A gravity feed kit is the simplest way to dispense AdBlue® from an IBC. There is no pump, no power supply and very little to go wrong. The IBC sits up high, a hose runs from the valve, and AdBlue flows down into the vehicle when you open the nozzle. For the right site it is a low-cost, reliable solution. For the wrong one it is frustratingly slow.
How a gravity feed kit works
A typical kit has three parts: an adaptor that screws onto the IBC valve, a length of AdBlue-compatible hose and a manual nozzle or tap. The IBC is placed on a stand or raised platform so the valve sits well above the height of the vehicle filler.
Flow is driven only by the height of liquid above the nozzle. The higher the IBC and the fuller it is, the faster AdBlue flows. As it empties, flow gradually slows.
Where gravity feed makes sense
- Low to moderate use. A farm, small workshop or plant yard topping up a handful of machines a week.
- No reliable power. Remote sheds, paddocks and job sites where running cable is impractical.
- Simple, low-maintenance set-ups. No pump to wear out, no electrics to protect from weather.
- Budget-conscious starts. A gravity kit is a low-cost first step before investing in a pump system.
Where it falls short
- Busy depots. If several trucks queue each shift, the slower flow costs driver time.
- High filler necks. Some trucks and machines have fillers high off the ground. The IBC must sit clearly above them to get useful flow.
- Auto shut-off nozzles and meters. Many need more pressure than gravity provides. Inline filters also add resistance.
- Long hose runs. Every extra metre of hose reduces flow. Keep the vehicle close.
- Low IBC levels. The last part of the IBC dispenses slowly. Plan to swap before it becomes a nuisance.
Setting up an elevated IBC safely
The main risk with gravity feed is not the AdBlue, it is the weight. A full AdBlue IBC weighs about 1,150 kg. Lifting that onto a stand needs care.
- Use a purpose-built stand rated for well above the weight of a full IBC. Do not improvise with pallets, drums or blocks.
- Set it on level, solid ground, ideally concrete. A stand on soft ground can settle unevenly.
- Place the IBC with a forklift operated by a licensed driver. Never lift by hand or with makeshift gear.
- Keep it shaded. An elevated IBC is more exposed to the sun. Use a roof, shade structure or insulated cover to protect shelf life.
- Protect from impact so vehicles cannot hit the stand.
- Keep a spill kit nearby. Use a general purpose or chemical kit, not an oil-only one. Check your state EPA or site rules on bunding.
Keeping it clean
The hose and nozzle on a gravity kit often hang in the open. Hang the nozzle off the ground, cap it between uses and wipe the vehicle's filler area before topping up. Close the IBC valve at the end of the day. Replace any hose that shows cracking or white urea crystals around fittings.
Gravity feed or pump? A quick test
Ask yourself three questions. Do you fill more than a few vehicles a day? Do you need to record litres per vehicle? Is mains or battery power easy to reach? If you answered yes to any of them, a pump kit is likely the better long-term choice. If the answer to all three is no, gravity feed is hard to beat for simplicity. Our guide to choosing an AdBlue pump kit covers the alternatives.
One thing you can do today: measure the height of the highest AdBlue filler neck in your fleet. Your IBC valve needs to sit comfortably above that point, so this one measurement tells you how tall a stand you need, or whether gravity feed will work at all.
How Liquidia can help: Liquidia offers an IBC plus gravity feed kit bundle, and a version that adds a spill kit, in our online store bundles. Our 1,000 L AdBlue IBCs come on timber or steel bases, and we can quote delivery to your suburb.