The Right Size Matters
December 25, 2015
Written By Adam Buckallew
Has your fuel storage capacity kept pace with the growth of your farming operation? If the answer is no, it may be time to consider changing the size of your tank. Maintaining adequate on-farm fuel supply is vital to avoiding downtime in your business.
As the average number of acres the typical farmer plants continues to grow, more fuel is needed to cover the additional ground and power larger equipment with bigger fuel tanks. Having the proper tank size can ensure you have the fuel you need, when you need it.
“Right-sizing tanks allows us to better serve our customers by making certain they have a suitable supply of fuel during peak usage times such as planting and harvest,” says Kenny Steeves, MFA Oil vice president of bulk and propane plant operations. “It reduces dependency on multiple fills and limits the risk of costly interruptions in your operation.”
Tank right-sizing is a proactive step MFA Oil customers can take to eliminate emergency scenarios, Steeves added.
“Proper sizing allows us to better manage our customers’ needs in times of high demand and outages in our trade area,” Steeves says. “We understand time is valuable, so we’d rather work with our customers to improve their onsite storage than make them wait for fuel deliveries that cut down on their efficiency.”
Greater storage capacity not only provides you with peace of mind, it also allows you to purchase more fuel when prices are favorable to lock in cost savings.
MFA Oil employees replace an older, smaller fuel tank with one that better fits the needs of Blair Oaks High School in Jefferson City, Mo.
MFA Oil employees replace an older, smaller fuel tank with one that better fits the needs of Blair Oaks High School in Jefferson City, Mo.
How do you determine the optimal tank size for your operation?
“We recommend you call your local bulk plant to schedule a time to review your needs and determine the best options for your farm,” Steeves says. “A change in tank size is not always necessary, and we will continue to service all sizes; however, we have many customers who would benefit from right-sizing their tank.”