Punctured My Fuel Tank

[Cityboyfarmer]

Well, I finally did it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Went and tore something up good this time. I was bush-hogging and ran over a limb just right and it levered up and first bent my clutch pedal to where I couldn’t push in the clutch in order to stop and then punched an index-finger sized hole into my fuel tank. It was kind of hairy there for a few seconds until I was able to jam the clutch pedal down and shut off the engine. Luckily, I was only about 200-300 feet from the house. I ran back to the house as fast as I could and grabbed a 5 gallon bucket to catch as much fuel as I could to keep it from draining onto the ground and possibly into the water table. Then it dawned on me that it might be a good idea to get the tractor back to the carport on the concrete where I could better assess the damage before all the fuel drained out. Standing next to the tractor, I grabbed the clutch pedal and pulled as hard as I could and freed it enough to operate it. I waited till the fuel flow slowed some, moved the bucket, started the tractor, shifted to high and scooted to the carport and shut off the engine, and then grabbed the first container I could find, which turned out to be a cooler. At least two, maybe three more gallons of diesel drained into the cooler.

Here are some photo’s to show the damage. This first shot is to show the orientation of the 5205’s fuel tank. It is a 23 gallon tank that starts behind the seat and drops down to the left by the shuttle shift lever.

 

[Cityboyfarmer]

This is a closer shot. Note the orange knob of the shift lever. Part of the fuel tank is just below it with the cup holder molded into it.

 

[Cityboyfarmer]

This is the hole. The picture is kind of blurry, but I think you can get an idea of the size of the hole.

 

[Cityboyfarmer]

One last close-up of the hole. Still a little blurry, but you can see it. Is this depressing or what? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Seems like a design flaw to me to have an exposed plastic fuel tank on the underside of a tractor. I'll be contacting my dealer in the morning to see if it can be repaired or if it must be replaced.

Has anyone experienced a plastic fuel tank puncture? Can this be repaired?

 

[gmsssi]

Man you were sitting on a lauching pad! Last fair I went to I just couldn't believe how many tractors have fuel tanks in some of the most vulnerable places. I saw one of those Duetz tractors and it was hung right under the step. All I could think of was exactly what happened to you. Good Luck!

 

[JayC]

Ouch. Hope you can get back up and running quickly.

 

[beenthere]

Ouch mega-ditto!!
Sure wish things like that wouldn't happen. Amazing what sticks can do pushing up under the belly of a tractor. Gets wiring, hyd lines, filters, AND now fuel tanks. At least it can't explode being diesel.

Per your tank puncture pictures (close-up), is the hole above the floor deck? Or is it close to where the cup-holder shows.
And is that a petcock showing in the second to last pic beside the hole, and is it in the fuel tank?

Probably no way to get in the tank to insert a washered bolt that could be tightened with a nut and washer on the outside of the hole.
Or to make a clean, round hole of a perfect size that possibly a tebeless tire valve stem could be inserted to make a plug.

 

[Cityboyfarmer]

Beenthere,

That is a petcock in the photo. The hole is on the underside of the section with the cup holder, next to the fender, near the fuel pump. Maybe I can pull the fuel pump and reach in to the hole and maybe get some kind of plug installed. I’ll see what my dealer recommends. Maybe they know how to repair it.

Here is another photo showing the hole in relation to the fuel pump.

 

[oldgoat2]

There are lots of patch kits for plastic fuel tanks from NAPA, etc.. JB weld is what most tanks get repaired with. I bet John Deere will put a new one in under warranty in your case. If they refuse, ask if you can barrow a roll of duct tape for a few minutes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!

 

[beenthere]

Ahhh, the picture makes it clear to me now.
I don't like that petcock under there in that position either, and certainly needs some armor protection to protect the wires of the fuel pump as well as the fuel tank. Even corn stalks could cause a problem under there, with wires if nothing else. If there was armor, then there also would be dirt and dust and mud caked under there, so it may be a catch 22.

Your odds of getting access to the inside through that fuel pump port might be reasonably good. Then a bolt with flat washers both sides would be what I'd try if Deere doesn't warranty. They very well could, knowing them as I do.