Fuel storage

[burzynsr]

Just wondering how long can I store diesel in a clean 55 gallon drum out of the weather? I just need an easier way to fuel the tractor and I am tired of shuffling plastic 5 gallon cans. I have to get it up over the hood and the old 58 year old back does not like it. I would ad the right amount of "Power Services" fluid to it and use a hand pump of some description. I would like to get a year out of it if possible. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Peter 315]

If its not Biodiesel it will last years

 

[mddorange]

If it is Biodiesel, add Bio-chide to it to kill the algae growth.

 

[NHSawyer]

Algea will grow in regular diesel too I would treat for that.

 

[90cummins]

Keep it inside a shed out of the sun where water cannot pool on top of barrel and it will last for years if no water is introduced.
Heating and cooling the drum causes it to breath and take in moisture that's why it should be stored inside a building.
90cummins

 

[bdog]

Diesel is easy to store. If it is going to sit a while use a biocide. I use biobor JF. I have a 1000 gallon tank that is outside. Usually it gets cycled through every two months but sometimes ittakes longer than that.

 

[sandman2234]

Have you considered mounting the drum like people (at least in the South) used to do fuel oil? An angle iron frame with a cradle is easy enough to build, and then put the drum on top of it (at a slight angle). Have your fuel delivered when the drum gets really low, or when you use the last of it. If delivery isn't an option, and you have to go after it, then you can build the angle iron frame under a crane rail or jib crane or add one to your pickup truck. The other option is to have two drums and use one to transport and then pump the fuel into the other. Make sure the pumps you use are fuel rated so that you don't have a fire issue. The reason for the elevated drum as opposed to pumping it into your tractor, is when you have time to go after a drum full of fuel (maybe not quite full) you can hook up the pump and just leave it to pump. If you pump into your tractor, you have to be there to make sure you don't over fill the tank, standing on the step patiently watching the fuel level. Now I don't mean "leave it unattended", just meaning it won't take as close a watch. Plus pumping that much fuel with a small pump (such as the electric fuel pump on my F350) will take some time, something that would be better served in a time frame planned, not required during a busy day of tractor work.
David from jax

 

[Texasmark]

I have an old trailer made from a Chev truck bed. Have 3 55gal. barrels in it that stay sealed unless the pump is inserted and that's sorta sealed....lid pops when I start pumping and creating a vacuum in the thing.

12v electric pump...battery in trailer....charge every so often. I use Power Services products and have never had a problem with my fuel. Every time I fill up, I look down in the bottom and all I see is clear, red fuel.

Trailer sits under a car port type thing I made for my hay truck when I was a sorta BTO. Time for diesel, just hook up to it and take it to town. Piece of cake.

 

[/pine]

A vented tank/drum is more susceptible to algae than sealed tanks etc...
Also on vented metal tanks moisture will condense when the fuel level is low...

 

[oosik]

Well - peach pucker. I've thought long & hard about fuel storage. You think its tough at 58 - wait until you are 76. I can still lift those 5 gallon jerry cans but she isn't the greatest amount of fun.

My diesel is stored in five gallon jerry cans with Power Service. I'd like to have a 55 gallon drum with a hand pump but there are concerns about algae formation and condensation. So far in the thirty seven years out here I've had ZERO problems with my diesel fuel. I think I'll continue with the jerry cans - and just complain a little.

 

[sandman2234]

Well - peach pucker. I've thought long & hard about fuel storage. You think its tough at 58 - wait until you are 76. I can still lift those 5 gallon jerry cans but she isn't the greatest amount of fun.

My diesel is stored in five gallon jerry cans with Power Service. I'd like to have a 55 gallon drum with a hand pump but there are concerns about algae formation and condensation. So far in the thirty seven years out here I've had ZERO problems with my diesel fuel. I think I'll continue with the jerry cans - and just complain a little.

Have you considered an overhead crane rail or a jib crane, or maybe just a pulley on a nail in the rafters? Anything you can do to pick up the can rather than using your back to pick up the whole load will help your back. Even if you still have to juggle it around a little, one day the weight is going to catch you wrong and make a bad day.
I am fortunate in being able to drive a couple of blocks for diesel. About a year ago, the store owner told me he was going to quit selling diesel and actually did...but finally caved in to all the people who were asking about it. I made sure he knew I was happy because it made me go to hauling cans of fuel when he quit selling diesel.
David from jax

 

[4570Man]

I have a 50 gallon tank off a semi trailer. I welded a bigger plug in the bottom of it and screwed in a filter and a 1” hose. Somewhat to my surprise it gravity feeds at a good flow rate. Having a diesel mower, tractor and CTL the barrel doesn’t last long so I’ve never bothered treating it with anything. Before I used as much as I do now I’ve held diesel for a year or so with no problems.

 

[oosik]

sandman - you are exactly correct. Its not the 40 foot trip - carrying the full jerry can that hurts - its holding it up while the fuel drains into the tractor that hurts. I have the ideal situation for a pulley system from the rafters. And I suppose I'll screw around until the day I do hurt my back and then put something together to hold the jerry can up.

The smart thing to do - next time my son comes out - I'll have him hook a couple of my pulleys so I can have a lifting system in the carport stall where I park the tractor.

I've noticed - the five gallon jerry cans of diesel aren't getting any lighter...........

 

[4570Man]

I’ve got 2 of the VP race cans. With the nice flexible spout I can lay the can on the hood until most of the fuel drains out. It’s much easier than my other cans. And another plus since they’re not technically a fuel can they’re exempt from epa regulations.

 

[burzynsr]

Thanks for the good ideas, I can now move on with a plan.

 

[corl]

I use 2 55 gal metal drums and a hand pump. Fill the 2 drums about 3X year. Have a filter on the line and no troubles. Stored in the shed with the tractors.

 

[jeff9366]

I've thought long & hard about fuel storage. My diesel is stored in five gallon jerry cans with Power Service. You think its tough at 58 - wait until you are 76. I can still lift those 5 gallon jerry cans but it isn't the greatest fun.

I'd like to have a 55 gallon drum with a hand pump but there are concerns about algae formation and condensation. In the thirty seven years out here I've had ZERO problems with my diesel fuel. I think I'll continue with the jerry cans - and just complain a little.

At age 70-3/4, I am with you, OOSIK.

If marginal fuel is introduced into a tractor's tank and sits there awhile, problems can develop.

I buy diesel two plastic five gallon containers at a time.

When the /60 series Kubotas came out in 2013, the fueling point was moved from the tractor hood, requiring one to stand in the operating station to access, to low on the side, about even with the floor. I feel much more secure fueling with both feet on the ground.

Falls over age sixty can be very bad events.

My tractor usage is 200 - 300 engine hours per year, depending on hurricane debris.



I buy 87 octane, 10% ethanol gas for my two chainsaws one gallon at a time.

 

[LD48750]

Being over 70, I no longer will hold a 5 Gal fuel can at shoulder level to fuel anything.
Many years ago I found this (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Products-0-HP-2-5-GPM-Self-Priming-Siphon-Pump-107761/304261418 ) self priming siphon and have never looked back.
The other thing you might consider is just getting an old 250 gal. fuel oil tank & have your fuel oil (same as off road diesel) delivered.
Fuel oil sits in those tanks all year long in millions of homes with no problem.

 

[erkme73]

I had 100 gallons of diesel fuel under my whole house generator for 14 years. I initially added power services, and the only fuel generator used was during weekly exercises. When I moved this year, I sold the generator and there were about 60 gallons of diesel still in the tank. The generator ran fine on that fuel and I never had an issue with algae. Many told me diesel will not last that long. But I've had zero problems after 14 years. Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe people are just being ultra-conservative. At my new place, I store 3 55-gallon drums inside my barn, with a$200 12 volt pump from Northern Tool. Works great, and pumps at 8 gallons per minute. So far, knock on wood, everything is work better than expected.

 

[Texasmark]

Well - peach pucker. I've thought long & hard about fuel storage. You think its tough at 58 - wait until you are 76. I can still lift those 5 gallon jerry cans but she isn't the greatest amount of fun.

My diesel is stored in five gallon jerry cans with Power Service. I'd like to have a 55 gallon drum with a hand pump but there are concerns about algae formation and condensation. So far in the thirty seven years out here I've had ZERO problems with my diesel fuel. I think I'll continue with the jerry cans - and just complain a little.

Well I'm 76 and go the easy route. Grin. Use the hand fill stuff on gassing my small equipment and that's enough of a pain.