On site fuel storage

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I've thought for a while how nice it would be to have diesel fuel available at my property in more than a five gallon container. I haven't done anything about it besides think, however. I don't use enough to warrant delivery to a fixed tank. What I thought would be really nice would be a tank I could lift with my FEL and load into a truck bed to take and fill then set on a stand of some sort back at my place. I thought that something with a gravity feed and automatic shut off would be perfect if such a thing exists.

I was just going through a couple catalogs today and found an automatic shut off nozzle for under $60 when a customer walked in and we got to talking. I mentioned what I was hoping to do to him and his response hit me right between the eyes. He asked me why I didn't use a take off tank from a class 6 or class 7 truck. He went on to say they're basically squared with rounded corners, have a top fill, don't use an electric fuel pump in the tank and are generally bottom draw so they'd be perfect for a gravity feed set up.

I was embarrassed to admit the thought had never even crossed my mind. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif What better place to put fuel than in a fuel tank? I figure any tank that's good enough to be exposed on the side of a truck hauling fuel ought to be safe enough to use around the barn. I know people who deal in salvage and new conversions and such all the time so finding one shouldn't be a big deal. I would imagine something like that should be able to be had fairly inexpensively, too.

I'm not sure going into winter is when I want to start storing fuel, but I'm certainly going to keep this idea in mind and wanted to pass it along to everyone here as well. It seems like a great idea but I always like to hear any thoughts anyone has as to why I shouldn't pursue it, too.

 

[Inspector507]

That was my thought too Gary..........a salvage fuel tank from a semi or reefer trailer. At least it was a thought..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jerry

 

[BubbaJr]

Gary, I might be wrong but I believe you need a pump of some kind to get enough pressure to use an automatic shut-off type nozzle.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I never even considered that as a possibility. I'll have to make some inquiries about that before I buy one. I'd never walk away from my tractor while I was filling it but still there's no reason to splash fuel all over, either. Thanks for the tip.

 

[dmccarty]

Gary,

How many gallons do these tanks hold?

It sure sounds like a good idea.

Later,
Dan

 

[cowboydoc]

I've got one that I actually use in the pickups to go around and fuel tractors and machinery that are in the fields. Mine has an electric pump that I hook to the battery. It holds 200 gallons, but you can get smaller ones.

 

[TonyC]

I am 90% complete in the process of doing what you are contemplating. I am using a fuel tank from a semi. I guess they come in different sizes but mine is 150 gallons. I considered gravity fed, then hand pumping but ended up with a 12 volt pump system.

I got off of the gravity fed when I considered the task of building a support system that high. If you have all the wood lying around it would help. I considered the cost of buying heavy pressure treated lumber, then I figured I would only feel safe if they were concreted in. If you do go with a 150 tank, thats a LOT of weight! I lost interest in the cost and labor of that solution.

Another point...they are bottom fed but the outlets are rather small. Not tiny, but the flow would be slow unless you consider enlarging them. Most of these tanks are aluminum and I hope you have better luck than I have finding someone who can weld aluminum and also would care to bother with such a small task.

On the auotmatic nozzle, forget it. I found out they take at least 7 GPM to trigger. I checked that out when in my "hand crank phase". It won't even work with one of those. I ruled out the hand crank when I discovered that a good one with a decent gpm rating wasn't cheap. I moved up into the 12v from there.

My tank is dented and lucked out and got it for free. Other than any welding chores, I like the idea of aluminum...you can't beat it. With the 12v pump, I plan to let the ground carry the weight. I'm building a scant, low wood frame almost like a skid, with just enough side support to keep it from rolling.

And lastly, I strongly suggest you consider a water drain at the bottom. See this thread I started recently on that topic. That is where I am still facing the welding challenge.

Sorry for the long reply but you're right in my footsteps and I thought I'd give you my thoughts. I plan to post a picture of the completed project but if you'd like to see anything in the interim I would be glad to shoot it and post it.

Hope this helps!

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Dan,

The tanks on class 6 or class 7 truck usually top out in the 60-90 gallon range. As you can see from what others have posted, tanks for class 8 trucks are much larger, usually topping out in the 250-300 gallon range. My reason for going with the tank from a class 6 or class 7 truck is very simple - they don't roll. Class 8 truck tanks are usually cylindrical in shape like a large diameter pipe with each end capped.

Class 6 and class 7 trucks are more squared like a large piece of square tubing with the ends capped. I just think I'd rather have something with which I don't have to worry about it rolling about when I place it in a truck bed. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dmccarty]

Guys,

Thanks for the sizing of the tanks.

Gary, that is real interesting about the different tank size on
the trucks.... When I first started reading this I was thinking
about large 150-200 gallon tanks. But the smaller "square"
tanks is good information.

I'm really looking to just store the fuel on the property once
we move out there and a 200 gallon tank is about the right
size for us. I don't use much fuel for the tractor but my
F350 will be drinking about 90-120 gallons a month. My wife
needs a new car and its going to be a diesel which means its
going to be a VW or a Ford.

If its the VW she would only use a small amount of diesel per
month. If its the Excursion we will need a bigger tank or two
instead of one!

Later,
Dan

 

[gerard]

If you're looking at going through that much fuel (150-200/month) why not just get a heating oil 275 gal tank? They come plumbed with 2 inch threaded bung opening on top that accept hand pumps. You can get a good rotary pump with a gasoline style hose and handle for around $100 but if you're doing a car/truck the auto shut off could be problematic. At least when I'm filling my tractor I can look in the top of the tank so as not to overfill. That's a problem with cars/trucks.