Shipping compressed gas cylinders

[bigdeano]

I wonder if you pay the hazmat fee, is it shipped any different or do they just put it on the truck like anything else. Seems like paying the fee wouldn't make it any safer, but I'm not in the shipping business, just wondering.

The helium tank I bought came in the UPS truck like everything else in there.

 

[Cord]

Update: I ended up going with a different shipper because the first one wasn't performing. Knowing I had problems with the first shipper I labled the BOL to identify the cylinder as having contained a inert gas and that it was empty. So far nobody has called with a problem. It's in town and ready for pickup so I'll find out tomorrow...

 

[CincyFlyer]

One thing that comes to mind is that if this is a reasonably large cylinder, make sure that the seller actually owns it! I lease large cylinders.

 

[ch47dpilot]

Legally that applies when hauling in your pickup around town. Not heavily enforced. Acetylene is especially needs to be secured upright to prevent the acetone distributed within the filler from separating out.

Ron

just came across this post, any DIY bottle holders for back of truck. Also if Acetylene bottle is tipped with valve high but only as high as my bed cover would that be enough to stop separation. Or does it need to be fully upright.

 

[gsganzer]

just came across this post, any DIY bottle holders for back of truck. Also if Acetylene bottle is tipped with valve high but only as high as my bed cover would that be enough to stop separation. Or does it need to be fully upright.

I see weld rigs that have the gas bottles mounted at 45 degrees, so I assume they can be tipped 45 degrees and not have a problem.

 

[yomax4]

You can lay it down. It just needs to stand back up for approximately as long as it laid down before you use it. Or should I say, I've been doing it for 35 years. No probs.

 

[Lelandwelds]

You do not want to have the valve open at any time w/o regulator even if empty. They will get contaminated. To refill they than have to go through a special vacuum out process. All compressed gases are completely clean and dry. Full cylinders are shipped by motor freight all the time. The truck has to be placarded properly for the gas carried. Check with your shipper for any special procedures. Valves tightly closed and valve caps screwed on tight. They have to be hauled upright and tied down securely. Legally that applies when hauling in your pickup around town. Not heavily enforced. Acetylene is especially needs to be secured upright to prevent the acetone distributed within the filler from separating out.

Ron

each line of cylinders is vacuumed with each fill. Pumpers problem not yours. Acetone is a liquid. Gravity puts it back where it goes in minutes. Picture pouring coke out of a bottle.

For the record, even with the cylinders empty, the shipping company refused to pick up the pallet without a hazmat label.

Cylinders shipped by a local welding supply is routine business. Cylinders shipped by potential fruit loop is a potential disaster. Freight companies often have all the business they want. Why take risks?
Need placards and don't display? Problem. Show placard when not required? Much smaller problem if no full or empty container. No problem if amount carried is below placarding levels.

just came across this post, any DIY bottle holders for back of truck. Also if Acetylene bottle is tipped with valve high but only as high as my bed cover would that be enough to stop separation. Or does it need to be fully upright.

Flip a hefty skid up side down. Ratchet strap cylinders to skid and vehicle. Rubber floor mats or tire mud flaps help.

 

[TractorGuy]

I pick up the argon/co2 for my mig at the local AirGas. They do not allow cylinders inside the store. You have to carry them around to the open loading dock for exchange.

 

[cabinhollow]

I just got back from picking up a bottle of argon/co2.
At the place I go, you can not take the cylinders into the retail part, ( 1/2 of the building ) but you take them to the storage part, ( the other 1/2 of the building). A standard wall with double doors, that are open most of the time, is all the divides the building.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I pick up the argon/co2 for my mig at the local AirGas. They do not allow cylinders inside the store. You have to carry them around to the open loading dock for exchange.

Why would you want to carry them into the show room? Cylinders are dirty, noisy things that are just dying to roll or fall into something or someone. All the filling, loading, maintenance, testing, painting, valving, etc. does not happen in the pretty retail part.