Fuel Storage

[k-dog]

I currently get diesel for my tractor in a 55 gallon blue poly drum that I fill up myself with off road diesel. I had ordered some blue poly drums from a different place for water hauling and was wondering if I could use one as a second diesel storage tank? The drums in question are at this link http://beprepared.com/search.asp?t=ss&ss=water+barrel
I e-mailed them and they danced around the question and told me to look at their 5 gallon fuel containers. They look to be the same type of drum I'm storing my diesel fuel in now. Also can you store gas in these types of drums as well or would it eat up the containers?

 

[muleman]

Why don't you get a steel oil drum from a quick change place or a truck shop? They do fine for fuel and a regular hose bib fits in the small bung hole or a hand or electric pump fits the big bung hole. I have used them for years. they are safer than a poly drum and can take a lot of handling without damage.

 

[bczoom]

I know a lot of people that store diesel in those blue tanks, for years. No issues (other then the prices in the link are way to high IMHO for storing fuel). Don't get me wrong, that's a good place but I'd save their stuff for preparedness.

Like Muley said, a 55-gal metal drum is also a nice alternative. Around me, they're somewhere between free and $13. Get a hand pump from TSC and you're good to go.

 

[Melensdad]

I got a couple 275 gallon poly containers (FDA approved for food/liquids) that have diesel in them. Look around and you can find them for about $50 to $75 in the surplus markets. Once they get used and cleaned they are good to go.

 

[bczoom]

I too use the 275 gallon poly. I just don't like using the lower bung so I siphon off the top.

k-dog - How far are you from Pittsburgh?

 

[EastTexFrank]

As others have said that's a pretty expensive barrel for storing diesel. I use the 55 gal steel drums which I get for around $12. With a barrel lifter from Harbor Freight and a barrel dolly from Northern Tool, you can easily move them anywhere you want.

Melensdad's 275 gallon tote is a pretty good option if you use diesel a lot. For me they're a bit harder to move around if need be and I'd probably need a set of pallet forks for the FEL bucket. Down here they are a little more expensive. I think that the last ones I looked at were $125 but usually they're around $100.

 

[Melensdad]

Melensdad's 275 gallon tote is a pretty good option if you use diesel a lot. For me they're a bit harder to move around if need be . . .

I don't have equipment big enough to move a full tote. Plan you spot accordingly if you use them.

 

[grizzer]

I use a 240 gallon rotomold poly that I put on a skid for mobility. Bung holes on top (vent & pump) drain hole near the bottom, it's thick material and and very rigid.

The thin soap containers with aluminum superstructure I use for mobile tree watering.

 

[EastTexFrank]

Bob, how do you pump out of your totes. Like zoomer said, I'd be wary of using the bottom valve.

 

[Melensdad]

A cheap harbor freight pump that pumps it over to my steel tank. The steel tank has has a regular nozzle for filling up a car/truck/tractor. It sits outside and is connected to a secured timer that allows you to fill up but then shuts down after 15 minutes so even if someone tried, they can't steal my fuel.

 

[k-dog]

I bought some of the drums for hauling water and if there was a need for extra diesel then I was going to use one of those. I bought some of the steel drums but these were the Ones where the whole lid comes off. I may end up looking into a 275 gallon tank that was used for heating oil. I could set that on the side of the garage and fill the tractor up with that. I'm not looking to spend a fortune for a pump so what is a decent hand pump to get that has say a 6 foot hose or so to reach the tractor? I got a cheap one from harbor freight and the tube going into the diesel coroded and start to rust. So I switched it out for one of those all plastic ones but the hose isn't long enough to reach tractor

I'm about 6 hours or so from Pittsburgh. The wife and kids are heading up that way to their zoo because she loves the setup with the polar bear exhibit. The Washington DC and Baltimore zoos are closer but she likes the Pittsburgh zoo better.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

the key on the containers is in the un number on the side the totes not made for fuel will have gaskets that will swellin the bottom dump valve the totes have a 2 inch npt thread in the cap and you only need an extension on the barrel pump to get to the bottom on your double nickle if the caps have white gaskets these willl need to be change for a fel applcation.

 

[EastTexFrank]

the key on the containers is in the un number on the side the totes not made for fuel will have gaskets that will swellin the bottom dump valve the totes have a 2 inch npt thread in the cap and you only need an extension on the barrel pump to get to the bottom on your double nickle if the caps have white gaskets these willl need to be change for a fel applcation.

Thanks dds, that's what I always wanted to know.

 

[Melensdad]

Tractor Supply sells all the stuff you need for a fuel filler hose, filters, nozzle, etc.

The cheapest way to find tanks/pumps is to check with farmers in your area who are disposing of their pump/tank. I got a 500 gallon steel tank, with a good working pump for $300 that way. I changed the hose, and added a filter for about $50.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

Thanks dds, that's what I always wanted to know.

if you want to use used containers for fuel check out the 49 cfr and the will tell you what types of containers are compatable with your substance such as a un 1a1 steel drum which denotes a closed top steel drum i don't have the book handy or i would also give the u-n numbers for plastic drums and totes

 

[EastTexFrank]

The cheapest way to find tanks/pumps is to check with farmers in your area who are disposing of their pump/tank. I got a 500 gallon steel tank, with a good working pump for $300 that way. I changed the hose, and added a filter for about $50.

I keep on looking Bob but usually I'm not lucky in that kind of thing. The one time I did find a rancher selling his 500 gallon gravity feed tank on a stand, I talked to him about it but by the time I got home, hooked up the trailer and got back there with the check book somebody else had already crossed his palm with silver. First come, first served. Can't complain.