IBC Tank for Diesel

reilig

I have a round metal 300 gallon diesel tank. Its been on the farm for the last 40 years. It was kept in a shed - so it never really rusted. The lorry driver that delivers my diesel has advised me that I need to think about upgrading to a new tank and use an "in-line" fuel filter on the hose. (The company that he works for doesn't sell tanks, so his advice isn't for his own gain). He says that the new diesel strips the dirt off everything in storage tanks and in the tanks of the tractors. The metal tank would have a lot of gunk stuck to its sides from 40 years of use.

I am thinking of using a 1000l IBC. I got 4 of them free from a factory that I did some work in. They had stored oil which was used for cooling in components. I can buy the tap connectors and the hose for it. I plan on putting it inside a shed and insulating around it. Does anyone use an IBC for diesel storage?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

whelan1

my husband stores the diesel for the lorry in 2 ibc tanks - 1000litres, he has a meter for filling the lorry that runs off a battery, the ibc tanks are on the ground and he doesnt have any insulation around them . He is happy with them , only problem is the price of the diesel

bbam

I know a house that has been using one for Kerosene for last 10 years with no problems... I'd say the outlet would need a bracketed to support where you connect the hose, sooner or later someone wil pull it too hard and I'd be afraiid of it cracking at the outlet...

vanderbadger

i think the beauty of them for diesel is that you could potentially stick one in any corner of a shed and get a little 12v pump and use it to fill so as whelan says you dont need a platform or anything like that for them..

pakalasa

I've used one for the last 5 years or so. I fill it into smaller drums and then pour into tractor. It was fine at first but then the tap started to leak. There's an o-ring on the tap that came out and broke up. When I screw on the cap it stops it leaking but messy when using. I intended using the tank as a short term thing but it's still there.
The IBC's are good though in that you can see the level from outside. When they're empty too, easy to see any dirt in the bottom.
With so much diesel stolen these days, is it worth spending a lot on storing big quantities?

LostCovey

pakalasa wrote: »

I've used one for the last 5 years or so. I fill it into smaller drums and then pour into tractor. It was fine at first but then the tap started to leak. There's an o-ring on the tap that came out and broke up. When I screw on the cap it stops it leaking but messy when using. I intended using the tank as a short term thing but it's still there.
The IBC's are good though in that you can see the level from outside. When they're empty too, easy to see any dirt in the bottom.
With so much diesel stolen these days, is it worth spending a lot on storing big quantities?

I see more and more neighbours buying ag diesel by the 5 gal drum, I imagine thats exactly why. Unless you are burning a lot of it, a full tank is just a huge temptation & a liability.

lakill Farm

Reilig, when we bought our house the last owners were using a ibc tank for kero. I installed a new heating oil tank inside in the garage (out of sight out of mind)

I uused the ibc tank for holding old silage wrap. But when i cut the plastic tank out the plasic was brittle and had warped in the cage.

So although i have not used the ibc tank myself, i suggest the following.

Store it inside ( i say the sunlight had an effect on the plastic)
Put it onto a platform ( even a few pallet)
Put a wheelbarrow of washed sand under it. (to soak any slips)

blue5000

lakill Farm wrote: »

Reilig, when we bought our house the last owners were using a ibc tank for kero. I installed a new heating oil tank inside in the garage (out of sight out of mind)

I uused the ibc tank for holding old silage wrap. But when i cut the plastic tank out the plasic was brittle and had warped in the cage.

So although i have not used the ibc tank myself, i suggest the following.

Store it inside ( i say the sunlight had an effect on the plastic)
Put it onto a platform ( even a few pallet)
Put a wheelbarrow of washed sand under it. (to soak any slips)

I think algae can grow in the new diesel, so an IBC will have to be kept in the dark.

emaherx

blue5000 wrote: »

I think algae can grow in the new diesel, so an IBC will have to be kept in the dark.

I agree totaly, I'd be more concerned about the effects of sunlight on the diesel than the IBC itself.

whelan1

emaherx wrote: »

I agree totaly, I'd be more concerned about the effects of sunlight on the diesel than the IBC itself.

in our situation my husband goes through 1000 litres a week so its not an issue but although the tanks hold 1000litres doesnt mean that you have to get 1000 litres in a go iykwim

martin46585

Also available in a black plastic version which is best if diesel is to be stored for a prolonged length of time, but if you already have the clear version, then a coat of black paint, or you could tried putting a film or silage wrap around it,

Never know might even fool a thief Into thinking it's a "round" bale..

poor farmer

reilig wrote: »

I have a round metal 300 gallon diesel tank. Its been on the farm for the last 40 years. It was kept in a shed - so it never really rusted. The lorry driver that delivers my diesel has advised me that I need to think about upgrading to a new tank and use an "in-line" fuel filter on the hose. (The company that he works for doesn't sell tanks, so his advice isn't for his own gain). He says that the new diesel strips the dirt off everything in storage tanks and in the tanks of the tractors. The metal tank would have a lot of gunk stuck to its sides from 40 years of use.

I am thinking of using a 1000l IBC. I got 4 of them free from a factory that I did some work in. They had stored oil which was used for cooling in components. I can buy the tap connectors and the hose for it. I plan on putting it inside a shed and insulating around it. Does anyone use an IBC for diesel storage?


Any feedback would be appreciated.

I wouldn't write off the metal tank yet ,what about draining it and washing it out with a steam cleaner
I replaced a metal tank with a proper plastic one (carbury)
Now ten years on cracks have formed in the sides of it and my oil delivery
man will only half it ,he is afraid it will collapse
Plastic tanks were supposed to be bees knees.

reilig

poor farmer wrote: »

I wouldn't write off the metal tank yet ,what about draining it and washing it out with a steam cleaner
I replaced a metal tank with a proper plastic one (carbury)
Now ten years on cracks have formed in the sides of it and my oil delivery
man will only half it ,he is afraid it will collapse
Plastic tanks were supposed to be bees knees.

The diesel supplier recommends upgrading from the metal tank. He says that the new diesel will develop a scum in the old metal tank, no matter how you try to clean it or how many times you clean it. Its a reaction between the old metal and the new type of diesel. (Newer diesel tanks might be more suitable).


Thanks for the info guys.
I'm going to try the tank for 1000l in the next fill anyway and see how it does.

pakalasa

Just a warning to all of you using IBC's for storing diesel. Mine finally gave up and leaked all the diesel out. Luckily, I had less than an inch left.
Like I said above there is an o-ring in the tap that seems to expand in the diesel. Once that goes, it will leak. Be warned !!

vanderbadger

pakalasa wrote: »

Just a warning to all of you using IBC's for storing diesel. Mine finally gave up and leaked all the diesel out. Luckily, I had less than an inch left.
Like I said above there is an o-ring in the tap that seems to expand in the diesel. Once that goes, it will leak. Be warned !!

stoke of luck there that you hadnt it filled

pakalasa

Yep. I was putting the minimum amount (250 Lts) in when filling anyway, as I was afraid of it leaking or being stole.

1chippy

1000 litres reilig delivered in leitrim. i'll be down that way next week delivering stairs if you could be a bit more specific it would be handier to collect, i,m gettin sick of following oil trucks.:D
p.s. reminder to me: could be disguised as round bale.

NewBeefFarmer

I know someone having trouble with condensation on the inside of the tank, leading to water in with diesel?
maybe someone can confirm this, or how to avoid it.

hoseman

NewBeefFarmer wrote: »

I know someone having trouble with condensation on the inside of the tank, leading to water in with diesel?
maybe someone can confirm this, or how to avoid it.

Was told one time,to fill your machine after the days work as then you cannot get condensation in the tank,especially in frosty weather.

td5man

hoseman wrote: »

Was told one time,to fill your machine after the days work as then you cannot get condensation in the tank,especially in frosty weather.

Correct.

49801

Been thinking about getting a fuel tank off of a crashed truck for here. Normally only use 100l per month so only getting 300l at a time.

hoseman

49801 wrote: »

Been thinking about getting a fuel tank off of a crashed truck for here. Normally only use 100l per month so only getting 300l at a time.

use approx the same amount here,stopped storing diesel on farm,drive to local fuel merchant and get it there once a month approx.less to get robbed.

grange mac

poor farmer wrote: »

I wouldn't write off the metal tank yet ,what about draining it and washing it out with a steam cleaner
I replaced a metal tank with a proper plastic one (carbury)
Now ten years on cracks have formed in the sides of it and my oil delivery
man will only half it ,he is afraid it will collapse
Plastic tanks were supposed to be bees knees.

Carbery had a huge issue about 7 years ago with cracks in there tanks. Root cause was a incorrect/faulty ingredient. They had to replace hundreds of them...still causing problems with tanks made around that time...ring them and discuss with them contributing towards replacment cost.

reilig

pakalasa wrote: »

Just a warning to all of you using IBC's for storing diesel. Mine finally gave up and leaked all the diesel out. Luckily, I had less than an inch left.
Like I said above there is an o-ring in the tap that seems to expand in the diesel. Once that goes, it will leak. Be warned !!

Was it the white o rings that came with the tank that you used? I bought my tank fittings from my diesel supplier and they gave me specific o rings for it which are a black rubber type. The hose also has a tap on it which the supplier advised to use always as back up.

We go through about 200l of green diesel per month and about 300l of white diesel. I get her filled from the one supplier all the time and he is always a couple of cents cheaper than I have seen it at the cheapest pump.

Anyone is welcome to come on down to see can they take some. First, you'll have to find the tanks as they are locked inside a steel tank which is locked inside a closed shed.

Then you'll have to get permission from the lady of the house . . . . . .

Conflats

We use 3 blue barrels that you get acid in, cleaned them out with steam cleaner and let dry for about a month, then got a transfer pump in Aldi for cheap money never had any problems but only downside is pump needs to be primed but cheap in the dark storage and most lads wouldn't think of checking them as we have 2 barrels left beside them with some acid in them to trick them

pakalasa

reilig wrote: »

Was it the white o rings that came with the tank that you used? I bought my tank fittings from my diesel supplier and they gave me specific o rings for it which are a black rubber type. The hose also has a tap on it which the supplier advised to use always as back up.

It was the red coloured o-ring on the big ball valve, on the tank itself. You can't get at this. I had no hose on the tank, just filling into a smaller barrell.

reilig

pakalasa wrote: »

It was the red coloured o-ring on the big ball valve, on the tank itself. You can't get at this. I had no hose on the tank, just filling into a smaller barrell.

O rings on the ball valves in mine are black. Tanks were used for holding cooling oil for Electricity Transformers previously. I assume they had to have a certain standard of leak protection to store oil in comparison to some of the IBC's which are used for storing food ingredients?

pms7

Different question!
Are people getting old or new diesel?
Thought were getting new, washed tank + put in filter, found out lately companies are back to suppling old diesel as cheaper...
They said new law not being enforced!

pakalasa

reilig wrote: »

O rings on the ball valves in mine are black. Tanks were used for holding cooling oil for Electricity Transformers previously. I assume they had to have a certain standard of leak protection to store oil in comparison to some of the IBC's which are used for storing food ingredients?

I'd still be wary of them. As far as I know, all these IBC's are meant for once off use only. I don't think the valves are designed for continous open and closing. The o-ring kind of rolls out of it's groove.

reilig

pakalasa wrote: »

I'd still be wary of them. As far as I know, all these IBC's are meant for once off use only. I don't think the valves are designed for continous open and closing. The o-ring kind of rolls out of it's groove.

I will be. The hose with the tap and filler spout kind of offers triple protection.

49801

i've an ibc for filling the sprayer.... the handle snapped off.

JohnBoy

I'd say if you're gonna use an IBC for something important run a short hose to a proper valve mounted to the metal frame and leave the IBC valve open all the time, removes the risk of relying on a plastic valve that's not designed for long term use.

enricoh

i've been using an ibc for about 8 years now n no problems. i've it in a container so the sun algae bit isnt an issue. i bolted a hand pump into the cap on the top and pump away.
an electric pump would be handier though!