Need suggestions for cleaning 55 gallon plastic drums.

[Deano]

Or just slosh a bit of diesel around in there pour it out into a bucket to use for burn piles or whatever and the drum should be clean AND not have any water in it.

I agree with Rick. If they only had Royal Purple in them, rinse with diesel.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I agree with Rick. If they only had Royal Purple in them, rinse with diesel.

I agree with Rick and Deano.
I have some of those drums. Barlows gave them to me. Guess the Kubota service dept receives the fluids used in tractors in those drums so they build up pretty quick at an active tractor service dept. Anyone wanting some may want to ask their tractor dealer if they'll give/sell them one/some.

 

[ka41]

Thanks for the suggestions. Well I guess I will do what some of you had suggested and just rinse with diesel. I haven't decided exactly what type of pump to use, probably something basic like a hand pump from HF.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Since you have a tractor to lift it, what about mounting it on a pallet, you can then put it up on a platform and gravity feed, saves the cost and hassle of the pump.

 

[DieselMonk]

Don't think about using the 55gal plastic drums for long term diesel storage (over a winter). I tried that and ended up with algae in the diesel fuel. Diesel needs to be stored in a cold dark room instide a steel barrel. Then there is no problem with algae. Even works with contaminated algae in the fuel. The algae will die. Biocide is a must too. Since then I just use the 55gal for transfering furnace oil from the gas station to home. Washing the plastic drums? Pressure washer and Bio Diesel cleans anything.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I was wondering how the plastic drums do to expansion in the sun, I know I like the pressure in my steel drums as it flows faster at first, but I wonder if the plastic ones might blow out the bungs??

 

[ricklman]

I just purchased some 55 gallon plastic drums off CL and need to know what to use to clean the inside. I will be using 2 of them for diesel storage. I think the two I will be using had previously been used for storing Royal Purple oil. They do not have lids just two bung holes. So what is the best way to clean the inside?

Dang, I really hate to do this to you, but, I just picked up 4 55, and 2 30 gallon plastic barrels today for free. Seems the local janitorial supply company has them running out their ears and were very eager to give them away. They had 30-50 more and kept asking me to come back for more.... I verified with them that a quick rinse would be sufficient and they didn't contain any corrosive chemicals.

I will go with the diesel rinse tho, thanks for that input.

 

[ka41]

I was thinking about going with a gravity feed set up. I will be storing under a shed so it will not be in the sun. What all would I need to do a gravity feed set up? What type of valve and hose should I get?

 

[wschapinjr]

I'm sure you know this but make sure that the last contents are whatever you were told. Would be a shame to wreck a piece of equipment or yourself if there were something weird in the drum. watch out for flamability and or disposal of rinseate.......

 

[mattoct3003]

Yeah I wouldn't wanna wreck a 20,000 dollar piece of equipment not using a clean container. We all know how important it is to use clean diesel fuel.