Pouring That Diesel

[Harv]

I've read the other discussions on diesel and how to obtain it, transport it and store it. I've also heard the pros and cons (not to mention legality) of gravity-feed systems, and I even bought a drill pump to try out myself. I changed my mind about that one without even trying it, thanks to the controversy it raised on this board.

So when finally faced with a near-empty fuel tank, I took my pair of yellow diesel fuel cans to a well-trafficked diesel stop, filled 'em up and trotted them back to my tractor. I really like the yellow plastic cans so far 'cuz you can easily see the level of liquid inside while your filling them up.

So far, so good -- the yellow cans are keepers, but...

Then came the getting-it-into-the-tractor part. I heard some of you whine about how heavy and awkward it is to pour from 5-gallon cans into the gas tank of the tractor. But I go to the gym. I'm tough! I spilled diesel all over myself, the dashboard and the seat, while dang near wrenching my back. Move over, whiners -- make room for one more. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

My jury-rigged large funnel was more hindrance than help, but it was clear to me that I was not going to repeat that episode next time.

Next time around (I've only had 2 go-rounds so far) I was more prepared. I had purchased some 3/4-inch vinyl tubing, a couple of hose clamps and one spring clamp. I hoisted the diesel can up and hung it from the eves of the shop, connected the tubing to the spout of the can and clamped the other end at the filling tube on the tractor, and then just tipped the can by hand (see attachment). It took less than 60 seconds to empty all 5 gallons into the tank. It works especially well if you remember to open the air vent on the can. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Proof of concept complete, I'll install a pulley to make the hoisting part easier, and unless somebody has some better ideas, I think I'm all set.

BTW - Anybody know how to get diesel stains out of blue jeans?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Harv,

Thanks for the report!
That picture is going into my favorites so that when I get my tractor I can (thanks to you) get it right on the FIRST go-round.
Larry

 

[scruffy]

Harv, ain't never tried on CLOTHES but Cheer works great on oil spills, etc on concrete floors. I used to use it on the bay floors of a three bay Chevron that we used to own. I can't see where it wouldn't work just as well on what it was actually designed to be used for! (I'd try a pre-soak with a fairly strong soap solution rubbed in before the actual wash)

 

[JerryG]

Harv,
For the diesel in your clothes,try a little Simple-Green in the wash. My wife uses a lot of it to get the oil and grease out of my clothes. It has taken out everything that we have tried it on. You can pre-soak or just put a half cup in with the detergent.
JerryG

 

[Harv]

Thanks, Scruffy -

I'll have to pick up some Cheer on the sly. My wife uses nothing but the most natural, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, hypoallergenic detergents. They are so friendly, they don't even bother dirt! /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

This is one of those battles I long ago gave up on, but every once in a while I sneak in something that actually cleans. So, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Mum's the word. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Harv]

Hey, thanks for the reminder, Jerry!

I bought some Simple Green a couple of years ago and was very impressed with the stuff. If I can just remember where I stashed it I can give that a try before I go buy the Cheer.

 

[MChalkley]

Harv - The Simple Green has always worked well for me on oil, diesel fuel, about anything you can name. And it may save you from having to cheat on your wife, too. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

BTW, cool fueling rig! But couldn't you have roped the container up by the handle on the side where the spout is stored? Then you wouldn't even have had to tip it manually. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkC

 

[scruffy]

Sorry Harv! I guess I can chalk another one up to 'senior moments', I forgot all about Simple-Green, even have a gallon jug out in the garage.

 

[Harv]

Mark -

I found my gallon jug o' Simple Green. Will give it a try in the morning.

As for roping up the diesel container by the other handle, I was just being very cautious after that first fiasco. I didn't want any pouring taking place until everything was in place. I will experiment with different variations, such as the one you mentioned, and try some tricks with pulleys just for fun.

I should reiterate to those of you who might be getting these same yellow plastic diesel cans -- they are great containers, but as someone already mentioned earlier in another thread, you must tighten the spout on really tight to prevent leakage at that point. I intended to try a thicker O-ring than the one that comes with it, but I left all that stuff up at the property, so now I don't know what size to get. This long-distance relationship with my tractor has a lot of drawbacks... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[TomG]

I solved the 'heft and balance that jug of diesel' problem by buying a couple of pumps from Northern Tool. The pumps just screw on to standard fuel cans. So, I just set the can on the tractor seat, put the imitation gas station pump handle into the tank and pump away. I would buy a higher quality version of this type pump if available, but these do work, and they're cheap.

Oh yes, and if you haven't tried it yet, I found topping up the hydraulic oil (particularly the front axle) to be a greater aggravation than filling the diesel tank. For hydraulic oil, I got a pump that fits in a steel lid that replaces the lid on a standard 20-liter oil can. Works great, and the quality is OK.

 

[bpence]

I'm really glad you finally got your tractor and are out doing things with it. You're providing a lot of ideas and inspiration for a lot of us that simply accept some things as part of life. After seeing your fuel can rig, I've already though about how to rig a pulley system to do the fuel can lifting for me with just a simple pull on one rope. Thanks!!!!!

Bob Pence

 

[Harv]

Bob -

I think we're headed in the same direction with the pulleys.

Keep us all posted and we'll compare notes later on. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[W5FL]

Harv,

For five years with my Massey Ferguson, I climbed up on the loader, leaned over the hood and filled the tank from the 5 gallon cans.

The Yellow cans I have now are Junk and leak when pouring. They have the center pull out extensions and these do not work nearly as well as the fixed pouring extensions that the Red Cans have.

My Kubota fills in the REAR now. It is not hard to fill from 5 gallon cans, but looking for a bigger container and a hand pump before next spring. The Massey (40HP) and the Kubota (68HP) both get almost identical 1 gallon per hour for heavy duty operation at PTO speed, so they use very little fuel in a day.

It sure is nice to have a tractor that the gas gauge works on. I used a stick for years to check the gas level.

Glad you are enjoying your new tractor!

Diesel comes out of jeans with normal washing. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RobertN]

Harv,
Don't put every ounce you can into the can when you fill them up. Carry a extra can if you need to. When they are full, you barely tip them and they are spilling. They're also heavy.

The other thing is to find a old style filler neck. Most cans have filler necks for unleaded; it's WAY to small and takes to long to pour.

Oh, and get at least a little dirty for the pictures/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I don't know anyone who can stay that clean around equipment /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[Harv]

RobertN -

<font color=blue>Don't put every ounce you can into the can when you fill them up</font color=blue>

I put about 5.1 gallons in each one. Yeah, they're kinda heavy, but with the caps screwed on tight I haven't had any spilling problems (so far).

<font color=blue>Most cans have filler necks for unleaded; it's WAY to small and takes to long to pour</font color=blue>

The diameter does seem kind of small, but like I said, once hoisted, they drain themselves in less than a minute. I can live with that. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

<font color=blue>Oh, and get at least a little dirty for the pictures.</font color=blue>

Actually, the inadvertant trick I pulled in that photo was to slip my long-sleeve shirt back on 'cuz it was starting to get cold. Underneath is a plenty dirty T-shirt, and the tractor is hiding the matching blue jeans. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Harv]

Wen -

You're a tougher man than I am to manually pour from 5-gallon cans for 5 years. /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif It kinda makes me wonder what the tractor manufacturer had in mind by placing the fill spout on top like that. I guess they were assuming all these tractors would be used on commercial farms with actual fuel-pumping facilities?

<font color=blue>Diesel comes out of jeans with normal washing.</font color=blue>

Should I show this comment to my wife? I've been arguing that her detergents are sub-normal in cleaning strength for years. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

In fact, hold on a sec -- I just checked and Simple Green did a magnificent job on removing the diesel stain andsmell, as well as removing some other stains that have been there for ages. Great stuff!

 

[W5FL]

Tougher - no, more persistant - maybe.

Almost all things on tractors were done for very good reasons. A fuel tank ABOVE the injector pump (or carb on a gasoline engine tractor)does not require a fuel pump. It is strictly gravity feed. Cheap and reliable. The old Farmall used a crank. No battery, generator, starter or electrical system. If you look at each and every part of an older tractor, there is probably a good engineering (and cost) reason for it being the way it is.

Modern tractors seem to be designed more by feature people (marketing types)and sometimes the features don't make a lot of sense, are more complex than they need to be to get work done, or just simply drive up the price. The Farmall was bought for $500, the Massey (2WD) for $12,000 and the Kubota (M6800 with 4WD) and Loader for $27,000. See what I mean.

The Kubota really does have excellent engineering throughout. No other tractor will hold a candle to Kubota when it comes to the engine or drive train reliability and value. Everything works exactly as it should and no matter how hard you try, you can't come up with a better way to do it. My diesel tank(s) are under the tractor, but about 15 inches off the ground and well protected which allows the fuel to be filled from the rear. After all those years climbing up on the hood, this is really nice. The adjustable links on the 3 point are also really nice features. Hard to find something that doesn't work well. You will love your Kubota for many years to come.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Wen -- Kubota / JD

Hi Wen,

Re. Kubota, you say:
[["Everything works exactly as it should and no matter how hard you try, you can't come up with a better way to do it."]]

Maybe you're the guy to help me understand the reasoning for the "turning-brake" pedal(s) being on the same side of the deck as the hydrostatic-control. The local Kubota salesman gave me a "lame" explanation..." As tight as these things turn, you wouldn't want to use brake-turns anyway".

That may or may-not be true, but it doesn't turn a bad control-layout into a good one.

In my admittedly relatively-ignorant state, JD seems to get the edge on this point... but I'm willing to be convinced.

Talk to me, somebody!

Larry ( teetering on the brink of a JD 4700 )

 

[Bird]

Re: Wen -- Kubota / JD

Larry, Wen has a geared tractor, so that's not a concern for him. So, for your question, yes, the John Deere has the advantage in that regard if you want to use the brakes for steering. I don't need that feature, although I do on rare occasions use it with the cruise set. And of course the new B2910 has a hand operated lever you can use instead of the foot pedal so you can brake steer.

Along the same lines, the cruise releases if you step on the hydro pedal or both brakes, but does not release if you step on the clutch or one brake. Has anyone tried setting the cruise, then use the clutch and one brake for steering in basically the same manner as you would on a geared tractor? I haven't tried it, but see no reason for it not to work just fine.

Bird

 

[Richard]

Re: Wen -- Kubota / JD

Fellow fuelers...

Went to store, bought siphon typically used for kerosene heaters, pump and fill away. Isn't necessarily the fastest, but I'm not in any race. You could always add either a second siphon or suck from two cans simultaneously if your REALLY in a hurry, though I doubt anyone would suggest that. I find it's easy to fill, easy to watch, easy to KILL when time is to terminate.

I have to point out though, that on the machinery we have, setting cans on top of hood isn't a big issue.

Poor Uncle in law (80 years young)... up until I came along, always muscled 5 gallon cans, had spout flipping around, always trying to clean dirt accumulations out of the spout prior to filling...

Now the only hard part is hoisting full can to top of machine.