Moving 100LB Propane Tank with FEL?

[MattEffinCameron]

Anyone have experience or photos of them moving a 100LB propane cylinder using a loader? Thinking of getting one to fuel a heater in my barn...I could look at having a service come fill it up but if I were to bring it to a local place to be refilled (who knows how frequently but I am guessing maybe once per year) it seems like there should be a relatively easy way to use my FEL to move the thing around.

I have a couple images in my head...surprised I haven't found more online. If anyone is doing this...im sure TBN people are!

 

[4570Man]

Just roll it in the bucket or put a strap in the handle. Unless you meant 1000 pounds.

 

[MattEffinCameron]

no, just 100lb. I guess since it appears you are supposed to keep them upright at all times, I was thinking a way to pick up the vertical standing cylinder and set it down (still standing) on my truck's tailgate...and move the full tank the same way (pick it up vertically and then set it down to be hooked back up)

 

[oosik]

OOPS - - I have never heard about keeping them vertical at all times. I have a pair of 100 pounders. Lay them down - strap them down - bed of the pickup - go to local service station to have them filled. They are vertical - on a pallet - when I use them.

 

[k0ua]

no, just 100lb. I guess since it appears you are supposed to keep them upright at all times, I was thinking a way to pick up the vertical standing cylinder and set it down (still standing) on my truck's tailgate...and move the full tank the same way (pick it up vertically and then set it down to be hooked back up)

There is no reason I know of not to place a propane tank horizontal for transport. It is not like an acetylene tank with dissolved gas mixed with acetone and dissolved in that "mud" called diamataceus earth. And you can put them horizontal, but it takes several hours before you can safely use them and it is not recommended.

 

[k0ua]

If you put a propane tank horizontal, depending on how much liquid it has in it, liquid may come out instead of gas when you open the valve. If you are using it to run a forklift that is probably what you want, but not a BBQ grill, you want gas not liquid propane. The liquid boils inside the tank from the lower vapor pressure when you open the valve and the gas is above the liquid and comes out thru the valve as a gas and on to the regulator.

 

[RNeumann]

Transport position doesn’t matter. The little 20# tanks are constantly tipped, rolled, dropped and dragged. With some common sense your project will work out well.

 

[MattEffinCameron]

i guess thats pretty simple then....just lay them down, roll into bucket, roll into truck bed and so on?

I heard some places wont fill the tanks if they havent been and/or are not being transported upright? Or do you just stand it up to be filled and then lay it back down for the drive home?

 

[oosik]

Matt - your last sentence - exactly.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

The 100#ers are easier to move horizontal as you can use the leverage of the length to put back upright. They are a Bit*** to move vertical by rolling on the edge.. The diameter tends to make them top heavy.

Ron

 

[RobA]

I moved 2 close to empty 100 lb tanks with a FEL a few years ago. I don't have pictures but it was fairly easy to move them on the FEL and keep them upright with straps.

 

[plowhog]

I just did this. PG&E power company is now "voluntarily" shutting off power possibly for days during storms-- meaning you might need some serious generator capacity.

I lifted/skidded/slid two 100lb (empty) containers into my dump trailer. With them empty, I could drag/lift them onto the trailer. I transported them upright and strapped one to each front corner of the trailer. Fortunately the guy at the filling station agreed to fill them in place (on the trailer) even though he said he was not supposed to do that.

Getting home, the thought of lifting/skidding those two full tanks off the back of the trailer to unload them was a concern. I hooked a chain through the upper "collar" of the tank, picked it up with the front end loader off the back of the tank, and drove it over to the generator. Worked great. My small tractor didn't have enough height to do this but my bigger tractor did.

Having done this, I look back at the guy agreeing to fill them in the trailer. Had he not agreed to that, it would have been difficult to get them back in the trailer by hand, as the dump trailer has a high deck. Would probably have had to skid them into the trailer sideways, then grab one end and tip it up once it was inside the trailer.

 

[Jack Murdock]

The 100#ers are easier to move horizontal as you can use the leverage of the length to put back upright. They are a Bit*** to move vertical by rolling on the edge.. The diameter tends to make them top heavy.

Ron

Propane cylinders should NEVER be transported horizontally. If they are then the liquid propane is in direct contact with the relief valve which is designed to release at a certain pressure set point. ( 250 PSI for ASME 312 for DOT ) if your relief valve opens and allows liquid propane to enter the atmosphere it will expand 270 times settle towards the ground and may find a source of ignition. pickup truck propane tank explosion at McDonald's - YouTube. A 100 lb cylinder can be transported vertically after being hoisted into the back of the truck with the relief in vapor space, the valves protected and it secured.

 

[dannoGT]

So I'm curious how come every propane powered lift truck in the world has a tank that is mounted horizontal while in use but gets handled vertically every time they are moved or stored?

 

[Jack Murdock]

So I'm curious how come every propane powered lift truck in the world has a tank that is mounted horizontal while in use but gets handled vertically every time they are moved or stored?

They could be liquid withdrawal tanks or vapor withdrawal tanks that are specific to the use. 100LB cylinders can be purchased with multi-valves and can then be filled on site so that transportation is not necessary.

 

[lostcreekranch]

The are easily moved with a good two wheel dolly.

 

[bruceha2000]

You already use it sitting on a pallet, right? Pallet forks on the loader arms! Strap the tank down first

Not sure how they expect a person to heft a filled 100# tank back up into their truck at the filling place. If they have a requirement that the tank not be on the transporting vehicle, they better have a method of lifting it off and back on.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's my understanding that Federal law prohibits transporting them horizontally. http://www.apollopropane.com/pdf/TransportingPropaneCylinders.pdf

I once put a tank onto a plastic totesled and slid it down and unplowed road, controlling it with a rope and making sure to stay out of the way.
I'm not sure I would advise it though.

 

[AllDodge]

While there are some propane companies that will not fill a 100 unless its upright, I have always been able to find others that will (check your local regs). There is an issue with releasing pressure with the valve, this has to to with over enough time where pressure can build up to unsafe amount. That said, the valve will still release pressure, so it could be just gas (if up right) or liquid (laying down), the pressure is still reduced.

So don't carry it in a enclosed area, and don't put it there and leave it for long periods. Moving it from one place to another using a FEL is no big deal. Takes very little time and doesn't matter to the tank

 

[Howling]

Other option is a pair of 40# tanks and auto switch over regulator. I did here to get rid of the 100# tank and higher priced propane delivery. When one tank is empty it shows a red indicator and swaps to the other tank. Then I can get the empty tank filled while still having gas left.