55 gal drum: What transfer pump to use?

[cad]

I usually split a drum of fuel with a friend, but this year, we both plan on getting our own drums.
He has an expensive transfer pump. A couple other friends recommended a plastic red/clear inexpensive pump that has a palm sized "bellows" that they say works fine.
Example
What do you use?

Thanks
Clark

[Rich Biebel]

I have bought fuel by the drum for years. Gas and methanol.

I use the hand pump your friend described. They sell for less than $20 and work fine. When the drum is near full....it will syphon and you don't have to pump it.....Takes maybe 5 minutes to fill a 5 gallon jug.

When you race a methanol powered dragster with fuel injection....you burn a lot of fuel and buying it by the drum saves a lot of $$$

[cad]

Thanks Rich. We also run methanol, but our juniors only use about a gallon each per weekend, so I dont keep more than 10 gallons on hand.
We used to have a circle track parts house in town, but it closed. Looks like Speedway in Lincoln has them for $15. My VP guy says he'll sell me one for $15.
No smoking in my garage...LOL.

I just wanted to confirm they arent junk.

[Myron Piatek]

The plastic red/white pump sounds like this one, which is what I've been using for years. One was getting old so I bought a spare over a year ago, but the old one is still pumping. Good deal if available for $15.00 locally.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AAF-ALL40114/

[PETE PEERY]

For a fast and efficient method get a ball valve with pipe threads and install galvanized pipe on one side and hose in the other. Install in small hole of drum and a tire valve stem in large bung and pressurize with air. This will transfer fuel very quickly and no mess.

Pete

[63corvette]

Originally Posted by PETE PEERY

For a fast and efficient method get a ball valve with pipe threads and install galvanized pipe on one side and hose in the other. Install in small hole of drum and a tire valve stem in large bung and pressurize with air. This will transfer fuel very quickly and no mess.

Pete

Be very afraid of this method.
You are building a bomb with this.
Air and gas in a barrel is not safe plus a barrel is not rated as a pressure vessel.
If you are going to do this at all use nitrogen to pressure a gas filled vessel.
Be very afraid on this method as noted as gas and air/oxygen do not mix safely in a closed vessel.
My 2 Cents
Rick Cates

[KRatcliff]

Do you have any fuel barrels that don't have any air in them? Unless a fuel barrel is completely filled with fuel then they are all potential bombs. As is your fuel can, fuel cell, fuel tank, etc...

I read it as the air is pushing out the fuel out the hose, not building a bomb.

[Bob Mulry]

Originally Posted by PETE PEERY

For a fast and efficient method get a ball valve with pipe threads and install galvanized pipe on one side and hose in the other. Install in small hole of drum and a tire valve stem in large bung and pressurize with air. This will transfer fuel very quickly and no mess.

Pete

When I worked at the shipyards I saw a crane operator almost take head off with the end of a 55-gallon drum...............

He laid the drum on its side attached a transfer hose to the lower bung and an air hose to the upper bung to transfer diesel fuel into the crane.....

He turned on the air and it blew off the end of the drum killing him instantly and blowing 55 gallons of diesel fuel in all directions......

BAD IDEA........

Save your life and buy a $20 plastic pump from Graingers

Bob

[Rich Biebel]

I use the pressure technique now and than to push fuel out of a gas tank on a machine I am working on. Just did it yesterday. I use an air hose and a rag in the filler neck. The goal is to use very low pressure....you need very little to get fuel to come out. I do this to sample the fuel looking for water or see what the fuel is like. I have electric pumps I can use as well but use the pressure method sometimes.

It is dangerous as you are creating gas vapors and could easily ignite.

I work on all kinds of various machines.....welders, generators.....gas, diesel. Often have things like water in fuel.....old fuel....wrong fuel......It's a real pain to deal with safely.......So far I haven't blown my self up but I sure have been close a few times....LOL

[63corvette]

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

Do you have any fuel barrels that don't have any air in them? Unless a fuel barrel is completely filled with fuel then they are all potential bombs. As is your fuel can, fuel cell, fuel tank, etc...

I read it as the air is pushing out the fuel out the hose, not building a bomb.

There is very little air/oxygen in the barrel as you empty them.
It is made up for the most part by fumes from the gas itself which vaporizes as you give it space in the barrel.
I worked in the oil and gas industry for 40 plus years and I can assure you if you use air to pressurize a barrel at some point it will explode. You may get away with it for years but at some point it will possibly end your life or leave you with a very bad injury of some type.
Trust me on this one a partially full barrel of gas is a very dangerous thing. It is much safer as a full or completely empty with the bungs out of it and vented and NOT pressurized.

I witnessed my step father loose a leg to a 55 gal barrel using it empty for a ladder/platform to stand on. It was a hot day and built pressure inside and exploded with him on top. It blew the top out of the barrel and severed his leg just below the knee.

Used barrels of any type can be very dangerous if not handled correctly and pressurizing them is improper use.

Like Bob said buy a pump. It could save your life or at least not injure you.

My Experience Here
Rick Cates