Re-fills: Is there an easier way than two 5-gal diesel jugs??

Car Doc · Feb 8, 2011

I bought a 300 gal farm tank with 6' tall stand for $35 delivered and setup 15 years ago when above ground tanks started being obsolete because of epa or something.

They are around still I would check with farmers and farm auctions and bulk fuel company's in your area I bet you find one pretty quick that's the very best way to fuel up imo.

beppington · Feb 8, 2011

Since my original post I've had a chance to use one of my two modified yellow-cans ... where I drilled a 1/4" vent hole ... It works great!!! No more waiting for that ridiculous gurgle-gurgle-gurgle, blub-blub-blub air trying to pass by the falling diesel fuel. Half the can's diesel is in the tractor in mere seconds rather than minutes ... I can actually stand to keep doing it this way now :thumbsup: (for now that is!)

Next time my tractor needs a whole 5-gallons I'm gonna time it :thumbsup: :laughing:

Haywire · Feb 8, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
Why? Just get a 55 gallon drum and make a stand or do like I did and get a 300 gallon tote and make a stand. Put a little pitch on it, a filter, then a hose with a nozzle.

Because 55 gallons is too much and 300 is just beyond imagination. I wanted something that would do about 20 gallons and be rigged to hang flat on the wall, out of the way.

It's not feasible though. I stopped by the local shop that usually fabs up my hair-brained ideas for me and they quoted me $260 to make that tank from 1/8" aluminum. I'd have to add onto that the cost of the bungs, hose and nozzle. The sheet of aluminum by itself is $140. The nozzle is $30, fill bung and cap $30, haven't priced the hose or the other fittings.

Oh well, one more good idea that is too expensive to do.

Ian

Diamondpilot · Feb 10, 2011

Haywire said:
Because 55 gallons is too much and 300 is just beyond imagination. I wanted something that would do about 20 gallons and be rigged to hang flat on the wall, out of the way.

It's not feasible though. I stopped by the local shop that usually fabs up my hair-brained ideas for me and they quoted me $260 to make that tank from 1/8" aluminum. I'd have to add onto that the cost of the bungs, hose and nozzle. The sheet of aluminum by itself is $140. The nozzle is $30, fill bung and cap $30, haven't priced the hose or the other fittings.

Oh well, one more good idea that is too expensive to do.

Ian

I have 2 30 gallon plastic jugs I would give you if you were closer. A $20 Harbor Freight pump and $10 in hose and you are set up. What I used for years but with a 55 gallon drum and gave it to my uncle.

I really think the 55 gallon is the way to go. It will get most CUT owners though a 1/2 year. You buy when fuel prices are down. I just thew mine in the truck or on the trailer when I had it hitched up. Fill it and unload by walking it off the truck/trailer to the FEL bucket.

Nothing says you have to fill it up all the way. I only get 150 gallons at a time in my 300 gallon tank now because that is the min for delivery.

Chris

Car Doc · Feb 10, 2011

I only put 100-150 in my overhead 300 also, diesel will store a long time not like gasoline that has a few months. Its a lot handier to have a bulk truck deliver and we just put the hose in and fill up...easy on the back that way.

fwtw I run winter fuel year around 1/2 #1 red and half #2 red mix in the tank so no worry's about gelling.

WilliamTO-35 · Feb 10, 2011

I use only gasoline in my various vehicles, and keep about ten 5 gallon plastic cans out in the old milk house. I do prefer the older cans with vents and pullout spouts, but lately I've had to buy some new EPA approved ones with the really stupid spout designs. When pouring from a new type can, I remove the whole spout and pour from the can into an oversized funnel. Those unvented cans with the push-to-pour design are a hazard, as pressure inside the can will cause gas to spurt out everywhere when you try to use it. If you don't keep the nozzle fitting tight, water can get into the can. For my purposes, taking gas to the vehicle is often more convenient than bringing the vehicle to a stationary gas drum. I also do prefer to refuel small vehicles while the engine is cold. A compromise solution for the original poster might be to use the smaller 30 gal.( ?) steel drums with a hand pump that screws into the bung. You could put 15 or 20 gallons of fuel into each drum , and unload them from your pickup by hand. Lever or rotary hand pumps safe for diesel are inexpensive , and pump at a fairly high rate. I bought a lever type piston pump for pumping out water and sediment from the bottom of my heating oil tanks. It pumped out oil and water fine. Sediment, however, clogged the pump valves . I think a rotary pump with a flexible impeller might work better.

Bill 55 · Feb 11, 2011

I agree with MF1532. I do not use enough diesel in a year to warrant anything more than 5 gal. cans. I have a little gizmo called a perfect siphon. Just a clear plastic tube with a brass fitting on one end that has a marble in it. Just set the can up on the hood, jab the hose into the can until it fills the hose and it will drain a 5 gal can in about 3 minutes. No mess no fuss. I keep one in the boat too. It saves hanging over the side and trying to manhandle a can.They run about $7.00