I have need for a farm diesel tank. ? Obround tank for outside farm fuel storage?

[LD1]

I had a injection pump go out on a truck of mine, I took it to my pump rebuild place and as it was quite a distance to drive, I asked him to open it and give me an estimate.

He took the pump to his bench and all of a sudden he says, "you been using Power Service, eh?" I had to admit that I had... He insisted that no additives were needed, as long as you keep the water out and filter what goes in...

That was MANY years ago, and also was the last time I ever used additives...

BTW, when I picked the rebuilt pump up, he said, "use Power Service in this one, and there's no warranty" !

He was right, I didn't need any additives, I had just bought into the BS some guys were floating around...

SR

Have heard the same things about the power service in the red bottle. Is that what you were using.

I have talked to many mechanics that I trust very much, about diesel addatives for my situation, where it isnt uncommon for a tankful of fuel to last 2 months. And not one of them said I didnt need anything. That all said that at the very least I need an anti-microbial. And two of the places were ones that specifically rebuild injector pumps.

 

[rswyan]

cleardiesel? The stuff thats supposed to remove water/slime and prevent microbes/algae? Have heard some bad stuff about some of the other PS products. But I use the clear diesel in my truck as well as howels. But havent ever put anything in the farm tank, but know I should.

As someone else said, silver for greater than extreme low temps, white when it gets really cold (less than 15F) ... and keep a bottle of that red/orange stuff around ... just for those times when ya fail to do what ya should have with the white bottle.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Have heard the same things about the power service in the red bottle. Is that what you were using.

I have talked to many mechanics that I trust very much, about diesel addatives for my situation, where it isnt uncommon for a tankful of fuel to last 2 months. And not one of them said I didnt need anything. That all said that at the very least I need an anti-microbial. And two of the places were ones that specifically rebuild injector pumps.

The bottle was black, I have no idea what that means, as I don't follow all the BS additive makers put out...

SR

 

[Dadnatron]

I have found a couple tanks that are close by for $50. They are the best thing I've found so far.

They are used, and while they look like they are in pretty good shape, I'm sure they could use some cleaning out.

How would you go about doing this? I have a power washer... would you just stick the nozzle inside and spray the crap out of it? if I do this... how do I dry it out before filling with diesel? There are only a few fill holes along the top. I'm not sure about the bottom.

And on that note, if there isn't a drain hole on the bottom, someone said they HIGHLY recommended that there be one put there.

I am completely unfamiliar with working on old tanks. Can I take the tank to a welder and ask him to cut and put one in? Will the fact that it had been used for home heating oil prevent him from now cutting/welding on the tank?

I'm trying to avoid finding that what I thought I should do... was not to be done at all.

 

[Dadnatron]

Purchased 2 Obround Tanks for my outdoor farm diesel and gas tanks. They aren't in bad shape, but certainly do need some cleaning up as well as mounting on a base of some sorts. Both were used indoors as heating oil tanks up until about a year ago. Both have caps on all holes on the top. I have yet to look inside and begin cleaning them up.

I do have some questions:

1. Neither have a bottom drain. Someone said to make sure that there is a drain at the bottom, and I can see the point. But... what can I do about it? If I get them all cleaned up, should I try to find a local welder and have him cut a hole and weld a drain pipe/outlet of some sort onto them? Any recommendations as to what type of drain/valve work best in this scenario?

2. I have yet to open them up and look inside. I suspect they will need cleaned out in some fashion. I've read about powerwashing them etc. Is that your recommendation as well? If I do this... how do I get all the water out before I add diesel?

3. I saw a video on YouTube in which the guy 'cleans them up' then coats them with Herculiner prior to final painting. Any thoughts about how well this would work? Does paint STICK to Herculiner well?

4. Concerning the top holes. I will need a least 3, but I don't know what sizes are required. Both have 3 holes. I would need one for the pump, one for fill, and one for a site glass. Am I missing anything? Also, how big do they need to be? Especially the 'FILL'? I'm not sure the size of the delivery nozzle, so I want to insure I have sizes that work. (I'll certainly contact the delivery service, but I'd like to know what size you've found best/required)

5. I think I am going to stick with a manual pump for now. My current location will not be my final location and while I need the diesel, I don't want to make a permanent space and run electricity. Besides, the new GPI manual pumps 1/2gal with each pull/push combo. It wouldn't take long to fill 25gal and I never have to worry about someone becoming 'distracted' and overfilling. When I move, I'll put in a permanent slab with electricity.

 

[George2615]

I would have a welder drill a hole and weld a threaded bung on the bottom so you can pipe a drain valve on it. I use a standard ball valve for a drain. Hard to believe neither has a drain hole. I have 3 tanks and all have one.

When I washed out my tanks I tipped the non drain side up to allow excess water to drain then let it sit in the sun a few days until the rest of the water was gone.

For the exterior on the tank I just paint mine with a good quality paint. I've been thinking of trying bedliner because the paint only lasts a few years and starts to look like alligator skin then flakes off.

I use one of these combination fill alarm and gauge for one 2" hole. add a 2" nipple and put the vent cap on top. Some oil companies require this type that has a fill alarm.
Amazon.com: Oil Equipment Mfg 4523 KING Oil Tank Combination Fill Alarm And Tank Gauge: Home & Kitchen

My pump goes in another 2" hole.

Filler pipe with cap goes in the 3rd 2" hole. With this type cap the oil delivery co. can screw their nozzle right on.
2" Oil Speedfill Adapter 45 Degree: Female Thread - - Amazon.com
Amazon.com: Oil Equipment Mfg 31 SpeedFill Oil Tank Fill Cap: Home & Kitchen

You also need a vent cap and a couple 2" nipples.
Amazon.com: Oil Equipment Mfg 1439 Oil Tank Slip-On Vent Cap: Automotive

Or you can use the standard lockable flip style cap.
Amazon.com: Oil Equipment Mfg 4171 Oil Tank Hinged Fill Cap: Home Improvement

 

[Dadnatron]

George,

Concerning the low tank bung, What size should I make it? Just a 1" drain?

Also...

To be clear, you have only 3 holes in top, all 2"?

1. You have a 2" hole with the Tank gauge/alarm.

2. 2" hole for your pump.

3. 2" hole for fill pipe. This hole has the angled speed fill adapter. Do you put the Vent cap OVER the adapter? I'm unclear on where the Vent Cap goes...

And, concerning a locking flip/style cap... is this used for fill, in which they simply put a fill nozzle into the hole rather than screw it to the 'speedfill connection'? I saw a Cim-Tek Pre-vent filler/vent cap which locks, but don't know the utility nor whether it is easy to fill through.
Cim-Tek 62 Locking Pre Vent Cap: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

I'm just trying to insure that I make enough of the right sized holes in the top to have everything I need, covered. IF you have a pic of your tank, I'd appreciate it.

 

[George2615]

George,

Concerning the low tank bung, What size should I make it? Just a 1" drain?
Also...
To be clear, you have only 3 holes in top, all 2"?
1. You have a 2" hole with the Tank gauge/alarm.
2. 2" hole for your pump.
3. 2" hole for fill pipe. This hole has the angled speed fill adapter. Do you put the Vent cap OVER the adapter? I'm unclear on where the Vent Cap goes...
And, concerning a locking flip/style cap... is this used for fill, in which they simply put a fill nozzle into the hole rather than screw it to the 'speedfill connection'? I saw a Cim-Tek Pre-vent filler/vent cap which locks, but don't know the utility nor whether it is easy to fill through.
Cim-Tek 62 Locking Pre Vent Cap: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
I'm just trying to insure that I make enough of the right sized holes in the top to have everything I need, covered. IF you have a pic of your tank, I'd appreciate it.

Yes, I have 3 - 2" holes on top. One on left is the fill. Center is the gauge/ alarm/ and vent (all three are in this style gauge). Right is the pump.
If you buy the locking flip style filler the delivery truck nozzle has a pipe extension that goes in the tank just like it would at the gas pump when you fill your car. If you opt for the style like mine, they unscrew their nozzle and screw their pump directly onto the pipe when the cap is removed.
My drain is only 1/2" which is the size of the threaded fitting that was on my tank. If you have to add that fitting I'd make it 1". I would have gone with 1" if I didn't have a drain. I also took a piece of 6" long 1/2" PVC and jammed it in the 1/2" nipple before I screwed it in the bottom of the tank. That PVC nipple sticks up inside the tank off the bottom about 4-5" so the drain doesn't get plugged with sediment if I need to drain it.

 

[Dadnatron]

Those pics were very helpful. After seeing them, I checked my tanks.

Went and looked at the VERY bottom of mine, and I DO have drains, plugged and ready to go. That wasn't the location of a drain he had on another tank that I didn't take. It came out of the flat side at the bottom, so I thought that was the 'best' place for a drain. Mine are small, probably 1/2" as well.

I also have 3 - 2" holes in the top. So no Welder required to get me up and running.

One question

What is, and how long is, the pipe between your Vent Cap, and the Alarm/site glass? Is this simply that long to fit the cap onto it? Why did you choose this 'specific' vent cap vs other types? Is there any benefits?

Those links to Amazon were extremely helpful. Thank you

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Get a heating oil tank and it will have the bottom drain in it already.