55 gallon barrel fuel station questions

PILOON · Apr 28, 2019

I have found nice compact 12 volt pumps on Chinese web sites in the $10-15 range that work just fine,
They come with a filter screen and about 10 ft of wire c/w an on/off switch.
They fit into a 2.5" bung hole as well as many 5 gal totes.
Since they are an electric 12 volt motor operating directly in the fuel they should NEVER be used for gasoline.

I have been using mine for 2 years now and simply love it.
Pump takes a 5/8 hose for filling and I added a short 1/2" copper pipe and a 90 deg. fitting to hang into my tank filler neck.
It actually pumps so fast that I have to remove the tractor filter screen as it can't handle the flow rate.

You should be able to find by searching Alibaba for 12 volt fuel pump.(and possibly Ebay)
For my fuel line I used 5/8 radiater hose as it is designed for oily greasy environments.

Another nice thing is that it self primes and self drains when U retrieve it from the tank.
Basically it is but a small 12 volt motor driving a multibladed propeller that pushes the fuel up and out.
No pressure is involved but the lift height while not great is adequate for any tractor filling.

My tractor being a CUT and limited tank size means filling up is about a 2 minute chore.

I like it so much that I purchased a second one 'just in case' to have a backup on hand.

Texasmark · Apr 29, 2019

I started out with a hand pump but with a 100 hp JD and 30 gallon tank that required filling daily, it got old real fast. Match the machine to the task I say.....but now that I have it, everything diesel gets the electric pump.

10backacres · Apr 29, 2019

The local fuel company has metal 55 gallon drums with off road. I take old drum in to be filled and take a filled 1 off the pickup with forks on the loader. I would suggest a 3/4 inch T vent so the drum won't be affected by temperature changes as shown in the picture above.
Since Costco is close I don't buy off road anymore just buy 5 gal cans and use a funnel with ridges to vent in the 3/4" bung (make sure you have a vent on the funnel or the other bung open or you'll waste diesel as it spits back at you or on you)

hosspuller · Apr 30, 2019

Metal drums are not all the same. Some have a coating inside. Others don't. I got a drum that contained Methyl alcohol. I was glad to get it, it was so clean inside. Unfortunately, within 6 months the internals were rusted and contaminated the diesel with rust particles... I then got an used coated oil drum, and have used it for 16 years. The last 4 years, I use the drum as a transfer tank to a 100 gallon tank with an electric pump.

Tractor Seabee · Apr 30, 2019

TnAndy said:
Totally sealed works fine if the barrel is full, as even 55gal in a 55gal drum has an inch or so of head space. But be careful about sealing tight a partial filled drum....this is what happens when the weather turns cold ! (I'd imagine it's also quite possible to go the other way if sealed when cold and then the weather turns hot.)

That's why there is only 45 GL of product in a 55 GL barrel.

Ron

nyone · Apr 30, 2019

I have found that engine oil drums are not as thick as say VP racing fuel drums. Not sure if there coated.

TnAndy · Apr 30, 2019

I lucked up on some stainless steel drums on craigslist while back.....

10backacres · Apr 30, 2019

In Washington/Oregon we're limited to max of 6 gallon containers both gas and diesel at gas stations unless it's in a transfer tank, However the fuel company had no problem loading the 55gal drum in the pickup./ I now use it a few years then I go and get a new filled drum.
Great idea for the barrel pallet.

crazyal · May 10, 2019

I use a 55 gallon drum with a 12v Fillrite pump. Usually when the fuel guy comes to fill the heating oil tanks I have him fill up the 55 gallon drum. However I have taken the drum in the back of my truck to the filling station. There's a few thinks you need to think about. 1st 55 gallon drums don't easily tie down in a pick up bed. I made a ring that slides over the top of the drum that has 4 loops in it out of steel. This allows the ratcheting straps to easily work. 2nd if you don't have an easy way to lift it safely then having two drums (if you have a place to store the one not in use) works well. You simply use the pump to transfer the fuel from the tank in the truck to the tank that's not. 3rd you will want the tank either in a handy place or on wheels so it can be rolled around your shop. 4th you will want to put a quick disconnect/ plug both the hose and the power cord on the pump. Since my pump is 12v I didn't want to use the typical 110v plug so I used a twist lock and the prong that's normally the ground I used for +12v and the neutral prong for the -12v. That way if it is plugged into 110v by mistake nothing bad should happen. That way when you screw the pump into the drum you are not fighting the cord and hose. Also with the hose removed when not in use it's less likely to get dry rot damage. I don't have a picture of the ring I made but here's the disconnect and plug.