Welding on a 55 gal. drum?

This question is more shop related but I seek your advice.

I want to convert a 55 gal. oil drum into a diesel fuel storage tank. The drum was new at the time I purchased the oil (Shell Rotella T) and has never been outside. I've turned it upside down and gotten all the oil I could out of it. It's also a closed drum,, no removable top.

I'd like to weld some lifting tabs to the top of the sides so I can pick it up with a small front end loader at my house and place it in a cart I'm building. With my fresh oil drum I lift it with nylon chokers around the "girth" in my shop with a chain fall, straight up/straight down so no travel is required.

The real question is, would you weld on it and what preparations would you take?
Two people said to fill it with water and weld but that seems awful messy and the residual water afterwards gives me concern.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

Thanks, I've been on the web and there's plethora of lifting devices. Being the frugal (cheap) guy I am I wanted to fab something myself. This drum will only be lifted in/out of the pickup maybe 3 times a year.

 

Kinda rethinking the tab idea and pondering fabbing up a scissors type arrangement.

 

Northern Tool has chain and clamp device for $50. Looks to be substantial and decent,, hmmmm.
Strongway Vertical Drum Lifter