Moving 100LB Propane Tank with FEL?

[newbury]

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.

That reads like Canadian regulations, what about US?

 

[PILOON]

Before we had a road we'd float 100 lb propane tanks across the lake, usually bringing in 5 or six for the winter.
Never had any problems at all.
We'd crack the valve before connecting to clear any liquid.
One thing we learned was when very cold you could never get usage of the entire contents but come spring there would always be about 1/3 remaining.
We had no choice as there was no electricity on our lake so propane was the only way to run a fridge and provide lighting.
\LOL, plumbing was a little house with the crescent moon cut in the door.

Times have changed as we have a road now and I have my tractor for snow removal.
Actually as an association we built the road ourselves.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve always hauled tanks horizontally. Unless you have special racks strapping tanks vertically is nearly impossible.

 

[coldsteelva]

Before we had a road we'd float 100 lb propane tanks across the lake, usually bringing in 5 or six for the winter.
Never had any problems at all.
We'd crack the valve before connecting to clear any liquid.
One thing we learned was when very cold you could never get usage of the entire contents but come spring there would always be about 1/3 remaining.
We had no choice as there was no electricity on our lake so propane was the only way to run a fridge and provide lighting.
\LOL, plumbing was a little house with the crescent moon cut in the door.

Times have changed as we have a road now and I have my tractor for snow removal.
Actually as an association we built the road ourselves.

As it gets colder, you lose the pressure and cannot drain a cold tank. If you had a WarmGuard tank heater, you could get all of the propane out. https://www.amazon.com/WarmGuard-WG20-Insulated-Cylinder-Warmer/dp/B06WGX4V91

 

[Jack Murdock]

CFR 49 ( US ) DOT regulations prohibit LP tanks being transported horizontally unless the relief valve is in the vapor space. The horizontal tanks you see on fork lifts etc. have a provision so that the relief valve is in the vapor space. It is dangerous to transport or store liquid propane unless you are doing it safely and correctly. The safest thing to do is have the LP tank filled up at your place.

 

[Diggin It]

If I was going to be moving one on any regular basis, I'd probably build a sort of crate/cage for it out of 2x4s with lifting points attached. Something that would keep it upright in the trailer, but that could also be tied down.

 

[AllDodge]

CFR 49 ( US ) DOT regulations prohibit LP tanks being transported horizontally unless the relief valve is in the vapor space.

Tried reading thru CFR 49 (Transportation) which list tanks which can be carried by private carrier (commercial transport) and list tank size and smaller, but was unable to find where 22.5 gallon (100 lb) or less tanks are listed, or where valve must be in vapor space. Can you advise?

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title49-vol2/pdf/CFR-2012-title49-vol2.pdf

 

[Jstpssng]

If I was going to be moving one on any regular basis, I'd probably build a sort of crate/cage for it out of 2x4s with lifting points attached. Something that would keep it upright in the trailer, but that could also be tied down.

Propane tanks on a trailer? You're a lot braver than I am. Each of my pickups have a canoe rack/headboard, which makes tying things down much easier. Not just for safety either, when I brought my refrigerator home I was amazed at the wind resistance. The cheap rope I tied it down with wasn't enough, it stretched so much that I had to add my 2" ratchet strap.

 

[buickanddeere]

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!

Just a 100 pounder ? I pick up and carry the full tanks .

 

[Jack Murdock]

Tried reading thru CFR 49 (Transportation) which list tanks which can be carried by private carrier (commercial transport) and list tank size and smaller, but was unable to find where 22.5 gallon (100 lb) or less tanks are listed, or where valve must be in vapor space. Can you advise?

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title49-vol2/pdf/CFR-2012-title49-vol2.pdf

yes I will send DOT reference from NFPA 58

 

[Jack Murdock]

NFPA 58 ( 2011 Edition ) page 65 section 9.3.2.9 " relief valve in communication with the vapor space" also section 7.2.2.5* valves must be sealed and protected.

 

[Egon]

Before we had a road we'd float 100 lb propane tanks across the lake, usually bringing in 5 or six for the winter.
Never had any problems at all.
We'd crack the valve before connecting to clear any liquid.
One thing we learned was when very cold you could never get usage of the entire contents but come spring there would always be about 1/3 remaining.
We had no choice as there was no electricity on our lake so propane was the only way to run a fridge and provide lighting.
\LOL, plumbing was a little house with the crescent moon cut in the door.

Times have changed as we have a road now and I have my tractor for snow removal.
Actually as an association we built the road ourselves.

There are C3 tanks that have had a fire built under them in order to get some flow.

 

[AllDodge]

NFPA 58 ( 2011 Edition ) page 65 section 9.3.2.9 " relief valve in communication with the vapor space" also section 7.2.2.5* valves must be sealed and protected.

Your correct, less then 45 lb can be in any position an greater then 45 lb must be in vapor space. From 2014 edition

Guess its one of those some fill stations will let you lay them down and others say no. Since trucks normally require at least 100 gallons to be delivered, I'll still have mine filled and haul back laying down in back of the pickup

 

[Howling]

Your correct, less then 45 lb can be in any position an greater then 45 lb must be in vapor space. From 2014 edition

Guess its one of those some fill stations will let you lay them down and others say no. Since trucks normally require at least 100 gallons to be delivered, I'll still have mine filled and haul back laying down in back of the pickup

View attachment 577834

So OP could gang together 2 or 3 40# tanks instead single 100# tank. Then not be concerned about transporting the tank vertical to get filled.

 

[kcflhrc]

I would

#1 make sure the tank is completely full
#2 aim the tank bottom end up towards your destination at a 45 degree angle
#3 Knock the valve off with a 2 pound sledge hammer and that tank will be at it's new home in no time

 

[Jack Murdock]

So OP could gang together 2 or 3 40# tanks instead single 100# tank. Then not be concerned about transporting the tank vertical to get filled.

Or buy a couple of 100lb cylinders with multi-valves and have the LP company deliver it. Or buy your own 100 gallon tank and fill it in the summer. Every time you interrupt the fuel source ( changing tanks out / running out of gas ) you are required by code to do a " leak check" to make sure that the system is "gas tight" its not hard to do but it is a specific process with documentation. I cant imagine any insurance company would not be looking for that info if there was ever a fire or other serious claim at that site. I do not think anyone should mess with gas without the proper training and equipment to do it correctly and safely. I have been an LP emergency industry responder for many years and I just shake my head sometimes at what I see or read.

 

[plowhog]

Just a 100 pounder ? I pick up and carry the full tanks .

One in each hand?

 

[geteh]

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 Liquid Propane Transportation Service. 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.

Yes, using a FEL to move a 100lb propane cylinder is possible. The safest methods include using pallet forks with straps, securing it in the bucket with ratchet straps, or lifting a dolly with the FEL. Keeping the tank upright and moving slowly is key. Some prefer on-site refills for convenience, but if you transport it yourself, ensure it's stable and secure.

 

[bigtiller]

Yes, using a FEL to move a 100lb propane cylinder is possible. The safest methods include using pallet forks with straps, securing it in the bucket with ratchet straps, or lifting a dolly with the FEL. Keeping the tank upright and moving slowly is key. Some prefer on-site refills for convenience, but if you transport it yourself, ensure it's stable and secure.

There is no requirement to keep a propane 100 lb. bottle upright. Just don't let it role around while transporting it.

 

[LouNY]

I have taken a 100 pound cylinder in to be refilled several times. Never had it upright, always laid down. No problem what so ever carrying in the FEL bucket while laid down.