How To Pump Or Drain Fuel From 30 Gallon Diesel Drum With No Electricity Or Power  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello Doug, for a no-power setup like that, I’d look at one of the manual pumps from Fill-Rite.

The Fill-Rite Rotary Pump # FR98XQ is a simple hand-crank design that moves 10 gallons per 100 rotations and even has reversible flow, so you can fill or drain with the same pump.

If you’d rather move fuel faster per cycle, the Manual Piston Pump # FR53XQ delivers 20 gallons per 100 strokes, which cuts your pumping time down. One other thing to note is that the piston pump style sits lower, whereas the rotary crank style sits a bit taller on the tank/drum. And this one doesn't reverse flow for draining like the other one does.

Both mount to a standard 2" bung and include telescoping suction pipes 20"–34-1/2".

What are you fueling up most days, Doug?

expert reply by: Andrew N

0

Doug

3/3/2026

Thanks! I’m mostly fueling a compact tractor and sometimes a few job-site style big generators. Probably 5–10 gallons at a time. I don’t really need to drain anything back out. Sounds like the piston might be quicker?

Andrew N.

3/3/2026

@Doug Okay nice. Yes, the piston style # FR53XQ will certainly be faster and more efficient. I'd definitely go that route. Let me know how you like it!