Fuel Oil Tank Capacity Chart ?

Junkman · Aug 5, 2004

I had a copper drop line in mine, but replaced it a couple of years ago. At one time when the tank was very low, the pressure of the oil going into the tank, pushed the copper tube to the side and I could only get 2/3 of the oil out of it. Decided one year that it had to be fixed, so I dug up the top and made the change. Also installed a drop pipe to hook up a fuel dispensing pump to the tank. Glad that I did that now that I have a diesel tractor. I too am holding off, but I don't think that the prices are coming down any time soon.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

MikePA · Aug 6, 2004

Looking for a capacity chart so I can determine how much oil is in the tank when I measure it's depth. 
Dave, why do you need to know how much oil is in the tank? I ask because that'll determine how accurate the estimate has to be. Plus or minus 50 gallons or plus or minus 5 gallons?

Dave___in___CT · Aug 6, 2004

Thanks everyone... !

Especially for the chart MadReferee... I printed it...

Forget to mention I assume it's a round tank... never saw a square one... Installed in the early-1950's...

Dave...

Junkman · Aug 6, 2004

(
Thanks everyone... !

Installed in the early-1950's...

Dave...
)

This means that it is past its useful life span and must be removed. Don't believe me, call the EPA and ask about the regulations on underground storage tanks. They have volumes of regulations. On page 1 the give you permission to have one and on page 2 through 30,000, they take it away and tell you what you can or can't do.. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The above is a parody about underground storage tanks, but the truth be known, the regulations on underground storage tanks for home owners is a very complex subject. Depending on where you live, the age of the tank, size, etc. you are allowed to have one, or in some instances, it must be removed. I have never been able to get a complete answer about these tanks and now, I have stopped asking. How long they are allowed to stay in the ground in a residential setting is impossible to find out. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

MadReferee · Aug 6, 2004

My oil company told me the EPA regs apply ONLY if the tank is NOT for residential use (ie. commercial) or is 1100 gallons or greater. Thus, all standard homeowner underground oil tanks are exempt. The rules were written that way so that homeowners would not have to go thru the expense of replacing tanks just because they are old.

Now your homeowners insurance company might not want to insure you because of your tank. Most of them ask now but existing customers are grandfathered, at least that is what my agent told me when I wanted to change to a cheaper company.

Your mileage may vary.

Dave___in___CT · Aug 9, 2004

Hi...

I recall from years ago... fuel oil delivery companies had to submit a list of customers with underground tanks to some agency...

Thanks for the reminders...

Dave...

JTC · Aug 12, 2004

Five years ago when I moved to Connecticut, I got an education on in-ground tanks. Found out that it can be very expensive if something goes wrong. Clean-up costs start at $50,000 and can go much higher. The previous owners had a 1000 gallon tank and even though it had been in the ground 20 years, it looked as good as the day it was installed when replaced. The water table depth and poor drainage are the main contributors to tank deterioration. It's very difficult these days to sell a house with an in-ground tank.

The 1000 gallon in-ground tank was replaced by 2, 330 gallon tanks which I can't get through the winter without an oil delivery. This is a problem because I have a steep, curvy driveway and for some reason the oil companies have a policy that they have to back-up the driveway. Even though I explained it to different oil companies that they have plenty of room to turn around at the top, they insist on trying to back-up the driveway. On a couple of occasions, I've sweated nervously for a few days as my float gauge continued to drop below "E" only the get a call from the oil company that the driver could not get up the drive.

I was wanting to use my heating oil in the tractor but after I started changing my oil boiler filters and nozzles myself, and saw how nasty and slimy the oil is behind the filters, I decided I didn't want it in my tractor. Last year I even had my 3/8" copper oil line to the boiler plugged with sludge.

Has anybody that uses heating fuel in their tractor had any problems?

Jim