Fuel tank capacity limit

[Rosohatica]

Ok, this question might seem trivial, but after overtopping coolant in cooler and cleaning the mess that happened, I wonder what trick are you guys using when pouring fuel into the tractor tank? I am always afraid of overtopping so I leave it half empty. Do you pour while tractor is working so you can watch the gauge on the control panel or you dip in the stick into the tank or something else? I was thinking about getting one of those small inspection cameras, but even with that its iterative process.

 

[je1279]

I think the main thing is pour the fuel slowly and use both your eyes and your ears. As the tank is nearing full, you will hear an audible change. At that point just watch the level until it gets to the bottom of the filler neck then screw the cap back on. Additionally, I fill mine while standing on the operators platform so I can get a good view of the tank. Are you using a storage container or a pump/transfer tank to fill it?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

so I leave it half empty.

Huge NO NO, you already have plenty of issues with condensation and moisture on the outside.
Leaving the tank half full is just asking for moisture in the fuel, which you don't want!

Fill the tank full to the very top when you park it.
Keeps condensation from happening in the tank.
I use an electric fuel tank pump just like fuel stations, with auto shut off, but i do keep 250 gallons hanging around in a bulk fuel tank, so it's easy for me.
Smaller operation you can get a small battery powered pump that works just as well.
Get a good biocide and streat the tractor and any stored fuel, small amounts of stored fuel should be in an airtight container to stop condensation.

 

[jyoutz]

I have a fuel caddy with a manual pump. I put the Mr. Funnel in the fuel fill opening and the hose in the funnel. I turn the key on and watch the fuel gauge as I crank the pump and fill the tank.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I agree with @North Idaho Wolfman , half full tanks are asking for trouble. Every machine that I have that sits for any amount of time gets topped off.

Personally, I would rather deal with a few ounces of "spillage" than water in my fuel tank.

 

[DustyRusty]

I fill the tank till it starts to gurgle, and then I rock the machine and continue filling until it is to the top and you can't get another ounce in.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

@jyoutz : Is the "Mr. Funnel" as good as the marketing material says it is? I've been holding off on buying one.

 

[Flintknapper]

@jyoutz : Is the "Mr. Funnel" as good as the marketing material says it is? I've been holding off on buying one.

Love mine. Have two of them (they come in different sizes).

 

[RCW]

Love mine. Have two of them (they come in different sizes).

I have one as well. Like it.

 

[85Hokie]

I have one too ! Does what it says too!

 

[D2Cat]

I turn the key on. The frequency of the noise changes and the tank fills. Can also watch the gauge.

 

[jyoutz]

@jyoutz : Is the "Mr. Funnel" as good as the marketing material says it is? I've been holding off on buying one.

I can’t really tell you how effective it is. I know that I use it with each fuel up. And I’ve never had a fuel related issue. There’s always a small amount of fuel left in the bottom of the funnel which is theoretically contaminated fuel. I pour this small amount into a special can that I use for burn piles. The concept is the filter pores are small enough to allow fuel to transfer, but not water or sediments.

 

[Rosohatica]

Thanks for the tip! I just ordered a small battery-powered pump—I had no idea such a thing existed. Earlier today, I was filling the tank from a large jerry can, and it turned into quite a mess. Although I didn’t overfill, diesel still leaked onto the sides and got on the plastic parts of the chassis. Hopefully, the plastic Kubota uses for the exterior isn’t sensitive to diesel.

I might not have noticed it before, but it seems like some of the numbers on the "L3200" decal have started to bubble. Could this be because they came into contact with the diesel?

Huge NO NO, you already have plenty of issues with condensation and moisture on the outside.
Leaving the tank half full is just asking for moisture in the fuel, which you don't want!

Fill the tank full to the very top when you park it.
Keeps condensation from happening in the tank.
I use an electric fuel tank pump just like fuel stations, with auto shut off, but i do keep 250 gallons hanging around in a bulk fuel tank, so it's easy for me.
Smaller operation you can get a small battery powered pump that works just as well.
Get a good biocide and streat the tractor and any stored fuel, small amounts of stored fuel should be in an airtight container to stop condensation.

 

[Rosohatica]

I did that too today

I have a fuel caddy with a manual pump. I put the Mr. Funnel in the fuel fill opening and the hose in the funnel. I turn the key on and watch the fuel gauge as I crank the pump and fill the tank.

 

[Rosohatica]

Hi, thanks! I use a 25-liter jerry can, but filling with it turned into a mess. If you tilt it too much, the outlet starts to sputter—first choking, then spurting fuel out forcefully, and then choking again, repeating the cycle.

On the other hand, if you tilt it too little, the fuel trickles and seeps underneath.

I ordered battery pump today.

I think the main thing is pour the fuel slowly and use both your eyes and your ears. As the tank is nearing full, you will hear an audible change. At that point just watch the level until it gets to the bottom of the filler neck then screw the cap back on. Additionally, I fill mine while standing on the operators platform so I can get a good view of the tank. Are you using a storage container or a pump/transfer tank to fill it?

 

[Rosohatica]

And yeah, the letters like the ones in your profile image seem to have started bubbling after I spilled diesel on them. Could that be possible? Or were they like that before, and I just didn’t notice. They appear to be made of a hard rubber material.

I think the main thing is pour the fuel slowly and use both your eyes and your ears. As the tank is nearing full, you will hear an audible change. At that point just watch the level until it gets to the bottom of the filler neck then screw the cap back on. Additionally, I fill mine while standing on the operators platform so I can get a good view of the tank. Are you using a storage container or a pump/transfer tank to fill it?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Diesel typically will not hurt anything on the tractor.
Post some pics of the label bubbles.

 

[je1279]

And yeah, the letters like the ones in your profile image seem to have started bubbling after I spilled diesel on them. Could that be possible? Or were they like that before, and I just didn’t notice. They appear to be made of a hard rubber material.

Can't speak to the lettering, but the few times I have spilled diesel on the hood, all it does is make a waxy mess that attracts dirt once it dries. It can be easily removed with a warm damp cloth.

 

[6869704x4]

.....Hopefully, the plastic Kubota uses for the exterior isn’t sensitive to diesel.

The paint on mine is

 

[Rosohatica]

Glad to hear it should withstand it. Here are some pics but they don`t transfer the state they are in very well because of reflection. Look at the number "0"

Diesel typically will not hurt anything on the tractor.
Post some pics of the label bubbles.