55gal drum cleaning help needed.

bnixon · May 15, 2003

I have just been given a 55 gal drum that had hydraulic oil for a elevator in it. I was wondering what is the best way to clean this thing out before I put diesel fuel in it?

thanks,

Bird · May 15, 2003

I think I'd just drain all the hydraulic oil out that I could, pour in a couple of gallons of diesel, roll it around awhile, turn it end over end a time or two, then drain that out (and use it to burn the next brush pile). I think if there's any oil left in the barrel after that, it would be so little you'd never know the difference after you fill it with diesel.

JohnMiller3 · May 15, 2003

...what is the best way to clean this thing out ...

Hey Buddy... got a match... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Just kidding... I agree with Bird's method... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

(then get a match.../forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif As long as you are doing it, how about putting in a piece of clean CHAIN which will drag around inside the drum and scour off the little cruddies that may still be clinging to the inside. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 16, 2003

Sounds like a lot of work. My oil distributor has used diesel drums for free; I had a brand new tractor when I got mine, so I opted for a brand new drum - $20, and he'll give me the $20 back if I don't want the drum any more.

bnixon · May 16, 2003

Thanks guys!

I will give it a shot this weekend /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I just didn't know if I needed to put any type of cleaner or anything in it like simple green or something?

Bird · May 16, 2003

( if I needed to put any type of cleaner or anything in it like simple green or something )

I sure wouldn't. If you do that, then you'll have to wash that out with water and then wait on the water to dry thoroughly before putting diesel in it.

bnixon · May 16, 2003

Thanks again Bird!

I will just use the diesel fuel and forget about the cleaner /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.

thanks,

gerard · May 16, 2003

ditto birds post and even that's probably overkill. The little bit of hydraulic fluid mixed with 55 gal of diesel wouldn't even be noticed, and would just burn right up but birds method would remove any doubt.