Diesel fuel getting scarce in my town.

[GrumpyJoe]

I live in a small town of about 800. Two gas stations. Only one sells diesel. And he is thinking about stopping. Told me repairs cost too much. He is using 25 yr old technology. The next closest town is about 30 minute drive. Was thinking... Does anyone here get thier diesel fuel in drums? Like 55 gal or bigger? If you do what kind of pump do you recommend. I dont think I want electric because the drum will probably stay outside. So handcrank will be better.

 

[thatguy]

couple issues with buying in bulk - are you going to take it somewhere to be filled or let a dealer deliver to you? If you dont use much at a time it can get a fungus in it that will stop of your filters..

some local oil 'local oil companies' will deliver small quantities - but there us usually a minimum quantity OR you have to pay a 'delivery fee'

Another thought - to get by the minimum quantity delivery, could you split a load with a friend/neighbor??

brian

 

[nybirdman]

Problem buying in bulk;if you purchase in the summer you will have to treat/mix for cold weather.Any local farmers;they must get fuel delivered;may-be use their supplier.

 

[TheMan419]

I would talk to local farmers. They obviously have a source.

There are many threads regarding using 55 Gal drums. Either for delivery or loading in the back of your truck and filling up at the station.

 

[KubotaToy]

I buy in bulk now with a 500 gal tank, local oil company will deliver with 100 gal min. I used to use 4-55 gal drums that worked well either getting it myself or even with delivery. I do use dual filters (water and 10 micron), biocide and conditioner, never had a problem in several years with my tank.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Keep the water out of the diesel and you won't have any fungus in it.

I've bought and burned a lot of diesel that was more than 5 yrs old, some over 10 yrs old and never had a problem.

SR

 

[Larry Caldwell]

A 55 gallon drum is an awkward load. You can lay it on its side and strap it to a pallet, or stand it up and strap it to a lumber rack, but without secure attachment it will eventually do some damage to your truck bed. There are 50-100 gallon transfer fuel tanks designed to fit behind the cab of a pickup. They typically are used to fuel field equipment, but can also refuel the pickup they are in. They take up cargo space and are a substantial load, so if I wanted to use them to haul fuel home I would probably mount one or two in a trailer.

 

[Gary Fowler]

When I got my first diesel tractor, I also bought a 100 gallon fuel tank with a 12Volt Filrite 15 GPM pump. I got the whole rig complete with filter, hose and auto-shut off nozzle off Craigslist for $300 which was a good bargain since the pump cost that much by itself. Later I found another for same price and bought it also for my brother in law so we had 200 gallons of storage which allowed us to meet the 150 gallon needed for home delivery without a surcharge.
Later I got one of the 275 gallon "TOTETANK" units from a local business which gives them away for the taking. I had to do a little cleaning of the resin in it but with a power washer and some diesel it came out perfectly clean. We have all the tanks full up now so we likely wont need any diesel for several years.

I have never had a need for biocide or any other fuel treatment and the fuel stays clean. My tanks are stored inside which I think keeps them from getting condensate in them. The 275 is completely sealed up so no moisture can get in but the 100 gallon has a breather cap that releases pressure after a certain amount of vacuum is reached.

As for the pump, I prefer the battery powered one because I can fill with it even without power. My original idea was to get a diesel genset but so far I have not acted on that idea. I do have a gas powered one that I have not used in 4 years so I kind of let the generator idea just set. I always used a spare battery to power the pump since it is a pain to raise the hoods of the tractors to get to the battery. I put a battery maintainer on it and so far it is lasting more than 4 years.

I would recommend that you keep your fuel under some kind of shed to keep rain and sun off it. This will keep some of the condensate from forming. A 55 gallon drum exposed to the weather is just asking for trouble with your fuel.

I haven't checked Craigslist in a long time, but in 2010 there was always a fuel tank for sale with a pump. Check them out and you may find a bargain near you.

 

[Will_C]

I would imagine in a small area like the OP lives in there should be some farms. Personally,I would make friends with one of them and see if you can buy fuel from them.

Will

 

[kthompson]

GrumpJoe, are you sure there are only those two stations either in or near you town? Where I live a town of 800 would have at least two stations selling diesel. Here a station that does not sell diesel is rare, we have them but I doubt if 1 out of 4 do not sell diesel.