Diesel Fuel & Storage Questions

[Junkman]

I have been running my BX22 on Home Heating Oil for the past 111 hours and have not had one bit of problems starting, summer or winter, nor have I had any excessive smoke from the exhaust. The tractor starts quickly and the filters appear to be as clean as when new. The only thing that I add to the fuel is the fuel conditioner in the white bottle. My senior moment in time will not allow me to remember the Brand Name. You know...... the one that comes in a red bottle marked 911 for when your tractor gels in the middle of the winter. I give it a "splash" and don't even think of measuring it. My fuel is delivered by electric pump and there is a in-line filter just before the hose attachment. I also change my furnace oil filters and have never found them to be badly crudded. I believe that if you have a good fuel dealer that delivers good product, you will not have a problem. The dealer that I purchased the tractor also uses Home Heating Oil for diesel fuel.
As for getting a tank from the diesel supplier, I doubt that it will happen. They would want you to be purchasing a lot of fuel before they would consider the cost as being beneficial to them. The cost of a new 330 (I remembered the correct size) tank plus the piping will cost you no more than $500 in my best estimation. How you will get the fuel out of the tank is going to add to the expense, depending on what method you choose.
Putting the tank in the barn is an alternative and the condensation shouldn't be a problem in there, as long as the ambient temperature stays low. If there are wide temperature swings in the barn, then go for the cellar. That is usually a constant temperature in the summer.

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For those of you that have diesel delivered to your tank typically how far can the truck extend his hoses to pump the fuel? )</font>

Forgot to answer this question.......

175' of 1-3/8" Fuel Oil Hose is the most common size & length used on the average 3300 gallon tank truck that is used for retail home heating oil deliveries.

 

[dbelisle]

You are allowed to put up to 4 330 gallon tanks, or 1320 gallons in one location. Or you need a two hour rated fire wall between them.

You can connect up to 660 gallons together to one appliance.
Per NFPA 31.

Diesel and #2 are pretty close to each other. I often pick up a can diesel to start up new boilers if I haven't had a oil delivery yet.

I am not sure how that effects fuel storage for non heating use , but if you don't exceed those amounts , I wouldn't think you would have any major problems. You should ask your local fire department, as they are the ones that will enforce the fire safety codes.


Dave in NH

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You know...... the one that comes in a red bottle marked 911 for when your tractor gels in the middle of the winter. )</font>
Power Service? J

 

[PennTN75]

Well, I am wondering why you want it in the basement. I just removed a fuel tank from my basement and am eliminating the need for heating oil because of the smell. The whole house stunk like fuel oil (granted...the system was old).
My father has several pieces of heavy equipment and stores his fuel tank outside. He keeps a conditioner in it. We're in NW PA in the SNOW BELT and we've had zero issues. I recently purchased a fuel tank to allow me to fill up my new TN75 and I am storing the tank outside. My two cents. I would keep the stuff out of the house.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ( You know...... the one that comes in a red bottle marked 911 for when your tractor gels in the middle of the winter. )
Power Service? J )</font>

I like power service as a pretreat.. and have had no problems with it. however I think the red can on is 'heet' or 'heat'.. and can be added to already gelled fuel, to help get it circulating.

Soundguy

 

[PineRidge]

<font color="blue"> Well, I am wondering why you want it in the basement. I just removed a fuel tank from my basement and am eliminating the need for heating oil because of the smell. The whole house stunk like fuel oil (granted...the system was old). </font>

PennTN75 I agree with you, I don't relish the smell of diesel oil either. I was only kicking my options around and thinking out-loud before I came up with a final game plan. I'm hedging toward putting the tank in the pole barn rather than the basement. The heated basement was only a deterrent to eliminate condensation problems within the tank but I really haven't heard any complaints voiced here that the tanks build excessive condensation anyway.

Thanks for your thoughts. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Junkman]

If the tank doesn't leak and the tank is properly ventilated, then there is no more smell in the basement than in the frig from a closed bottle of pickles. Fuel oil odor in a house is an old wives tale promoted by the people that sell natural gas. If the tank doesn't leak, then how is the fuel going to cause an odor? Does you tractor smell of fuel oil? Does your car smell of gasoline??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Only if you spill it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Have you ever heard of a house blowing up that was heated by oil?? I have only heard of homes exploding as a result of leaking natural or propane gas. You can't match oil. Put some diesel fuel into a dish and throw a lighted book of matches into it. You will see that oil only will burn if it is properly atomized or you have a really big flame to get it ignited, such as that which happens at the oil well..... and in these instances, it is the natural gas that is the source of the ignition.

 

[86turbodsl]

You only smell fuel oil in a home if there's something WRONG. I have a new fuel oil boiler in my shop, and I can't smell a thing unless I spill fuel on the floor. The reason people get rid of oil appliances these days is because there's nobody left to service them, so they degrade and stop working correctly. I picked up my boiler for a song because the previous owner had it plugged shut with soot from 5 years of no cleaning. Incidentally, if there's anyone out there in the Michigan area looking to get rid of an old oil tank, I'll come and remove it for you... I'm always collecting the things.

I know of one home that did explode while on fuel oil. My wife's parents trailer in the Upper Peninsula exploded while they were away for the evening. Luckily. Blew it to peices. I know now that's extremely unusual, but at the time they were happy to be gone. That's the only one I've ever heard of doing that.

 

[PennTN75]

Junkman...I agree regarding proper ventilation...and I'm familiar with the properties of diesel. Actually, you could do the same trick with a matchbook and gasoline (not something I've done...but seen). The vapors are what explode. I'm just stating that if you want my opinion...keep fuel outside. I guess if you want...put it in the living room with a TV on top. I've been in several fuel oil heated homes and smelled oil. I cannot attest to the maintenance of the system. But I do know one thing...if I spill some diesel on my machine...it does stink like diesel after that.

Take it easy. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif