Bulk fuel at home

HR_Mutt · Apr 16, 2001

We are considering having the company that delivers our LP gas setup a tank for off-road diesel use, probably a 300 gallon one. I can think of a lot of advantages but there has got to be a downside. We'll have a pickup load of 5 gallon containers available soon/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Thanks
Mutt

GlueGuy · Apr 16, 2001

You probably want to be sure you can use the 300 gallons within a 6 or 8 month time frame. I had thought that I might need storage or something. However, our B7500 has only used about 10 gallons over a 26 or 27 hour run time. I think the 6 gallon jobby I have will do just fine./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

HR_Mutt · Apr 16, 2001

GlueGuy
300 gal. is minimum size they offer, planning on starting out with 100 in it. As far as using it, since I got a bigger tractor, the wife is running the wheels off of the hand-me-down/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
regards
Mutt

cowboydoc · Apr 16, 2001

Mutt,
NO downside whatsoever for me!!! I love having fuel right here. I have regular fuel and diesel. Anytime I'm low no fighting people at the gas station, no waiting to pay, etc., etc. My lawnmower is low, just pull her down to the pumps, tractors low pull her to the pumps, need a few gallons of diesel for spray just pull to my pumps, EVERYTHING, fuel is right there and easy as cake to fuel anything and everything. My fuel guy just stops by whenever he is this way and fills me up. IF I have fuel for an extended period of time you can get additives to it that will make it last just fine for a year or more. Just make sure you get the filters for the tanks. There honestly is no down side for me.

Bird · Apr 17, 2001

I agree with cowboydoc; just use a filter, don't let water water get into the tank, and use a fuel additive. I only use a 55 gallon barrel, but a neighbor has a 250 gallon tank on a trailer. I prefer "fresh" fuel, but mine sometimes lasts 6 months and the neighbor says his may be over a year old when he's not using the tractors a lot in the winter.

Bird

heehaw · Apr 17, 2001

the only downside i can think of is comin up with the $$$ to pay for that much fuel at one time, especially if the price doesn't stabalize a bit. maybe losing the ability to shop for the best price?? but convience would sure go a long way toward outweighing these or any other "downsides"..
heehaw

HR_Mutt · Apr 17, 2001

Thanks Everyone for the positive input/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.They'll install the filter, any preferences out there on additive?I'm not used to diesel being around very long.The price quoted per gallon was towards the low side of another thread about fuel cost in your area.They also offered 2 grades of diesel fuel, regular and premium $1.299 & $1.329. Just for your info the cost of tank installed is under $500. It sure looks like a worthwhile addition.
regards
Mutt

Bird · Apr 17, 2001

Mutt, you may want to ask your fuel distributor what additives he'd recommend. My neighbors and I use Power Service, seems to be as good as any and is readily available locally, and isn't very expensive. I just buy it by the quart and put a pint in 55 gallons. My nearest neighbor buys it by the gallon. I've also heard that Stanadyne (not sure of the spelling) is good.

Bird

cowboydoc · Apr 17, 2001

Mutt,
I'd shop around for suppliers. My guy provides the setup, delivery, and cost of the tank plus changes the filters every third fillup for free. I keep the tank for free as long as I get fuel for him. He guarantees the lowest prices.

JerryG · Apr 17, 2001

Bulk fuel is usually cheaper than the fuel you buy at a station. I haven’t fill my 300 gallon tank up sense last December, but at that time I only paid a $1.04 a gallon. I am sure that I will have to pay more when I refuel in about June. A gallon jug of Power Service does 300 gallon, so it works out just right for me.