Refueling TC series tractors

PineRidge · Feb 6, 2004

Now there's one that I would like to see marketed. The Have_Blue, Blue Plastic Pneumatic Diesel Filling Station. Put me down for one. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It sounds like a simple idea, that actually works. Good for you!

rambler · Feb 8, 2004

For anyone marketing such a thing, the _liability_ insurance would be 'priceless' as well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I think a real, real, real big key to it is the _very_ low air pressure used. It becomes at the least a big ugly mess if the tank ruptures - spills over 10 gallons in my state cost about $12,000 to clean up, more if by a wetland. Should others try to do it without thinking, ans split the tank apart with 30# of pressure sitting next to a very hot just-running tractor.............

I'm not critisizing the fellow who is doing this. Just, everyone think. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

--->Paul

Kevin_in_VA · Feb 8, 2004

I just drive my TC30 the 3/4 of a mile to the station and fill it there. Sure it inconveniences the traffic on my road, but the time they spend doing 10 mph behind me more than makes up for the time they spend doing 65 on my 35MPH road. All things being equal of course.

jinman · Feb 8, 2004

( : I turn my air compressor regulator down to 2-3 PSI. I hook the filler hose in the tank opening, turn the tractor key on to read the fuel gage. I then chuck up the air hose and watch the gage. )

Very good, Have_Blue. I have an old metal barrel I was thinking of doing the same thing with. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

...and for those who think this is dangerous, just think of the danger of hauling a 5-gallon plastic can up over the hood and then try to pour it into the opening of the fuel tank which is right next to a hot engine. Everytime I turn my fuel can up to pour it, I always remember the two or three times in my life the whole filler nozzle popped off the #&@! can. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Luckily, on a class III Boomer, the fuel tank is nowhere near the engine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MikefromMI · Feb 9, 2004

Thing is, this was really cheap. It wouldn't be asking alot to thread a pressure relief valve in the top. Personally, I'd add a water seperator down on the fuel outlet too. I can't believe the water that comes out of my compressor any time of the year.

PineRidge · Feb 9, 2004

Have_Blue can you see how much diesel that you have in your plastic barrel? Is the plastic translucent?

MikefromMI · Feb 9, 2004

have blue,
How do you unload after filling that monster? Stay cheap now!!! Ha Ha

KrisHansen · Feb 9, 2004

I am toying with the idea of buying a 100 gal tank, and getting a proper pump/filler.. who knows, it may be cheaper to buy fuel in bulk...

MikefromMI · Feb 9, 2004

Most people say that you don't get the discounts until your in the thousands of gallons. It's the convenience thing. I'm wondering if there is a minimum requirement. My truck has a 38gal tank. I'd like to stick with a 100 myself. Just pipe two 55's together, right...... I know, I'm just jokin'. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Bob_Skurka · Feb 9, 2004

I tried to buy 1000 gallons of diesel for a small fleet of trucks to lock in the price, I was told to get a break (which amounted to a penny or two per gallon) that I would have to commit to 10,000 gallons! YIKES.

Many of the customers of my company are gas station operators, the new trend in the industry is to set goals at gas stations so that they work on a 0.00% profit margin on fuel. The operations that are close to that make their money on merchandise & foodservice sales inside the gas station, car washes, etc. Translate that to the typical consumer (me) and the profit margin (before labor, taxes, etc) on retail fuel is only a few pennies per gallon. Therefore, buying & storing fuel at home in 100 gallon tanks is a CONVENIENCE that will probably cost you a few pennies a gallon more for the fuel than if you bought it at the pump. . . especially if you factor in the cost of your tank and pump set up.

KrisHansen · Feb 9, 2004

wow. Never mind then

I guess I'll just stick to schlepping 10 or so gallons when needed.

Thanks guys!

LoganWildman · Feb 9, 2004

( I tried to buy 1000 gallons of diesel for a small fleet of trucks to lock in the price, I was told to get a break (which amounted to a penny or two per gallon) that I would have to commit to 10,000 gallons! YIKES.

)

If your using it for your tractor only, get off road diesel. Last summer, I was given a 300 gal. tank (the kind that is up in the air and has gravity feed) I called the local bulk delivery supplier that the farmers use and had 150 gal. of off road #2 delivered for $1.11 /gal. when road diesel was running around $1.40 / gal. Later, when I used that up, I had them come out and fill the tank. That time, I paid $1.23 / gal. and road diesel was around $1.55 gal.

Bottom line was I saved about 30 cents a gallon by buying bulk. They even let me fill out a credit app. so I didn't have to be there to pay for it when they came out.

And most farmers have gone to larger tanks with electric pumps so if you look around I'll bet you could do like I did and pick up an old tank that sits up on 7ft. legs for next to nothing.

OhioGuy · Feb 9, 2004

Would any of these pumps work with gas or is the fire hazard too great? I use 5X more fuel in my gas powered Cubs.
Thanks
Curt

OkeeDon · Feb 10, 2004

I have a gravity system. Metal 55 gallon drum mounted horizontally on a wooden platform about 5' high. Regular fittings, filter, water separator and 14' fuel hose and a farm nozzle - no safety stuff or restrictors. In the other bung hole, I mounted a vent pipe which points up but turns down at the end to keep out the water. I also have ball valve shut-offs on both the fill hose and the vent. Not exactly cheap; the whole setup cost about $150.

I haul the dum to town and fill it with off-road diesel at the local oil distributor. I lift it on and off the platform with the FEL, stand it up in the bed of the truck and strap it in. I've filled it about 6 times since last April with no problems.

When refueling, I just pull up beside the platform, open the ball valves, put the nozzle in the tank and fill like at the gas station. I never get off the tractor -- I stand up in front of the seat so I can see when it's nearly full.

Bob_Skurka · Feb 10, 2004

OhioGuy . . .

Pumps for GASOLINE are totally different than oil, diesel & kerosene pumps. Not so much the design of the pump, but the design of the electrical connections.

The slightest spark or static can set off a gas fire. Oil & Diesel burn differently and are not as combustable. If you want a pump for gasoline you would probably be safest with a manual crank type pump.

A simple 12 volt pump system can be used for diesel but that same type of pump can/will create a very large explosion if used with gas. Just make sure your life insurance is paid up so your wife is well taken care of. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

rambler · Feb 10, 2004

I have 300 gal gas & 300 gallon diesel gravity flow barrels. As someone said, most bigger farmers are going to 500+ gal tanks with electric pumps, so you can get these gravity setups complete for $50-100. As someone else said, you can get off-road dyed diesel cheaper as it is minus the road tax.

Lots of electric pumps on gas tanks around here, but gas reacts much quicker to sparks, so you need the right pump & the right anti-static hose. I'll not offer more advise than that, as I don't know....

Another note, EPA regulations are getting stronger every year, while you might not need a containment structure right now, if starting from scratch you might as well install one. In my state a fuel spill of more than 10 gallons will sometimes cost you $12,000 in soil sampling & fines & all. Your insurance might well mandate a secondary containment under the tank(s) if the govt does not yet.

--->Paul

OhioGuy · Feb 11, 2004

Thanks guys! That was my assuption, that a gas system was totally different because of the volatility but you never know untill you ask. It would be nice to have a 300 to 500 gallon gas reserve to ride out the wave of price gouging that goes on here in NE Ohio. Maybe I'll check with local suppliers and see what requirements exist or if it's even practical. Is there any price break from the pump prices for 300 gallons or so and does there pricing fluctuate as much as the stations.

My neighbor buys HER diesel in 55 gallon drums and tells me it's about a buck a gallon, at least last summer it was.

The last drum she bought, I used my FEL to get it out of the bed of the pickup, I later had a constuction buddy tell me when they deliver to a jobsite, they just roll it off the bed of the dumptruck onto the ground. He says he's never had one leak a drop?

Thanks again, 38 days till SPRING!!!

Curt

LoganWildman · Feb 11, 2004

What is HER diesel? I've never heard of that. Is that diesel that can only be sold to women? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PBMAX · Feb 11, 2004

use a $3 replacement nozle from wally world that opens and closes. Close it, tilt into fuel tank and open, no mus no fus. Even the wife can do it with pretty full 5gallon can which ways close to what she does.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Have considered buying a gravity set up from a boat magazine but OUCH!!!! are the pricy /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

OhioGuy · Feb 13, 2004

I have a neighbor who is known by many as "The mowing lady" She keeps her 5 acre lawn looking good with a Ford 1620 and a 60" MMM. She got that name cause more often than not, if you drive by in the summer, she's out mowin!

She uses 55 gallon drums and a handcrank pump to refuel.

Curt