Help me design a way to transport and lift this fuel transfer tank

[HCJtractor]

I have this steel diesel tank, 36 gallons. I want to design and build something to help me lift it from the bed of my truck (full of diesel) and place it in my shed, just a few feet away. I’ll lift it with my FEL which has a grapple with teeth, which had plenty of power. Basically, I want to be able to put it in my truck, drive a few miles to the gas station, fill it, return and lift it out of my truck. It’s all rural roads, and I’m not worried about regulations, but of course, I’ll strap it down and secure it while transporting . I’ve thought of a harness of some kind, or a welded metal cage with lifting eyes, etc. I just can’t come up with a good idea. I want it to be balanced so I can just hook a chain or nylon web strap and clevis quickly, and lift. It would be nice to have it resting on some feet, to keep the bottom from rusting, as the floor is dirt. Or I could just set it on blocks or pressure treated wood. But I want it quick and easy. Just hook it up, lift it, and set it down.

It has two little flanges on each side with bolt holes. The little welded rings on top are specifically stated not to be used to lift unless empty.

So are any of you creative? Any ideas?

 

[4570Man]

That’s less than 300 pounds of fuel. I’d use the existing rings. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that maybe weld on better supported tabs.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have the 50 GL square transfer tank. Bolted it to 4 X 6 treated skids. For yours I would make them longer tan the narrow side for stabiity. Those narrow tanks bet top heavy. Lift it with the FEL clamp on forks. Not sure I would want it swinging in the air on chains or straps. I also have a 50 GL for gasoline. I have it on a deep C channel frame with caster so I can move it to the use point (generator prime user).

Ron

 

[bcp]

Fasten it to a 4-x-wider board, then lift it from the ends of the board, through the lifting eyes.



Bruce

 

[ddbackhoe]

I have this steel diesel tank, 36 gallons. I want to design and build something to help me lift it from the bed of my truck (full of diesel) and place it in my shed, just a few feet away. I値l lift it with my FEL which has a grapple with teeth, which had plenty of power. Basically, I want to be able to put it in my truck, drive a few miles to the gas station, fill it, return and lift it out of my truck. It痴 all rural roads, and I知 not worried about regulations, but of course, I値l strap it down and secure it while transporting . I致e thought of a harness of some kind, or a welded metal cage with lifting eyes, etc. I just can稚 come up with a good idea. I want it to be balanced so I can just hook a chain or nylon web strap and clevis quickly, and lift. It would be nice to have it resting on some feet, to keep the bottom from rusting, as the floor is dirt. Or I could just set it on blocks or pressure treated wood. But I want it quick and easy. Just hook it up, lift it, and set it down.

It has two little flanges on each side with bolt holes. The little welded rings on top are specifically stated not to be used to lift unless empty.

So are any of you creative? Any ideas?View attachment 568844

Two lifting straps (around bottom) and a spreader bar, strap it to a pallet, get a length of ~3/16 x 3/4 and bend up a lifting basket, then add some caster wheels and a pump :thumbsup:

 

[nyone]

They make pallets and pallet forks just for situations like this. How often are you filling it?

 

[HCJtractor]

I probably will fill it 5 times a year, so infrequently. And I don’t have forks, and my grapple stays on my tractor, so it will have to be with a lifting sling or chain. So the only question is how to attach it to the tank or to be made, tank frame. The sticker on the tank warns not to pick it up when full by the rings, so I would be afraid to do that (although I’ll bet it would work fine) but don’t want to risk dropping it and damaging my tank or truck. As far as it swaying as it dangles from whatever, I’m not worried about that. I lift my other implements all the time to load them, some much bigger and heavier.

And I don’t want to weld to the tank. It has diesel in it and my welding skills are minimal. It I’m good enough to weld a frame if need be.

I agree increasing the footprint to make it more stable during transport is a good idea.

 

[skipperbrown]

I don't think the manufacturer recommends lifting a full tank by the attached rings. 36 gallons of spilled diesel is a huge mess. I have a 2x2x2 ft 50 gal tank. I built a pallet with plywood walls on 3 sides (for protection) and bolted the tank on it and then built a dolly to carry the pallet/tank so I can roll it around my shop. I use pallet forks to lift my pallet into and out of my truck. This would be a really good excuse to buy a set of pallet forks. You will use them a lot more than you think! Anyway, you can mount lift slings to fit your grapple for lifting the pallet which will also protect your tank. However, be aware that 36 gallons of diesel hanging from your loader will want to swing … a lot. You don't want the first contact of a thin skinned full tank of diesel with the floor to be metal on concrete. The concrete won't collapse.

 

[4570Man]

Adding 2 more lines parallel to the ground running back to the brush guard cuts down most of the swinging.

 

[kevin37b]

Why not leave it in the truck ?