The Most Important Things to Consider When Purchasing a Diesel Tank

Successfully running a farm requires a great deal of planning, patience and hard work. To thrive, a farming business needs to have the right farm machinery to hand to ensure operations are productive and profitable.

In turn, finding ways to store large amounts of diesel is essential in ensuring you can make full use of your farm machinery. However, storing fuel on-site does come with certain inherent risks. One way to avoid such fuel-related safety hazards is to invest in a safe, properly designed diesel tank.

With that being said, diesel tanks do not come cheap, so you need to do your research to ensure you are purchasing a tank that can provide safe access to the diesel required to fulfil your daily farming practices.

What Fuel Tank Is Right for You?

In order to assist you in making an informed decision about the right diesel tank, here are some factors worth considering when shopping around.

Determine Your Fuel Needs

First things first, the size and type of diesel tank you purchase will depend on the fuel needs of your farm. Consider the number of vehicles and equipment, the amount of fuel each piece of machinery requires, and the frequency at which your diesel can be delivered.

Understand How Long Diesel Can Be Stored for

These days, diesel fuel is required to contain a certain percentage of biofuel, which has the potential to cause issues over time. If diesel is left sitting in a tank for too long, it can ‘grow’ microbes that contaminate the fuel and, in turn, can damage fuel system components when it is used. Generally speaking, diesel that is stored correctly can be expected to stay in a usable state for up to 12 months. However, at higher temperatures that exceed 30ºC, this period will diminish.

Consider Space

Next up, you will need to acknowledge that the storage and transfer of large amounts of diesel take up space. It is important to consider how this will logistically work in your particular situation. Think in terms of parking space, fuel receiving and dispensing facilities, clean-up equipment, and the lighting and backup generators required to carry out bulk-fuelling operations.

Understand Additional Expenses

We have already established that investing in a good-quality diesel tank does not come cheap, but there are other associated costs that you’ll also need to factor into your budget. These expenses include the upfront costs for the installation of the diesel tank and fuelling equipment, such as dispensing and monitoring systems. Furthermore, you will also need to consider the longer-term costs in terms of regular maintenance of the diesel tank and equipment.

Explore Long-Term Maintenance & Management of a Diesel Tank

And it is not just the cost of maintenance you need to factor in when buying a diesel tank. As a farmer, you will need to take responsibility for maintaining the piece of equipment as well as managing the quality of the fuel you put into the diesel tank. You will need to take the time to familiarise yourself with the processes involved in testing the diesel fuel before and after delivery to check for the presence of water or other contaminants.

Final Thoughts

In short, there is no doubt that investing in a diesel tank has the potential to improve farming operations by improving access to fuel for your farm machinery. However, purchasing a diesel tank is not a decision that should be taken lightly. If you want to get the best out of your investment, you will need to spend some time considering the bigger picture to assess whether you have the capacity to house and maintain a diesel tank on your farm.