(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Gas Cans: Metal or Plastic or ??

R

Ralph Bauer

Well-known Member
Going to replace some rotten 5 gal plastic (red) gas cans (3). Wondering if going with the more expensive metal (military style) kind might be better since they last longer and the spout/cap assembly on plastic always breaks...? Any experiences, opinions?? Thanks!
Also thought about using an old small car/ combine / truck tank (~20 gal) with a gravity feed filler setup. Have a F3000 gasser I use for brush hogging, everything else is propane and diesel.
Thanks in advance!! Ralph in OK.
 
I would stick with the plastic cans. Metal always seems to end up rusting inside. Keep the plastic ones out of the sunlight.
 
I am still using gas cans that were old when I got here 11 years ago. I am too cheap to buy new ones. I agree with keeping them out of the sun.
Zach
 
I hav e been una le to find a new can that is useable. Fed rules now require so ma.y sacty features that you almost can't pour the fjel out. Good luckDavid
 
Well it is a catch 22 you had either way you go. Plastic ones last a very long time unless left sitting in the sun but yep the tubes do tend to break. The metal cans on the other hand last a long time also but tend to rust and the gas we get now days makes the rust sooner then they would with the older gas so you had either way you go
 
If you can handle a 20 gal. tank, why not get rid of all the troublesome cans, and the rust issue, and find an old aluminum truck tank for your gravity feed system?
 
The aluminum truck tank is a good plan. You can get all the way from A 50? to 150 gallon one at a truck salvage. Jim
 
I have a 40gal plastic gas tank out of an old truck that I used for a longtime but now days it costs to much to fill it up so gone back to the 2 and 5 gal ones that way I know for sure that the gas it there or if some one is helping them self's to it
 
I like the 2.5 gallon wide mouth herbicide plastic containers. Easy to fill, easy to lift and manuever. Don't need a vent. Save the original box remove the top Now you have two containers in a tip proof box. And every year you spray you have eight new ones.
 
(quoted from post at 07:56:47 09/14/12) Going to replace some rotten 5 gal plastic (red) gas cans (3). Wondering if going with the more expensive metal (military style) kind might be better since they last longer and the spout/cap assembly on plastic always breaks...? Any experiences, opinions?? Thanks!
Also thought about using an old small car/ combine / truck tank (~20 gal) with a gravity feed filler setup. Have a F3000 gasser I use for brush hogging, everything else is propane and diesel.
Thanks in advance!! Ralph in OK.
Click to expand...

I don't know if it's the luck of the ignant, or I am on to sumpin.... But, I found that the cheap cans from the bb stores here that breath(? and not worth a damn) thru a return tube in the spout work good with the saftey valves from stihl. The ones you have to push to open.
 
Ditto the 2.5 gal. plastic jugs you buy oil, hytran, etc. in- they work great for fuel, never rust, last forever if you keep them out of the sun. And much easier for us old guys to handle.
 
I only use the old style metal cans (when I can find them, usually in an antique store or junque shop). The new style, either plastic or metal , aren't worth a crap.
 
I have 8 of these- actually can hold 3 gallons if they aren't sitting in the sun eh? I painted over the 'athrazine' labels year ago, then as the world got ecofreindly, I painted the whole thing red, leaving the caps white, and no one is none the wiser! The jugs must be pushing 25-30, but the caps don't last, so a good cap from the soy and sesame oils of flimsy jugs from the takaway srcew right on, so keep on chuggin'... before I got these, I used army surplus gerry cans.... I think I spilled more gas than what I put in em. typical goverment program...
 
On ebay there is a guy reproducing the eagle, blitz, and other filler necks, haven't bought one yet just waiting till I break another neck then will order two. The necks are $10 a piece but still better than the new cans they are making now. chris
 
Some of us are still too busy using 5 gal oil pails.... at least until the neck comes off the lid. Then we get a new batch.

Rod
 
just remember for use on any construction sites they must be metal safety cans for gasoline per osha
 
(quoted from post at 15:58:57 09/14/12) Some of you guys better learn haz-mat rules if you are going to recommend portable tanks over 8 gallons for gasoline.
Just cause you did it and got away with it does not make it legal.
Click to expand...

Not sure I follow you on that John. Could you clear it up? Last I knew HazMat didn't start until a lot more than 8 gallons.
 
I've got 3 or 4 5 gallon plastic containers (can't call them "cans", I guess), a couple with missing spouts. The newer ones are a PITA so most of the time I use a funnel. I've got a bunch of them for different machines and use a long spout (transmission funnel) if I'm filling up a car.

As for Hazmat, OSHA, what's "legal" or not, too much govt interference in our lives, IMO. Just like the "ozone alert days" where they tell us we shouldn't be cutting our grass or filling up our cars. I fill up my car when I need to and I cut my grass when it fits my schedule. I doubt that there's more than a couple of people who actually follow those alerts.
 
I have a few of the OLD plastic cans, pre-goobermint interference. They're stored inside in a metal locker, so they last just fine, thanks.

I hit the yard sales and grab every one I can find.

OSHA can kiss my German-American behind, right on the crack. I've spilled WAY more gas with those useless "safety" cans than I ever did with my old ones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Eagle Metal Gas Cans - What Happened????
Replies
15
Views
7K
Anonymous-0
A
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top