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What does DOT want me to do with my LP forklift tank?
When I transport my LP forklift,what is the legal way to transport the LP tank? Do I need to placard the trailer or truck?

How about empty tanks taken for refill?
  • Posted 26 Sep 2010 06:41 AM
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Total replies: 10. Showing items 1 - 10 of 10 results.
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Rules vary from state to state but if the LP cylinder is mounted on the forklift truck you do not need additional placards. The TDG placard is a red 1075 explosive. it must be accompanied by a shipping manifest document. under what conditions you need one escapes me at the moment but a quick google search of TDG (transportation of dangerous goods) should answer that for you. Most truckers who carry cylinders on a regular basis have a LP cylinder cradle mounted to the bulkhead to securely mount the cylinder so it doesn't go flying in a collision. So Keep it lashed down.
  • Posted 26 Sep 2010 08:49 AM
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So are LP lift trucks transported with the tank in place?
  • Posted 27 Sep 2010 11:30 PM
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  • scot_s
  • Michigan, United States
Like steponmebbbboom said it varies from state to state you need to check with the DOT in your state. I know the two dealerships I worked for we always carried the tanks in a separate cradle attached to the delivery truck so that if a forklift busted free the tank was not going with it.
  • Posted 27 Sep 2010 11:47 PM
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Juan, Check with your local/state regulations. If you plan on moving the forklift out of state you better check with the ICC. But is has been my experience when shipping on a flat bed or enclosed trailer most states will say ship w/o LP tank connect to forklift. I arranged shipment for units all over the US & to Canada - all went without the tanks connected. The drivers carried small 10 lb tanks on the outside of the trailer & tractor to help in unloading.
  • Posted 28 Sep 2010 01:42 AM
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Yes,I never planned to carry the lift truck with the tank in place,even if it is technically allowed,it's just begging to get pulled over,even if they just want to be sure everything is secured [url removed] pulled over never leads to anything good.

I'm planning to bring a storage cage to the sites I work [url removed] the tanks be stored both upright and horizontal? How about during transport?
  • Posted 28 Sep 2010 02:46 AM
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New forklift tanks are designed to function and be stored for transport in either the upright or horizontal (index hole in the down position) so the pressure relief valve is in contact with the airspace in the tank and the fuel delivery tube gets to the bottom of the liquid.
I have crossed the scales many times with 4 forklifts with tanks on them and DOT never said anything about the tanks.
As far as fuel transporting, our company policy is, (6 tanks or less in a cage = no hazmat placards or endorsement needed) over that we have a ventilated trailer with placards etc. It doesn’t matter if the tanks are empty or full.
When I worked in Manhattan any fuel delivery had to be by a special contractor with tunnel permits.
  • Posted 28 Sep 2010 03:24 AM
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Thanks for the help,guys.
Good to know that you have not been hassled about having the tanks on the forklifts,Dave. I would still be a little worried that a good jolt could release a tank [url removed],I guess there is no formal regulation in most places.

Dave,I'd like to know how your company arrived at the 6 tank [url removed] seems that is well within the regulations requiring placarding,like you seem to be able to double or triple that number before you would get [url removed] me,I can't see me carrying more than 3 for my uses.
  • Posted 29 Sep 2010 12:44 AM
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I guess having a couple of forklifts on a trailer smooths out the ride.
Our DOT administrator is JJ keller so this was the advice they came up with for our legal dept.
In the old days we asked the Highway Patrol about how many tanks and they told us to call the DOT.
The rule talks about the potential weight of the fuel the tank could hold plus the tank, so it would depend on tank size and steel or aluminum.
The interpertation of the rules for the chain down technique (how many per) has been a topic with different answers depending on who you talk to.
  • Posted 29 Sep 2010 02:20 AM
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TradeShowDave-
Don't really see there is a problem whne transporting forklift w/tanks isntalled on a flat bed trailer (or than if the driver stops & leave teh cab the local sticky fingers can walk off with them). The issue is with transporting forklift in an enclosed trailer or by rail (box car or containers, especially out of state. Ihe ICC has requaltions on them & it is a no, no with them. One just needs to check these out w/ the ICC - not teh DOT. Take a look at a bill of lading & you should find an area for ICC regulation compliance.
  • Posted 30 Sep 2010 02:14 AM
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The ventilated trailer works well and its almost all local runs less than 100 miles, so no log. We usually don't take our forks out of state, although when I took one to Honolulu I removed the tank after it went on the can.
Thanks for the info John.
  • Posted 30 Sep 2010 09:10 AM
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Total replies: 10. Showing items 1 - 10 of 10 results.

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