Glyphosate Tank for Diesel Storage

[riderpriderking]

Hi Everyone,

I got an 120 gallon glyphosate tank from a friend about 5 years ago. It had a little bit of glyphosate in the bottom so I used that around the yard and then rinsed it with water and used it as a rain barrel. I'm thinking about repurposing it as a diesel storage tank. Right now diesel is cheaper than it will be in the summer, especially here in Canada, right now it'd be about $4 US/gallon whereas in the summer it might be closer to $7.

Anyway, I read on some other forum that guys had wrecked engines by rinsing out gylphosate tanks with diesel then filling them up again and putting it in their tractors. The mixture essentially turned to little glue particles or something like that. I would think that using it for water for a few years would have got pretty much all the traces of glyphosate out. I also plan on using a filter.

Anybody ever heard of this happening before? Should I be concerned?

Here's a link to the tank.
https://www.bonarplastics.com/Products/Portable-Bulk-Containers/RAZ-454-IBC

 

[pmsmechanic]

I hear what you are saying but I would be more concerned about the diesel reacting with the plastic. With being used for water for a few years the phosphate issues should be gone. Make sure you install a good filter on the outlet.

 

[skipperbrown]

I'd research this very carefully before proceeding. You don't want to come out one morning and find you have leaked 120 gallons of diesel on your property.

 

[oosik]

I agree with skipper brown. Beyond leaked fuel on your property. Will the diesel in the storage tank cause damage to you tractor engine. I question if the plastic used for a chemical tank is the same as used for diesel storage.

 

[Jstpssng]

I would ask myself "How much do I value my tractor?" You probably won't have any problems but is it worth taking a chance? Sometimes spending a little more now is less expensive in the long run.
You could always contact the company to find out about compatibility with diesel which which others have mentioned.

 

[rgr33]

A steel 100 gallon fuel tank and and a pump is a lot cheaper than an engine rebuild or a fuel leak cleanup.

Too big a gamble for me.

 

[aczlan]

Either check with the company, or look and see if there's something on the tank that says that it's HDPE.
The link says polyethylene which is listed as being okay for short term contact with diesel, but not recommended for continuous storage ("Suitable for short term storage less than one year" Polyethylene Chemical Compatibility Guide | Chemical Compatibility ).
If it's HDPE (high density polyethylene) that's okay for diesel, that's what fuel cans are made out of.

Aaron Z

 

[Maxify55]

Steel diesel tanks are cheap compared to what you put in them.
Research is needed

 

[Sonny580]

NO diesel in them old plastic tanks!!!---they are a one time use tank and made with sub-standard material! --- I know everybody uses them for water,--I do myself,--but Fuel!!!---NO ,NO, and NO!

 

[riderpriderking]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I originally wasn't too concerned about the material, the valve at the bottom said Viton gaskets, Teflon Seat and stainless bolts. As for the polyethylene, I'm pretty sure it's HD but I better confirm with the manufacturer. It's also insanely thick, it's made to be picked up by the top using forks. But you're right in that I don't want to be cleaning up a mess of leak 60 gallons of diesel, or wreck my tractor, I've had enough issues with it as it is. Ill let you know what I find out.

I also have access to some sprayer antifreeze barrels, white or blue, from the local Deere dealership, seems like lots of guys use those for filling stations so I might go that route too. They are for sure HDPE but then they don't have built in slots to lift with forks. I also have to get a pump if I went that route.

Otherwise I'm actually only a half mile from the gas station so filling there or in 5 gallon jugs works too and is what I have been doing. It just doesn't save me money ha.