Remote gas tank for garden tractor?

[PCustoms]

Well with 12" of snow forecast I figure it's a good time to fix the blower/tractor I haven't run since last winter.

Summary: Gas tank is shot, cracked in a few places and leaking from the bottom. New tanks are NLA or more $ then worth (30 ye old Toro poorly maintained/beat previosly). Need options for remote gas tank.


Tried a few things to repair:

-gas safe permatex around the bung got me through last winter, cracked expanded over summer
- tried threading in a brass npt fitting. Planned to drill and tap, but a 3/8" fitting screwed into the hole. Leaked overnight. Not enough wall thickness to drill/tap for larger.
-gooped the above fitting up with gas safe epoxy and threaded it back in, have my doubts about trying it today.


Couple options I see for remote tank:

-5 gallon outboard motor tank. Will Kohler fuel pump pull up the pickup tube? Tank is about 8" deep, port is on top. I can mount this higher.
-3 gallon gas can with brass fitting installed in bottom. Plan is bushing from inside can, metal washer, gasket, can, gasket, washer, elbow to barb.

Any easy options I am missing?

 

[larry4406]

Rather than tap the thin wall of the existing tank, can you install a bulkhead fitting that seals to the tank?

 

[PCustoms]

Rather than tap the thin wall of the existing tank, can you install a bulkhead fitting that seals to the tank?

Geometry makes it hard plus there's other cracks with the tank. Rather not out time/money into fixing it to have it dump out again in a month

 

[lardy1]

Plastic gas tanks in northern climes *****.

 

[Jazz1]

2 gallon cruise a day, or get a small compressor tank and alter to fuel tank. Frequently see small broken compressors at scrapyard. I repaired leaking seam on my tractors fuel tank with JB WELD

 

[PCustoms]

Well old tank and epoxy failed, epoxy flaked off.

Outboard motor tank was just too big (6 gallon) to fit anywhere.

Ended up drilling the 3 gallon gas can and threading a 3/8 NPT bushing from the inside. Backed it up with a fender washer (drilled the ID to fit tight to threads) and permatex gasoline gasket.

This can was thick wall and I got some solid threads, but since I am belt and suspenders when it come to things that catch fire I backed it up on the outside with a gasket, washer and tee. Just need a plug and it should work!

 

[PCustoms]

2 gallon cruise a day, or get a small compressor tank and alter to fuel tank. Frequently see small broken compressors at scrapyard. I repaired leaking seam on my tractors fuel tank with JB WELD

I think the old tank was saturated with gas/oIL and nothing was going to stick to it.

Also thought of the comp tank idea, but didn't find anything appropriate this weekend. A hydronic expansion tank might have worked as well.

 

[Jazz1]

I think the old tank was saturated with gas/oIL and nothing was going to stick to it.

Also thought of the comp tank idea, but didn't find anything appropriate this weekend. A hydronic expansion tank might have worked as well.

I've seen 2 gallon marine cruise a day or there is this 1 gallon tank. Appears same shape as the fuel tank on my SS16 only smaller

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07TTNCWLK/?tag=atomicindus04-20

 

[Jay H 237]

To be honest, if that Toro is actually a Wheel Horse I'd be worth it to fix it up some, parts are out there. They don't make good garden tractors built like that anymore. Ebay has some used parts too if you're not in a rush and keep watching.

 

[MattT]

Something like this might work better than a bubba'd gas jug.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MRFNDS9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[PCustoms]

To be honest, if that Toro is actually a Wheel Horse I'd be worth it to fix it up some, parts are out there. They don't make good garden tractors built like that anymore. Ebay has some used parts too if you're not in a rush and keep watching.

It is a wheel horse, but not the old solid ones. Dad had picked this up lightly used in 2000, I kept up the maint (as I mowed the lawn) until 2010 or so. Didn't realize how neglected it had become when I offered to buy it last fall.

Had to go through and replace stripped steering last year, while i had it torn down i did new drive belt and re-did the electrical that he had wirenutted back together after a safety switch failed.

Blower needs new chain and sprocket and looks like hell from blowing gravel. Hood is cracked and missing chunks. Seat is shot, rear tires are oozing slime and the front needs a valve stem.

It's been well used. I didn't even mention the mowing deck. I need this to get through this winter.