Filling up the tank?

[NCDeere]

Hey I know this is probably a dumb question, but it concerns filling the fuel tank. I have a new JD 4510 (my first tractor ever). I am wondering how you guys fill the tank without spilling fuel all over it? Also how do you know when it is full? Can you watch the fuel gauge with the key switch on? I know these are kind of dumb questions but I want to be able to fill up the tank without being worried that I am going to pour gallons of diesel on my new tractor.

Bryan

 

[dmp437]

Look into the tank through the fill hole as you're filling it. There will be room even with the fuel spout in there. DO NOT use the fuel gauge to check for a topped off tank. The fuel gauges on the 4000 TEN series are notoriously erratic, mine included.

 

[timb]

Get yourself a Mr. Funnel. Great accessory for your diesel.(Plenty of threads here on that subject). An 8" version sits down in the filler well on your 4510 very nicely - gives you a big target to hit with your filler spout - and keeps up with the flow from a 5-gallon can just fine. Only problem is when you're getting close to full - you have to stop and keep lifting the filter to check on progress. I keep trying to brainstorm some type of float attached to the filter that would pop up as you get to the full point. But it's not that big of a deal without it.

And dittos on above - do not go by the JD fuel gauge! My 4710 never reads completely full - although it seems to give a reasonably close reading in the center 1/2 of the range. (Never had it lower than that yet!)

 

[Youare]

I use a large funnel to help my aim when pouring from a 5 gallon container. The plastic diesel fuel container I have has a pull out plastic spout that sometimes drips a little where it comes out of the cap. The funnel will catch the drips if I hold everything just right which is sometimes difficult with a full fuel can.

My fuel tank holds somewhere around 8 gallons I now know the spot on the fuel gage when I can add 5 gallons to the tank which I do because I don't want to run out and deal with that issue. If you are refueling from a 5 gallon container you will probably learn when you can add that amount of fuel.

If you worried about spilling fuel on the tractor you can place an old towel around the fuel tank inlet. Don't worry you won't spill gallons of fuel on the tractor, fuel is getting too expensive and you care about your tractor too much to do that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Randy

 

[oliver28472]

Are you using 5 gallon jugs? I use a 30 gallon plastic barrel with a barrel pump for oil. It has a spout that either can be removed and replaced with a garden hose, (threaded for that) or a piece of 5/8 hose can be slipped up on the spout. That is the way I have it. I can park close enough to the barrel that I can pump with one hand and hold the hose in the tractor tank with the other hand and watch as I fill. I have a 5 gallon bucket sitting on top of my barrel. The bucket still has a top and pour spout on it. When the tractor is full I put the hose in the pour spout on the bucket. Rarely ever spill a drop. Have and extra barrel to go fill up with off road diesel when this one runs out.

 

[Golfgar4]

Here's a previous thread Refueling that discusses this topic and has a lot of good tips from other owners. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Oh, and welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

So where are the pictures?????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[NCDeere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( So where are the pictures?????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Thanks for the link. I'll work on the pics.

Bryan

 

[SteveH_CT]

I have 5 gallon containers that have a notched "thingie" on the spout that hold the edge of the filler as I pour - and their self venting. I've developed a pretty good technique for filling, and I spill very little. I'd also suggest not filling the cans all the way - this allows you to get it closer to the filler before you start getting flow. Lastly I also keep a rag handy in case I do get abit of spillage on the hood.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'd also suggest not filling the cans all the way - this allows you to get it closer to the filler before you start getting flow.)</font>

This is what I do and it seems to work OK. I use a 5 gallon container, but I only put perhaps 3.5 gallons in it. It's easier to lift and control that way. If I wanted to get more fuel at a time, I'd use two containers and still only fill them to 3.5 gallons.

Cliff

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I used a 5 gallon plastic container with a flexible plastic spout that I would fold/bend to stop the flow when the tank was full. I'd simply stand on the platform and look down into the tank and watch it fill.

I'm hoping to retire my plastic container soon. I'm in the process of going to a 100 gallon tank with a 110V electric pump so I can go with off road fuel. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[stuart]

I cover the tractor hood with a blanket or something to catch any fuel drips. Use a 5 gallon can which is not filled to the top and is easier to handle. Fill it outside. This way any fuel that lands in the catch-all around the fill spout will not end up on your garage floor.

 

[DaveNay]

Keep in mind that this coming winter when you are 1/4 mile away from the shop, and you run out of fuel, and the wind is blowing at 45 mph and you need to hold a flashlight with one hand, and pour that big yellow jug with the other hand....bring a rag, 'cause you are going to get a whole bunch of diesel all over the engine compartment, no matter what trick you use.

Dave

 

[Dave4410]

This is way too much chatter about how to fill your fuel tank. Let's get back to real stuff and post some pictures! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[NCDeere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...and the wind is blowing at 45 mph and you need to hold a flashlight with one hand, and pour that big yellow jug with the other hand....bring a rag, 'cause you are going to get a whole bunch of diesel all over the engine compartment, no matter what trick you use.)</font>

I think in that case, I would look for a 2 liter clear plastic bottle and cut the top off so it will fit over the nozzle and obviously cut off the bottom to shield it from wind and still be able to see a little.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Let's get back to real stuff and post some pictures! )</font>

I know, I know. I'm working on some pics. I'll take some this weekend and post 'em up next week. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bryan

 

[jwstewar]

In the link Garry posted there is an item called a Handi-Pump from TSC. I purchased one over a year ago and it has been great. Set the can on the step of the tractor, put the nozzle in the tank, and start pumping. You'll hear the fuel start to gurgle as you get close. Pick it up, let a couple of drops fall and your done. No mess, no fuss. Only was $12. Now a year + later the hose on it is starting to go bad. I'll pick up some new fuel line for it sometime, but still better then having diesel everywhere and having to hold that can out over the hood.

 

[hobbyfarm]

Bryan,
I know what you're saying.
Some of my pet peeves are things like fuel tank location, Am I going to have to do acrobatics to fillup with a 5 gal can [I really hate this method]? Or am I going to have to buy some expensive equipment.
And when I change the oil, is it going to make a huge mess and even soak my mower deck's belt, or am I going to have to remove the deck for simple maintenance? Then there's the oil filter mess. It's the good thing that red rags are fairly cheap.
phil

 

[hobbyfarm]

<font color="blue"> </font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have 5 gallon containers that have a notched "thingie" on the spout that hold the edge of the filler as I pour - and their self venting. I've developed a pretty good technique for filling, and I spill very little. )</font> </font>

In this day of all the environment talk, ever higher fuel prices [with no end in sight], depleteing all the fossil fuels etc. it seems that these days there could be an inexpensive portable fuel container that:
would not spill a drop of fuel while dispensing and not leave you smelling like a refinery when you're done with it.
Just my $0.02.
phil