Fuel Storage Tank for Tractors

[Hanksride]

I found this at a local Pawn Shop today and thought it was a good deal. I got it for $130.00 and it still has the $249.00 Atwoods price tag on it. haha Now I wonder what all I need to get it usable to store my fuel, making it easy to fuel the tractors. My wife uses both tractors and I travel alot for work so I want to make it easy for her to use as well.

I think it is 50 gallons but not absolute on that. My plan is to build a small wood rack (ground level if electric pump, higher if I have to rely on gravity feed) in my tractor shed for the tank to sit on. I want to hook up some kind of pump and dispensing nozzle that I can remove easily when it is time to take the tank to town and get fuel. I plan on lifting the tank with tractor in and out of truck when I need to get fuel. Probably once per year or so. I don't think gravity feed is really an option since the tank ports are on top of the tank and with fuel in it I don't know how I would hook to bottom of full tank unless a plumbed in a valve that I may get knocked off moving it around.

Other question is filter system, how important is it to have one? Will the tank collect condensation and will it be enough to matter??

 

[Budweiser John]

Tractor Supply sells several types of pumps and filler hoses that should match up to that tank.
Last year I found a similar tank, mines 100 gallons, and fitted it out with an electric pump. No more hoisting those 5 gallon cans shoulder high to re fuel the tractor. Yes, a filter is a good idea. Check with Tractor Supply. You may have a fuel vendor in your area that would deliver fuel.

 

[s219]

Definitely get a filter -- one that traps water if possible. I use Goldenrod filters.

Since that's a steel tank, do what you can to minimize condensation.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My immediate question is, are you taking this thing to the filling station to get it filled?

In Ontario, Gas stations will only allow the filling of an "approved" container.

And fuel delivery companies have the same policies that are becoming worse all the time!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

That looks like a standard tank so it should have the manufacturers certified name plate on it. If my memory serves me right there are two different certs, one is for transport and the other solid mounting. The rules are onerous. Here in WA a transport permitted tank is required for any fuel vessel over 5 GL. Some tanks are not permitted for gasoline, diesel only. Never heard about any enforcement. In the event of an accident I am sure the insurance companies will get very involved though if it is an element in the claim. I asked my local fire service about tanks when I bought my 2 50 GL tanks. Their only rule was; over 5 GL store 50' from a dwelling and no gas or diesel in garages except in vehicles. Go figure that one.

Sounds like the OP would be served well with a hand pump as he seems to be a low user. I use a hand pump on both gas and diesel and find no inconvenience. Ditto on the water absorbing filter. for lifting I have my tanks on 4 X 4 skids and use I" wood dunnage on top the forks. I had a diesel tank slide off the forks a while back. They get pretty top heavy when full. The forks go between the skids not under the skids.

Ron

 

[Hanksride]

Thanks for the comments. Hand pumps are not an option, again this setup is mainly for my wife who has MS and the easier I can make things for her the better. She loves mowing with our little tractor but no way she can handle 5 gallon cans of fuel.

I don't think transport is going to be a problem or filling it at the station, very short drive without getting into town for one and I have witnessed similar tanks being filled.

I planned on using the lifting eyes on the tank and chain or strap to set the tank in place. It will be over 100 ft from house and just inside an open shed to keep out of the elements. Shed is open on front and closed on 3 sides.

I found a complete pump setup Northern Company web site but it does not include a filter. I assume I can add one to it. I think I will check at Atwoods to see what they have for filters. IIRC I seen them there a few months back. Not sure how they will plumb into this setup just yet.

 

[Hanksride]

Thanks for the comments. Hand pumps are not an option, again this setup is mainly for my wife who has MS and the easier I can make things for her the better. She loves mowing with our little tractor but no way she can handle 5 gallon cans of fuel.

I don't think transport is going to be a problem or filling it at the station, very short drive without getting into town for one and I have witnessed similar tanks being filled.

I planned on using the lifting eyes on the tank and chain or strap to set the tank in place. It will be over 100 ft from house and just inside an open shed to keep out of the elements. Shed is open on front and closed on 3 sides.

I found a complete pump setup Northern Company web site but it does not include a filter. I assume I can add one to it. I think I will check at Atwoods to see what they have for filters. IIRC I seen them there a few months back. Not sure how they will plumb into this setup just yet.

 

[Ken45101]

I agree on the filter, especially if you don't use a lot of fuel. Mine has been on there for five years or so and has not needed replacement, but I have a poly tank and I think that helps. But all you need is some bad fuel to start with and the filter could be very important.

I got my electric pump and filters from McMaster Carr.

I started out with a 55 gallon drum and a hand pump. But when the equipment got bigger with 25 gallon tanks, I went to a 240 gallon tank with an electric pump. Suppliers here have a 100 or 200 gallon minimum delivery.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks for the comments. Hand pumps are not an option, again this setup is mainly for my wife who has MS and the easier I can make things for her the better. She loves mowing with our little tractor but no way she can handle 5 gallon cans of fuel.
I planned on using the lifting eyes on the tank and chain or strap to set the tank in place. It will be over 100 ft from house and just inside an open shed to keep out of the elements. Shed is open on front and closed on 3 sides.

Do not use the lifting eyes on the ends of the tanks for moving a full tank. They are only for lifting an empty tank. There should be a sticker on the tank warning of that issue. If you try to lift a full tank, you run a very high risk of ripping the eyes from the tank creating a big hole in the tank. It should have some mounting pads on the bottom corners than you can mount it to a sturdy platform that can be lifted with pallet forks OR as I did with my 100 gallon rectangular tank, mount wheels on it for rolling it around on a concrete slab. For lifting, use appropriate sized straps or chains (2) ran under the tank for chokers then use the tractor FEL to lift it out. The wheels make it about 2.5-3" off the floor so it is easy to get straps around it.
When putting your suction pipe in the tank for your pump, lift the pipe up about 2" off the bottom so you minimize any lifting of water condensate when pumping. You can also tip the tank an inch or so to the end with the drain plug is lower. Install a drain valve there and open it occasionally and catch a sample in a glass jar so you can check for water. If clear the sample can be poured back into the tank. You just need a close nipple (about 1" long), some Teflon tape and a brass valve to install it. DO this before you fill it the first time and you will be set.
Filters are available at TSC and other farm supply places. You can use one with screw on filter like car oil filters or one with a canister that a filter fits in. Goldenrod makes this kind , Baldwin makes a screw on one. Either one is fine. The canister type usually has a clear housing that you can visually see if any water is in the sediment bowl which is nice to know. The filter assembly will cost you about 20-30 bucks depending on the type you get. You will need two pipe nipples to complete it. Depending on how the fuel comes out of the pump (top or side) you would need to put in at least one 90 ell if coming out the top to remove the stress on the fuel hose. One 90 ell would make it lay horizontal if the discharge is from the top which is good but 2 and it would lay vertical which is better for the hose.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think I will check at Atwoods to see what they have for filters. IIRC I seen them there a few months back. Not sure how they will plumb into this setup just yet.

My Atwoods has everything you need to put an electric pump in the tank, pump, hose, nozzle filters pipe fittings, pipe sealant dope. They may not be the cheapest but you can get it all and usually they have some knowledgeable folks that can help you get together everything you need at one time and not have to return for a trip or two to get missing items.