Thinking out of the box - fuel caddie idea

[stevepsd]

While tripping over my 20 gallon oil drain container I use with my car lift I got to thinking about why could I not use this for diesel storage?

The oil drain pan and stem simply slides out of a 1-1/2" ball valve so toss that away and use the ball valve to fill the tank.

The tank is designed to use air pressure to transfer the used oil out of the tank, so why not use that to push the diesel out of the tank into the tractor, since I have air nearby? The tank even comes with a air pressure regulator, probably only need a 5 psi to transfer the fuel.

I do not believe the tank is galvanized either, but am not sure if the low-sulfur diesel attacking a galvanized coating is overblown or not.

The tank already has a conductive hose so no grounding strap is required, and there is a bottom, low-point drain. The fuel 'pickup' is about 2" from the bottom of the tank so it should not pickup any water in normal use. Plus the clear fuel hose is secured to the side of the tank so it performs a 2nd duty as a tank level gauge.

I would just need to add a filter to the outlet.

The tank has nice wheels and rolls very smoothly.

I picked mine up a number of years ago for less than $100. Harbor Freight/Northern has them for less than $150 now. 2 gal. Portable Oil Lift Drain

This thing is stout.

Or is this just a crazy idea?

 

[msb1766]

Should work here is a video I found:
18 gallon oil drainer - YouTube

 

[stevepsd]

That tank looks exactly like the one I use for draining oil when I have cars on the lift.

I think I am going to go down and buy one for diesel transfer use. They are on sale for less than $120 right now with the 20% off coupon!

 

[Xfaxman]

Or is this just a crazy idea?

It might be a good idea, only one way to find out.

Try it and let us know. :thumbsup:

 

[ericm979]

It might take fluid from the very bottom of the tank because with waste oil you don't care about getting some water. But fuel tanks often pull from a bit above the bottom to avoid pulling water in.

Also shop air can be kinda wet. That'll end up in your tank.

 

[ericm979]

It might take fluid from the very bottom of the tank because with waste oil you don't care about getting some water. But fuel tanks often pull from a bit above the bottom to avoid pulling water in.

Also shop air can be kinda wet. That'll end up in your tank.

 

[stevepsd]

On this tank the 'pickup' is 2" above the bottom drain, so there should be enough distance to prevent drawing in water.

Did not think about the air being damp, but my air runs thru a dryer before being distributed so all good there.

I will run a sediment/water filter on the output as well. Plus a good dose of Power Service & algaecide.