Fuel storage

[mikeh19d]

Sooo.. I've been looking for a small fuel "cell" to store more than 5 gals of diesel for my tractor and I am thinking about using a 250-300 gallon IBC tote. FYI, an IBC tote is a poly bulk fluid storage container sitting in a wire basket. Now keep in mind the basket is heavy duty, its got to support 250-300 gallons of liquids. I'm wondering if anyone is using one of these to store fuel and if so how to you have your tank set up to pump fuel? If you don't use an IBC tote does anyone use poly tanks or barrels? If you use this type of container do you get fuel delivered in bulk? I want to thank you for reading my post and your comments in advance.:thumbsup:

 

[Einthewoods]

I don't use poly tanks or barrels, but do have a 300gl above ground fuel tank. I haven't had it filled in a long time. Wasn't worth it cost-wise and I didn't use enough to make it worth the aggravation of fuel stabilizers that I had to put in it.


So, if you are going that route, hopefully you use it enough to make it worth your while and costs.

 

[Diggin It]

I'm not sure a delivery truck would pump into that. I've even read here that some gas stations won't allow pumping into unrated containers. My neighbors all have large tanks and get fuel delivered by truck. I have a 55 gallon barrel that I haul to one of those neighbors and fill it from their tank. Then use a handcrank barrel pump to get it into the SCUT.

 

[iflywhatevr]

I ordered a 100 Gallon storage tank to use for my garage. I called a local oil company they will Fill it with off-road diesel at 50-60 cents a gallon less than pump prices for on road diesel with no delivery charge. Granted this will only last me a couple months but better than those 5 gallon cans I despise shuttling back and forth from the gas station and pouring into the tank.

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395489_200395489

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I don't use poly tanks or barrels, but do have a 300gl above ground fuel tank. I haven't had it filled in a long time. Wasn't worth it cost-wise and I didn't use enough to make it worth the aggravation of fuel stabilizers that I had to put in it.


So, if you are going that route, hopefully you use it enough to make it worth your while and costs.

Lesson here, only buy the storage capacity you will use in less than a year. When I had a 20 AC forest and 2 AC of finished landscape I bought a 50 Gl tanks for diesel and gas. Now I moved into town and they are too big. Diesel will keep pretty well but the gas I will keep for my 17 KW generator and use it up in the pickup. Hand crank pumps in both. At my age 5 GL cans are out due to weight. The 50 GL tanks I can put in and out of the pickup for filling. Both are code stamped and placarded and tie down.

Safety note: I saw a guy a while back with 3 55 GL drums lying on their side in a PU. Rolling around and thumping the tailgate. I got away from him quick. I watched him fill them and turn them over on their side dripping gas from leaky bungs. I asked the state police about that and they stated it was the fire marshal's jurisdiction not theirs, unless he dropped them on the road, then everybody gets in the act.

Ron

 

[Einthewoods]

Lesson here, only buy the storage capacity you will use in less than a year. When I had a 20 AC forest and 2 AC of finished landscape I bought a 50 Gl tanks for diesel and gas. Now I moved into town and they are too big. Diesel will keep pretty well but the gas I will keep for my 17 KW generator and use it up in the pickup. Hand crank pumps in both. At my age 5 GL cans are out due to weight. The 50 GL tanks I can put in and out of the pickup for filling. Both are code stamped and placarded and tie down.

Safety note: I saw a guy a while back with 3 55 GL drums lying on their side in a PU. Rolling around and thumping the tailgate. I got away from him quick. I watched him fill them and turn them over on their side dripping gas from leaky bungs. I asked the state police about that and they stated it was the fire marshal's jurisdiction not theirs, unless he dropped them on the road, then everybody gets in the act.

Ron

Yeah, when I bought this house and it had the tank, I thought I would full it immediately and really like having it. Seems a few 5 gallon cans are actually all this guy needs.

So, one of these days I'll Craigslist it away.

 

[shooterdon]

I ordered a 100 Gallon storage tank to use for my garage. I called a local oil company they will Fill it with off-road diesel at 50-60 cents a gallon less than pump prices for on road diesel with no delivery charge. Granted this will only last me a couple months but better than those 5 gallon cans I despise shuttling back and forth from the gas station and pouring into the tank.

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395489_200395489

Sounds like an excellent option....at least for me.

 

[TnAndy]

My setup is dedicated shed with 500gal gas and 300gal diesel in loft for gravity feed. Both are stabilized with PRI products (PRI-G and PRI-D + biocide). Shelves below hold oil, fuel cans, etc.

Fuel is bulk delivered by farm co-op or local fuel distributor, depending on price at the time.

 

[GSVette]

I bought a Fuel Caddy (35 gallons) which has proved sufficient for fueling my LS XR4155, Case 580E and Bobcat 3400D with a couple of fills using a 5 gallon diesel. It seems to be sufficient for my current needs

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a 100 gallon steel tank with a 15 gpm DC Filrite pump to dispense the fuel. Because of the minimum 150 gallon delivery from my fuel supplier, I got one of the IBC Tote tanks from a local business, free for the taking. They get epoxy resin in them and after a bit of water washing and gasoline scrubbing to get the small amount of resin out, I got it filled with about 60 gallons of diesel. Then fuel prices fell so I had the thing filled with cheap diesel along with my 100 gallon tank. Both are set inside my enclosed boat shed away from sunlight and moisture.
I don't have the IBC tank piped to dispense fuel. When my 100 gallon tank runs dry, I remove the pump, place it in the IBC (it has a 2" bung cap in the middle of a 6" filler cap)tank and then refill my 100 gallon tank. It is a bit of a pain to do, but only needed about once a year now that most of my tractor work is done. I suspect that my 300+ gallon fuel purchase will last me several years. Most of my fuel now is consumed in my RTV. The diesel will never go bad so no concern there.

 

[RandyT]

Just had local fuel supplier pump 200 gallon into my 300 gallon overhead tank yesterday morning.

 

[mmancuso13]

TnAndy, nice setup

 

[Diggin It]

My setup is dedicated shed with 500gal gas and 300gal diesel in loft for gravity feed. Both are stabilized with PRI products (PRI-G and PRI-D + biocide). Shelves below hold oil, fuel cans, etc.

Fuel is bulk delivered by farm co-op or local fuel distributor, depending on price at the time.

Yes, but not everybody has millions in disposable cash laying around.

One question though ..... if a spark goes wrong, how will you get anywhere near that extinguisher? With the money you spend on things, I'd think you'd have a gas station island type system with a remote pull box to activate it.

 

[Big Barn]

Having my diesel tank filled AS WE SPEAK. Walked out to snap a picture on this beautiful early “late summer morning”. I guess the driver knows better to MAIL the invoice to the office and not spoil my morning





Don’t forget your additives.

 

[houser52]

I'm getting ready to pick up a 100 gallon transfer tank from TSC in the next few days and put it in the shed.

The 275 gallon tank that sits on my place has been there for 40+ years and I'm pretty sure it has rust, trash and who knows what else in it. Having bought a new M7060 back in June, I don't want to take a chance of getting any of that gunk into it so a new clean smaller tank might be my best option. I may have to fill it up more often but a smaller tank will also insure that I'll have fresh fuel.

 

[mikeh19d]

I want to thank everyone for their feedback. So, based on this feedback I'm still on the fence. Unfortunately I have a few variables that are impacting my decision, cost, how the container will be filled, how long will the "bulk" fuel last (it will be treated), what is a reasonable amount to keep onsite and all the other unseen . I guess I'll have to chew on it a while and keep fill'ner up with 5gal cans until I get pinned between a rock and a hard spot and have to pull the trigger... ugh.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I used the 5 gallon cans about 3 times before I realized that one slip while trying to balance on the tire and frame might cost me a huge doctor bill or wife a funeral. I searched Craigslist and found the first of 2 of the 100 gallon rectangular tanks complete with pump and hose. I let my brother in law have the first one to put at his place which is just across our pond from my place. I had not moved from Houston at the time so not much need for fuel for my tractor. By the time I got my shop built, I had found another 100 gallon tank/12v Filrite pump with filter,hose and auto shut-off nozzle. Since I planned to keep mine inside my shop on a concrete floor, I installed some steel caster wheels on the tanks feet where they were designed to be bolted down. I then could roll it wherever I needed to fuel and then get it out of my way. It has been about 10 years now and the pump and tank are still pristine, no trash, condensate etc have ever been in the tank and I don't use any additives. I think as long as the tanks are kept inside where temperature doesn't fluctuate much, no condensate forms, thus no algae dangers. My TOTE tank is still about 3/4 full but it is getting close to time to move the pump to the TOTE tank for a refill.

IIRC, my steel tanks with pumps cost me $300-350 each and have been well worth the cost. I put a standalone battery next to the tank with a permanent batteryminder attached to keep it charged. Battery is now 6 years old and going strong.

 

[nybirdman]

Average (compact 30-40 h.p.) uses maybe 1 Gallon per hour and normal use is maybe 75-100 hours per year so ;are you going to store maybe two year of fuel?Up North we have to go to "winter blend" so if you purchase in the summer;you have a potential problem with fuel gelling in the winter.
I purchase 10-20 gallons at a time and try to use it up and keep it fresh.
Commercial users and farmers buy in bulk;doesn't make much sense for the "week-end" warrior.
Note;mine are used year-round and put maybe 125 hr./year.

 

[TractorGuy]

I also wonder if the fuel company would pump into a tote container. My supplier has no issue with pumping into my 55 gallon oil drums though.

Hard to beat 55 gallon drums for cost. I have two and I use a $65 12V pump to transfer fuel to my tractors. I made a pickup tube out of PVC that works well for me.

 

[Threepoint]

Yes, but not everybody has millions in disposable cash laying around.

One question though ..... if a spark goes wrong, how will you get anywhere near that extinguisher? With the money you spend on things, I'd think you'd have a gas station island type system with a remote pull box to activate it.

Ouch! Do I sense some serious tank envy?