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It's important to turn your diesel fuel inventory frequently. "It would be ideal to turn over inventory within a six-month period," says Bob Theisen, Cenex. "If biodiesel blends are used, the inventory should be turned in three months or less based on best practices established by Federal agencies. A premium-type diesel fuel can increase the storage life of a fuel and biodiesel blends."

The frequency at which you need to turn your diesel fuel supply depends on a number of factors. "Petroleum companies generally recommend that fuel be used within six months, but this can be significantly longer depending upon the storage conditions, etc.," Gault notes. "It is very important that fuel storage tanks (or vehicle tanks) be inspected periodically to remove any water that has accumulated and ensure that biological growth is not taking place. Storage should be cool and dry to maximize storage life."

Storage tank maintenance is a big issue. "If you never completely empty a tank, it is a situation where you can have all types of algae and fungus," says Joe Fell, Ryan Central Inc. "You need to periodically clean those things out and use the appropriate products to kill algae and fungus, like biocides."

A lot of contractors choose to have fuel delivered to storage tanks in a central yard, then move it around themselves. Ryan Central Inc. doesn't subscribe to this theory. "They look at their per-gallon cost. It may be 10 cents lower. What they don't realize is it [may be] costing them 20 cents to move it around and get it to the jobs and in the machines where they need it," Fell points out. "Maybe you get it a little cheaper. But if you are not in touch with what your costs are to get it where you need it, what is the point?"

Ryan Central has the supplier deliver fuel directly to its equipment. "Let's say it costs you 15% of your per-gallon charge to get it delivered into your equipment," Fell comments. "It may cost you a little more upfront, but you are not burning fuel in your trucks to get it out. You don't have people on the payroll associated with getting fuel around.

"You have to know all of the costs that go into it," he adds. "It is not just what you see on the invoice."