Farmers can now benefit from increased security from oil theft or leaks, and monitor their usage to accurately calculate their cost of production, as well as keep control over supply, thanks to a new App launched today by Check-my-tank.com. 

The Check-my-tank system is available to farmers with a smartphone (iPhone or Android), Mac, or PC connected to the internet, allowing subscribers to monitor farm liquids including oil and fertilizer from multiple tanks or sites, using reliable ultrasonic sensors and innovative mobile phone technology. In addition to monitoring oil use, the system also sends real-time alerts 24/7 if oil levels drop suddenly, helping to monitor for oil tank thefts or even potentially disastrous leaks that could cost thousands to clean up. 

Andrew D’angibau, farmer from Colchester who has been trialling the system said: “I like that I have control and a view of my tanks from one central place – it’s a big time saver.  I can also see how much oil the grain drier is using in an hour to keep a close track on my drying cost per tonne.

In terms of safety the impact on the farm of a leak in terms of the potential environmental cleanup costs would be huge.  Of course we have insurance but that’s only any good if you can prove the leak wasn’t your fault, and you still have the environment agency to contend with. 

When it comes to theft I have CCTV covering my tanks, but the system alerts me via my phone in real time.  It records at what time the fuel was stolen and I could use that info together with the CCTV as evidence.”

The system sends daily updates to the farmer on tank levels, and will send alerts when a delivery is needed. Cleverly, as the App is independent and not associated with any one oil company, it contains an independent comparison tool, allowing a user to compare real-time prices for oil suppliers in their area, and place an order through the App, potentially saving a significant amount of money and helping to combat against continuing oil price rises.  Prices for red diesel and kerosene through the site are currently running at the same price or up to 1/2p cheaper than the agri-buying group price.

Alan Smith, Director at Spillsure Limited, which developed the Check-my-tank App, comments: “Check-my-tank is a unique App for farmers. Not only will it monitor oil usage and protect against potential leaks or thefts, its tool could help to drive down the cost of oil.  Monitoring tanks across the farm and being able to order fuel from an independent price comparison tool at the touch of a button puts the farmer in control and saves them time and money.”

To sign up to the service, farmers pay an initial one-off fee of £150 for the monitor and modem, which is then installed in the tank, followed by a small monitoring charge of just £1 per week.