mower:

Amazon.com

It's 12v dc or 110V ac. It'll drain a 5 gal can in about 2 minutes. It doesn't look like much but I've been using it for 5 years now with no issues.

 

[robstaples]

I have a 25 gal poly dolly tank (2 wheels) . I threaded in a pressure reducer and quick release air fitting. I found my previous post of my system in

How do you fuel your tractor?​

From 2014

I used to lift the 23 gal tank on my forks until it almost fell off. So I added a pressure reg and gauge, set to about 2 lbs and leave it on the ground near by. Air line with quick connect, fill cap open until I'm ready. Yes, too high of pressure could split the tank. " don't do that" Works for me and is easy.

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[Avenger]

I've been kicking around ideas for a better way to fuel the tractor for a few years now. I have 3 5gal jugs I use with a funnel currently. My tank is rather small, 13 gallons or so. The tank is also low and easy to get to. But I HATE holding it while it glugs and spills all over the place! I got one of those 12v put the wand into the can pump things. Spent something like $80 on it for it to last about 3 fill ups before dying. I bought a different style/brand, battery powered off D size batteries, and it failed after about 6 months. So I'm back to glugging.

I've considered using a 55gal plastic barrel. Lifting it out of the pickup full (not ideal) using the FEL, maybe on a pallet. And getting a hand crank or maybe splurge on a electric pump.

I've kept my eyes on the local farm auction sites. They often have slip tanks, or even bulk fuel tanks. But they go for really stupid money! Besides, I'm not looking for a 500 gallon tank. Maybe 100 gallon at the most. I do have local fuel delivery of dyed diesel available for a reasonable price considering.

I just gotta figure out a plan and stick to it!

 

[scootr]

I've been kicking around ideas for a better way to fuel the tractor for a few years now. I have 3 5gal jugs I use with a funnel currently. My tank is rather small, 13 gallons or so. The tank is also low and easy to get to. But I HATE holding it while it glugs and spills all over the place! I got one of those 12v put the wand into the can pump things. Spent something like $80 on it for it to last about 3 fill ups before dying. I bought a different style/brand, battery powered off D size batteries, and it failed after about 6 months. So I'm back to glugging.

I've considered using a 55gal plastic barrel. Lifting it out of the pickup full (not ideal) using the FEL, maybe on a pallet. And getting a hand crank or maybe splurge on a electric pump.

I've kept my eyes on the local farm auction sites. They often have slip tanks, or even bulk fuel tanks. But they go for really stupid money! Besides, I'm not looking for a 500 gallon tank. Maybe 100 gallon at the most. I do have local fuel delivery of dyed diesel available for a reasonable price considering.

I just gotta figure out a plan and stick to it!

I'm in the same boat... I got the 55gal drum and a half baked plan of options. Even if I just start out filling the 55 gal drum with red diesel and pumping with my existing electric pump - I'm ahead. I bought some fittings to install a filter before my bump... I need a down pipe in the tank. 3/4 gas pipe or pvc?

 

[jyoutz]

I’ve kicked around the idea of a small trailer with some kind of attached bulk tank with a hand crank pump and filler hose. Hook up the trailer to the truck to go fill, then park the trailer as a stationary fueling location.

 

[jjeff]

For years I went from my first picture then went to the second picture I'll never go back. When it gets empty I roll it on my ramp trailer strap it down and refill. For the safety conscious folks I rattle canned it yellow and sharpied diesel on it. Lol

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

Yikes! That's one big carburetor...25-gallon float bowl and everything!

I have a 25 gal poly dolly tank (2 wheels) . I threaded in a pressure reducer and quick release air fitting. ...

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Yikes! That's one big carburetor...

 

[scootr]

I think there is a boat we are in here together. 5 gal cans too small and too heavy. Big stationary tanks overkill.
Although jyoutz has got me thinking... I have a seldom used trailer and forklift. I could haul a bigger tank to town. Say 100-150 gal size.
If I could find one at a reasonable price.

 

[2manyrocks]

I’ve kicked around the idea of a small trailer with some kind of attached bulk tank with a hand crank pump and filler hose. Hook up the trailer to the truck to go fill, then park the trailer as a stationary fueling location.

Makes logical sense. The potential drawback is it potentially makes it easier for a thief to steal the tank with the fuel.

I'm thinking about a drum myself to reduce the storage footprint of having multiple 5 gallon cans and to avoid lifting them to fill the tractor.

 

[two_bit_score]

I’ve kicked around the idea of a small trailer with some kind of attached bulk tank with a hand crank pump and filler hose. Hook up the trailer to the truck to go fill, then park the trailer as a stationary fueling location.

Sounds like a good solution, if not a very economical one.

 

[scootr]

Makes logical sense. The potential drawback is it potentially makes it easier for a thief to steal the tank with the fuel.

I'm thinking about a drum myself to reduce the storage footprint of having multiple 5 gallon cans and to avoid lifting them to fill the tractor.

I suppose a guy could have 2 55 gal barrels and get the second one filled when the first one is low and rotate them like that. I do this for my forklift propane tanks. A 100 gal tank is about $600 delivered. A second 55 gal barrel is $15

 

[jyoutz]

Sounds like a good solution, if not a very economical one.

I was thinking a small 12’ single axle with a 50 gallon transfer tank at the front. The trailer could double as a UTV hauler.

 

[scootr]

Dual use is always good. 2 tanks for gas and diesel?
I just searched CL for fuel tanks and found a few older tanks reasonable. I love new but 100-150 gal plastic tank is about $600 delivered.

 

[WM75Guy]

Here was my solution. It is a 58 gallon self-contained unit, pumps 12 GPM. The WM75 holds 20 gallons and burns a gallon of diesel an hour mowing. With 2 tractors and a diesel ZTR having to make a trip to fill 4 jugs every few days in the summer was getting old.

 

[bdhsfz6]

A trailer mounted tank is a great idea if you already have one. This is especially true if it's also used for hauling other things. It would have to be large enough to deal with the loss of space due to the footprint of the tank. If you have to load and unload the tank, it poses the same problem as loading the tank into a pickup.

My neighbor uses a similar approach. He mounted a 30 gal poly tank on a push cart and rolls it up onto the utility trailer he uses to haul around his mowers.

Buying a road ready trailer and dedicated tank, specific to this purpose, would be a far less economic solution, especially when you consider ongoing registration & insurance fees. The money might be better spent on a skid tank large enough to accept local fuel delivery.

The best fuel storage and filling solution varies depending on usage, storage space, budget, DIY capability and how much junk you can repurpose. One size does not fit all.

 

[scootr]

Not ony does one size not fit us all but for any one person there is more than one way to skin this cat.
I will keep watching Craigslist for the right skid tank so I can get local delivery. Meantime I got this free 55 gal plastic barrel and a $150 in a forklift metal lift strap and dolly. I continue to use the 3/4" electric pump I have. I'll check and see what the minimum local delivery is. If it is only 100 gallons I can get another barrel locally for $15. So not much money. The barrel lift and tilt clamps on and would be easy to move from barel to barrel.
What are you guys using for fungus control in your stored fuel?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Not ony does one size not fit us all but for any one person there is more than one way to skin this cat.
I will keep watching Craigslist for the right skid tank so I can get local delivery. Meantime I got this free 55 gal plastic barrel and a $150 in a forklift metal lift strap and dolly. I continue to use the 3/4" electric pump I have. I'll check and see what the minimum local delivery is. If it is only 100 gallons I can get another barrel locally for $15. So not much money. The barrel lift and tilt clamps on and would be easy to move from barel to barrel.
What are you guys using for fungus control in your stored fuel?

Where I live, diesel fungus isn't an issue. Before going to my 1000 gal heating oil tank, I used to store it in barrels for many months with no problems.

My father used to fill the 1200 gal diesel tanks on his boat and store them over the winter. He never had any problems either.

I'm sure there are additives available for long term storage but I've never used them.

 

[jyoutz]

A trailer mounted tank is a great idea if you already have one. This is especially true if it's also used for hauling other things. It would have to be large enough to deal with the loss of space due to the footprint of the tank. If you have to load and unload the tank, it poses the same problem as loading the tank into a pickup.

My neighbor uses a similar approach. He mounted a 30 gal poly tank on a push cart and rolls it up onto the utility trailer he uses to haul around his mowers.

Buying a road ready trailer and dedicated tank, specific to this purpose, would be a far less economic solution, especially when you consider ongoing registration & insurance fees. The money might be better spent on a skid tank large enough to accept local fuel delivery.

The best fuel storage and filling solution varies depending on usage, storage space, budget, DIY capability and how much junk you can repurpose. One size does not fit all.

The pickup bed style transfer tanks hold 40-50 gallons and are only about 18” wide. It could be mounted at the front of the trailer and still still leave plenty of trailer space for other uses.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I pour mine into the filler neck, after I remove the cap, of course.