Leaf in the fuel tank!

[Hugo Habicht]

Greetings all .. New to the forum. I do cemetery restorations and use a Kubota BX23S in my work. Recently, I was refueling, and an oak leaf came out of nowhere and landed directly in the tank and disappeared out of sight. I don't know how to retrieve it. Any ideas?

One thing came to my mind, nothing to solve your problem really (or maybe it would). How probable is this event, a leaf flying through the air and falling into the tiny tank opening while the cap was off? Have you considered buying a lottery ticket this week?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Hmm, he'd be going out on a limb for that wood he ? Maybe we should leaf well enough alone ?

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

The biggest issue with the BX tanks is the design of the tank makes it really hard to get anything into the opposite end of the tank.

If that's the case one can empty most of the fuel and drive across a slope (hill) where the remaining fuel sloshes debris toward the filler side.

In the shop: Lay a 4x4 on the left side of the tractor in front of the rear wheel. Put a 2x4 across it forming a cross and drive the tractor on the 2x4, leave the FEL off the ground. Step on the long side of the 2x4 using it as a leaver arm to raise & lower the tractor, sloshing the tank. To keep the left side of the tractor elevated wedge a short 4x4 under the wheel with a broom while stepping on the 2x4 and lifting the tractor.

Personally, I don't want to pull a tractor's gas tank, I got other things to do.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Get this…..you want one with the front and side lenses.

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Industrial-Inspection-Waterproof-Semi-Rigid/dp/B0928Q3T42/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2E69U0Tpbr47BcJlTYRNN2ueWG4YCeNgEeyLZuiP-Jdb3ypl9st8TgzY41Qp2kWWgvtwLlqY6H6iG8fkhfBnnmVVzO9ZMD_FdcPcgLWLc4c8xPMP2IDS7xQWQrasjLs-aZy1Oq5Im1f-EvZ3leVJQND6oKJUcEEsHmYk2BDTUdP-s_GxL5agL_GM_D2QDE1A_H3HXw9fmFVEYzE5X0ipLQ.7g2R6Q4vV2cx9V8LPZ6Wwv2A6yGlOWIfRetUDnA-BkQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=borescope&qid=1770136433&sr=8-15

 

[Flintknapper]

Get this…..you want one with the front and side lenses.

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Industrial-Inspection-Waterproof-Semi-Rigid/dp/B0928Q3T42/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2E69U0Tpbr47BcJlTYRNN2ueWG4YCeNgEeyLZuiP-Jdb3ypl9st8TgzY41Qp2kWWgvtwLlqY6H6iG8fkhfBnnmVVzO9ZMD_FdcPcgLWLc4c8xPMP2IDS7xQWQrasjLs-aZy1Oq5Im1f-EvZ3leVJQND6oKJUcEEsHmYk2BDTUdP-s_GxL5agL_GM_D2QDE1A_H3HXw9fmFVEYzE5X0ipLQ.7g2R6Q4vV2cx9V8LPZ6Wwv2A6yGlOWIfRetUDnA-BkQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=borescope&qid=1770136433&sr=8-15

Agree that a borescope would make it easy to 'locate' the leaf once the tank is drained.

Then vacuum out or secure a wad of tape (sticky side out) to the end of a coat hanger and probe for it. I'd try any number of things before removing the tank.

 

[xrocketengineer]

I don't know if this is too short but it might work without having to even empty the fuel, endoscope with claw.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

2 guys can get the tank out in less than 2 hours, using normal tools in a well lit ,warm garage
vs
a section of stem breaks off, you don't see it and 2-3 months later it semi floats into the spigot and engine stops.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

2 guys can get the tank out in less than 2 hours, using normal tools in a well lit ,warm garage
vs
a section of stem breaks off, you don't see it and 2-3 months later it semi floats into the spigot and engine stops.

Then it's TIME for an MX.
Or an M-Series.

 

[D2Cat]

I had fuel flow problems with a 40 Hp gas engine a couple of years ago. I could get a vacuum hose into the tank inlet, but not a very big one. I took an old house vacuum hose and adapted to fit the vacuum. I had drained the fuel and blew it out for an extended period of time, and had the vacuum several feet away. Hoping I wouldn't blow myself up! I retrieved a lot of crap out of there. This is a Dream Whip container. There was a 16p nail, and a good size bolt with a spring in there also .

Maybe you can drain the tank of fuel and try fabricating a hose which is flexible to reach around.

 

[K9Ace]

Thank you, everybody, for your thoughts and comments. I ended up pulling the tank, but it wasn't a terrible job. Only said a few curse words..

 

[GreensvilleJay]

BTDT....I KNOW the seat assy is (*^&(*(( heavy for a 58 year old to remove by myself !

Glad you did pull the tank. Be sure to get a Mason jar coffee filter for the neck of the fuel tank.

 

[Bearcatrp]

When you get the leaf out, order one of these (32 oz) for your fuel tank.

https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Filter-Stainless-Strainer-Infuser/dp/B0C86J98FY/ref=dp_prsubs_d_sccl_1/137-5698223-8638522?pd_rd_w=Da4Eh&content-id=amzn1.sym.8a163a7b-6a2a-45ae-8510-8d5419efb828&pf_rd_p=8a163a7b-6a2a-45ae-8510-8d5419efb828&pf_rd_r=Q0M8XS7QR2M3YN5AE7SP&pd_rd_wg=4RkpX&pd_rd_r=1154ba01-6003-4900-97e8-9ee827b3ef58&pd_rd_i=B0C86J98FY&th=1

Just bought and installed this in my 1880. Works great.

 

[K9Ace]

BTDT....I KNOW the seat assy is (*^&(*(( heavy for a 58 year old to remove by myself !

Glad you did pull the tank. Be sure to get a Mason jar coffee filter for the neck of the fuel tank.

I ordered one from Amazon. Thanks for the recommendation. I don't want to go through that routine again!

 

[Bearcatrp]

I ordered one from Amazon. Thanks for the recommendation. I don't want to go through that routine again!

After seeing that in your tank, had to get one myself.

 

[McMXi]

After seeing that in your tank, had to get one myself.

You saw the leaf .... I'm still waiting for a photo of the thing that started all of this!

I had a BX for five years and the only thing that ever went in the tank was diesel.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Just bought and installed this in my 1880. Works great.

Are the tank openings all the same? I think a filter there is a great idea, will definitely get one myself.

 

[Bearcatrp]

You saw the leaf .... I'm still waiting for a photo of the thing that started all of this!

I had a BX for five years and the only thing that ever went in the tank was diesel.

After seeing what was in his tank, no way was I going to go through that crap. Cheap insurance.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Are the tank openings all the same? I think a filter there is a great idea, will definitely get one myself.

I would suggest measuring your to insure you buy the right size. Just added fuel today, knowing I dont have to worry about anything contaminating my tank.