Alternate Gyrobee Fuel Tank

Rick Martin

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2004
Messages
2,162
Location
BRADENTON, FLORIDA & FL10
Aircraft
Everglades Kite Gyro, Tandem Dominator
Total Flight Time
900 hours
A couple of weeks ago, there was a guy at Wauchula who had a Kolb ultralight. I was looking it over and noticed his fuel tanks. Since they were close to the size of the one on my Bee, I asked about them. He said that they were the "factory" tanks from Kolb but that they came from a bee-keepers supply house.

Here is the link:

https://www.dadant.com/catalog/prod...d=513&osCsid=f55edfc99192f79918ec2ff246957002

The tanks will fit into the existing Gyrobee tank holder, but they are about 1 inch narower front to back and side to side. They are a little thinner but obviously Kolb is satisfied with their integrity.

I remember when I went to buy my tank (the one specified in the plans) I was shocked to pay over $35.00 for a plastic jug!! Granted, it is an important plastic jug. But as you'll see on their site, Dadant sells them for $5.25.

I'm not reccomending or endorsing these tanks. I just came across them and know that some of us are building on a budget so I fugured I'd pass the information on.
 

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How about an old 5 gallon pony keg, all polished up? Kinda like on a dune buggy.
 
RICK MARTIN said:
A couple of weeks ago, there was a guy at Wauchula who had a Kolb ultralight.

I'm not reccomending or endorsing these tanks. I just came across them and know that some of us are building on a budget so I fugured I'd pass the information on.

Anyone who's anyone would be using one of my seat tanks on their 'Bee :-))

, but for those interested in these jugs for fuel, I can tell you from experience that they hold up quite well. I used these jugs for fuel cans for refilling my gyro. These jugs fit very nicely in a plastic milk crate. I had a couple of milk crates (legally obtained, of course) bolted to my trailer and the jugs fit down in them and were secured by a bungee strap or two.

Any of these translucent fuel conatiners will discolor with age (including my seat tanks) they also seem to allow direct sunlight to degrade auto fuel a lot faster than it does in an opaque container.

Our local Shakey's Pizza Parlor used to sell these jugs for $1.00 each, they got their cooking oil in them. We also found they make great oxy / acetylene bombs.

My friend found a source for valves for these containers.
 
Just remember that the Petroleum Correctness Police in some states (like mine) can fine you for dispensing gasoline into "unapproved" containers. I gather that an "approved" container has to say Gasoline on it and must be colored red.

I suspect that too many rules and gadgets protecting us from our own stupidity are actually counter-productive (i.e. they help make us stupider and therefore less safe)... but such a contrary opinion won't keep you from getting fined.
 
Best Prices on GyroBee Fuel Tanks

Best Prices on GyroBee Fuel Tanks

Standard 5 ga fuel tanks in red, yellow, natural, blue...

US Plastics Corp.

Note: The above web site mentions these tanks are NOT for fuel. This is likely only due to the EDPM o-ring gasket in the cap which should be replaced with a Viton o-ring gasket. The tanks are otherwise identical to those being sold by UL aircraft suppliers.

Larger 10 ga fuel tank which can fit an Amateur-Built Experimental GyroBee with a modified fuel tank tray...

Air-Tech Inc.

Be sure and check the above web site for a pick-up tube kit for this tank.

Seat tanks from Tom Milton..

Calumet Motorsports, Inc.

Fly safe,

John L.
 
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