45 Gallon Fuel Bowser

[Puff]

I have an old Hardi BL sprayer out of which I've taken all the useful parts. That's left me with a tank frame that'll nicely take a 45 gallon/205 litre oil drum & is Cat1 to sit on the back of my compact tractor. Plan is to slip drum on its side in there and add a 3/4 BSP (I think it is) tap at the bottom. Simple enough but the question for the clever and ingenious amongst you is how best to create the filler? I could obviously use the 2" hole that is already there but I either have to upend the tank to fill it, then put a vent in or similarly leave it on its side to fill but not get so much in & put the vent back in. I can't seem to find any swan neck fillers or something like that so open to ideas or suggestions.

TBH 200l would last me a while but 20l jerry cans don't last quite so long and red diesel shop is 30 mins away

 

[Nearly]

2" bsp elbow.

 

[fiatf130]

Don't use galvanised fittings with diesel.

 

[Puff]

OK, there's a brass version available too. What can be added to it to create a suitable neck/funnel?

 

[Lazy Sod]

Don't use galvanised fittings with diesel.

Why not? I used a galvanised former TVO tank for diesel for 40 years.

 

[fiatf130]

Condensation in the tank and lines combine with sulfur in the fuel to produce sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid reacts with zinc in the galvanized coating and contaminates the fuel and can damage the injectors.

 

[Pond digger]

Condensation in the tank and lines combine with sulfur in the fuel to produce sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid reacts with zinc in the galvanized coating and contaminates the fuel and can damage the injectors.

I’d never heard the explanation, thanks.

 

[Old McDonald]

I have an old Hardi BL sprayer out of which I've taken all the useful parts. That's left me with a tank frame that'll nicely take a 45 gallon/205 litre oil drum & is Cat1 to sit on the back of my compact tractor. Plan is to slip drum on its side in there and add a 3/4 BSP (I think it is) tap at the bottom. Simple enough but the question for the clever and ingenious amongst you is how best to create the filler? I could obviously use the 2" hole that is already there but I either have to upend the tank to fill it, then put a vent in or similarly leave it on its side to fill but not get so much in & put the vent back in. I can't seem to find any swan neck fillers or something like that so open to ideas or suggestions.

TBH 200l would last me a while but 20l jerry cans don't last quite so long and red diesel shop is 30 mins away

Is it 30 mins on you compact, or in a vehicle with a 20L can?

I previously used a 205L drum, but now use 2x60L ex lubricating oil drums and carry them in my van (only allowed 2 seaters here if you want to reclaim VAT) because it is a reasonable quantity for a small place mainly in fruit and nut trees. It would be half an hour by tractor, but under 10mins by van.

The 60L drums have the usual filler of a 205L and I bought a small electric pump for tractor filling. I previously used a hand pump, not much trouble. 60L can be manhandled without too much trouble and I store them in a locked shed.

I have a low but constant use of fuel, but if yours is seasonal then your fuel would not be stored for too long if you had only one 60L filled for the "off" season. In fact a single 60L might be all you need.

 

[TripleSix]

I'd weld one of these onto the side of the drum for a filler.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/302561378708

 

[Puff]

I'd weld one of these onto the side of the drum for a filler.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/302561378708

OMG - that is perfect! Straight onto the top and job done

 

[Puff]

Is it 30 mins on you compact, or in a vehicle with a 20L can?

I previously used a 205L drum, but now use 2x60L ex lubricating oil drums and carry them in my van (only allowed 2 seaters here if you want to reclaim VAT) because it is a reasonable quantity for a small place mainly in fruit and nut trees. It would be half an hour by tractor, but under 10mins by van.

The 60L drums have the usual filler of a 205L and I bought a small electric pump for tractor filling. I previously used a hand pump, not much trouble. 60L can be manhandled without too much trouble and I store them in a locked shed.

I have a low but constant use of fuel, but if yours is seasonal then your fuel would not be stored for too long if you had only one 60L filled for the "off" season. In fact a single 60L might be all you need.

Unfortunately its about 25/30 mins each way by vehicle and whilst sometimes 20l will last a while, sometimes it doesn't and means scheduling an hour out of the day to go get. I like the idea of the 60l drums, should have thought of that but I have the drum/tap etc now. I'll put the bowser on a wee trailer when I need to go fill up.

 

[Highland Mule]

Why not just leave the 205 drum upright? Then you have a filler and a vent already available and no need to weld anything.

 

[Puff]

The drum is going to sit in the space where the sprayer tank used to reside and that is horizontal. Putting it there so that I can move it around simply with the tractor.

 

[Highland Mule]

The drum is going to sit in the space where the sprayer tank used to reside and that is horizontal. Putting it there so that I can move it around simply with the tractor.

I suspect you may be easier modifying the frame than the tank - for one thing, the frame doesn't have to be leak tight, and the tank has a nice coupling on its end face for filling/ emptying. You could even get an off the shelf hand pump to transfer out.

Edit, I see from your avatar what the tank looks like, and I understand why you want to go that way, but I still think upright would be easier overall.

 

[tomlad]

Dont think id want to try a fuel tight weld onto a 45
Maybe some are thicker than outhers ?
That fuel cap is cool , but were would you fit it .

 

[Mur Huwcun]

Obviously you have a 205ltr barrel but have you considered an ex hgv fuel tank? Will have a filler neck already and will be of much better construction

 

[Highland Mule]

Thinking about this more, why would you not just buy half a dozen 20litre jerry cans and fill them all up at a time? No messing with trailers, easy stock rotation, minimal cost, etc.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/German-A...hash=item23bd37d14f:m:myeSzyp6x4fp2bysPDhozDQ

5 for £60, job done.

 

[Netherfield]

Or search for another drum to use, I made something similar 30+ years ago, got a drum from the oil supplier which had a 2" bung in the side.

 

[Old McDonald]

I'd weld one of these onto the side of the drum for a filler.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/302561378708

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED JUST CUTTING EX FUEL TANKS.
WELDING IS NOT TO BE RECOMMENDED.

Sorry, but I had to raise the point. Tanks can and do explode.