Storing fuel

[jkwilson]

Well I wasn't careful enough and cost myself $20 in Diesel fuel plus the cost of a fuel can last night.

I'm pretty careful about flammables and ignition sources. I have a shed for hay that has no electricity and I store my fuel cans under the overhang in there. Typically have 15-25 gallons of Diesel, 10 gallons of gas and 20 gallons of kerosene max. Also usually have a few gallons of paint thinner, acetone and similar flammable solvents around too.

I got in a hurry last night trying to put hay out for my cows and I caught a can of Diesel with the tractor wheel. Blew the nozzle off and it was soaking into the gravel before I could get off.

I've thought over the years about a storage "shed" for flammables. I don't need more fuel on hand than I mentioned above, and I only use a significant amount of fuel during a one or two week period in the summer when I'm making hay, so the storage loss for bulk tanks makes them a poor option.

Thought about a small shed where the whole roof is hinged. I think I'd want more insulation and fire protection/containment than a plastic yard shed would provide. Maybe block walls 5 blocks high with sand poured into the blocks and a white insulated lid/roof?

Anybody do anything similar or have thoughts?

 

[matt_i]

metal flammable cabinet?

Of course that won't stand up to a tractor.

 

[csp]

Buy it as you need it instead of storing? I can see having fuel on hand in the summer to save a trip for fuel, but why now?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Hmm... Fuels stored in a hay shed...

Can't see any possible issues there...

 

[jkwilson]

Hmm... Fuels stored in a hay shed...

Can't see any possible issues there...

Better there where there are no sources of ignition and it's 100 feet from any other structure than in the shop. If the hay lights, the building is gone regardless of how much fuel is there.

 

[jkwilson]

Buy it as you need it instead of storing? I can see having fuel on hand in the summer to save a trip for fuel, but why now?

I use as much in the winter as the summer. Since my tractor holds 25 gallons of Diesel, my Bobcat holds 13 gallons and I like to have some gas on hand for power outages, that's really bare minimum. Probably enough to clear my drive a couple of times and still have enough on hand to feed my cows. Big machines use fuel quickly. I probably use 5 gallons a month in my ATV.

 

[rlitman]

Better there where there are no sources of ignition and it's 100 feet from any other structure than in the shop. If the hay lights, the building is gone regardless of how much fuel is there.

I'm with you. The hay is no more of a fuel source than the rest of the fuel. It all goes well together...

As for a shed, I'd recommend a lean-to instead. The biggest risk in storing flammables is vapor ignition. If you can keep it in the shade, and in an area where vapors cannot accumulate, you'll be safe. Adding that fourth wall can trap vapors.

 

[BD1]

I would consider a fuel storage tank. Check with fuel suppliers, you might get the tank rent free for getting Diesel from them. Plus, NO ROAD TAX on off road fuel.

 

[csp]

Big machines use fuel quickly.

Yes they do. I feed a few big machines myself and have many of the same uses (hay, feeding cows and snow removal). I asked because summer use is what was originally mentioned.

I have a fuel tank in my pickup bed for such uses (offroad fuel) and throw a gas can in the bed when I need gasoline and am going in to town.

 

[rlitman]

Well, a 55 gallon drum might suit his needs for diesel, but kerosene doesn't store nearly as well, and gasoline in a bulk tank is a headache not even worth considering.
And the savings are not that great. Besides, if you keep receipts, you can get reimbursed the road tax for off-road fuel usage on your tax return.

 

[jkwilson]

I would consider a fuel storage tank. Check with fuel suppliers, you might get the tank rent free for getting Diesel from them. Plus, NO ROAD TAX on off road fuel.

I already get the fuel with no road tax at a place less than two miles from home. At the volume I use, I don't think I want to deal with a tank and the problems with condensation and rust.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Better there where there are no sources of ignition and it's 100 feet from any other structure than in the shop. If the hay lights, the building is gone regardless of how much fuel is there.

The TRACTOR isn't a possible source of ignition?
Decomposing hay can self combust (I will admit it's very rare) but seriously, you do have a very good point.

Tommy

 

[T_R]

Metal drums with a drum pump. If 55 Gallons is too big you can get 25 or so too.

 

[dave89iroc]

Metal drums with a drum pump. If 55 Gallons is too big you can get 25 or so too.

i think the size down from 55 gallon is 30 gallon

 

[redmondjp]

Metal drums with a drum pump. If 55 Gallons is too big you can get 25 or so too.

Yup. My grandfather did this for decades out on the farm. He had a 275 gallon tank for gasoline (which he probably never fully filled), as well as a 55 gallon drum for diesel, both with hand pumps on them.

But this was in the 1950s - 1990s, well before they were using alcohol in gas and biodiesel in diesel fuels. He never had fuel go bad on him as far as I know. In 2002 we went out to the farm and got all of the equipment ready for sale at the nearby auction - the diesel tractor had sat for at least 10 years in the barn without being touched - the diesel in the tank was still clear and there was no sign of water, rust, or algae. With only a new battery, that tractor started up so fast that it scared me!

Today, I would only try to do bulk storage with alcohol-free gas, or diesel treated with a biocide.

 

[HOTFR8]

Well I wasn't careful enough and cost myself $20 in Diesel fuel plus the cost of a fuel can last night.

I'm pretty careful about flammables and ignition sources. I have a shed for hay that has no electricity and I store my fuel cans under the overhang in there. Typically have 15-25 gallons of Diesel, 10 gallons of gas and 20 gallons of kerosene max. Also usually have a few gallons of paint thinner, acetone and similar flammable solvents around too.

I got in a hurry last night trying to put hay out for my cows and I caught a can of Diesel with the tractor wheel. Blew the nozzle off and it was soaking into the gravel before I could get off.

I've thought over the years about a storage "shed" for flammables. I don't need more fuel on hand than I mentioned above, and I only use a significant amount of fuel during a one or two week period in the summer when I'm making hay, so the storage loss for bulk tanks makes them a poor option.

Thought about a small shed where the whole roof is hinged. I think I'd want more insulation and fire protection/containment than a plastic yard shed would provide. Maybe block walls 5 blocks high with sand poured into the blocks and a white insulated lid/roof?

Anybody do anything similar or have thoughts?

Having seen many Hay Stack Fires over the years I can tell you that is not a good place. I can say you have answered your own question. You need a small fuel storage shed. A small metal shed would be OK. Fuel needs to be out of the weather and away from any moisture.

Oh spilt fuel near a hay stack is asking for trouble.

 

[mebuildit]

I use to store race fuel in drums. I installed a copper rod very deep in the ground and grounded the drum. Kept everything away from it and kept it in the corner.
Later I found out that if something would of happened my insurance company would not of covered the damages. So check with your insurance company before you do anything.

 

[kbs2244]

I have seen "blow out walls" on industrial buildings.
They are, on purpose, built with no fasteners to the structural iron work, so they blow open if there is any inside the building explosion.
It does 2 things.
It protects the strength of the structure and it give the fire department easy access to the explosion site.
For your case, I think a heavily built roof just sitting on, but not fastened to, the walls would work.
Heavy enough that the wind doesn't blow it off, but it will act like a fuse to direct any explosive force straight up.

 

[mike_dmt]

I like the lean-to or shed roof suggestions myself.

Sounds like you go through enough fuel, that the product won't really be stored as much as used when you run a little low and replenished.

Maybe some drums of what you use the most, with hand pumps. Keep the others in cans.


I agree with the "away from the hay" philosophy. Granted, a fire is a fire.

But a fire with cans of fuel close by turns into, a fire is an explosion really fast.

just my .02c, I'd keep my fuel stores somewhere "safely" away from anything important.

 

[Dustball]

How about a metal shed like this one?