Cleaning a tractor diesel tank

[Brute 23]

We have s JD 2755 and I have been having to blow back in to the tank every so often. Any one have any easy tricks for cleaning out the tank?

Its a plastic tank mounted at the front. I was hoping to not have to take it completely off.

 

[wbvs58]

Take it off completely and was out through the filler. Alternatively keep filling allow to settle and siphon from the bottom using the siphon hose like a vacuum cleaner.

Ken

 

[1982vett]

Drain the tank, pour a little diesel back in trying to stir the bottom. Pressurize the tank with a rag and air hose to push the gunk out. Repeat till it looks good.

Their is a drain valve in the bottom of the tank. However I don't remember how easy it is to get to. Just draining may clear the gunk.

 

[Kingfisher]

Pressure washer. Rinse and repeat

 

[Brute 23]

Thanks. Im trying to finish up a few things before I tear in to removing the whole tank. I poured some stuff in the tank, ran it a couple days, and pumped it out with a big sprayer pump and a 1/2" hose.

I replaced both filters and used a clear one for the in line filter so I could see what its catching.

Have yall taken that fitting out of the side of the tank that holds the down pipe and float? Is it just a half turn deal and it pulls out? Guessing it has a gasket of some sort behind it?

Hind site I should have unscrewed that whole pick out when it clogged and then blew it out on the ground. The way I did it I blew what ever was in it back in to the tank.

 

[Nesikep]

you'll get the best results by removing it completely and ideally you'd steam clean it, though a pressure washer could do the job

 

[BigBear]

you'll get the best results by removing it completely and ideally you'd steam clean it, though a pressure washer could do the job

Agreed and also run a can of biocide through it once a year. The chunks/gunk is probably algae.

 

[HDRider]

you'll get the best results by removing it completely and ideally you'd steam clean it, though a pressure washer could do the job

Agreed and also run a can of biocide through it once a year. The chunks/gunk is probably algae.

Algae was my problem.

I am adding that about once a month now. I am algae paranoid now.

 

[Nesikep]

I just bought some algecide. cost an arm and a darned leg, little 4 ounce bottle was nearly $40 but it treats 500 gallon.
I know my truck has goop in the tank, and the farm fuel tank probably does as well

 

[Brute 23]

My hay bailing man showed me there is a sump plug and petcock on the bottom of the tank you can reach if you stick your hand up thru the frame. I tried gently turning on it but it didn't budge. Im going to finish up some things I need to and then get it in the barn so if I break some thing its easy to work on and won't put me in a bind. Hopefully I can wash the tank out thru there and get new parts on it so it can be drained regularly.

 

[JMJ Farms]

My hay bailing man showed me there is a sump plug and petcock on the bottom of the tank you can reach if you stick your hand up thru the frame. I tried gently turning on it but it didn't budge. Im going to finish up some things I need to and then get it in the barn so if I break some thing its easy to work on and won't put me in a bind. Hopefully I can wash the tank out thru there and get new parts on it so it can be drained regularly.

Between now and when you get it back to the barn, spray the petcock every time you think about it with penetrating oil. May not help but definitely won't hurt.

 

[Brute 23]

My hay bailing man showed me there is a sump plug and petcock on the bottom of the tank you can reach if you stick your hand up thru the frame. I tried gently turning on it but it didn't budge. Im going to finish up some things I need to and then get it in the barn so if I break some thing its easy to work on and won't put me in a bind. Hopefully I can wash the tank out thru there and get new parts on it so it can be drained regularly.

Between now and when you get it back to the barn, spray the petcock every time you think about it with penetrating oil. May not help but definitely won't hurt.

Good idea. Thanks :tiphat:

 

[JMJ Farms]

You're welcome. Hopefully it will help.

 

[dwayson]

I would blast it with dish soap then hose down until clean.

 

[Stocker Steve]

I just bought some algecide. cost an arm and a darned leg, little 4 ounce bottle was nearly $40 but it treats 500 gallon.
I know my truck has goop in the tank, and the farm fuel tank probably does as well

I spoke with my fuel supplier, and he assured me that they use the good additives (apparently they have several to chose from) and I do not need to add lube or algecide. What do you think?

 

[Stocker Steve]

My hay bailing man showed me there is a sump plug and petcock on the bottom of the tank you can reach if you stick your hand up thru the frame.

My last project tractor had this. I ran a wire up into it initally to get it to drain. The gunk came out thick and dark gray. Did this each time, after I had after used the tractor, and refilled the sump, till it ran red. I think you can get away with a lot more with the older tractors which have more and larger fuel filters in series (my record is four), and courser filtration on the primary.

 

[ddd75]

I just bought some algecide. cost an arm and a darned leg, little 4 ounce bottle was nearly $40 but it treats 500 gallon.
I know my truck has goop in the tank, and the farm fuel tank probably does as well

I spoke with my fuel supplier, and he assured me that they use the good additives (apparently they have several to chose from) and I do not need to add lube or algecide. What do you think?

BS.. you need lube for sure, not sure about algecide.

 

[1982vett]

I just bought some algecide. cost an arm and a darned leg, little 4 ounce bottle was nearly $40 but it treats 500 gallon.
I know my truck has goop in the tank, and the farm fuel tank probably does as well

I spoke with my fuel supplier, and he assured me that they use the good additives (apparently they have several to chose from) and I do not need to add lube or algecide. What do you think?

I have several 300 gallon tanks. Minimum order out is 500 gallons which can last me a year and a half to two years these days. I remember having to clear a line years ago on a tractor that came from the northwest. I don't add anything and haven't had problems. I do realize our climates are quite different. Might have some effect.

I'd say listen to your supplier.....if it can be trusted.

 

[greybeard]

My hay bailing man showed me there is a sump plug and petcock on the bottom of the tank you can reach if you stick your hand up thru the frame.

My last project tractor had this. I ran a wire up into it initally to get it to drain. The gunk came out thick and dark gray. Did this each time, after I had after used the tractor, and refilled the sump, till it ran red.

Yep, my Case backhoe has one...way up there and running the wire in always gets me a gunk/diesel soaked arm..then, once it's running clear, you still have to reach up and close the petcock. fun fun