Thanks Mike. Great episode and very informative. I used to go filling up the 20 litre cans all the time, but one of my neighbours put in a big tank. We don't farm so we don't use the red fuel. But he fills it with conditioned diesel - always - and three of us use it. Simple system. A whiteboard hanging inside the shed. We fill up and put a tick beside our name. And we all square up on a regular basis. So much better than running to the local gas station with small diesel cans all the time. Great solution and so convenient now. Thanks again. Be well and stay safe! Cheers!
Thanks for this educational video.. I work for a commercial solar company and I manage 1 of our wearhouse. I recently purchased 1 200 gallon tank for diesel, worked out great. Next to it I installed a 250 gallon tank for fuel.. I see it as a good investment and saves you the drive and time of fueling to nearest gas station. I was told to add fuel stabilizing product. We also have our own water well with 2 500 gallon water tanks for the maintenance crew for power washing solar panels. Storage fuel tanks are a good investment depending on what you do for a living.
Mike I use one of those cheep transfer pumps like one person has already commented earlier , I have picked up two more , one for a widowed lady down the road an one for my mother-in-law. They have the 5 gallon gas cans placed next to where park there riding mowers. They really like that they can gas the mowers themselves. I think this would make a good episode for us older gals an guys . 10 to 15 bucks it works .
I have been in the commercial fuel and lubricant industry for over 25 years. Almost everyone who has a hobby farm wants a 500 gallon fuel tank. Most suppliers don’t want supply the free use of a tank unless you are going to be filling it monthly. So if you have your own tank or buy one.. the biggest issues I see is fuel contamination because they don’t cycle the fuel through fast enough. A steel tank is a good conductor of heat and cold. So when you have a 500 gallon tank that stays only half full, you can have condensation problems. That means that tiny droplets of water fall to the bottom of the tank (water is heavier than diesel). When the water forms a layer on the tank bottom then you provide a place for bacteria and algae to grown. These microbes live in the water and feed off of the petroleum and the waste produced looks like a dark red to black slime. So ,do like Mike says,, if you are only running your tractor 100 hrs or so a year, just get fresh fuel from the gas staton and top your tank off when needed. I found a 40 gallon truck tank with a 12 volt transfer pump that works fine for me and I circulate a fuel conditioner from Power Service to keep the fuel fresh and clean.
I see this is 2yrs ago but I agree with the size. I was thinking a 55gal drum. With my 1.5L engine and 10gal tank I'd have to use it a lot to burn thru 55gal a year which I might. Itll be used year round.
For us that use 5 gallon cans for diesel and mower gas. Harbor freight sells a battery operated(2 D cells) operated liquid transfer pump for $9.99. i have one for diesel one for gas. Love them. No pouring and spilling.
Great video. I've been looking into this, and I had decided on a 55 gallon drum with a hand pump. I've already got the drum. Here next month I'll probably get the pump and filter setup.
Mike I enjoy all of your tractor tips and knowledge very much. On the topic of diesel I would have to disagree on the use of the multiple 5 gal. containers versus the larger fuel cell. I myself utilized the 5 gal can method for many years having two diesel tractors. I found my Kubota completely shut down shortly after a fuel fill up using the 5 gal. fuel cans. I had to remove the fuel tank, lines and filters to clean the system to get back into service. I do own a 100gal. tank that hadn't been used in years. So I decided to clean it and set it up for diesel. My research informed me that I needed a water separator and a sediment filter on my discharge hose coming from the main tank. The research also informed me of the two algae's that grow in diesel tanks when stored for long periods. One water based and one petroleum based. Treating the fuel with a biocide remedies both situations. I use the fleetguard biocide treatment, which in turn is distributed to the fuel systems in my tractors and keeps those clean. I have less of a chance to contaminate my tractor fuel systems using a dedicated main fuel tank with the proper filters and treatments than using multiple pour cans with no filtration. I have not experienced any fuel contamination since transitioning two years ago.
Great video. Just bought 2 gals for the tractor. Probably last three years 😀with Pri D additive. Bought New Holland TC 26 in 2009. In southern Arizona never had any issues with diesel. Humidity is around 10% most of the year. But we don’t have much grass to mow.
Anybody can buy off road fuel. No paperwork, it is just without highway taxes. We use it in construction equipment. Also, keep your steel tanks full to cut down on condensation!
Roger Greaser any diesel equipment that is intended to be used off road qualifies for off road diesel. I’ve been all over the south, as far as Cedar Rapids Iowa, west to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and east to the coast of NC and none of those areas had any silly rules about doing paperwork so I could buy 500 gallons of off road diesel a year. I’ve had tractors, trucks, skid loaders and I’m not gonna ask for permission to buy fuel, I’ll move a state or two over if need be but that’s just local government wanting to be nosey and see what they can tax you one next, it’s BS!! I’m sorry, it ain’t happening!!! I’ve always had my tanks out there and since I was buying propane, and a lot of it in winter, then they would put only 25-50 gallons a month or year in there if that’s what I told them I wanted. You can get tanks for almost nothing at farm auctions and estate sales. If your worried about condensation in a tank you don’t keep a lot of fuel in then understand that’s why you have your filters on there. I’ve never had an issue anywhere I’ve had the tanks as long as your filter system is good.
@@1982MCI if you're running big construction equipment, usually you have the fuel guy come straight to the jobsite and fill up all the equipment on a predetermined schedule...there isn't anything to prove...he can see what its going in to.
As couple of others have commented I got tired of carting 5 gallon containers to the gas station all the time. Also never failed that every time I refueled with those I would spill some even with the extended neck. I ordered a 58 gallon Emiliana Serbatoi tank from Amazon. Similar to John Dow but this has auto shut off nozzle (did not see that on Dow). Comes with 12v alligator clips for 12v pump power and I cut the ends off to connect a 7 way plug. These tanks come with slots on the bottom for forks. Empty they weigh less than hundred pounds. With two diesel pickups and my tractor don’t have to worry about fuel getting old. When traveling with 5th wheel nice to get extra if I happen to find good price.
I'm in Missouri too Mike. Outside of St Louis. I get the off road red fuel for my my subcompact. It does appear to have bigger pump nozzle. But does fit in my 5 gallon jugs. That look similar to yours.
I use 5, 2 gallon, plastic fuel cans for my 32 HP compact tractor. Mostly lite chores on a couple of acres. I fill them a couple of times a year and always add fuel conditioners for the reasons you mentioned. In my experiance another problem with bulk tanks is theft, particularly when prices are up. Good show, keep it up.
Thank you for talking about that super plastic supply Diesel tank for Pickup. Really neat set up. I'm like you carry TWO yellow 5 Gallon Diesel tanks for my 25 gallon tank on the backhoe. YES ( micro organic growth) will start to live in storage tanks if moisture enters storage tanks. ( Sea Foam & BioBor JF) are two great additives to help combat mico organics. One thing will add, I like to keep my Backhoe fuel tank as full as possible. It cuts down on that moisture collection area at the top of the tank. I am close like you to a fuel farm distribution yard/ main office. They keep all their Double Tanker delivery semi's there. They sell both ( Dyed Diesel) and straight Diesel, on my account each month I see the TAX both in Federal and State on fuel that I bought. Very EYE opening. People never see the TAX at the regular gas station. That fuel farm makes portable tanks with forklift fork holes on the tanks bottom, that you can Rent. They will Refuel them first in line when high demand is out let's say power goes out. If you Rent from them, you are their favorite customer. They have the same power supply as the one you sponsor. It hooks up to your Truck Battery.
Growing up we had a 300 gallon bulk tank on an old car chassis that had a drain valve on the bottom. My dad stressed that you did not start pumping without draining the water out. As the tank would get lower the more water would come out. We are not talking much but with today’s common rail engines any is too much. This was before water separator filters that you could drain (and electric pumps). Our bulk tanks at the farm had drains too. The drains were on the opposite end of the tank from the output of the tank and they were a little off level so any water flow to the drain end. The tank in your example has the drain plug on the wrong end of the tank for this method though. If this is the type of tank someone has I would recommend it be level. Now I keep my bulk tank in an enclosed trailer so I can move between places. This virtually eliminates condensation. I do have a valve on the low side.
Also depending on your state regulations you have to have a concrete containment area for the tank to stand in and is subject to state inspection at anytime
Good info Mike, Thanks. I use about 50 gallons a month and go get it in 5 gallon cans (plastic). I to like to keep my fuel fresh and like being able to look in the cans for contamination. I check my water separator bowls regularly and never have water, which I think is because I do it this way.
Nice video. Many people lie about working a farm to get a break on taxes. I own a farm like you and don't farm it, I do rent to a goat farmer and I have a tractor, but I can not claim any of it for tax purposes because I don't really farm it. I use four 5 gallon diesel cans and recently picked up a couple of battery powered transfer pumps to fill my tractor. Being 72 years old and not getting any younger I thought I would go that route to make fueling easier not having to hold the can up so long fueling. There are many options with transfer pumps. I did buy a pair that had a good fill rating that it wouldn't be anymore than a couple of minutes per 5 gallon fill.
GOD OH MIGHTY! Just add fuel additive for the slim, winter gelling, and put a water and particulate diesel filter on the tank. I get "road" diesel delivered and get a years worth of fuel for my Dodge 2500 and tractors. I use my truck more than tractors, so I just pay the tax and fill my truck as needed. Never had any issues with slim or gelling. Just set up your tank the right way and your fuel will last a year or more without any issues. I use a 550 gallon tank at house/farm and a 88 gallon in the truck for long trips. Good luck everyone
Great content. There's another option than having a farm tank. It's having a fuel tank that you can put behind the cab of your pick up. I have a 100 gallon tank that I use for fuelling my truck and tractor. I use on road diesel for both..
I bought a JohnDow Industries JDI-AFT58 50 a gallon auxiliary diesel tank. I bought it on Amazon and it was the best purchase I’ve ever made! Like you Mike, I used 5 gallon containers and HATED filling up my tractors!!! All I do after filling this tank is hook the cables up to my truck battery at the start feeling the tractor. I’ll NEVER GO BACK to 5 gallon containers again! Spread the good news Mike! You can thank me later.
I worked for one of the big tractor manufacturers in the past and that's when I realized the downside of steel tanks, every tractor with a steel tank always had trouble with condensation and I always had to drain the diesel water separator. What a pain, never had an issue with any tractor with a plastic tank.
I have a large diesel and large gasoline tank that I use for my vehicles and to help offset gas price fluctuation. Stabilize with Pri-G or Pri-D and never had an issue even after a year or more. To fill those tanks I actually use a square 50 gallon transfer tank from the farm store with a 12v pump bolted to a pallet. When I need fuel I just slide the tank into the pickup and get 50 gallons from the gas station. For the average hobby farmer just the transfer tank alone would be an ideal solution.
Hi Mike! We've talked about this before. My plan has always been to outfit a small trailer with some small tanks, maybe as big as a 55 gal drum, mounted high enough to gravity feed into the tractor. Just hitch it up and go fill it, your own portable fuel station. The advantage is if you screw up and run out of gas in the field you can tow it out there too, no need fill a can.
Good video Mike. I know somebody that used dyed fuel and was caught. Not so cheap after paying the fines. Your birds are enjoying the spring weather. Sounds nice. 🐦
There's another consideration - the potential for tank leakage. I had a 500 gallon underground tank and the risk of leakage was always on my mind. I decided to decomission it because the risk was just too great. Tanks will leak. It's just a matter of time and when they do it can be a major problem. Above ground tanks would be less of a risk but you can never trust them 100%.
I have a 55 gal plastic drum and bbl pump from harbor freight, so far works great, I figure it will last about a couple years, maybe more IDk, I run the machine about 60 hrs a year, so we'll see. The bbl is inside an insulated building so I think that plus a plastic bbl should help keep water out.
I have a steel 30 gallon tank that came on wheels. It has a reversible hand crank pump. I can haul it in my truck and then when it is full - I use the tractor bucket up to my tail gate, wheel it in and lower to the floor. Much easier to safely handle the fuel and still somewhat portable
I just bought a 250gal Ibc tote from Facebook for like 75 bucks, put a 12v transfer pump on it and called them up and they delivered for a good price no paperwork. I use about 750 gallons a year so it works good for me.
Back in the 1970s I owned a couple of Volkswagen Diesel Rabbits (now called Gulfs). Only truck stops carried diesel so you couldn't always find diesel near by. I had a 30 gal drum with a hand lift pump and 2 fuel cans (5 gal). I would buy 10 gal at a time and fill the drum. Problem was, like you said, the fuel could get old so you had to be careful to cycle the use of stored and new fuel. The cars got 40 MPG so I put up with the aggravation. I was used to hauling gas for the boat to avoid the gouging at the marina. Thanks for videos Take care
I have a cheap 14 gallon duramax flow n go system. The hose is a joke so I just use it to transfer to a metal 5 gallon can now and then pour in the tractor most of the time. That 14 gallon tank is about the most I can physically lift in and out of my truck. I’ll have to check the system you talked about but 25 gallons I would likely have to use the forks each time I needed to get it out of the truck. I looked at bulk fuel but you nailed it, it’s not worth the hassle for a small hobby farm. People buying all these tanks is like the whole TP scare. They’ll likely regret it in a year, at least TP doesn’t go bad.
In most of the North East its just off road diesel, anyone can purchase it, as long as its not used on the road. The tax break is to due to the wear and tear of the roads. Some gas stations even carry it at the pump.
For my needs I have a fifty horse tractor and I get by just fine with two 5 gallon jerry cans, mine are plastic to avoid condensation issues and I am lucky to have a tractor with a plastic tank.
Farm fuel as in Ruby is you don't pay road tax on farm fuel. Now if you want to keep the moisture out of your fuel, put your tank inside the machine shed. The temp change from sun to evening cold to warm creates moisture moisture.
Fuel and gas tax has nothing to do with raising food. The taxes go to building and maintaining highways. Dyed diesel is for off road uses like farmers working in the field. It is illegal to use it in vehicles on the highway except to drive equipment to the field and back. Dyed diesel is not taxed. Gasoline is taxed when purchased, but if a farmer has a gasoline powered tractor or other equipment that is not used on the highway, and keeps track of the gallons used separately from that used in vehicles most states refund the tax for the off road amount.
It has been awhile since I looked but after the cost of delivery there was like a .10 savings over the pump... not including the thousand or so it costs to buy the tank and stuff install it.
In Ga you don't need a special permit for off-road diesel. Most stations around here have an off-road pump you can pull up to and fill your jugs or truck bed tank or whatever you have. No paperwork needed.
In the UK that red fuel derv can be used in any farm vehicle, even land Rovers, as long as it's a farm vehicle. A guy I worked with bought a used pick up truck that had been a farm vehicle. This had been run on red fuel, he got stopped by the cops for a road side check, they dipped his tank and thought they were on to an easy fine. The dye stains the tank and road fuel for months afterwards. Gutted when he showed them his log book (pink slip) that stated the last owner was a farm..
Red Dyed fuel deposits dye in the fuel filter and gums it up. Retailers that sell red dyed fuel price it so that most of the tax break goes to the dealer. In my state you can buy taxed-diesel (on-road diesel) and claim the tax break annually.
I go through about 100 gallons of diesel fuel per year between my Kubota garden tractor and my Kubota MX4700 tractor. I utilize a 30 gallon diesel caddy with a hand pump to dispense fuel to my machines. The caddy is wheeled up ramps into a small utility trailer when necessary to refill it at my off-road diesel dealer. Bear in mind that even 30 gallons can be quite heavy, approaching 300 lb. including the caddy.
I’m very concerned about water in fuel with newer common rail engines. As you alluded to, these engines simply will not tolerate water in fuel. For those reasons...storing a large quantity of fuel for the truck or tractor is not how I do things. Great topic of discussion.
U - Line will happily sell you 15, 30, 55 gallon drums, or 250 gallon totes. They have pumps too. Currently we're using 15 gallon drums for fuel. Since we live out in the sticks our local gas stations have off road diesel fuel and that's what we use. I feel better putting additives in the fuel myself. I hope that they do, but if you put it in yourself, then you know if it has the lubricant and injector cleaner in that you want, or come cooler weather the anti gelling additives. Yes in the winter it is supposed to be cut with kerosene, but in the past when we used to Dairy Farm 400 cows we had times when there was a woopsie by supplier who didn't do it. No buddy likes trying to get a tractor to run when the fuel is gelled up and the temperatures are in the teens or single digits, or worse yet negative. It is just easier to put that winter additives in before you'll have trouble.
We likewise can buy off-road diesel at our local fuel station, which happens to also be a farm supply store. Call and ask around if you live in a rural area.
My wife drove our F250 diesel to Lowes. She came out to leave and a guy with a badge (Tennessee Department of Revenue) told her he needed to check her fuel. He dropped a clear tube down the filler tube, put his thumb over the end and pulled it up. He saw it wasn't dyed and drained it back in the tank. He thanked her and went on to another truck. He checked all the diesel trucks in the parking lot.
I’m considering purchasing 100 gallons of diesel at a time just prior to winter, we recently moved out in the country and own a little land I use the tractor throughout the year, however I just purchased a pto generator for power outages and I’m afraid in the case of an extended outage diesel from the pumps wouldn’t be sold out. Ideally it would also prepare me for spring storms and I’d fuel my tractor around the year with it. 100 gallons is the minimum for delivery and after one year living here I used about 45 gallons without the generator and was without power 14ish days which all my neighbors said is about common I’m thinking 100 gallons would be about what I’d use also thinking the next zero turn I purchase will be diesel.
In WV, you can go to any gas station and buy off-road, dyed diesel no questions asked. If you buy more than 50 gallons, they deliver for free. It can be used, at least in WV, any time off-road. It’s about 30cents cheaper per gallon, and runs better in my tractor due to it having more sulfur than road diesel.
The difference between on-road and off-road is tax. A modern diesel engine is designed to run on and only on "sulfa free" diesel. If there was sulfa in off-road diesel fuel modern diesel engines could not meet immission standards.
I believe that is also the case in MO where I live (as does Mike) that as long as it used for off road used only, there is no issue legally. My gripe is many stations that sell off road diesel, actually charge more per gallon than the road fuel. I guess they sell less off road IDK. I usually end up buying road fuel for my tractor and just steam about the highway taxes and go on with life.
@@coypatton3160 I don't know either. 60 some years ago when I started farming number 2 fuel was 17 cents a gallon whether it was heating fuel, tractor fuel or vehicle fuel. Tax was added according to use. None on off road. State sales tax here on burner fuel and highway tax on vehicle fuel. This made vehicle fuel cost almost twice as much as off road. The only thing I can think of is as the number of diesel powered vehicles increased the more tempting it became to burn the cheaper off road fuel in vehicles and the more difficult it was for law enforcement to catch offenders. It then became easier just to charge more for off road fuel and eliminate the price advantage.
The one problem you didn't mention are local or state codes and laws on fuel storage. It varies to how much you can store on your property. For me the local codes limit me to one 55 gal barrel. If I want to go bigger then I have a whole bunch of building codes I have to deal with, double wall tank, covered structure and on and on... Same goes for large farm tanks on stands, the rules changed, so unless you got grandfathered in or replacing an existing one, your out of luck.
Very interesting. Here in SC, one of my local gas stations sells the dyed diesel also. Two 5 gal tanks last me maybe 3-6 wks depending on how much tractor work I'm doing. The fine for using the dyed diesel in a road vehicle is pretty huge so no way...
My local 76 station sells "off road" diesel for 35 cents a gallon less than road taxed diesel. It is 5% bio, it comes out of the same exact tank, pump, and nozzle as the road taxed diesel, and it is not dyed, ...it is the same as they put in your diesel pick-up truck. You have to fill out some paperwork for them to file with the state every time you buy it. I suppose if you use enough for the state to become suspicious that you are using it for on road, you best better have some kind of off road equipment with usage documentation or hour meter readings that would support your position. Anyway, I just fill a couple of yellow 5-gallon diesel cans of the discounted diesel as needed, kind of like you do (but I save $3.50 for the 10 gallons). I guess that I could get away with burning it in my truck, but it would be more of a PITA than it would be worth, as it would require filling up 7 jugs to fill the pick-up tank. Just too much trouble and work to save $12.25 for me to bother with it, in my opinion.
At $1,000 for a 25 gallon or, $1,100 for a 55 gallon Fuel Boss transfer tank, ...I think that I'll keep schlepping the 5-gallon cans around 'til the day I die!
Mike, why not get yourself a 200 litre (44 Gallon) drum and a hand pump or small electrical pump that can be connected to the tractor battery either by alligator clips or hard wire in an Anderson plug for easy connect & disconnect
If you don't use a lot of diesel in off-road vehicles, but you have a diesel pickup or car you can save a little by setting up a tank and using road diesel in all your vehicles. Don't worry about that extra tax you'll be paying that goes to highway improvements and maintenance. You'll be getting a lower price per gallon than at the pump. Just use road diesel in everything and you fuel will be fresher and you won't have to make a trip to the gas station again. It will pay for itself in cost savings and convenience. But don't put it in the ground and do put it in a secondary containment so if you do have a leak you're not paying thousands to have contaminated soil remediated. You can get double-wall fuel cells that have a pump on them from 50 gallon on up. I have seen them used on jobsites I have worked for many years. They are the way to go. Safe-T-Tank is one brand I can think of (and have no connection to). There are others, shop around.
My thing about using the 5 gallon cans is it seems like a lot of messing around. I was thinking about one of those plastic tanks Mike sells, but now I find out he doesn't even own one...
For those with boats on the ocean, its a similar situation...commercial fishermen are exempt from paying fuel tax. Well, if you've ever bought gas or diesel at the dock, you know the racket they run...it can cost upwards of double the gas station on land. As you may know, boats hold a LOT of fuel and get terrible mileage...typically gallons per mile they're so bad. All you have to do is get a commercial fishing license. Last time I got one, it was $60/year. I put the license numbers on the hull of my boat and showed my license at the dock. Tremendous savings...completely legal. Plus I had the bonus of being able to keep a lot more striped bass than the average striper fisherman.
My father in law installed an underground diesel fuel tank that eventually started to leak. It cost us a fortune to dig it up and remediate the soil. I thought about replacing it with an above-ground tank, but decided that I wasn’t going to use enough to justify the expense and the potential problem of fuel going bad before use. I’ve been getting by fine with two 5-gallon SureCans.
Ok I got a question for you mike! I just took my MF 1739 to be repaired because of the burn off system. The dealer said not to run off road fuel because it clogs it up and its not meant to run in it. From everything I can find off road fuel is exactly the same except tax's, Is that correct? The tractor is 2016 and I am in Texas if that matters.
The fuel should be the same. The operators manual for my 1755M recommends burning #1 fuel when temperatures go below 39 degrees F because #2 fuel starts to gel at that temperature. Does it get that cold there?
Often off road fuel is high sulfur which is a big problem. If you ask you can get ultra low sulfur diesel which would be the right fuel for your tractor. All tractors since 2014 (or before?) need the same fuel so whoever supplies your fuel can get it, but they might not give it to you. If you buy a used diesel tank that ever had anything other than ultra low sulfur in it it is best to assume that it cannot be cleaned well enough to work.
Off road fuel is just that---off road.. It doesn't have highway taxes included. So anyone (farmer or non farmer) should be able to use off road fuel that is not used in vehicles that run on public roads. Some gas stations sell off road diesel. You just have to look for them. I buy off road diesel at the Signal gas station in Mansfield Missouri. There are two Signals there, only one of them sells off road fuel.
My experience with biodiesel a few years ago at the company I worked for was not good. I don't recall the percentage. It cost significantly more per gallon. Filters continuously clogged up and needed to be replaced. On road diesel engines produced less power and acceleration. We had to have the computers reprogrammed to regain power. Reprogrammed computers stressed engines if normal diesel was used and driver wasn't careful. In cold weather we had to find normal diesel. Vehicle maintenance went way up, if your truck was in the shop you didn't work. Food crops we need are used to replace oil we have in abundance. Biodiesel is or was subsidized by the government. All and all a Politicians dream program.
It's actually 'off road fuel' , not just farm fuel, because these vehicles typically do not use the roads. I think the main thing is 'how far are you from your nearest fuel station, and how much do you use? Our off road station is 1 mile away, so can go get off road fuel quickly if we need.
It has nothing to do with being a farmer! It is either off-road or on road fuel. Your tractor is off-road use. You can use off-road fuel. Construction equipment, farm tractors etc are off road use. Trucks are on road use using the public roads so on road use tax is included.
Missouri does have DOT hazardous material regulations requirements for transporting fuel in commerce, which means a business and farming is a business. Be sure to check your States regulations before you start hauling your own fuel on the public highway. I know this because for 26 years I enforced those regulations.
Oldvideodude. Good point I remember my uncle catching someone doing just that. He held the person till the sheriff arrived. The funny thing is Memphis police had a warrant on them so they were turned over
Under 100 degrees diesel is considered a combustible. Over 100 degrees it can emit a flammable vapor which can ignite from a spark. In my climate it’s never a possibility.
I have a question about starting my bush hog. Should I rev the tractor up to PTO speed first, then engage the pto? Or engage the PTO at idle and then rev up to operating speed? I'm curious if there's a "right" way and whether its easier on the clutch.
David, here's a video I sort of did about that way back in 2016: ua-cam.com/video/1b0DddCyo1s/v-deo.html. Engaging at idle is hard on the tractor, engaging a full throttle put's a lot of stress on the cutter, I usually engage around 1400-1500 RPM and that seems to work best. I'm not sure I've ever seen that covered in any owner's manual.
I am like you. I have 2 tractors that I use on our property, but not enough to justify a large quantity of fuel on hand. I also like to keep fuel as fresh as possible.
Police have no authority to "dip your tank" unless you give them permission. It constitutes a search which you are protected from by the 4th amendment. Unless of course they can produce reasonable suspicion to perform such a search. The 5th amendment protects you from self incrimination also... Ie you do not have to assist a law enforcement officer who is attempting to hem you up.
Camppatton Family Compound I asked about that in Tennessee, and they said there was too much cheating taxes going on and they don’t make it. In Ohio, My dad had a gas tractor back in the 60’s and I thought he could buy red gas for that. He had a tank 500 gal, a company came out and filled ever 6 months or so.
Barrel or container on a pallet. Put it in the truck and go fill it up. One reason to buy forks. Around here for the same supplier road fuel at the station is cheaper than delivered fuel, even with the road taxes. My furnace also uses no. 2.
Living in heavy snow country, I had to have enough fuel to blow myself out of a 3/8 mile long drive covered in deep drifts in the winter. I started with 4 5 gal cans, ended up at 8 5 gal cans and finally replaced the cans with a 40 gal, upright, plastic tank that rolled on two wheels, with two handles, like a two wheel hand truck. This solved all my problems. Roll the almost empty tank up ramps into the pickup. Fill at the gas station. Come home and unload the tank using the front end loader. Used an electric fuel pump to move fuel from the tank to the tractor. Enough fuel not to worry about getting snowed in, but little enough fuel it didn't get stale and the plastic tank didn't have a condensation problem.
I do the same as you do, Mike. I have three 5 Gal cans and I have one full one left in the shed. I'll soon go to the farm store and fill up with off road diesel for my Kubota L2501.
Thanks Mike. Great episode and very informative. I used to go filling up the 20 litre cans all the time, but one of my neighbours put in a big tank. We don't farm so we don't use the red fuel. But he fills it with conditioned diesel - always - and three of us use it. Simple system. A whiteboard hanging inside the shed. We fill up and put a tick beside our name. And we all square up on a regular basis. So much better than running to the local gas station with small diesel cans all the time. Great solution and so convenient now. Thanks again. Be well and stay safe! Cheers!
Thanks for this educational video.. I work for a commercial solar company and I manage 1 of our wearhouse. I recently purchased 1 200 gallon tank for diesel, worked out great. Next to it I installed a 250 gallon tank for fuel.. I see it as a good investment and saves you the drive and time of fueling to nearest gas station. I was told to add fuel stabilizing product. We also have our own water well with 2 500 gallon water tanks for the maintenance crew for power washing solar panels. Storage fuel tanks are a good investment depending on what you do for a living.
Mike I use one of those cheep transfer pumps like one person has already commented earlier , I have picked up two more , one for a widowed lady down the road an one for my mother-in-law. They have the 5 gallon gas cans placed next to where park there riding mowers. They really like that they can gas the mowers themselves. I think this would make a good episode for us older gals an guys . 10 to 15 bucks it works .
I have been in the commercial fuel and lubricant industry for over 25 years. Almost everyone who has a hobby farm wants a 500 gallon fuel tank. Most suppliers don’t want supply the free use of a tank unless you are going to be filling it monthly. So if you have your own tank or buy one.. the biggest issues I see is fuel contamination because they don’t cycle the fuel through fast enough. A steel tank is a good conductor of heat and cold. So when you have a 500 gallon tank that stays only half full, you can have condensation problems. That means that tiny droplets of water fall to the bottom of the tank (water is heavier than diesel). When the water forms a layer on the tank bottom then you provide a place for bacteria and algae to grown. These microbes live in the water and feed off of the petroleum and the waste produced looks like a dark red to black slime.
So ,do like Mike says,, if you are only running your tractor 100 hrs or so a year, just get fresh fuel from the gas staton and top your tank off when needed. I found a 40 gallon truck tank with a 12 volt transfer pump that works fine for me and I circulate a fuel conditioner from Power Service to keep the fuel fresh and clean.
I see this is 2yrs ago but I agree with the size. I was thinking a 55gal drum. With my 1.5L engine and 10gal tank I'd have to use it a lot to burn thru 55gal a year which I might. Itll be used year round.
For us that use 5 gallon cans for diesel and mower gas. Harbor freight sells a battery operated(2 D cells) operated liquid transfer pump for $9.99. i have one for diesel one for gas. Love them. No pouring and spilling.
Great video. I've been looking into this, and I had decided on a 55 gallon drum with a hand pump. I've already got the drum. Here next month I'll probably get the pump and filter setup.
Mike I enjoy all of your tractor tips and knowledge very much. On the topic of diesel I would have to disagree on the use of the multiple 5 gal. containers versus the larger fuel cell. I myself utilized the 5 gal can method for many years having two diesel tractors. I found my Kubota completely shut down shortly after a fuel fill up using the 5 gal. fuel cans. I had to remove the fuel tank, lines and filters to clean the system to get back into service. I do own a 100gal. tank that hadn't been used in years. So I decided to clean it and set it up for diesel. My research informed me that I needed a water separator and a sediment filter on my discharge hose coming from the main tank. The research also informed me of the two algae's that grow in diesel tanks when stored for long periods. One water based and one petroleum based. Treating the fuel with a biocide remedies both situations. I use the fleetguard biocide treatment, which in turn is distributed to the fuel systems in my tractors and keeps those clean. I have less of a chance to contaminate my tractor fuel systems using a dedicated main fuel tank with the proper filters and treatments than using multiple pour cans with no filtration. I have not experienced any fuel contamination since transitioning two years ago.
Great video.
Just bought 2 gals for the tractor. Probably last three years 😀with Pri D additive.
Bought New Holland TC 26 in 2009. In southern Arizona never had any issues with diesel. Humidity is around 10% most of the year.
But we don’t have much grass to mow.
Anybody can buy off road fuel. No paperwork, it is just without highway taxes. We use it in construction equipment. Also, keep your steel tanks full to cut down on condensation!
TN requires paperwork. Forking PITA.
WV is offroad fuel. Don't need to be farm use.
Roger Greaser any diesel equipment that is intended to be used off road qualifies for off road diesel. I’ve been all over the south, as far as Cedar Rapids Iowa, west to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and east to the coast of NC and none of those areas had any silly rules about doing paperwork so I could buy 500 gallons of off road diesel a year. I’ve had tractors, trucks, skid loaders and I’m not gonna ask for permission to buy fuel, I’ll move a state or two over if need be but that’s just local government wanting to be nosey and see what they can tax you one next, it’s BS!! I’m sorry, it ain’t happening!!!
I’ve always had my tanks out there and since I was buying propane, and a lot of it in winter, then they would put only 25-50 gallons a month or year in there if that’s what I told them I wanted.
You can get tanks for almost nothing at farm auctions and estate sales. If your worried about condensation in a tank you don’t keep a lot of fuel in then understand that’s why you have your filters on there. I’ve never had an issue anywhere I’ve had the tanks as long as your filter system is good.
Thanks for the advice👍
@@1982MCI if you're running big construction equipment, usually you have the fuel guy come straight to the jobsite and fill up all the equipment on a predetermined schedule...there isn't anything to prove...he can see what its going in to.
I'm like you. I just get 10-20 gallons at a time and it lasts me a while. Good video Mike.
As couple of others have commented I got tired of carting 5 gallon containers to the gas station all the time. Also never failed that every time I refueled with those I would spill some even with the extended neck. I ordered a 58 gallon Emiliana Serbatoi tank from Amazon. Similar to John Dow but this has auto shut off nozzle (did not see that on Dow). Comes with 12v alligator clips for 12v pump power and I cut the ends off to connect a 7 way plug. These tanks come with slots on the bottom for forks. Empty they weigh less than hundred pounds. With two diesel pickups and my tractor don’t have to worry about fuel getting old. When traveling with 5th wheel nice to get extra if I happen to find good price.
I was just looking at this option myself
The discount for farm (off-road fuel) is you aren't charged road tax. That why if they dip the tank in your truck and you get caught it's tax evasion.
I'm in Missouri too Mike. Outside of St Louis. I get the off road red fuel for my my subcompact. It does appear to have bigger pump nozzle. But does fit in my 5 gallon jugs. That look similar to yours.
I use 5, 2 gallon, plastic fuel cans for my 32 HP compact tractor. Mostly lite chores on a couple of acres. I fill them a couple of times a year and always add fuel conditioners for the reasons you mentioned. In my experiance another problem with bulk tanks is theft, particularly when prices are up. Good show, keep it up.
Thank you for talking about that super plastic supply Diesel tank for Pickup. Really neat set up. I'm like you carry TWO yellow 5 Gallon Diesel tanks for my 25 gallon tank on the backhoe. YES ( micro organic growth) will start to live in storage tanks if moisture enters storage tanks. ( Sea Foam & BioBor JF) are two great additives to help combat mico organics. One thing will add, I like to keep my Backhoe fuel tank as full as possible. It cuts down on that moisture collection area at the top of the tank. I am close like you to a fuel farm distribution yard/ main office. They keep all their Double Tanker delivery semi's there. They sell both ( Dyed Diesel) and straight Diesel, on my account each month I see the TAX both in Federal and State on fuel that I bought. Very EYE opening. People never see the TAX at the regular gas station. That fuel farm makes portable tanks with forklift fork holes on the tanks bottom, that you can Rent. They will Refuel them first in line when high demand is out let's say power goes out. If you Rent from them, you are their favorite customer. They have the same power supply as the one you sponsor. It hooks up to your Truck Battery.
Growing up we had a 300 gallon bulk tank on an old car chassis that had a drain valve on the bottom. My dad stressed that you did not start pumping without draining the water out. As the tank would get lower the more water would come out. We are not talking much but with today’s common rail engines any is too much. This was before water separator filters that you could drain (and electric pumps). Our bulk tanks at the farm had drains too. The drains were on the opposite end of the tank from the output of the tank and they were a little off level so any water flow to the drain end. The tank in your example has the drain plug on the wrong end of the tank for this method though. If this is the type of tank someone has I would recommend it be level. Now I keep my bulk tank in an enclosed trailer so I can move between places. This virtually eliminates condensation. I do have a valve on the low side.
Also depending on your state regulations you have to have a concrete containment area for the tank to stand in and is subject to state inspection at anytime
Good info Mike, Thanks. I use about 50 gallons a month and go get it in 5 gallon cans (plastic). I to like to keep my fuel fresh and like being able to look in the cans for contamination. I check my water separator bowls regularly and never have water, which I think is because I do it this way.
Nice video. Many people lie about working a farm to get a break on taxes. I own a farm like you and don't farm it, I do rent to a goat farmer and I have a tractor, but I can not claim any of it for tax purposes because I don't really farm it. I use four 5 gallon diesel cans and recently picked up a couple of battery powered transfer pumps to fill my tractor. Being 72 years old and not getting any younger I thought I would go that route to make fueling easier not having to hold the can up so long fueling. There are many options with transfer pumps. I did buy a pair that had a good fill rating that it wouldn't be anymore than a couple of minutes per 5 gallon fill.
GOD OH MIGHTY! Just add fuel additive for the slim, winter gelling, and put a water and particulate diesel filter on the tank. I get "road" diesel delivered and get a years worth of fuel for my Dodge 2500 and tractors. I use my truck more than tractors, so I just pay the tax and fill my truck as needed. Never had any issues with slim or gelling. Just set up your tank the right way and your fuel will last a year or more without any issues. I use a 550 gallon tank at house/farm and a 88 gallon in the truck for long trips. Good luck everyone
Great content. There's another option than having a farm tank. It's having a fuel tank that you can put behind the cab of your pick up. I have a 100 gallon tank that I use for fuelling my truck and tractor. I use on road diesel for both..
I bought a JohnDow Industries JDI-AFT58 50 a gallon auxiliary diesel tank. I bought it on Amazon and it was the best purchase I’ve ever made! Like you Mike, I used 5 gallon containers and HATED filling up my tractors!!! All I do after filling this tank is hook the cables up to my truck battery at the start feeling the tractor. I’ll NEVER GO BACK to 5 gallon containers again! Spread the good news Mike! You can thank me later.
Good tip on the UV light to check for the dye even previous use, I always wondered how they could catch you with just a tank or two.
Allegedly you need 10 full tanks to cycle all the dye out.
@@henrymiller1820 i wouldnt doubt it. Uv dye is a mother trucker to remove from anything.
I worked for one of the big tractor manufacturers in the past and that's when I realized the downside of steel tanks, every tractor with a steel tank always had trouble with condensation and I always had to drain the diesel water separator. What a pain, never had an issue with any tractor with a plastic tank.
A good bit of information. Thank you
Yeah, good to know. My tractor has a plastic tank. 475hrs and no water in the separator.
One of our local fuel suppliers has a polishing service on an annual basis they all come out and basically clean all the fuel in your tank
I have a large diesel and large gasoline tank that I use for my vehicles and to help offset gas price fluctuation. Stabilize with Pri-G or Pri-D and never had an issue even after a year or more. To fill those tanks I actually use a square 50 gallon transfer tank from the farm store with a 12v pump bolted to a pallet. When I need fuel I just slide the tank into the pickup and get 50 gallons from the gas station. For the average hobby farmer just the transfer tank alone would be an ideal solution.
Hi Mike!
We've talked about this before. My plan has always been to outfit a small trailer with some small tanks, maybe as big as a 55 gal drum, mounted high enough to gravity feed into the tractor. Just hitch it up and go fill it, your own portable fuel station. The advantage is if you screw up and run out of gas in the field you can tow it out there too, no need fill a can.
Good video Mike. I know somebody that used dyed fuel and was caught. Not so cheap after paying the fines. Your birds are enjoying the spring weather. Sounds nice. 🐦
There's another consideration - the potential for tank leakage. I had a 500 gallon underground tank and the risk of leakage was always on my mind. I decided to decomission it because the risk was just too great. Tanks will leak. It's just a matter of time and when they do it can be a major problem. Above ground tanks would be less of a risk but you can never trust them 100%.
Mike I use my home heating oil for my tractor .
I have a 55 gal plastic drum and bbl pump from harbor freight, so far works great, I figure it will last about a couple years, maybe more IDk, I run the machine about 60 hrs a year, so we'll see. The bbl is inside an insulated building so I think that plus a plastic bbl should help keep water out.
I have a steel 30 gallon tank that came on wheels. It has a reversible hand crank pump. I can haul it in my truck and then when it is full - I use the tractor bucket up to my tail gate, wheel it in and lower to the floor. Much easier to safely handle the fuel and still somewhat portable
I just bought a 250gal Ibc tote from Facebook for like 75 bucks, put a 12v transfer pump on it and called them up and they delivered for a good price no paperwork. I use about 750 gallons a year so it works good for me.
Back in the 1970s I owned a couple of Volkswagen Diesel Rabbits (now called Gulfs). Only truck stops carried diesel so you couldn't always find diesel near by. I had a 30 gal drum with a hand lift pump and 2 fuel cans (5 gal). I would buy 10 gal at a time and fill the drum. Problem was, like you said, the fuel could get old so you had to be careful to cycle the use of stored and new fuel. The cars got 40 MPG so I put up with the aggravation. I was used to hauling gas for the boat to avoid the gouging at the marina. Thanks for videos Take care
Dad had to do that with his Diesel Rabbit.
I have a cheap 14 gallon duramax flow n go system. The hose is a joke so I just use it to transfer to a metal 5 gallon can now and then pour in the tractor most of the time. That 14 gallon tank is about the most I can physically lift in and out of my truck. I’ll have to check the system you talked about but 25 gallons I would likely have to use the forks each time I needed to get it out of the truck. I looked at bulk fuel but you nailed it, it’s not worth the hassle for a small hobby farm. People buying all these tanks is like the whole TP scare. They’ll likely regret it in a year, at least TP doesn’t go bad.
In most of the North East its just off road diesel, anyone can purchase it, as long as its not used on the road. The tax break is to due to the wear and tear of the roads. Some gas stations even carry it at the pump.
For my needs I have a fifty horse tractor and I get by just fine with two 5 gallon jerry cans, mine are plastic to avoid condensation issues and I am lucky to have a tractor with a plastic tank.
@soaringtractor I am mostly using my tractor to skid logs out of my wood lot, so I don't really go through tons of fuel.
Good afternoon Mike. Thank you for the video, this is something I have wanted input on.
Farm fuel as in Ruby is you don't pay road tax on farm fuel. Now if you want to keep the moisture out of your fuel, put your tank inside the machine shed. The temp change from sun to evening cold to warm creates moisture moisture.
Fuel and gas tax has nothing to do with raising food. The taxes go to building and maintaining highways. Dyed diesel is for off road uses like farmers working in the field. It is illegal to use it in vehicles on the highway except to drive equipment to the field and back. Dyed diesel is not taxed. Gasoline is taxed when purchased, but if a farmer has a gasoline powered tractor or other equipment that is not used on the highway, and keeps track of the gallons used separately from that used in vehicles most states refund the tax for the off road amount.
It has been awhile since I looked but after the cost of delivery there was like a .10 savings over the pump... not including the thousand or so it costs to buy the tank and stuff install it.
In Ga you don't need a special permit for off-road diesel. Most stations around here have an off-road pump you can pull up to and fill your jugs or truck bed tank or whatever you have. No paperwork needed.
In the UK that red fuel derv can be used in any farm vehicle, even land Rovers, as long as it's a farm vehicle.
A guy I worked with bought a used pick up truck that had been a farm vehicle.
This had been run on red fuel, he got stopped by the cops for a road side check, they dipped his tank and thought they were on to an easy fine. The dye stains the tank and road fuel for months afterwards.
Gutted when he showed them his log book (pink slip) that stated the last owner was a farm..
Red Dyed fuel deposits dye in the fuel filter and gums it up. Retailers that sell red dyed fuel price it so that most of the tax break goes to the dealer. In my state you can buy taxed-diesel (on-road diesel) and claim the tax break annually.
I go through about 100 gallons of diesel fuel per year between my Kubota garden tractor and my Kubota MX4700 tractor. I utilize a 30 gallon diesel caddy with a hand pump to dispense fuel to my machines. The caddy is wheeled up ramps into a small utility trailer when necessary to refill it at my off-road diesel dealer. Bear in mind that even 30 gallons can be quite heavy, approaching 300 lb. including the caddy.
I’m very concerned about water in fuel with newer common rail engines. As you alluded to, these engines simply will not tolerate water in fuel. For those reasons...storing a large quantity of fuel for the truck or tractor is not how I do things. Great topic of discussion.
U - Line will happily sell you 15, 30, 55 gallon drums, or 250 gallon totes. They have pumps too. Currently we're using 15 gallon drums for fuel. Since we live out in the sticks our local gas stations have off road diesel fuel and that's what we use. I feel better putting additives in the fuel myself. I hope that they do, but if you put it in yourself, then you know if it has the lubricant and injector cleaner in that you want, or come cooler weather the anti gelling additives. Yes in the winter it is supposed to be cut with kerosene, but in the past when we used to Dairy Farm 400 cows we had times when there was a woopsie by supplier who didn't do it. No buddy likes trying to get a tractor to run when the fuel is gelled up and the temperatures are in the teens or single digits, or worse yet negative. It is just easier to put that winter additives in before you'll have trouble.
We likewise can buy off-road diesel at our local fuel station, which happens to also be a farm supply store. Call and ask around if you live in a rural area.
Good information as always! Gives food for thought!
My wife drove our F250 diesel to Lowes. She came out to leave and a guy with a badge (Tennessee Department of Revenue) told her he needed to check her fuel. He dropped a clear tube down the filler tube, put his thumb over the end and pulled it up. He saw it wasn't dyed and drained it back in the tank. He thanked her and went on to another truck. He checked all the diesel trucks in the parking lot.
I’m considering purchasing 100 gallons of diesel at a time just prior to winter, we recently moved out in the country and own a little land I use the tractor throughout the year, however I just purchased a pto generator for power outages and I’m afraid in the case of an extended outage diesel from the pumps wouldn’t be sold out. Ideally it would also prepare me for spring storms and I’d fuel my tractor around the year with it. 100 gallons is the minimum for delivery and after one year living here I used about 45 gallons without the generator and was without power 14ish days which all my neighbors said is about common I’m thinking 100 gallons would be about what I’d use also thinking the next zero turn I purchase will be diesel.
Great video. Thanks Mike. Very informative.
300 gal. Gravity tank here, Ohio tax is outrageous. Red fuel only for me, I get 150 gal yearly. Stays fresh and I put additive in also.
In WV, you can go to any gas station and buy off-road, dyed diesel no questions asked. If you buy more than 50 gallons, they deliver for free. It can be used, at least in WV, any time off-road. It’s about 30cents cheaper per gallon, and runs better in my tractor due to it having more sulfur than road diesel.
I use it in my tractors, 4 wheeler, generator, and some other stuff in place of karosene.
The difference between on-road and off-road is tax. A modern diesel engine is designed to run on and only on "sulfa free" diesel. If there was sulfa in off-road diesel fuel modern diesel engines could not meet immission standards.
I believe that is also the case in MO where I live (as does Mike) that as long as it used for off road used only, there is no issue legally. My gripe is many stations that sell off road diesel, actually charge more per gallon than the road fuel. I guess they sell less off road IDK. I usually end up buying road fuel for my tractor and just steam about the highway taxes and go on with life.
@@coypatton3160 I don't know either. 60 some years ago when I started farming number 2 fuel was 17 cents a gallon whether it was heating fuel, tractor fuel or vehicle fuel. Tax was added according to use. None on off road. State sales tax here on burner fuel and highway tax on vehicle fuel. This made vehicle fuel cost almost twice as much as off road. The only thing I can think of is as the number of diesel powered vehicles increased the more tempting it became to burn the cheaper off road fuel in vehicles and the more difficult it was for law enforcement to catch offenders. It then became easier just to charge more for off road fuel and eliminate the price advantage.
Great channel. Any chance you could make a video on tractor insurance?
The one problem you didn't mention are local or state codes and laws on fuel storage. It varies to how much you can store on your property. For me the local codes limit me to one 55 gal barrel. If I want to go bigger then I have a whole bunch of building codes I have to deal with, double wall tank, covered structure and on and on... Same goes for large farm tanks on stands, the rules changed, so unless you got grandfathered in or replacing an existing one, your out of luck.
Very interesting. Here in SC, one of my local gas stations sells the dyed diesel also. Two 5 gal tanks last me maybe 3-6 wks depending on how much tractor work I'm doing. The fine for using the dyed diesel in a road vehicle is pretty huge so no way...
My local 76 station sells "off road" diesel for 35 cents a gallon less than road taxed diesel. It is 5% bio, it comes out of the same exact tank, pump, and nozzle as the road taxed diesel, and it is not dyed, ...it is the same as they put in your diesel pick-up truck.
You have to fill out some paperwork for them to file with the state every time you buy it. I suppose if you use enough for the state to become suspicious that you are using it for on road, you best better have some kind of off road equipment with usage documentation or hour meter readings that would support your position.
Anyway, I just fill a couple of yellow 5-gallon diesel cans of the discounted diesel as needed, kind of like you do (but I save $3.50 for the 10 gallons). I guess that I could get away with burning it in my truck, but it would be more of a PITA than it would be worth, as it would require filling up 7 jugs to fill the pick-up tank. Just too much trouble and work to save $12.25 for me to bother with it, in my opinion.
Very informational
Thanks for watching!
At $1,000 for a 25 gallon or, $1,100 for a 55 gallon Fuel Boss transfer tank, ...I think that I'll keep schlepping the 5-gallon cans around 'til the day I die!
Just buy a 55 gal steel drum clean it out and buy a hand crank pump all together under 100 bucks lol
I'm near age 80 and lifting 5 gal. cans is more than I care to lift up and hold while filling up the diesel tractor. I have a farm diesel tank.
Schlepp it you messuggah
Mike, why not get yourself a 200 litre (44 Gallon) drum and a hand pump or small electrical pump that can be connected to the tractor battery either by alligator clips or hard wire in an Anderson plug for easy connect & disconnect
If you don't use a lot of diesel in off-road vehicles, but you have a diesel pickup or car you can save a little by setting up a tank and using road diesel in all your vehicles. Don't worry about that extra tax you'll be paying that goes to highway improvements and maintenance. You'll be getting a lower price per gallon than at the pump. Just use road diesel in everything and you fuel will be fresher and you won't have to make a trip to the gas station again. It will pay for itself in cost savings and convenience. But don't put it in the ground and do put it in a secondary containment so if you do have a leak you're not paying thousands to have contaminated soil remediated. You can get double-wall fuel cells that have a pump on them from 50 gallon on up. I have seen them used on jobsites I have worked for many years. They are the way to go. Safe-T-Tank is one brand I can think of (and have no connection to). There are others, shop around.
Great video
Thanks for this. Been considering this for a while now.
Thanks Mike! You know, I was considering getting one, but wasn't informed.. living ruraly especially these days.
My thing about using the 5 gallon cans is it seems like a lot of messing around. I was thinking about one of those plastic tanks Mike sells, but now I find out he doesn't even own one...
I have a 75 gal enduraplas. Great system. I can get fuel anywhere anytime.
For those with boats on the ocean, its a similar situation...commercial fishermen are exempt from paying fuel tax. Well, if you've ever bought gas or diesel at the dock, you know the racket they run...it can cost upwards of double the gas station on land. As you may know, boats hold a LOT of fuel and get terrible mileage...typically gallons per mile they're so bad. All you have to do is get a commercial fishing license. Last time I got one, it was $60/year. I put the license numbers on the hull of my boat and showed my license at the dock. Tremendous savings...completely legal. Plus I had the bonus of being able to keep a lot more striped bass than the average striper fisherman.
Anyone try out this 10 gallon self siphoning fuel caddies?
My father in law installed an underground diesel fuel tank that eventually started to leak. It cost us a fortune to dig it up and remediate the soil. I thought about replacing it with an above-ground tank, but decided that I wasn’t going to use enough to justify the expense and the potential problem of fuel going bad before use. I’ve been getting by fine with two 5-gallon SureCans.
We just go to the service station and buy off-road/farm diesel. Anyone can buy it here in NC.
Ok I got a question for you mike! I just took my MF 1739 to be repaired because of the burn off system. The dealer said not to run off road fuel because it clogs it up and its not meant to run in it. From everything I can find off road fuel is exactly the same except tax's, Is that correct? The tractor is 2016 and I am in Texas if that matters.
The fuel should be the same. The operators manual for my 1755M recommends burning #1 fuel when temperatures go below 39 degrees F because #2 fuel starts to gel at that temperature. Does it get that cold there?
Often off road fuel is high sulfur which is a big problem. If you ask you can get ultra low sulfur diesel which would be the right fuel for your tractor. All tractors since 2014 (or before?) need the same fuel so whoever supplies your fuel can get it, but they might not give it to you.
If you buy a used diesel tank that ever had anything other than ultra low sulfur in it it is best to assume that it cannot be cleaned well enough to work.
Off road fuel is just that---off road.. It doesn't have highway taxes included. So anyone (farmer or non farmer) should be able to use off road fuel that is not used in vehicles that run on public roads.
Some gas stations sell off road diesel. You just have to look for them.
I buy off road diesel at the Signal gas station in Mansfield Missouri. There are two Signals there, only one of them sells off road fuel.
Where can I get a lockable valve like the one on your fuel tank? I can't find that particular one anywhere
My experience with biodiesel a few years ago at the company I worked for was not good. I don't recall the percentage. It cost significantly more per gallon. Filters continuously clogged up and needed to be replaced. On road diesel engines produced less power and acceleration. We had to have the computers reprogrammed to regain power. Reprogrammed computers stressed engines if normal diesel was used and driver wasn't careful. In cold weather we had to find normal diesel. Vehicle maintenance went way up, if your truck was in the shop you didn't work. Food crops we need are used to replace oil we have in abundance. Biodiesel is or was subsidized by the government. All and all a Politicians dream program.
Is it problem if the iron diesel tank is on hot sunshine?
Good job very factual.
It's actually 'off road fuel' , not just farm fuel, because these vehicles typically do not use the roads. I think the main thing is 'how far are you from your nearest fuel station, and how much do you use? Our off road station is 1 mile away, so can go get off road fuel quickly if we need.
In the UK red is about 70 p cheaper a litre
And the JohnDoe 58 gallon is about $200 cheaper than the 55 gallon on your website. Sorry Mike.
Watched ur video on fuel wanna store gasoline in gravity tanks have lawn business 2 trucks 2 trailers mowers
what is the difference between red/offroad diesel & fuel oil? Nothing?
The massive fine the government will impose on you if your using it in your road vehicle !
Very good useful
It has nothing to do with being a farmer! It is either off-road or on road fuel. Your tractor is off-road use. You can use off-road fuel. Construction equipment, farm tractors etc are off road use. Trucks are on road use using the public roads so on road use tax is included.
Missouri does have DOT hazardous material regulations requirements for transporting fuel in commerce, which means a business and farming is a business. Be sure to check your States regulations before you start hauling your own fuel on the public highway. I know this because for 26 years I enforced those regulations.
Here's another tip for. Buy your fuel from a place that sells a lot of it, stay far away from mini marts. You'll buy old watered fuel.just saying.
I want one of those!
A downside of having a farm tank, it may make you a target of thieves.
Oldvideodude. Good point I remember my uncle catching someone doing just that. He held the person till the sheriff arrived. The funny thing is Memphis police had a warrant on them so they were turned over
…but we have firearms, and backhoes.
Fun fact: off road diesel is the same stuff that goes in your "oil" furnace in your house. They're both red dyed Diesel fuel.
Mike, where did you get a spout like that @ 00:55 ???
Came from a company called EZ-Pour. Right here it is: www.amazon.com/dp/B00YP3YTXM/?ref=exp_tractormike_dp_vv_d
@@TractorMike thank you.
Diesel does not ignite from a spark.
Gasoline can though, so it is best to not take the chance because someone might see your system and copy it except use gasoline.
Under 100 degrees diesel is considered a combustible. Over 100 degrees it can emit a flammable vapor which can ignite from a spark. In my climate it’s never a possibility.
I have a question about starting my bush hog. Should I rev the tractor up to PTO speed first, then engage the pto? Or engage the PTO at idle and then rev up to operating speed? I'm curious if there's a "right" way and whether its easier on the clutch.
David, here's a video I sort of did about that way back in 2016: ua-cam.com/video/1b0DddCyo1s/v-deo.html. Engaging at idle is hard on the tractor, engaging a full throttle put's a lot of stress on the cutter, I usually engage around 1400-1500 RPM and that seems to work best. I'm not sure I've ever seen that covered in any owner's manual.
Where I live I can just fill up at my local gas station with dyed (off-road) diesel.
I am like you. I have 2 tractors that I use on our property, but not enough to justify a large quantity of fuel on hand. I also like to keep fuel as fresh as possible.
Police have no authority to "dip your tank" unless you give them permission. It constitutes a search which you are protected from by the 4th amendment. Unless of course they can produce reasonable suspicion to perform such a search. The 5th amendment protects you from self incrimination also... Ie you do not have to assist a law enforcement officer who is attempting to hem you up.
What about off-road or Farm gasoline?
Camppatton Family Compound I asked about that in Tennessee, and they said there was too much cheating taxes going on and they don’t make it.
In Ohio, My dad had a gas tractor back in the 60’s and I thought he could buy red gas for that. He had a tank 500 gal, a company came out and filled ever 6 months or so.
Barrel or container on a pallet. Put it in the truck and go fill it up. One reason to buy forks.
Around here for the same supplier road fuel at the station is cheaper than delivered fuel, even with the road taxes. My furnace also uses no. 2.
Living in heavy snow country, I had to have enough fuel to blow myself out of a 3/8 mile long drive covered in deep drifts in the winter. I started with 4 5 gal cans, ended up at 8 5 gal cans and finally replaced the cans with a 40 gal, upright, plastic tank that rolled on two wheels, with two handles, like a two wheel hand truck. This solved all my problems. Roll the almost empty tank up ramps into the pickup. Fill at the gas station. Come home and unload the tank using the front end loader. Used an electric fuel pump to move fuel from the tank to the tractor. Enough fuel not to worry about getting snowed in, but little enough fuel it didn't get stale and the plastic tank didn't have a condensation problem.
Those diesel tanks are so expensive
I do the same as you do, Mike. I have three 5 Gal cans and I have one full one left in the shed. I'll soon go to the farm store and fill up with off road diesel for my Kubota L2501.