Gas cans - really

[tcreeley]

What farmer hand pumps five gallon cans? You pick it up and pour it. Our gas cans growing up on the farm were 5 gallon and said "Champlain Oil" on the side.

We had a 500 gallon below ground tank for gas. It had a hand pump. The majority of our fields were leased and 10-20 miles from the farm We filled the 5 gal cans to take to the fields where the tractors and machinery were. Once there, you didn't want to run out. Often someone was dropped off with the gas and picked up later in the day. You didn't want them sitting in the field waiting for gas. The New Holland bailer ran on its own motor. Filled a lot of cans. The two sideboard trucks and cars had their tanks filled directly. We had a Willys jeep out there too, often pulling the bailer and a couple of crawlers. Got old. Used this kind.

 

[Overtaxed]

The gas can debacle is like the best example of govt run amok that I can think of in the last 10 years (maybe the bank bailout, but it's a tight race). I mean. It's a godd**n can. It holds gas. It needs to get that gas from the can to the machine with the least hassle possible. We figured out how to do this well about 100 years ago. And then about 10 years ago, we forgot and decided that somehow evaporating gas for small engines was polluting the environment. So we came up with new cans that don't evaporate, but wind up with you spilling gas all over everything when you use them, leading to FAR more evaporation and "damage" to the environment. It's so ridiculous, if it was a South Park skit, I'd say "That's just not realistic".

And yet, here we are. I use VP cans that I got a long time ago when I was racing dirt bikes. I think they still sell them and because they're not for small engines, I don't think they're "regulated" as tightly. If not, maybe you can find some on EBay. They're great, you can drain the whole can in 60 seconds if you want. Nice fast fill, with a good spout so it doesn't go anywhere but in the tank. What a concept!

Edited to add link, yes, they still sell them, and yes, they aren't regulated it seems because they are for "race use only". My head hurts thinking about this, it must be time for the first beer of the night.

Amazon.com: VP Racing Fuels 3512 Red Motorsport Jug - 5 Gallon Capacity: Automotive

 

[dragoneggs]

Lol, what tank.

Maybe it's tanks plural?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Maybe it's tanks plural?

Oh, yea, guess I did see them.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I use plastic and convert the spouts. I picked up some at Northern Tool on 50% off. I have a 50 gallon steel unit with electric pump I need to put in the truck and just use it for the tractors. It still works well and is easier than lifting up the cans. Couple months ago I purchased a new pump off Ebay for $65 that is the cats meow. No more lifting up cans. So I now have options.

 

[breadtrk]

There is a gentelman about 6 farms down from me that has about 50 brand new military Jerry cans stored in the loft of his shop, the very rare fat 7.5 gallon ones that went on the sides of a tank or something, they have handles on the side, top and one recessed into the bottom. There is a o ringed screw in out vent on the bottom and 2 bars welded on by the spout like it was meant to attack to something, otherwise they look just like a fat Jerry can. He won't sell any but he is 93, his grand daughter and I went to school together, she says they are mine when he won't need them any more. I'm going to keep 5 and sell the rest to help her grandkids through school. These empty out in about a minute and should do well on the military collectors market. Might be so rare I can't find the right buyers.

 

[hturner12]

Tank and hand pump, I hate cans. Depending on how much you use, factory units are available,

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200484467_200484467

I have a 50 gallon saddle tank out of a truck with a hand pump I use, I picked up for $100, been working like a charm for years. I also have a 300 gallon I had given to me, but we own a farm and I use more than the typical person.

I agree. I got tired of lifting the 5 gallon out of the truck and holding chest high. Found a 50 gallon transfered and hand pump for 100 on craigslist

 

[MossRoad]

There is a gentelman about 6 farms down from me that has about 50 brand new military Jerry cans stored in the loft of his shop, the very rare fat 7.5 gallon ones that went on the sides of a tank or something, they have handles on the side, top and one recessed into the bottom. There is a o ringed screw in out vent on the bottom and 2 bars welded on by the spout like it was meant to attack to something, otherwise they look just like a fat Jerry can. He won't sell any but he is 93, his grand daughter and I went to school together, she says they are mine when he won't need them any more. I'm going to keep 5 and sell the rest to help her grandkids through school. These empty out in about a minute and should do well on the military collectors market. Might be so rare I can't find the right buyers.

Here's a link to help identify the cans by markings to see who's they were, what for, etc... neat information. Might help you determine exactly what he has and what they're worth...

Military Jerry Can Markings

 

[breadtrk]

Thanks for that link! I'll try to ride up there in the next few days and get some pictures.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Just saw this on my screen. No need for a 5 gallon fuel can.

Press Announcement—For Release --April 1, 2017:

Magnuson & Moss, Inc., a niche firm that services the craft brewing industry by providing mobile, semi-trailer mounted canning machinery, announced today that it has entered an agreement to can diesel oil for John Deare. It is expected that new JD equipment manuals will recommend using their branded fuel and warn that failure to do so may void warranties. M&M’s stock, which analysts had downgraded because of M&M’s unused capacity owing to the shakeout among craft brewers, rebounded strongly.
“This is a natural fit’” stated Mr. Magnuson. “We can move our under-utilized equipment to the dealers’ parking lots to package bulk diesel thereby eliminating onerous shipping charges that JD would have to pass on to the consumer.” “Because zinc is incompatible with ethyl alcohol, no galvanized metals are used in our equipment, so there will be no effect on the diesel.”
Ms Moss stated: “There is no way the EPA would fool with the pop-top can that so many tractor owners already know how to operate with minimal spillage. Twelve ounce cans are light, easy to open and drain, and are recyclable.” She also sought to reassure beer drinkers that M&M would have no relationship with established brewers such as Harviestoun Brewery Ltd., maker of Old Engine Oil Porter, or new upstarts such as Guns and Oil Brewing Co. thus preventing inadvertent imbibing of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Oil.