Heating oil+tank

So every now and again, we see ads for someone wanting their oil tank removed, and the fuel inside comes with it... I know alot of these tanks are in basements and a huge pita to remove, but i still have two questions;
What type of pump would one use to get the fuel out? 9 out of ten times, it would need pumped uphill into a drum in the truck. Hand crank, electric, garden hose or chemical hose? Ive kicked around the idea abouttrying to modify a sump pump, but probably not powerful enough or designed to handle anything but water.
What do you proffessional guys use to cut these tanks without making things go boom?
All the pumps ive looked at would take forever to payitself off, as alot of homeowners have converted to natural gas, and the free oil with tank ads are becoming scarce.

One idea to remove the fuel oil is an electric fuel pump. HP sells a variety of inexpensive pumps that hook up to a battery. You can get by using garden hoses, but after a while they will harden and crack. Diesel fuel hoses work great, but they are expensive. I usually just buy garden hose adapters and cut chunks of old hose, use it until it rots, and cut a new one.

As far as cutting these tanks indoors, I have no suggestions. We cut ours outdoors, filled with water. Other threads on the forum talk about filling them with exhaust from an automobile or other gases. I have no experience with these methods. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.

Originally Posted by VoodooDaddy

What type of pump would one use to get the fuel out?
What do you proffessional guys use to cut these tanks without making things go boom?

We gravity drain into a 5 gallon bucket
The tanks I have gotten the people knew they were getting rid of them and all but ran them dry
I use a sawzall blade and then remove the sledge with a 3" putty/Spackle knife and wipe clean with a couple rags
I use a Milwaukee Tools 10 TPI 6" Torch Super Sawzall Blade >>> Most tanks take 2 >> The film of oil in the tank works as a nice cooling lubricant to make the blade last longer >> Slow speed cutting seems to work best for me

If this is a conversion to another type of fuel
BE SURE TO REMOVE THE FILL TUBE FROM THE WALL
so the next oil delivery does NOT fill the cellar with oil

Originally Posted by Mick

The forks are positioned so the ends will come apart rather than pinch together as I cut.

I get the same effect with the 1.5 ton aluminum Harbor Freight floor jack positioned in the center of the tank

for the most part it would not be worth it as most people do run pretty much empty before the switch, thought maybe some of the crafty individuals on the forum might have a DIY setup they'd be willing to share... Maybe in the Made From Scrap section, eh?