Putting diesel in a used 44 gallon drum

G'day Frank

Already done.

The inside of the drum was as new with probably only 50 mil of trans fluid in it if that.
Used petrol as I didn't have any spare diesel around - two flushes and a good drain after the second flush and I have a new 44. When I did my 4wd tours years ago I had three 44's across the back of my trusty old GQ Patrol tray top which were oil filled drums in there day but wasn't sure about the trans fluid and how that would go with the modern day common rail diesel motors if not flushed properly. The small amount of rinse fluid was disposed of as properly as I could on my small acreage property on the road base drive up to a shed !

Appreciate your reply

Thanks
Gazz

Talking about rinsing out drums reminds me of a time, about 50 years ago, we needed multiple clean drums to cart water for cattle after a planned helicopter muster. As much of the fuel then was carted in drums in the bush, we had a good supply of petrol 44gallon drums.

The method used by one old fellar was to remove both bungs, air for a day or so, then using an oxy/acetylene unit, insert the nozzle in the small bung & often greeted by a jet of flame out of the larger bung. Worked well, even with the pyrotechnics, and the clean water was later appreciated by the cattle.

Gazz, some of these newer drums are of very light construction, and I’d suggest standing the drum/s on either a piece of carpet or thickish rubber. Could help stop a fatigue fracture & accompanying mess?

Bob

Howdy

A friend owns and runs a very large workshop - asked him for one and he gave me the best one !

Cheers
Gazz

Ozzie,

Try recycling firms, maybe not glass/aluminium recyclers, but the ones that refurbish chemical containers, 44g drums, poly drums etc. Some firms used to advertise in classifieds in the Qld Country Life.

Any local servos, mechanical workshops would probably have a few sitting around.

Bob

Howdy Nick

Not looking at transporting it - just lucky to be offered it for free if I could collect it before the weekend.

Re transporting - when I ran my tours I had three 44's in the back of my tray top, two with petrol for the enduro bikes and one diesel for the support vehicles when we did desert trips for three weeks at a time. The drums were securely attached to the headboard of the ute with rubber mounted steel bands just like semi trailer tanks. I also cut 12mm plywood about 50mm smaller than the base of the drum to place underneath so that the constant up and down movement of the fuel over corrugations etc wouldn't cause the 44 to split at the base which happened on earlier trips.

Geez I miss them days

Cheers
Gazz