When was the last time you checked your gas cans? Not just the fuel level, but the actual condition of the can? Have you ever taken the time to remove the spark/flame arrestor, and pour all of the fuel out? Check out the photos below to see why this may be a good idea.
These photos show the rust that was poured out of a normal looking metal gas can. The wire mesh that makes up the spark/flame arrestor may actually filter the larger chunks of rust keeping them in the can, but some of the smaller chunks may pass through. This rust could easily make its way into the saw and wreak havoc on a small engine.
There are many benefits to using metal gas cans: durability and compliance with legal requirements are probably the most important. However there is one important potential negative drawback. Rust! It’s just something we may have to deal with since plastic cans are not really an acceptable alternative, and are ultimately not fire service friendly.
The simple fix is to really check the conditions of all of your fuel cans, and have the department spring the $30 to replace that beat up 20 year old gas can and prevent damage from that $1500 saw.
We change our cans every 4 years! It doesn´t matter if they are metal or plastic cans. We had never problems with our machines.
HE HATES THESE CANS!!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THE CANS!!!!!
I’m surprised that more departments haven’t made the switch to prepackaged engineered fuels. They remove almost all the risks involved in using cans. No spills, no filling, no mixing, no guessing if you’ve got the right mix.
I recently made the switch from a dept. that uses cans to one that uses TruFuel. The fact that I never have to open a compartment the stinks of gas is worth the use alone.
I work at 2 places in two different towns. Both of which carry plastic gas cans on the apparatus next to the saws. That said the one company has switched to tru fuel which is way better. It is in metal cans but it has no ethanol so it doesnt ruin are equipment.
THE NEW PHONE BOOK IS HERE!! THE NEW PHONE BOOK IS HERE!!
We dont use gas cans at all, we actually pre mix the gas and oil (when necessary) in rubber gloves. You can carry them in your pocket in case you get low on fuel during operations. They wont rust obviously, so it eliminates the aforementioned issue….duh!
Yea we use the rubber gloves too…just cut one of the fingers off and it directly pours it without the spillage…lol
we just switched over to the pre-packaged fuel cans like from STIHL for our saws. 100% gasoline pre-mixed and sealed to prevent varnishing. It works for our little volley department as we don’t burn through that much fuel.
I’m working in trying to get my department to switch from metal and plastic gas cans and mixing the fuel to Tru fuel. Any info from someone who uses it or switched to it with any documentation or help I could use to provide to my dept would be greatly appreciated.