Oil & Fuel Storing Fuel

[MikePA]

What do you store your diesel fuel in?

Can it be stored in the same kind of containers used for gasoline, e.g., red, plastic cans?

For my 16 hp Wheel Horse, I use two five gallon plastic containers and thought I'd go buy 2 more and store diesel in them. Is this OK or are there special containers for diesel fuel?

My TC25D will be first diesel engine I've owned.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Wheeldog]

Mike,

The standard color for diesel fuel containers is yellow, and plastic material is fine. I use a 5-gallon plastic container - it works fine because the fuel tank on my tractor is only 6.3 gallons. I prefer to buy fuel only as I need it, and store it in the fuel tank instead of in the container. There have been some more detailed discussions on this in the past - try searching in the "Oil, fuel, & Lubricants" discussion area, with keywords 'diesel' AND 'container', or something like that, and you'll find more complete information.

It's only 1.1 liters, but I think that diesel engine in my Kubota is the coolest piece of equipment I own /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

Enjoy your TC25D/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Rob

 

[banjobj]

As Wheeldog stated standard color is yellow, but I use a blue plastic 5 gallon can. I got a good price on the blue jug and the most important thing is to not get the gas and diesel mixed up. Red can gas, blue can DIESEL (Even though it should be yellow)

 

[TonyC]

One more thing in case it comes up...you should never put diesel in a galvanized container. The fuel will react with the Zinc. I got my 5 gallon yellow diesel containers at Wal-Mart for only 6 bucks.

 

[jinman]

Just because no one has mentioned it..../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
The blue containers are really for K1 kerosene used as heating oil, Banjobj. If you never buy kerosene, you are probably pretty safe putting diesel fuel in one of those, but I have several kerosene heaters and so I try to keep my colors straight and not mix them. I suspect if I ever got diesel in one of my heaters, it might put off some really noxious fumes and I'd probably have to change the wick. Anyhow I have a 55 gallon drum for K1 that is also blue and I fill it and then tap off into smaller containers for day-to-day use. Somtimes you can buy kerosene in white containers, but they always have a blue label. This is probably way more info than you need, but I think we have covered all the colors of fuel containers (liquid, that is).

JimI

 

[MikePA]

I just checked Wal-Mart, Pep Boys and AutoZone. Plenty of red gasoline containers but no diesel ones. I'll check Tractor Supply next.

 

[banjobj]

Jim, You are correct I should be using a yellow container. I don't need to buy K-1, so I guess my blue jug will be O.K. Thanks for the correction. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[snowman]

I got two five gallon red containers for my diesel and just
wrote "diesel" in large black marker on all of the sides so
that they are not confused with the gas containers

 

[GlennT]

I checked Tractor Supply, auto-parts stores, hardware stores, lumber yards, in our town and nobody had a yellow fuel can. I finally marked two red cans with "Diesel" in big black letters and that will have to do for now.

 

[MikePA]

Thanks for the info. I wont bother visting TSC.

Does anyone know of a place online that sells them?

 

[ronjhall]

Snowman
Diesel dealers in Michigan will not allow you to use a <font color=red>RED</font color=red> container to put diesel in./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Even if it has Diesel written on it. Container must be <font color=yellow>YELLOW<font color=yellow>.

 

[mikim]

I found my yellow diesel cans in Wal Mart. I also add Sta-Bil to all my fuel as my place is 3 hours away and I sometimes don't get to use up fuel at the rate that I'd like. I've used it for 3 years in chainsaw gas, my old truck, and now in diesel and so far am happy with the results.
mike

 

[jinman]

Mike, I bought one at an AutoZone auto parts dealer. I don't know if you have them in PA, but you might check them or Napa. Here in TX, I've even seen them in Home Depot and Lowes right near gas cans and K1 kerosene cans. They are all made by Gott or Blitz. Hope this helps...

JimI

 

[Bulldogger]

I bought some yellow diesel cans at Auto Zone.

 

[ejb]

Whatever you store it in, just don't mix it up with the gas...when I was buying my JD a few years ago the dealer was telling me about someone who had just bought a new JD (i think it was a 4600) and filled it up with gasoline...the guy called 'cause the tractor was running funny and didn't sound so good.

Don't know what the actual damage was, but I hope I never find out.

PS: I keep my diesel in a 275gallon metal tank, the kind you would normally see in your cellar full of oil for your burner. Has a nice electric pump and meter...nice setup. Got it with the house when I bought it.

 

[jinman]

I have to ask.... Do you have your diesel delivered or how do you get it into your storage tank? Just curious....

JimI

 

[ejb]

Yes, the same company that delivers my heating oil, delivers the diesel. Same cost as picking it up at a gas station.

FYI: Around here at least you can buy these 275 gallon tanks pretty cheap. Lot of people convert to gas heat an almost give away the tanks.

 

[Wheeldog]

ejb,

Actually couldn't your oil company just fill your tank with #2 heating oil? It's the same stuff (maybe less some additives?).

Rob

 

[PBMAX]

Some boating supply co's sell them many of the lager boats are desiel...Try Overtons I believe they have an oinline store listed by name...

Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Lil' Paul
Proud owner of TC21D

 

[PBMAX]

You also might mention it to the walmart auto manager...Some here carry the yellow and blue some don't.For example I live 20 min or so between 2 diff walmarts one is over the mountain and more rural seems to sell quite a few of them, the other to my knowing has never carried them...But is close to B'ham...I doubt they would sell many... just a thought....

Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Lil' Paul
Proud owner of TC21D