Buying a Boiler Fuel Truck
If you're in the oilfield service business, and you have truck mounted boilers, you need a boiler fuel truck — also called a fuel truck or a fueler. It's used to carry diesel or other fuel to the boilers, so they can keep running. It's a simple but essential piece of equipment. If you're shopping for one, here's what you need to know.
What Does a Boiler Fuel Truck Do?
A boiler fuel truck has one main job: carry fuel to the boilers. It's a specialized fuel truck, designed for oilfield use. It carries diesel in a tank, and has a pump and hose to deliver the fuel to the boiler's fuel tank.
Boilers burn a lot of fuel. A typical 1 million BTU boiler burns about 70-80 liters of diesel per hour. If you're running the boiler for 10 hours a day, that's 700-800 liters of fuel. You can't carry that much fuel on the boiler truck itself — you need a separate fuel truck to keep the boiler running.
What to Look For When Buying a Boiler Fuel Truck
Tank Size. How big a tank do you need? It depends on how many boilers you're running, and how far you have to drive to refill. Most boiler fuel trucks have 2,000-10,000 liter tanks. If you're running 2-3 boilers, a 5,000 liter tank is enough. If you're running more, or if you're in a remote area, you need a bigger tank.
Pumping System. You need a pump to transfer the fuel from the truck's tank to the boiler's tank. Most fuel trucks have a pump that can deliver 50-200 liters per minute. That's fast enough to fill a boiler's fuel tank in 10-20 minutes.
Metering System. Good fuel trucks have a metering system, so you know exactly how much fuel you're delivering. That's important for accounting — you need to know how much fuel you're using, and how much you're charging to the customer.
Truck Chassis. What kind of truck chassis do you need? If you're driving on paved roads, a 4x2 truck is enough. If you're driving on rough oilfield roads, you need a 4x4 or 6x6 truck, with good off-road capability.
New vs. Used
Buy New If: You're starting a new operation, you need a warranty, or you want the latest features. New fuel trucks come with factory support, and you know exactly what you're getting. But they're expensive.
Buy Used If: You're on a tight budget, or you just need a truck that works. Used fuel trucks are 40-60% cheaper than new. But you have to inspect them carefully — check the tank for rust, check the pump, check the meter, and check the truck chassis. Bring a mechanic with you to inspect any used truck before you buy.
FAQ
Q: How much does a boiler fuel truck cost?
A: A new boiler fuel truck costs $60,000 to $150,000, depending on the size and features. A small 2,000-liter truck starts around $60,000. A big 10,000-liter truck can cost $150,000 or more. Used trucks are 40-60% cheaper.