Diesel fuel storage and condensation

[Gordon Maney]

I live in the country, though I do not farm. I have two diesel tractors and haul the fuel for them in 5 gallon containers, which is a nuisance, as you can guess.

The local fuel distributor has a used 300 gallon barrel and stand that is available for very little money. My concern is that I might only use 100 gallons in a calendar year. If I put 100 to 125 gallons in a 300 gallon tank, it will have a lot of headspace for condensation. I can't legally use this fuel in my truck due to tax differences between road fuel and ag fuel.

I could put some kind of additive in the big tank [recommendations as to a product?], or do you think this big tank thing is just a really bad idea? The alternative is to try to find a smaller tank, or continue using 5 gallon containers and get a transfer pump. Do any of you have good ideas on the transfer pump scenario?

Many of the diesel storage tanks now sit on the ground, such as you would see in a construction setting, but they require some fairly expensive pump accessories.

The big tractor holds about 23 gallons and the small one holds about 8 gallons, to give a sense of scale.

... . or any other ideas?

 

[JMoberly]

You could get a fuel box for the bed of your truck. That way you could get enough fuel to fill the tractors and not have to store it. Probably easier to control condensation as well.

 

[Mundgyver]

An in bed fuel box sounds like the way to go. You get extended travel on the truck and really don't have to worry about long term storage.

 

[Gordon Maney]

You could get a fuel box for the bed of your truck. That way you could get enough fuel to fill the tractors and not have to store it. Probably easier to control condensation as well.

That would be a good idea except that I can't tie up that much bed space. I want my full bed length to be available.

 

[Mundgyver]

Build two custom tanks, one for each side of the bed the width of the wheel well from front to back. Should be good for about 45 to 50 gallons I would think.

 

[Gordon Maney]

I appreciate the suggestion, but I am not interested in occupying bed space wtih fuel tanks in any case, for reasons of cargo space and needless weight. I don't have range problems with my original tank.

I am in need of a solution that is not tied to the truck.

 

[DavidBurt]

Go ahead and get the big tank. Buy a hand crank pump with a good water seperator/fuel filter (I use a fleetguard it also has a drain in the bottom to let water out of the seperator). Tilt the tank about 1/2 inch over the length of the tank away from your pick up tube. Hopefully it has a drain in the bottom that should be on the low side, opposite the pick up. You can add an additive if you want, I use stanadyne. If at all possible put the tank in the shade, although mine isnt. Then fill it and don't worry about it. I only fill mine every 3yrs and have never had a problem at all.

Dave

 

[The patriot]

Keep the suction line 2-3" off the bottom and the fuel should be fine for years as long as you keep those openings closed. :-laf

Put on a good filter as suggested and youre set to go.

Eric

 

[moparguy]

Another option. Put taxed fuel in the tank, use it in your truck and tractors, then at tax time make the tax adjustment for the amount of fuel used in the tractors.



You may have to farm to do this or have a business, not sure.



At the least, you've locked in your fuel price on 300 gals, and don't have to got to a station for a while.

 

[JFielding]

Storage Tank

I have a tank about that size. No condensation problems. I use the Howe's additive. Been using the on road fuel and take the appropriate deduction for the tractor fuel at tax time.

 

[RGardner]

Is it an overhead tank? I have two such tanks and have golden rod filters on both, with water blocking filter elements in each. Also the golden rod "shell" is a clear plastic with a drain in the bottom to easily remove the water.

 

[Pawpaw]

My father has two of those tanks on stands -- one for gasoline and one for diesel.



The ONLY precaution is a filter & a water separator bowl in-line with the nozzle. Sometimes that fuel will be stored for 3 years before it's used. He has never had a fuel related problem.



I'm not sure he even knows there are diesel fuel additives.



His biggest complaint is the insects & spiders that like to build their nests inside the nozzle. You gotta clean those out before you fuel anything.



Bob

 

[Joe G.]

It would be a good idea to use some biocide additive to prevent algae from growing in the fuel.

 

[The patriot]

Joe, I was told by my local diesel shop that you dont want to use biocide unless you're already suspect you need it.

The guy said the ingredients arent something you want to run through your pump regularly.

I cant vouch for his advice, but at about $15. 00 a bottle that's all I needed to stop me from buying it.

Eric

 

[Joe G.]

If you ever experience having 1000 gallons of diesel fuel infected with algae then you will use a little dose of biocide for stored fuel. It took several months to clean up the fuel in a fish boat because of it sitting in the off season for a few months. Bought filters by the case during that fiasco. The amount used is very little compared to the amount of fuel so I don't think it's a big deal going through the pump, about a tablespoon of it for 50 gallons in my auxiliary tank.

 

[Mundgyver]

I use bioside once a year regular. I run 1 oz per tank for two consecutive tanks as a preventative measure. I never have any problems.