Moving large barrels of fuel oil?

[hhsco]

I've used these at my sister's honey operation: Vestil Fork-Mounted Drum Gripper — 1,200-Lb. Capacity, Model# DGS-55-D | Drum Trucks, Jacks Transporters| Northern Tool + Equipment

not cheap but man are they nice! Of course thats for moving a ton of drums, almost certainly over kill to just unload one or two.

 

[Ken45101]

I would check to see what the minimum delivery is. It's sure convenient to have the truck deliver. It might even be cheaper than picking it up on your own.

You did mention two tractors and a truck. If you go with off road diesel, it's cheaper but you can't use it in the truck.

I had a single barrel and a hand pump until I got bigger equipment with 25 gallon tanks. Then I went to one of the 220 gallon cubes with an electric pump. Very nice operation except for when I have to pay to fill it! A 100 gallons at $3.99 hurt. 200 gallons will be worse! Yikes.

 

[corl]

Picking it up may save you money depending on your circumstances. My off road diesel is $3.60/gal at the pump and a 100 gallon minimum delivered at $4.05/gal. The pump is 30 miles round trip. On road diesel at the local (10 miles round trip) station is $4.39/gal.

 

[PastTense]

OP: how many gallons of diesel do you estimate that you use in the course of a year?

 

[WaterDawg]

What with 2 diesel tractors & 1 diesel truck, I'm tired of constantly doing the 5 gallon fuel container thing. Local distributor right down the road sells diesel and I'd like to get a couple of 55 gallon drums + barrel pump to take the place of all the 5 gallon containers. But not sure how to get the barrels from A to B. Is there some kind of attachment I could connect to the loader on the tractor to lift full barrels of diesel? Also have forks for the tractor but don't think I'd feel comfortable going the pallet route.

With all those diesel engines you should look for a Skid tank or someone selling/giving away a Home Heating Oil tank. (My neighbor has a 250gal tank right now they would get rid of) and set it up for Diesel Fuel. You can then buy in bulk and fill up any time you want/need.

When I had my pick up, dump truck, backhoe, skid steer and excavator - we had two set up. One was on road diesel and the other was off road. If my job was big, I'd load up the off road Skid Tank and bring it to the site.

 

[radioman]

In NYS, you need a minimum of 100 gallons at a time but that how much i use in a year. I gave up having my own supply and did 5 gallon at a time for one tractor.

In your case- you just call your local supplier and see what they want to do.

 

[WaterDawg]

In NYS, you need a minimum of 100 gallons at a time but that how much i use in a year. I gave up having my own supply and did 5 gallon at a time for one tractor.

In your case- you just call your local supplier and see what they want to do.

For my tractor (now) I have them top off the 55 gal drum at the same time they fill up my house. Of course, that only works if you heat with oil

 

[jymbee]

OP: how many gallons of diesel do you estimate that you use in the course of a year?

It seems like every 10 days to 2 weeks I head to the gas station with 5 or 6 five gallon fuel cans. Perhaps more during busy periods.

Some great advice here with a number of options to consider. Thanks to all for the input!

 

[WaterDawg]

It seems like every 10 days to 2 weeks I head to the gas station with 5 or 6 five gallon fuel cans. Perhaps more during busy periods.

Some great advice here with a number of options to consider. Thanks to all for the input!

That's 650 gallons or more a year. I would seriously consider a 250 gal Fuel Oil Tank or Skid Tank. Skid tanks can easily be moved while Fuel Oil tanks are not so easy.