Start with the machine type, engine and fuel arrangement rather than a car registration alone. A digger on a restricted site, a generator in service and a machine supplied from a bowser have different practical requirements. Attendance and equipment are agreed after those details are understood.
Identify the machine and the fuel source
Provide the make, model and asset number, approximate tank contents and the product added. Explain whether the machine has been started or worked since refuelling. For hired equipment, contact the hire company or follow the operator’s incident procedure before authorising work.
If fuel came from a bowser, drum or site tank, say so. A single machine filled incorrectly is different from a concern about a shared supply. Avoid using a suspect source for additional machines while the cause and scope are being assessed.
Site safety and access come first
Give the site address, entrance, working-area contact and access restrictions. Mention induction requirements, restricted hours, soft or uneven ground, height limits and any separate authorisation needed for fuel work on the site.
The machine must be made safe under the site’s procedures before work can be agreed. Do not operate it to move it into position simply because the engine still runs. Discuss whether safe access to the machine and tank is available and who is responsible for site coordination.
Wrong fuel, water and stored-fuel concerns
Petrol in a diesel machine needs to be distinguished from water ingress, an unknown fluid or fuel that has been stored for a long period. Record when symptoms began, the source used and whether other equipment has been affected.
A tank drain may be part of the response, but it does not repair a contaminated source or establish the condition of every fuel-system component. Machinery that has operated on suspect fuel may need additional attention before returning to work.
Agree the scope before attendance
Tank access, volume, fuel type and the working location affect the equipment and time involved. An equipment enquiry may require photographs or more details before the appropriate attendance can be arranged. Large-volume uplift and storage-tank work must be discussed separately rather than assumed to be included.
The person approving the job should understand what is proposed and any limits on the mobile work. Cost, site permissions and any recommendation for the machine’s normal maintenance provider should be established before work proceeds.
Attendance, access and the cost of the work
Commercial, HGV and plant enquiries are individually scoped. Tank volume, vehicle or machine configuration, site permissions, equipment and travel affect the quote. A starting price for a standard car drain does not apply automatically.
We cover mainland Scotland and the islands. Arrival estimates are confirmed for the vehicle’s actual location and current availability. Time on site is a separate matter and depends on the work. Neither a coverage page nor an initial enquiry is a promise of a fixed completion time.
Before attendance, identify the person authorised to approve the work. The technician explains the proposed service and confirms the cost before starting. If you intend to use a policy, lease agreement or hire-company process, check its requirements with the provider.
Find your coverage areaPlant and machinery fuel draining: common questions
Can you deal with hired plant?
Tell us the hire company, machine details and who can authorise work. Follow the owner’s incident procedure and raise any maintenance requirements before attendance is agreed.
Is a generator the same as a road vehicle job?
No. Tank size, equipment operation, installation and site access can change the scope. Describe the generator and how it is fuelled when enquiring.
Can you empty a site bowser as part of a machine drain?
Do not assume this is included. A bowser or storage-tank concern needs its own quantity, access and service-scope discussion.
What if several machines used the same supply?
Stop further use of the suspect source where safe and record the affected assets. Each machine’s operating history and the shared supply need to be considered.