Above-ground diesel/gasoline tank

I've been mulling the idea of buying fuel in bulk and having it delivered, filling up a tank on my own property (probably a few hundred gallon tank). This way I can fill up my own vehicles and hopefully save me some dollars per gallon if I buy the fuel in bulk. The reason for such an idea is that I've been looking at some properties for purchase as my primary residence, some of which have large detached garages where an above ground tank could easily be hidden behind the building and be a good use of the space.

I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of this idea, but I think it makes financial sense and I would do it if feasible.

I've heard that diesel "spoils" with age and biocide additives are needed to prevent the growth of bacteria/fungi. I need to research this and see how long fuel can keep vs my expected usage and factoring the cost of biocides. I'm not sure if gasoline would need this as well.

Anyone have experience with such a concept? I know farmers do this for diesel powered tractors etc... but I'm wondering if such a thing would be permitted on a residential property. I know this would all be subject to local code, but If anyone has experience with this, please comment. Thanks.

Before you buy anything I suggest you call a few fuel suppliers in your area and see what your cost would be. The savings is usually small, if there is any at all...and you get the liability of a fuel tank on the property.

DITTO, big time. Plus don't forget the DEC idiots that I'm sure would have to get involved SEQUER or something like that--

I don't know about where you live, but where I live an exterior tank requires special everything... a wall around it in case it leaks 37 yrs from now, monitoring, insurance, inspections. It's just not worth it unless you are using it to make a profit somehow. Yes, a homeowner can sneak one in....but if it ever, ever causes a problem, your insurance company will vomit, then shut you off.

That being said....if it is inside then you are allowed a maximum of three, 330 gallon tanks. Two plumbed together, one plumbed separately.

Yeah if I were to do that, I'd have to do it 100% on my own ... because if the state got wind of it, I'd be paying for upgrades & permits that would put Trump in the poorhouse. Then good luck finding someone to fill it. Diesel isn't a problem, because you can easily get a load of #2 delivered ... but gasoline is a whole other ballgame. Doubt any carrier would take the risk of delivering to a tank that isn't "legal".

I get around that with a 55 gallon drum. I'd buy several, but I can't afford to buy another barrel let alone fill more than one.

Farmers have tanks for diesel because they can buy off road diesel for their tractors and not pay road taxes. Get caught with off road in your truck and the taxes will seem very cheap compared to the fine. Off road is dyed red.

Also, it is a pain to drive the tractor to the filling station.

It is more a case of convenience, not cost.

I burn "on road" in my backhoe even though it "doesn't go down the road". I do on occasion drive it 700 feet down the road to my neighbors house. It'd be bad enough if they wanted to get sticky about registration, but at least I won't get caught with dyed fuel on the road!

Freddy, I can't see how burning off-road diesel in off-road equipment that is being driven job-to-job is a problem. Every farmer in the Northeast burns off-road diesel in their tractors/loaders/etc, and they drive them where they please. NYS is pretty strict about the use of dyed fuel, and I have never heard of an issue with the use of dyed fuel in farm equipment being driven on-road.

Trucks are a different story...I have heard about some serious fines from running dyed diesel in farm trucks.

Yep, I drive my backhoe miles down the road, with Off-road diesel. I believe you'll only find trouble if you try to do x-country trips in your road vehicle, with a tank full of the red stuff. Off-road vehicles can use Off-road fuel all the time .

Rob R. wrote:Freddy, I can't see how burning off-road diesel in off-road equipment that is being driven job-to-job is a problem. Every farmer in the Northeast burns off-road diesel in their tractors/loaders/etc, and they drive them where they please. NYS is pretty strict about the use of dyed fuel, and I have never heard of an issue with the use of dyed fuel in farm equipment being driven on-road.

Trucks are a different story...I have heard about some serious fines from running dyed diesel in farm trucks.

We have the same issues here, too. ONCE they know you have a tank, the database has your name in it....location, size and age of the tank,,,,,BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. also, the delivery company has to do the appropriate paperwork, also.

EVEN being 100% legal makes it a tough decision, and the cost may exceed the price at the pump. I no longer have anything underground, and approved 'mote tanks' aren't cheap.
I sure understand your dilemma, and don't think you can sneak anything by the Locals...they have satellite files that will blow you away. As you know you can have portable tankage not to exceed 100 gallons in most states.

You just might have a couple 330's for 'home heating fuel' and everyone knows you can use #2 in an oil fired burner. I know you will find a workable solution.......

Rob R. wrote:.... Every farmer in the Northeast burns off-road diesel in their tractors/loaders/etc, ....

Well ... everywhere except in MA. From what I've heard, MA now REQUIRES on-road diesel ONLY on all jobsites. There was never any "off-road" available at the pump to begin with - only way you could buy it was through an oil company ... and they'd bring the truck to you, so if you only need 10 gallons it'll cost you BIG. Trying to tell them you have your own container & you'll go there to get it, is met with confusion. Typical MA business dealings ....

Guess MA couldn't take the chance that they might lose tax revenue on one fillup. Are you surprised?

Quit complaining on that one my young friend---Mass tax--gas 41.9 diesel 47.9---NY tax--gas 69.6 diesel--75.1 all as of April 2012 Ain't life grand?? Thanx NYC

What he said.

SMITTY wrote: From what I've heard, MA now REQUIRES on-road diesel ONLY on all jobsites. There was never any "off-road" available at the pump to begin with - only way you could buy it was through an oil company

If thats true, does Mass. offer a refund on the fuel tax that's not being used for on road application,since the tax is primarily for road tax. I know theres a form you fill out for a refund of taxes when used for boats.

Thanks to all for the replies. Can anyone comment on my earlier question about biocides and when they are needed? Assuming diesel is stored for a year's time or less, I'll go ahead and assume biocide won't be needed. I'm basing this on the assumption that heating oil purchased in the winter sits in the tank until next winter, roughly a year. I don't burn oil, but none of my oil burning friends ever mentioned a biocide treatment. At what point is it a good idea to begin thinking of these treatments?