CAT CLASS: HQ-10904

250-500 gal Fuel Tank

The 250-500 gallon fuel tank is the workhorse of jobsite fuel storage, sized to supply diesel or gasoline to a small fleet of equipment for approximately one week. Often delivered as self-contained cube tanks with integrated secondary containment, this class bridges portable tanks and bulk storage. It sits mid-ladder between the Up to 250 gal Fuel Tank for single-machine applications and the 500-1,000 gal Fuel Tank for larger construction operations.

120

Models

Brands

Cat classes

Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.

Key specifications

Specification	Typical range	What it means
Capacity	250–500 gal	Stores roughly 950–1,900 liters of diesel, gasoline, or other fuels
Load capacity	551–1,001 lb (250–454 kg)	Empty tank weight; full fuel load adds approximately 1,135–2,270 kg for diesel
Max height	3.8–104 ft (1.2–31.7 m)	Varies widely by configuration; cube tanks typically under 5 ft, vertical tanks much taller

How to choose

This size class suits jobsites running two to four pieces of heavy equipment where weekly fuel deliveries align with logistics schedules. The Up to 250 gal Fuel Tank becomes the better choice for single excavators, generators, or light equipment where daily consumption stays below 30-40 gallons. When managing five or more machines, operating remote sites with infrequent delivery access, or supporting equipment with high burn rates (large dozers, multiple generators), the 500-1,000 gal Fuel Tank reduces refill frequency and may lower per-gallon delivery costs.

What this size handles

Residential subdivision grading with excavator, dozer, and compactor running concurrently
Road paving crew operating asphalt paver, roller, and milling machine over multi-day stretches
Remote solar farm construction with limited fuel delivery windows
Bridge repair project requiring generator and equipment fuel for 5–7 day work cycles
Pipeline installation running welding rigs and sideboom tractors
Temporary fueling station for municipal maintenance yard during tank replacement

Safety & operation

Secondary containment (110% of primary tank volume) required by many jurisdictions; integral to most cube designs, external containment needed for vertical tanks
Grounding and bonding cables mandatory during fuel transfer to prevent static discharge; permanent grounding stakes recommended for stationary installations
Venting systems must accommodate thermal expansion and prevent vacuum lock during dispensing; vent caps require flame arrestors in many applications
Placarding and labeling per NFPA 30 and local fire codes; minimum setback distances from structures, property lines, and ignition sources vary by fuel type and jurisdiction

Transport & logistics

Cube-style tanks under 500 gallons typically transport on flatbed trailers or in pickup beds when empty; full weight requires equipment trailer or delivery truck
Most units in this range deliverable via standard flatbed with forklift or crane offload; some skid-mounted models allow direct placement by boom truck
Vertical cylindrical tanks may require specialized cradles or tie-downs for highway transport to prevent rolling

Power & supply

Electric fuel pumps (12V DC or 120V AC) common for dispensing; 12V systems often powered by onboard battery or connection to equipment being fueled
Gravity-feed configurations available on elevated or slope-positioned tanks, eliminating pump power requirements
AC-powered pumps require generator or shore power; typical draw 5–15 amps at 120V for standard transfer pumps

Frequently asked

How long does 400 gallons of diesel fuel a typical excavator?

A mid-size excavator (30,000–40,000 lb) consuming 5–8 gallons per hour will run approximately 50–80 operating hours on 400 gallons, typically 6–10 working days depending on duty cycle and idle time.

What footprint does a 300-gallon cube tank require?

Standard 300-gallon fuel cubes typically measure 42–48 inches per side, requiring approximately 16–25 square feet of level ground plus clearance for hose access and fill connections.

Can this size class store gasoline and diesel interchangeably?

Tank construction materials (polyethylene, steel) are often rated for multiple fuel types, but cross-contamination risk requires dedicated tanks for each fuel; pumps, hoses, and nozzles must also remain fuel-specific and clearly labeled.

Compare popular models

Find by spec →

Normalised to the same units. A dash means the figure was not published.

Model	Load capacity	Max height
Poly-Mart PM300CT	300 gal	7.2 ft (2.2 m)
Transcube 10TCG	251 gal	3.8 ft (1.2 m)
Transtech LNG Horizontal Storage Tank 120,000 Gallon	454.2 gal	104 ft (31.7 m)