Big Guys vs. Us Weenies

[Diggin It]

While we're all gathered here today ... Does anybody know if the tank carrying trailers can be rented? I've got a narrow spot to get through and I don't think my neighbor's JD 4230 can get through that area. I'm not even sure his 4020 can. I don't think my pipsqueak can move the tank safely, even when empty. But the trailer would make it all a piece of cake.

 

[fried1765]

LP must cost more in Lower Uncton......:laughing:

Maybe there is someone in West Uncton who can do the job.

 

[ovrszd]

I've never saw a tank trailer at a rental place. But I only have one that I travel by.

I don't think your tractor will lift it even when empty. Probably not a weight issue as much as a reach issue.

I've been told by my supplier that the rings welded on top of the tanks will not support lifting it full. But I'm also sure there are members here who will say they've done that.

 

[Diggin It]

I won't even try to do anything until it's below 20%. I'll let it get to 10% if I can.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep. I've moved a couple in that low percentage. I want to say one was 30% but I'm not sure.

Post the results when you resolve this. I'm curious how it works out for you.

 

[Diggin It]

Called again this morning and said that if someone could call me, maybe we could get it worked out over the phone, send pictures or whatever and they wouldn't have to come out. That's when they told me someone would be in the area today and would stop by. And they did. And we got a plan worked out. They won't let me use their tank trailer though, so I have to figure out what to do there.

But at least I can dig the trench now and lay the lines.

 

[civilian]

While we're all gathered here today ... Does anybody know if the tank carrying trailers can be rented? I've got a narrow spot to get through and I don't think my neighbor's JD 4230 can get through that area. I'm not even sure his 4020 can. I don't think my pipsqueak can move the tank safely, even when empty. But the trailer would make it all a piece of cake.

How long is the narrow spot? Can neighbor's tractor set it in narrow spot from one side and the other move it out of the narrow spot? What about setting it on an equipment trailer? Just wondering. Jon

 

[5030]

Flip it on it's side put a choker on it and drag it. They don't weigh much when almost empty. Jut a big pickle, even in Uncton

 

[grsthegreat]

our propane companies here use a boom truck to move tanks. propane weighs in at some 4.2# per gallon. on one job we needed to move a full 500 gal tank and no way a truck could get to it. had an excavator move it while full. not an issue, did a good job of it and was able to use ropes to jig it around and place just where it was needed. a tractor could have done the job, but so much easier getting it placed behind a lower wall on a set of concrete base pads with an excavator. right now NO ONE is getting to anything fast. everything is delayed. Parts are short, lots of building going on with smaller labor force. it really sucks. i have a friend trying to build a house right now. cant even get anyone out to bid the trades. there all too busy. i did a small job for a guy that owns a transmission rebuilding business. He is over 80 units backlogged (or so).. he said hes never been that overloaded.

 

[grsthegreat]

Flip it on it's side put a choker on it and drag it. They don't weigh much when almost empty. Jut a big pickle, even in Uncton

i dont know about where your at, but here if they saw a tank all scared up with paint scraped off, no one would fill it.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I switched suppliers, new guys said it was too wet to get their truck in where the tank was, so I moved the old tank out and the new one in myself,

New guys did all the hookups...

SR

 

[5030]

Think I'd have choked it a lot closer to the forks. Your CG is way too high with the forks way up there. Nice moss covered 500. Must be a leased tank. Mine are painted green to blend in with the trees.

 

[grsthegreat]

Think I'd have choked it a lot closer to the forks. Your CG is way too high with the forks way up there. Nice moss covered 500. Must be a leased tank. Mine are painted green to blend in with the trees.

They would not let us paint ours when i had an above ground unit. White reflects heat, dark absorbs heat. Oh well, i purchased a 1000 gal tank and put it underground

 

[jmc]

Forgot for sure what the delivery truck setup for my 500 tank was but seems like it mighta been similar to a septic tank or burial vault delivery truck. Those guys might freelance...

 

[radios1]

They would not let us paint ours when i had an above ground unit. White reflects heat, dark absorbs heat. Oh well, i purchased a 1000 gal tank and put it underground

underground is much better, because it'll stay much warmer underground, reducing the possibility of freezing, a generator on that tank can make it mighty cold because of the amount of gas being used!..

 

[5030]

underground is much better, because it'll stay much warmer underground, reducing the possibility of freezing, a generator on that tank can make it mighty cold because of the amount of gas being used!..

I've never seen ANY propane appliance freeze in the winter ever and it gets COLD here. Propane appliances (including standby generators) run on vapor, not liquid and the dip tube in a residential propane tank ONLY pulls vapor, NOT liquid. Why a full bottle is 85% of total liquid capacity, there has to be space above the liquid for the vapor to be drawn from.

Underground is ok, until the tank gets a leak in it and then the only way you can tell is all the dead grass around the tank and that takes some time leaking to happen. I much prefer an above ground bottle. Easier to check the level on as well.

Both mine are owned and both are painted hunter green Rustoleum. Blend right in with the trees.

 

[grsthegreat]

I've never seen ANY propane appliance freeze in the winter ever and it gets COLD here. Propane appliances (including standby generators) run on vapor, not liquid and the dip tube in a residential propane tank ONLY pulls vapor, NOT liquid. Why a full bottle is 85% of total liquid capacity, there has to be space above the liquid for the vapor to be drawn from.

Underground is ok, until the tank gets a leak in it and then the only way you can tell is all the dead grass around the tank and that takes some time leaking to happen. I much prefer an above ground bottle. Easier to check the level on as well.

Both mine are owned and both are painted hunter green Rustoleum. Blend right in with the trees.

I too have never seen a frozen large propane tank, i have only seen the small 5 gallon bbq size tanks freeze up if drawn down too fast. My underground tank has a wifi level monitor that i can check on smart phone from anywheres in world. Also alerts me if levels get down below 35% (owner adjustable levels). Its called tank utility. I got it because i do not have monthly tank top off. I only want to fill it when price is lowest point. But if traveling i can always call in a fill if necessary. The main reason i got this is because i had some requests from my customers for the thing, and i wanted to test install one to see how it works. Love it so i kept it.

 

[CobyRupert]

Propane will “freeze” (i.e. stop boiling) around -44F degrees and stay a liquid, not giving off enough vapor.
If things are freezing above that temp, it’s probably water freezing and I’d be asking my supplier what is he selling?
Now if you’re talking about freezing condensation from the air on the OUTSIDE of tanks from the evaporative cooling caused by the gas on the inside being used, that’s different. The gas flow rate to tank size (and ambient air or ground temps, dew points, etc..) will determine how fast the tank cools. I imagine a large tank would “freeze” too if you took the gas out fast enough.
As others have noted, turning a tank on its “side” where the surface area above the liquid is the largest let’s you draw LP gas out of a tank faster than upright. Think of it like working with any other boiling liquid.....but cooler.....and it can blow you up. Other than that...

 

[grsthegreat]

the only thing is...ive lived in montana where it was -60F wind chill and heated with propane. i never froze a tank?

 

[CobyRupert]

Wind chill is more of a “feeling” than a temperature.
It’s more an indication of the cooling rate, or the effectiveness of using air (wool sweaters, your arm hair, etc...) as insulation.