Oil usage

[farmer_chris]

I am in search of some answers, currently we are using 18.9L pails at a time to do oil changes, and to top up on fluids when needed. We have 3 swathers one does all of the hay cutting as well so it gets used the most, and we have 7 tractors at the moment. The problem I am trying to fix now that I am slowly taking over is less trips to town for oil, we try and do every 200-300 hrs on oil changes or every two years. We can go through close to 7 pails of oil a year if the schedule is required for that year. We use Klondike 15w40 for our oil and most of our tractors take Universal Tractor fluid, the odd one that say uses aw 32 but I'm not to worried about buying two pails a year for that. As of todays prices a pail is $6.21/L, Klondike has the easy kegs (55l) priced at $289 for 15w40 or $5.25/L Which in terms saves about $52 by going to the keg system and a drum is the most savings at $5.14/L, the problem I have with going to a drum is we do not use that much oil in 2 years. What is the best solution from less trips to town without overstocking in oil and taking the risk that the price of oil is going to drop and you overpaid for a drum of oil 2 years ago, we for sure go through more universal tractor fluid in a year than engine oil but if were doing hydraulic filter changes that is a lot of oil you change out. I am leaning towards doing the easy keg system but I need some thoughts and has anyone used the keg systems before, how do you like them, what is the pros and cons about them.

Thanks in Advanced

 

[cjunrau]

Oil doesn't go bad and the price as a rule never goes down.
Buy the barrel and a pump and buy 1 hyd barrel as well. You need 2 1 gallon jugs to fill and pour with,, and mark what oil is in it. drape a rag over it and it says nice and clean when not in use. I like them in a pantry type cupboard with the oil funnels in a hole that drain in a pail at the bottom. rag over the funnel as well. Jugs sit on the top shelf. small margarine container sits under the pump as they always leak a bit. Keeps the top of the barrel cleaner.

I do not like pails as it is always hard to pour it out of them on some tractors. I pour out of a pail into the jug sometimes. I need to go exchange my oil drum as it is empty. Biggest down side of the barrel is you need more cash to buy it all at once.

 

[farmer_chris]

Oil doesn't go bad and the price as a rule never goes down.
Buy the barrel and a pump and buy 1 hyd barrel as well. You need 2 1 gallon jugs to fill and pour with,, and mark what oil is in it. drape a rag over it and it says nice and clean when not in use. I like them in a pantry type cupboard with the oil funnels in a hole that drain in a pail at the bottom. rag over the funnel as well. Jugs sit on the top shelf. small margarine container sits under the pump as they always leak a bit. Keeps the top of the barrel cleaner.

I do not like pails as it is always hard to pour it out of them on some tractors. I pour out of a pail into the jug sometimes. I need to go exchange my oil drum as it is empty. Biggest down side of the barrel is you need more cash to buy it all at once.

Thanks for the response I am leaning towards the barrels, using old jugs as needed for service truck and having some new ones for around the yard with labels on all of them, trying to save some money around here and change what we do for servicing, getting tired of buying pails of oil and pouring them into pieces of equipment. Yes it is a upfront cost to buy but saving $1.07 a l is a big saving.

 

[Curt Cooke]

Can't help on the decision but I would like to suggest that there be a deposit on the pails! I have sooo many empty pails. It's a shame to send them to the landfill, and the recycle people don't really want them unless perhaps you wash them out first. Removing the lids so that you can wash them usually results in a bent fingernail or worse. Here in Michigan, if you can insist we return our soda cans, why not 5 gallon plastic pails??

 

[farmer_chris]

Can't help on the decision but I would like to suggest that there be a deposit on the pails! I have sooo many empty pails. It's a shame to send them to the landfill, and the recycle people don't really want them unless perhaps you wash them out first. Removing the lids so that you can wash them usually results in a bent fingernail or worse. Here in Michigan, if you can insist we return our soda cans, why not 5 gallon plastic pails??

we have a lid remover that pops it off, but yeh we have 1000's of pails and can't find a way to get rid of them, I know barrels are easy to find someone to take them here but pails i have no idea what to do with

 

[rustred]

I am in search of some answers, currently we are using 18.9L pails at a time to do oil changes, and to top up on fluids when needed. We have 3 swathers one does all of the hay cutting as well so it gets used the most, and we have 7 tractors at the moment. The problem I am trying to fix now that I am slowly taking over is less trips to town for oil, we try and do every 200-300 hrs on oil changes or every two years. We can go through close to 7 pails of oil a year if the schedule is required for that year. We use Klondike 15w40 for our oil and most of our tractors take Universal Tractor fluid, the odd one that say uses aw 32 but I'm not to worried about buying two pails a year for that. As of todays prices a pail is $6.21/L, Klondike has the easy kegs (55l) priced at $289 for 15w40 or $5.25/L Which in terms saves about $52 by going to the keg system and a drum is the most savings at $5.14/L, the problem I have with going to a drum is we do not use that much oil in 2 years. What is the best solution from less trips to town without overstocking in oil and taking the risk that the price of oil is going to drop and you overpaid for a drum of oil 2 years ago, we for sure go through more universal tractor fluid in a year than engine oil but if were doing hydraulic filter changes that is a lot of oil you change out. I am leaning towards doing the easy keg system but I need some thoughts and has anyone used the keg systems before, how do you like them, what is the pros and cons about them.

Thanks in Advanced

You go to town to buy groceries don’t you ? Buy your oil when you’re in town. Not make a special trip just for oil. 5 gallon pails are the handiest. 45 gallon barrels are ok but more risk of dirty oil pumping oil and carrying it in open containers or pails. Plus you’re looking at big money all at once for a barrel. And as for pails many farmers are always looking for feeding pails. I used to clean them and take them in for recycle. Now it’s we don’t do that anymore just throw them in the dumpster.

 

[ss55]

I am in search of some answers, currently we are using 18.9L pails at a time to do oil changes, and to top up on fluids when needed. We have 3 swathers one does all of the hay cutting as well so it gets used the most, and we have 7 tractors at the moment. The problem I am trying to fix now that I am slowly taking over is less trips to town for oil, we try and do every 200-300 hrs on oil changes or every two years. We can go through close to 7 pails of oil a year if the schedule is required for that year. We use Klondike 15w40 for our oil and most of our tractors take Universal Tractor fluid, the odd one that say uses aw 32 but I'm not to worried about buying two pails a year for that. As of todays prices a pail is $6.21/L, Klondike has the easy kegs (55l) priced at $289 for 15w40 or $5.25/L Which in terms saves about $52 by going to the keg system and a drum is the most savings at $5.14/L, the problem I have with going to a drum is we do not use that much oil in 2 years. What is the best solution from less trips to town without overstocking in oil and taking the risk that the price of oil is going to drop and you overpaid for a drum of oil 2 years ago, we for sure go through more universal tractor fluid in a year than engine oil but if were doing hydraulic filter changes that is a lot of oil you change out. I am leaning towards doing the easy keg system but I need some thoughts and has anyone used the keg systems before, how do you like them, what is the pros and cons about them.

Thanks in Advanced

I am in search of some answers, currently we are using 18.9L pails at a time to do oil changes, and to top up on fluids when needed. We have 3 swathers one does all of the hay cutting as well so it gets used the most, and we have 7 tractors at the moment. The problem I am trying to fix now that I am slowly taking over is less trips to town for oil, we try and do every 200-300 hrs on oil changes or every two years. We can go through close to 7 pails of oil a year if the schedule is required for that year. We use Klondike 15w40 for our oil and most of our tractors take Universal Tractor fluid, the odd one that say uses aw 32 but I'm not to worried about buying two pails a year for that. As of todays prices a pail is $6.21/L, Klondike has the easy kegs (55l) priced at $289 for 15w40 or $5.25/L Which in terms saves about $52 by going to the keg system and a drum is the most savings at $5.14/L, the problem I have with going to a drum is we do not use that much oil in 2 years. What is the best solution from less trips to town without overstocking in oil and taking the risk that the price of oil is going to drop and you overpaid for a drum of oil 2 years ago, we for sure go through more universal tractor fluid in a year than engine oil but if were doing hydraulic filter changes that is a lot of oil you change out. I am leaning towards doing the easy keg system but I need some thoughts and has anyone used the keg systems before, how do you like them, what is the pros and cons about them.

Thanks in Advanced

A 55 L (14.5 gallon ) keg every 5 months might be your most convenient option. A drum (55 gallon 220 liter ? ) every 20 months only saves $1.21 per month, will condense more moisture inside the vented drum and will be harder to handle. Pump cost, deposits, and disposal fees should also be considered.

 

[Ericp351]

Observations, based on limited info provided. Your you ain,t paying competive prices, unless Canadian nonescence currency. Gal., Qts. barrels, and drums are preferred units. Most important for pocket book, your oil change intervals ain,t helping, even if you upgrade to name brand lubes.

 

[Fred Werring]

I do not like pails as it is always hard to pour it out of them on some tractors. I pour out of a pail into the jug sometimes. I need to go exchange my oil drum as it is empty. Biggest down side of the barrel is you need more cash to buy it all at once.

I have several gallon oil jugs I keep refilling from the 5 gallon buckets that I buy.

 

[Centerplate]

Chris, Managing all those pails and trying to recycle them got to by too large of a hassle. I went to a bulk oil supplier and they provided the stands and barrels for the oil. The price per gallon is much cheaper.

 

[NY 986]

Oil does not go bad but care needs to be taken in terms of storing in a dry area to avoid condensation in drums or pails plus any handling implements need the same plus kept in an area where dust and dirt are very minimal if present at all.

 

[farmer_chris]

You go to town to buy groceries don’t you ? Buy your oil when you’re in town. Not make a special trip just for oil. 5 gallon pails are the handiest. 45 gallon barrels are ok but more risk of dirty oil pumping oil and carrying it in open containers or pails. Plus you’re looking at big money all at once for a barrel. And as for pails many farmers are always looking for feeding pails. I used to clean them and take them in for recycle. Now it’s we don’t do that anymore just throw them in

Chris, Managing all those pails and trying to recycle them got to by too large of a hassle. I went to a bulk oil supplier and they provided the stands and barrels for the oil. The price per gallon is much cheaper.

why I am trying to switch it up, barrel would be to much oil for us but a eze keg system would be just right for us, but 2 15-40 2 universal tractor fluid, that’s a 100L a year and we’re still saving about $1.00/L and no more pails keep getting stacked up behind the shop

 

[farmer_chris]

Chris, Managing all those pails and trying to recycle them got to by too large of a hassle. I went to a bulk oil supplier and they provided the stands and barrels for the oil. The price per gallon is much cheaper.

What supplier if you don’t mind me asking

 

[GermantownGreen]

Do you not have a regional supplier, here it's MFA, like Center plate, we use 55 gal drums and hand pump to jugs, CePeco salesman calls ahead of time and delivers to us. We use old barrels for things, even sell them as neighbors use them too.
Two liter pop bottles carry hydraulic oil to top off. Or color jugs carry engine oil top off.
To each his own. Good luck. GG Wes

 

[Ericp351]

Sounds like you asked a question, but do not really want an answer. Big picture is your 200 to 300 hr oil changes with off brand oil sounds about as scientific as a weigy board! Oil analysis, anyone? Massive range! Sugest you stop concern regarding buckets and re think the machinery. Oil brand, , quality, and interval now, types of containers will sort itself out. Be polite, please. Drop the decimals and call a 5 gal pail a 5 gal. Pail. This ain,t France.

 

[farmer_chris]

Sounds like you asked a question, but do not really want an answer. Big picture is your 200 to 300 hr oil changes with off brand oil sounds about as scientific as a weigy board! Oil analysis, anyone? Massive range! Sugest you stop concern regarding buckets and re think the machinery. Oil brand, , quality, and interval now, types of containers will sort itself out. Be polite, please. Drop the decimals and call a 5 gal pail a 5 gal. Pail. This ain,t France.

Off brand oil? Klondike has been a great oil company for us it’s a pretty big supplier here in Canada, I know about 20 different farms that use it in my area, intervals are set what works best for us. Sorry if you got triggered by this post maybe you should just go reply on another post, I’ve gotten some very good pointers and some good answers, thanks for your hate

 

[Russ from MN]

Sounds like you asked a question, but do not really want an answer. Big picture is your 200 to 300 hr oil changes with off brand oil sounds about as scientific as a weigy board! Oil analysis, anyone? Massive range! Sugest you stop concern regarding buckets and re think the machinery. Oil brand, , quality, and interval now, types of containers will sort itself out. Be polite, please. Drop the decimals and call a 5 gal pail a 5 gal. Pail. This ain,t France.

That's a pretty rude reply, you must not realize that most of the world is metric, and we're on the WW Web!

 

[rustred]

Off brand oil? Klondike has been a great oil company for us it’s a pretty big supplier here in Canada, I know about 20 different farms that use it in my area, intervals are set what works best for us. Sorry if you got triggered by this post maybe you should just go reply on another post, I’ve gotten some very good pointers and some good answers, thanks for your hate

what province are you in ? i buy klondike oil when it goes on sale for round 90.00 a pail. i know its better than that garbage shell oil, plus its way up there in price like 180.00 a pail.

 

[DanielW]

Off brand oil? Klondike has been a great oil company for us it’s a pretty big supplier here in Canada, I know about 20 different farms that use it in my area, intervals are set what works best for us. Sorry if you got triggered by this post maybe you should just go reply on another post, I’ve gotten some very good pointers and some good answers, thanks for your hate

Welcome to the forum! Good to have you. I don't usually comment about other posters, but because you're new and we'd like to keep you around I will here:

Please just ignore that poster, and don't judge this forum nor everyone else on here by him. It's an unspoken rule on this forum that everyone else just ignores him. Lots of great help and nice folks on this forum. Not sure how that poster is somehow able to turn even a benign discussion about bulk oil buying into an aggressive rant. But if you look at his posting history, every second post of his calls someone here a 'sissy', or 'highschool jailbait', or 'airhead', or 'cubbie', or 'male secretary', etc.. (Clearly a preoccupied mind). Or he finds a way to add a political twist/opinion to even the most benign mechanical discussions. Just ignore him. And stick around.

Not sure what hold he has over the forum admins that he's still allowed to post on here. But again, everyone else just ignores. Not long ago one of the regular (and very helpful) posters on here (Tony from SD) posted a picture of his son (who's a chemistry/bio professor and clearly pretty brilliant). The picture showed him doing some fab work on a thesis project at university. Everyone else commented on what a sharp kid and interesting project it was. Then that poster suggested Tony's son was a sissy and 'cute'. Just roll your eyes and move on.

I realizing I'm probably not helping things with this comment. But it's time to get some admins attention. You're the fourth or fifth new poster on here that poster above is potentially driving away from these forums. Time for an admin to step in.

 

[Ericp351]

Mr Daniel, please specifically advise as to Any person here that I called a " airhead" or "high school jailbait". WHEN THAT PROVES impossible, we will learn if any degree of fine Canadian honor will yield an apology.