55 gallon plastic barrel cleaning for fuel

[hosspuller]

I dunno, I have a neighbor who's been using heating oil in his loader for years with no problems. I don't know if he adds anything to it, maybe some Power Service.

It all depends on the age of the equipment. Diesel engines of yore could happily burn almost any oil. The new smog throttled engines with DPF, EGR and a common rail injection system are much more fuel particular.

The neighbor's experience with a 20 year old machine is NOT applicable to one's new $50,000 tractor.... Unless one has $$ to burn on repair. But then, $$ is still better spent on proper fuel.

 

[Oaktree]

It all depends on the age of the equipment. Diesel engines of yore could happily burn almost any oil. The new smog throttled engines with DPF, EGR and a common rail injection system are much more fuel particular.

I didn't realize that. My neighbor's loader is way more than 20 years old.

 

[scootr]

I toted my clean 55 gal drum to town and brought 55 gallons of farm diesel home. Saved $1 per gal in road tax
The attendent said 300 gal is the min home delivery so yeah - I better get used to this routine forking the barrel in and out of the van and here and there etc. Thank God for the forklift. I'm sure the tractor would do it but the forklift is the best tool for the job. Sure beats a mess of 5 gal jugs though. Will add another picture later. This strap is attached below the rim at the top of the barrel. The fork pocket swings 360 so the barrel can be laid down or pour. I'll just pump out of it upright. I don't have the safty chains on it yet but I do have a dolly for rolling around the shop.

 

[Avenger]

And that clamp will hold onto a plastic drum full of fuel while you lift it with the forks? Doesn't slip?

 

[Alan W.]

Tell me that you’re adding diesel conditioner/lubricant/cetane boost!!! NONE of that is in heating oil and possibly sulphur levels are another concern. Not the best idea in my humble opinion…

Having known two guys that run a delivery business for home heating oil that told me they only had two fuel oil tanks at the local refinery. Dyed and non dyed.
The taxes are different if its being sold as farm vs heating oil.
Cant say about the sulfur content but myself and many others have been using it for years.

 

[scootr]

And that clamp will hold onto a plastic drum full of fuel while you lift it with the forks? Doesn't slip?

It work good. The barrel has a stout little lip at the top. The clamp has a tension bolt so you can adjust how hard you want to grip. I adjusted it as tight as I dared without distorting the barrel relying on the lip to hold it. I calculate the drum to be around 400 pounds full. I just now raised it out of the van and set it in the barn.
In a little bit I will fill everything up and put it on the dolly on the concrete floor section of the barn to the left of these pics

 

[MaxLee]

Having known two guys that run a delivery business for home heating oil that told me they only had two fuel oil tanks at the local refinery. Dyed and non dyed.
The taxes are different if its being sold as farm vs heating oil.
Cant say about the sulfur content but myself and many others have been using it for years.

I been doing it for 10 years, add some howes treatment and never had an issue.

 

[scootr]

Been gathering parts to use a filter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1HSQ33F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and 12v pump with the barrel. Found plenty of 2" taps for a 55 gal rain barrel on amazon. Grabbed one with a 3/4 pipe threaded hole in the center. 3/4 is overkill but it fits my pump hose. At Lowes I got some pipe and fittings. Lowes has a powerized threading machine. Clerk there cut 4inches of thread on the end of a 4ft galv pipe and cut it off for me. This 4 in threaded nipple will go through the plug and allow me to attach a pipe going to the bottom of the barrel. In hind sight (20/20) this pipe coulda been 1/2 inch material and the 4 inches of threaded end coulda been 3" and not cut off. Simply cut teh pipe to be an inch off the bottom.
Anyway heres what I got so far.

 

[Avenger]

I am very interested to see your project completed, @scootr

I have just about everything, minus the fork clamp to move the barrel, and the pump + hoses. Basically, I have a barrel and ideas.

 

[scootr]

I am very interested to see your project completed, @scootr

I have just about everything, minus the fork clamp to move the barrel, and the pump + hoses. Basically, I have a barrel and ideas.

I had the pump long before the barrels. I used it with 5gal jugs. Honestly I wish now I had a rotary pump made specifically for a 55gal barrel but - the old racing saying is you run what you brung... and I brought a fairly expensive high volume electric pump. The good side of that is it will fill anything FAST. But you have to keep a little battery around and stuff.
I really believe a manual rotary pump yielding 8-10 gpm is the best option for the barrel tank. GL and let me know what you end up with

 

[2manyrocks]

IDK, but I tend to think buying a second 55 gallon barrel to use for transporting the fuel and then pumping it to a storage barrel via an electric pump would avoid the need for the forklift setup.

 

[Avenger]

IDK, but I tend to think buying a second 55 gallon barrel to use for transporting the fuel and then pumping it to a storage barrel via an electric pump would avoid the need for the forklift setup.

Thats not a bad idea either. I've passed on the opportunity of purchasing large steel fuel tanks, around the 150-500gal mark because I figured with the weight of the tank plus fuel, there would be no way for my little pickup to haul it. But, setting the tank next the the shop, and filling the tank with a 55 gallon drum, might be a thing... that is, if I get the opportunity to buy a large tank again.

 

[scootr]

Thats not a bad idea either. I've passed on the opportunity of purchasing large steel fuel tanks, around the 150-500gal mark because I figured with the weight of the tank plus fuel, there would be no way for my little pickup to haul it. But, setting the tank next the the shop, and filling the tank with a 55 gallon drum, might be a thing... that is, if I get the opportunity to buy a large tank again.

My local dealer said for 300 gallons he would come to me and fill the tank. That has top be the best, but... for now this is a big improvement and I can take my time finding the right stationary tank

 

[lman]

Tell me that you’re adding diesel conditioner/lubricant/cetane boost!!! NONE of that is in heating oil and possibly sulphur levels are another concern. Not the best idea in my humble opinion…

Heating oil(#2 fuel oil) is the same as diesel fuel here.

 

[Cycledude]

Where I live they will deliver fuel for the same price they charge at the station.

 

[MaxLee]

Heating oil(#2 fuel oil) is the same as diesel fuel here.

Same here, been using it for years. Put a crank pump in the #2 fuel tank works great.

 

[scootr]

Well it's taken me a while to complete but I have a working 55 gallon fuel caddy.
I took advantage of my forklift and the electric pump I already had when designing this.
Parts from Amazon = fuel filter, 3/4npt to hose, & 2 x 3/4 bung adapter.
3/4 pipe, fittings, & Teflon tape, from Lowes.
With patience and help from GOD I finally got the adapter to thread into the bung hole straight.
The Northern Equipment pump came with the nozzle and I have a couple of the small batteries like the one shown around for various uses. Here it is - lol.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

It all depends on the age of the equipment. Diesel engines of yore could happily burn almost any oil. The new smog throttled engines with DPF, EGR and a common rail injection system are much more fuel particular.

The neighbor's experience with a 20 year old machine is NOT applicable to one's new $50,000 tractor.... Unless one has $$ to burn on repair. But then, $$ is still better spent on proper fuel.

I run up to half engine oil for fuel in these older tractors. Newer ones, I wouldn't try it.

 

[hayden]

I just posted two barrels and a hand pump for free to anyone who can come pick them up in central Vermont.

 

[Avenger]

Well it's taken me a while to complete but I have a working 55 gallon fuel caddy.
I took advantage of my forklift and the electric pump I already had when designing this.
Parts from Amazon = fuel filter, 3/4npt to hose, & 2 x 3/4 bung adapter.
3/4 pipe, fittings, & Teflon tape, from Lowes.
With patience and help from GOD I finally got the adapter to thread into the bung hole straight.
The Northern Equipment pump came with the nozzle and I have a couple of the small batteries like the one shown around for various uses. Here it is - lol.

That is AWESOME! Thank you so much for sharing!