How to clean rust out of a diesel transfer tank?

[boggen]

RUST or is it the RED DYE via off road diesel? i am going to bet off road diesel.

red dye in off road diesel, is suppose to color filters and like on purpose. since off-road diesel = tax exempt, and not allowed in anything that runs on actual roads. coloring = allows cops to check a filter and say, here is your nice heavy duty ticket for running off-road diesel in your truck, semi or like.

granted it still may be rust, but... *shrugs*

 

[Scooby074]

What about electrolysis? Ive done it with success on smaller items immersed in a bucket (not tanks). Only problem would be access inside the tank for the electrode and the difficulty of moving around the tank to dump out loosened rust. A section of chain and diesel fuel put in the tank and agitated for some time will also work. but again youre into having to move the tank around.

This is electrolysis of a tank albeit much smaller (a motorcycle tank)

http://youtu.be/SyG0mu2T4u0

 

[MikeInEburg]

I'd be tempted to cut a 6''X6'' service hole in the top. A gasket and a 10''X10'' bolt-on plate over top will allow easy access to clean. Only you'd need to be VERY careful cutting it, to avoid igniting fuel fumes. Get what you can out, then fill with water before cutting.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

If you have pumped 300 gallons you have probably already got the worst of it out. I suggest buying one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002YQSQO/ref=pd_aw_sbs_263_2?refRID=01T20WMQ07PSPY758ANT and use it to filter the fuel you pump out. It won't let any rust through and it is clear so you can see when it is getting clogged up.

Already have one of those on it. Changed the filter twice already. The bottom of the plastic bowl had about 1" of mud (rust) in it.

No one mentioned it but it's common knowledge that you keep the pickup und about an inch or inch and a half off the bottom of the tank. Also, the pickup end is cut on an angle.

The end of mine is cut at an angle. I'm not sure how close to the bottom it was, and it is adjustable. When I go back in with it, I'll make sure it's about an inch off the bottom.

RUST or is it the RED DYE via off road diesel? i am going to bet off road diesel.

red dye in off road diesel, is suppose to color filters and like on purpose. since off-road diesel = tax exempt, and not allowed in anything that runs on actual roads. coloring = allows cops to check a filter and say, here is your nice heavy duty ticket for running off-road diesel in your truck, semi or like.

granted it still may be rust, but... *shrugs*

It's not red diesel. I always buy 'road' diesel and deduct the taxes at the end of the year when I file my taxes.

Today, I punched some holes in the tube extending down into the tank (see pic below). Then I flushed it several times using a total of about 3 gallons of clean diesel. I think that by punching the holes I was able to get most of the liquid out each time. I'm going to let it set on my pallet forks upside down for a few days then probably try it again. I'll keep a few spare filters on hand.

In the mean time, I'm watching Craigslist for a good used aluminum tank.

 

[Fallon]

It's not red diesel. I always buy 'road' diesel and deduct the taxes at the end of the year when I file my taxes.

Can you share the process related to that? US taxes I'm assuming?

I just got a 500 gallon tank & am looking to speculate that diesel prices are going to bottom out this fall. I normally burn a 55gallon drum in a little under a year. Don't own another diesel at the moment, but bight be trading the F250 gasser farm truck for one & would like to keep my fueling options open.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Can you share the process related to that? US taxes I'm assuming?

Each of my trucks has 2 fuel cards. One for the truck, and one for the equipment. At the end of the year, all fuel charged on the equipment cards is totaled and my accountant (my daughter) files federal form 4136 for credit. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4136.pdf

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Well....I chickened out on using the old tank and just bought a new one. Found a very similar tank at Tractor Supply on sale for $300, which is $50 off the regular price.

I picked up about 2 weeks of work with my tractor and need to start tomorrow, so I didn't have time to fool with the old tank and I didn't want to take any chances.

 

[Fallon]

Each of my trucks has 2 fuel cards. One for the truck, and one for the equipment. At the end of the year, all fuel charged on the equipment cards is totaled and my accountant (my daughter) files federal form 4136 for credit. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4136.pdf

Thanks for the info. Interesting option as opposed to red fuel, already did a bit more research on it. Looks pretty easy.

Sory for the thread hijack.