Design of gas tanks

[CubbaCudet]

While I was filing the gas in my SLTX1050, I got to thinking, why is the gas tank located in the front, directly on top of the hot engine?

One small leak or crack and the entire gas tank will explode and seriously injure or worse the driver.

Shouldnt the gas tank be somewhere on the side of the lawnmower, away from a heat source?

[R Bedell]

Cub Cadet gas tanks have been located on or near the engine since 1960. I don't seem to recall a big issue with fires on these tractors for the last 62 yrs.

One would think, to exercise logic and common sense when fueling a garden tractor. I am sure the first twelve pages of the Owners Manual, covers all the warnings.

[1711Cub]

The 1990-97 Cyclops series placed the fuel tanks over the rear transaxle. This was done more for weight distribution than safety. Some Quietlines and the 82 series had a firewall between the tank and engine. I think these are more than safe enough. It is more likely a lawn mower/garden tractor will catch fire due to electrical shorts than fuel leaks.

[West Valley G]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

Cub Cadet gas tanks have been located on or near the engine since 1960. I don't seem to recall a big issue with fires on these tractors for the last 62 yrs.

One would think, to exercise logic and common sense when fueling a garden tractor. I am sure the first twelve pages of the Owners Manual, covers all the warnings.

More then likely warnings is all it contains. Important stuff like, don't
let a baby operate the equipment.
I sure love out old manuals.

Ken

[ol'George]

Many times fuel tanks are placed so they can gravity feed the engine.
Also in earlier times, equipment manufactures used engines "off the shelf" so to speak as any changes added costs to the equipment.
Also tanks tend to be placed where there is room for them.
Many factors have gone into designing of equipment over the years.
Some have worked out well, others not so well.

The ford Pinto comes to mind, it got a bad rap for having the tank in the rear and when hit at 60 MPH, they ruptured and caught fire.
Hoo kay, 60 Mph or so, hmmmm?---- at that speed nothing survives very well.
So it goes,
if one exercises caution and don't do stupid acts, life turns out good.
But it only takes one event of "here hold my beer and watch this" event to
cause things to change, sometimes not for the better.
One cannot fix stupid,
but ignorance is extinguished with education/knowledge.

[Farmall450]

Originally Posted by 1711Cub

The 1990-97 Cyclops series placed the fuel tanks over the rear transaxle. This was done more for weight distribution than safety. Some Quietlines and the 82 series had a firewall between the tank and engine. I think these are more than safe enough. It is more likely a lawn mower/garden tractor will catch fire due to electrical shorts than fuel leaks.

I like the rear tank placement best. Easiest to fill, too.

[Ozcub]

My old HDS2155 and my current GT2550 both have rear mounted fuel tanks
Oz

[Sergeant]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

Cub Cadet gas tanks have been located on or near the engine since 1960. I don't seem to recall a big issue with fires on these tractors for the last 62 yrs.

One would think, to exercise logic and common sense when fueling a garden tractor. I am sure the first twelve pages of the Owners Manual, covers all the warnings.

One of My earliest memories of my late father, Gas Can In Hand, Lit Cigarette In Mouth, filling hot engine on Our Firestone Lawn Tractor (Gas Take side Mounted On engine). He Never Blew Himself Up. But the Cigarettes, got him In the end with COPD