Here is an idea I was thinking of for next winter I would like everyone to shout out any flaws they see in it.

-Use a home heating oil tank stored inside my garage. Maybe 275 gallons or more. With an electric fuel pump.

-Purchase a full load during late summer when diesel prices are low and mix with Power Service Winter fuel additive.

-This would be #2 diesel (the good stuff) with Power Service to prevent gelling.

-Save that fuel for when winter diesel prices go through the roof (like they are now)

Hoping to save money 3 ways:
1. buying fuel at cheaper price in summer
2. using additive instead of winter diesel mix (is even cheaper)
3. Better mpg because it is #2 instead of winter fuel.

Anyone see any holes in this idea?
Will the fuel go bad sitting for 4,5, even 6 months?

Will the power service additive be enough to prevent gelling in #2?

Will the power service stay mixed over long periods?

Would storing the tank outside be absolutely out of the question?

Any other negatives?


** I know my startup price ( tank and pump) will be expensive but it will be convenient.

By the way has anyone already tried this or something similar? Farmers or big equipment companies? pros & cons?

yaeh, i had the same idea. sounds feasable, let me know what the tank costs?:)

I'm not sure how much additive you need to mix with that much fuel but, it could get expensive. Also by mixing the additive I think that would make it winter fuel therefore your mpg would go down anyway. I'm not sure on that just my .02.

I have a 500 gal tank, the regulations are nuts here, you need dbl wall tank, 40' from buildings,:blahblah: , the cost to fill it last Friday- 400 gal @ 2.12 with a soy oil blend. I like the ability to blend my own, I do let them blend for winter- don't want a tank full of -:t but its the december , january fills, the march fill is less #1 and then the may fill is #2, all with soy oil added, I have a filter on the pump and change that every 1000 gallons. Just a word to the wise if it is not done right and the Insurance man finds out you could be dropped. , BTW it's 2.30 at the pump today.

I'd just fill that tank in your garage with off road fuel.:muahaha:

Run it year round, just get a locking gas cap so no-one just accidently dips your tank!;)

J-HEFF

I'd just fill that tank in your garage with off road fuel.:muahaha:

Run it year round, just get a locking gas cap so no-one just accidently dips your tank!;)

J-HEFF

Not to get off topic but, if the D.O.T wants to dip in your tank they are gonna. Regardless of a locking fuel cap.

You are correct, I've just seen some people pull into truck stops and farm headquaters and pull samples on rigs that were parked with no one around, I wasn't aware that they could legaly do this but apparently they can??? But your point is well taken ozzy.:)

J-HEFF

You are correct, I've just seen some people pull into truck stops and farm headquaters and pull samples on rigs that were parked with no one around, I wasn't aware that they could legaly do this but apparently they can??? But your point is well taken ozzy.:)

J-HEFF


No I misunderstood. I didn't know they were out there pulling samples when no one was around that isn't right. Not sure if it's illegal but, it sounds like it to me.

sorry.

"Would storing the tank outside be absolutely out of the question?"

why store it inside, put it outside where it belongs. get an approved tank to keep water out.

why use home heating tank and limit your self to 275 gal, get ahold of any fuel supplier and get a approved fuel tank, 500 or 1000 gal with manual or electric pump.

"Will the fuel go bad sitting for 4,5, even 6 months?"
No, but keep the water out, keep fill cap closed ect.

" Will the power service additive be enough to prevent gelling in #2?"
that all depends on temp and keep the water trap drained

"Any other negatives?"

what would your insurance man say if you had a fire or large fuel spill, city/county laws!!! permits required????

if you really want to save money, buy red fuel, no road tax!!! but dont get caught by the tax man!!!!!!!

No I misunderstood. I didn't know they were out there pulling samples when no one was around that isn't right. Not sure if it's illegal but, it sounds like it to me.

sorry.
I was at work one day a couple years ago and a little white truck pulled into the yard, I just happened to be fueling equipment, he came over and said he was the IRS complince officer and was going to pull some samples, explained that since we used red fuel he could check any thing he wanted but I was welcome to come along, we checked every on road desiel in the lot and passed, one pickup was a little pink but he passed it, I belive he sais it was a 5000.00 fine for each truck with red fuel and 1 cup of dyed fuel would take months to clear out of the system, that was his only job, drive around and look for tanks!

We have a 1000 gallon tank for clear that we filled at $1.75 in january. Bulk price like that (off the little delivery truck) was 20 cents cheaper than at the pump. We also have a 6000 gallon tank that we just had a tankerload of red dropped in the other day for $1.66.(we have about a 30 cent road tax). Should have gotten it earlier in the year when it was lower... At the pump here right now is $2.10... It's cheaper the more they can sell you, the tankerload is cheapest... If it is legal where you are to use a big tank, go talk to the local coop or whatever and see about getting a tank and fuel from them. Some places will even provide the tank if you buy enough fuel, but it doesn't sound like you use that much.

I was at work one day a couple years ago and a little white truck pulled into the yard, I just happened to be fueling equipment, he came over and said he was the IRS complince officer and was going to pull some samples, explained that since we used red fuel he could check any thing he wanted but I was welcome to come along, we checked every on road desiel in the lot and passed, one pickup was a little pink but he passed it, I belive he sais it was a 5000.00 fine for each truck with red fuel and 1 cup of dyed fuel would take months to clear out of the system, that was his only job, drive around and look for tanks!
Don't believe everything that government officials tell you.;)

I have a 300 gal. tank in my yard.Oil man comes fills house with heating oil then backs up and fills tank and calls it offroad fuel.I dont think you can cut fuel cheaper than you can buy it cut.But Ive never tried it.

i dont see a problem but every satae is different on regulations,in north carolina as long as it is under 500 gallons no retaining walls needed,not sure if the additives will change the over all perfroamnce or not

S-Moe

I don't know why your idea wouldn't work as long as it has conditioner mixed with it. I farm in Tennessee and diesel's high here, but im wonderin what all the row-croppers do that are in the central U.S. It's ridiculous here so i know its god awful out there. If any croppers see this i would like too know how you produce good enough yields to cover rising diesel cost.

i dont see a problem but every satae is different on regulations,in north carolina as long as it is under 500 gallons no retaining walls needed,not sure if the additives will change the over all perfroamnce or not
Put the Schaeffer's fuel additive in the summer fuel and it's good down around -30 plus give it better mpg and performance.

I never run cut fuel in winter, put a good additive in and go.

I store 1000 gal in 'on ground' tank w/ electric pump and am getting ready to sell 3 250-300 gal. overhead tanks because they are a pain to fill and dispense.

Is your garage heated? Having a climate controlled (dry) environment would be best. You'd definitely want a dryer type vent. www.avlube.com has them.

I'd look to buy #2 on road diesel, and treat well with a good additive like FPPF or Primrose. I do not use Power Service.

I'm looking at adding a 300 gallon skid tank to make filling my garden and utility tractor easier, and provide super clean filtered fuel.

In St. Cloud, MN there is a CO-OP that sells gas and diesel futures. You can buy ahead when prices are low. That way you get fresh fuel all the time if you hit the prices right.

If he thinks that one cup of dyed fuel lasts that long he's smoking crack. I sometimes have to fill up on the jobsite :) "HAVE TO" and I changed my fuel filter within two tanks of the red stuff and couldn't see any trace of red in the fuel. Now the filter was a little red inside when I cut it open, but I doubt they're going to be that crazy about it.

Dmax Tim

So would you say that it is cheaper that way to cut the fuel yourself for the winter?

How quickly do you use up your 1000 gallons? More than just one pickup truck?

What is the coldest temps you see where you live? I am in MA and I worry about the fuel gelling if the tank was outside.

I am not that concerned right now with the regulations around here, because I will research that later. I am thinking more about what I can actually save in $$$.

I DON'T cut fuel, a good additive like Schaeffers will take care of the gelling, so u have summer fuel year round.
I have 2 tanks one onroad the other offroad for my farm/construction stuff.

We've had <-20* and weeks of below 0*.

A farmer friend has an outside fuel oil tank for his house and BP fills everything up w/ farm fuel, one day he came to get us to help him because his 'BP supreme' gelled at -20* and no heat in house.
After some tarps and heaters we got it warmed up and mixed the Scheaffers in, he didn't have anymore trouble plus it got colder later in the same week.

Our regs only effect over 1000 gal. tanks.

Is there any difference performance wise in off road diesel and regular #2?? Just wondering.. I thought the dye was the only difference...

Your right, the dye is the only difference. Too bad too, if the sulfur content was really higher it might be worth the risk

Our regs are for 500 Gallons as well. Basicly, anything past 1,000 gallons requires a wall of sorts. However, you can put a 1,000 Gallon tank on a trailer and just let it sit.....

Another thing to think about that I haven't seen mentioned is if you have a mortgage on your home the mortgage holder may have a provision saying you can't store hazardous chemicals. We just bought our home last summer and one of the billion signature pages was one declaring we would not store any hazardous chemicals on site. I asked and according to their rules anything over 50 gallons of diesel fuel was considered hazardous (I didn't ask about the ~150 gallons of vegetable oil I usually have sitting around). Supposedly that is an anti-meth lab provision, but I am not sure how much diesel fuel has to do with a meth lab. Just something else to consider...