A fuel plan for a linear project answers three questions for every generator on the line: how much it burns, where the next delivery meets it, and who is responsible when the truck cannot reach it. A road, trench or pipeline corridor moves its work face every few days, so a plan written for one fixed location fails quickly. The plan has to travel with the work, and it has to hold up when access changes.
Storing fuel on a construction site carries its own rules. OSHA’s 1926.152 covers approved containers and storage quantities for flammable liquids on construction sites, and your site safety lead decides how it applies to the diesel you stage. Build that answer into the plan before the first delivery, not after.
Start with burn rate, not tank size
Tank size tells you how long a generator can run, but burn rate tells you how often you must refuel it. Estimate consumption from the load the unit carries, using the fuel consumption chart, then multiply by the hours the crew works. The result is gallons per shift, and every other number in the plan follows from it.
Burn rate also varies with load, which changes as the crew’s tasks change. A unit that powers lights and a few tools one week may carry heavier equipment the next. Revisit the estimate whenever the work changes, and log actual fuel use so the next estimate rests on your own data.
Where the truck can and cannot go
On a linear job, the generator may sit hundreds of yards from the nearest paved road, or behind a closed lane. The delivery route is part of the plan, not an afterthought. Walk the corridor with the fuel supplier’s driver if you can, and mark the points where a truck can safely reach the unit, where it cannot, and what the alternative is when it cannot.
The table below compares common refueling approaches for a moving work face. It describes trade-offs, not prices, since costs depend on your supplier and location.
| Approach | Works well when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Truck delivers to the unit | Access is open and the unit stays put | Closed lanes, soft ground, tight timing |
| Fuel staged at a depot, crew carries it | Truck access is limited near the work face | Container rules, handling time, spill control |
| Larger tank on the unit | Deliveries are hard to schedule | Added weight and a bigger tow requirement |
| Mobile fueling on a set rotation | Several units spread along the corridor | Rotation has to follow the moving crew |
For options that extend run time between refuels, see our page on rental fuel tanks. Whether a larger tank beats more frequent deliveries depends on your corridor and your crew’s schedule.
Who owns fuel when the crew moves
A moving crew creates a handoff problem. When the work face advances, someone has to confirm that the old location is clear, the new one is stocked, and no unit has been left to run dry. Name one person on each crew as responsible for fuel, and write down who authorizes an extra delivery when something changes. A named owner prevents the situation where everyone assumes someone else checked the gauge. A city can also write the fuel and refueling arrangement into its rental request, as our page on what a city should specify in a temporary power rental for public works describes.
Towable units fit this kind of work because they move with the crew. Our page on towable diesel generator rental explains the trailer-mounted option, and the right choice depends on the tow vehicle and the terrain along your corridor. For how to build the generator spec itself, see our page on specifying generators for a utility crew that changes sites weekly.
A short checklist for the plan
The list below turns the plan into items a foreman can check at each move. Adjust it to your project, and drop anything that does not apply.
- Gallons per shift for each unit, from the current load
- Delivery points along the corridor, with access notes
- A backup refueling method when the first route is blocked
- A named fuel owner on each crew
- Storage and container approach agreed with the safety lead
- Fuel log, reviewed weekly to correct the estimates
Planning the rental with Stag
Stag Power Rentals supplies diesel generators from 20 kW to 2000 kW out of its Dickinson, TX yard. Bring the corridor length, the crews’ move schedule and the loads each unit will carry, and the team can help match units, tanks and trailers to the route. For the wider picture of how we support construction work, see our construction power overview, and when you have your numbers, request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I estimate fuel use for a generator on a linear project?
Start from the load the unit carries and use a fuel consumption chart to get gallons per hour, then multiply by the hours worked each shift. Revisit the estimate when the crew’s tasks change. A fuel log kept over the first weeks tightens the estimate.
What if the fuel truck cannot reach the generator?
Plan the alternative before it happens. Options include staging fuel at a depot, using a larger tank on the unit, or setting a mobile fueling rotation. The right choice depends on your corridor and the site’s storage rules.
Who should be responsible for fuel on a moving crew?
Name one person per crew and write down who can authorize an extra delivery. That prevents gaps at each move. The person should also confirm the old and new locations during every relocation.
Can I store diesel on site along the corridor?
That depends on your site rules and the applicable regulations, including the container and storage requirements in OSHA 1926.152. Confirm with your safety lead before staging fuel. Write the approved approach into the fuel plan.
What should I send with a quote request for a linear job?
Send the corridor length, the expected move schedule, loads and voltage for each unit, and the shift pattern. Include access notes for the route if you have. That lets the rental team size units, tanks and trailers in one pass.