Fuel Tank

EddieWalker · Feb 25, 2004

I'm planning ahead to spring when things dry up and I can get some seat time in. One issue that I'd like to take care of is fuel storage.

I'm currently filling up 5 gallon containers, six at a time. Red farm diesel is $.30 less than regular, but if they deliver it, the savings disapears.

A friend has given me a diesel tank mounted on a metal frame about five feet off the ground. Which makes filling it with five gallons cans a waste of time.

I was thinking that I could cut the legs off the tank and mount it to a trailer. I've seen boat trailers for sale in the $100 range that should work.

I figure one gallon of diesel will weigh about 8 lbs. Which means 250 gallons will weigh 2,000 pounds.

If I leave about a foot of leg under the tank and park on the uphill side of my tractors, gravitiy will supply the fuel, I could get enough to last awhile at the farm price, currently $1.19 a gallon, and spend more time operating a tractor compared to running to the gas station every other day.

What am I missing?

Thanks,
Eddie Walker

tc35dforme · Feb 25, 2004

Any regulations with transporting 250 gallons of fuel over the road in Texas ?. Up here in Massachusetts, you need a permit issued by the local fire chief and I believe that other DOT and motor vehicle issues jump in. I'd also worry about liability since that tank probably isn't designed for over-the-road use. What if you have an accident and dump 250 gallons of fuel in a stream ?? That might wipe out your savings ??

EastTexFrank · Feb 25, 2004

Don't quote me on this but I think the maximum fuel allowed to be transported in non DOT approved "transfer" tanks in Texas is 119 gallons. That allows you to carry two 55 gallon drums and still be legal. Like you, I have seen those 250 gallon tanks transported on a small trailer for filling but I think it's against the law so you probably need to check. I don't know if it would make any difference if you did as you planned but only put a 100 gallons in it and used a hand pump to transfer/fill your tractors.
We have a 250 gallon tank at the farm and I'm surprised that delivery charges would wipe out the cost saving between red farm diesel and the over-the-road stuff.

Glenn9643 · Feb 25, 2004

Eddie,
Depending on the capacity of your loader and the size of the tank you might think about re-working the legs for the tank so that you can remove the tank with the loader, with a "cradle" of sorts for the tank atop the legs. When the tank is empty put it into your truck bed with the FEL for the refuel trip. Get back home and put the tank back on the stand. Just a thought. I looked at your profile and saw the FEL, but didn't think to look for pallet forks.

chucko · Feb 25, 2004

Does this tank have baffles in it? If not it can start sloshing and cause you big problems ...

BTW a lot of boaters use this have you thought of something like this

http://www.interstateproducts.com/fluid_transfer.htm

wvhillbilly · Feb 25, 2004

Check to see if there arte any fuel distributors in your area. I used to burn heating oil in my old house. Just called up the distributor and he brought a small fuel tanker out and filled me up. I recently put one of those 250 gallon tanks in my barn. My next phone call is to the distributor.
Dave

EddieWalker · Feb 25, 2004

I havn't looked into the legel end of this and I obviously need to. I drive by a Texas Trooper almost everyday on the way to my land. They love to sit at the bottom of the hill and catch speeders in the same spot at least once a week. It's a guranteed spot for them.

I can get the 55 gallon drums for free from the supplier, I just don't want to deal with loading and unloading them. I might have to.

Another issue with drums is keeping them under a roof. They will either take up barn space or I need to build a new shelter for them. I'd rather avoid this route.

I have some forks for my tractor, but I havn't built an adapter to install them yet. Another project to finish.

I've seen the small tanks on trailers at construction sites and assume they are built to travel the highways. Legally, I'm guessing.

I've looked for them for sale, but havn't seen any yet, or they are so far outside my price range, I'm not interested.

Price for delivery to the farm depends on the amount I buy, how often I buy and how many other accounts they have in my area.

RonR · Feb 25, 2004

Don't know that you'd want to carry all the weight all the time, but I like those tanks that sit under a truck tool box. My guess is they are 50+ gallons. You could install a 12V pump or a hand pump. I've used these before and they work ok.

Like I said though, you are carrying all the weight all the time and you do lose space under the toolbox, unless you could unload it....

Hope this helps.
Ron

Deerlope · Feb 25, 2004

If you do use that old tank make sure that you put a fuel filter on it cause there is probably a lot of rust and other stuff in it.

powerstroke2000 · Feb 25, 2004

Around here the only way most places sell it is bulk they won't fill cans. Has to do will the fire marshel and underground tanks and permits (a bunch of bs if you ask me).Are you sure if you get your tank fill they will take away the discounts I mean I would rather sell 250 gallons at a time than filling a couple of cans at a time.
Just my $.02