When you work in the propane industry, it’s essential that you have the equipment needed to do your job quickly and efficiently, especially with so many households using propane. According to the latest Residential Energy Consumption Survey, propane is a primary fuel used in around 11 million homes in the United States.
Having the right equipment for your propane services can save you time and effort. However, with so many different tools out there, you might not know what propane tank equipment to invest in. Here are our 10 top picks.
1. A Placard and Placard Holder Combination
Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations require anyone transporting hazardous materials to placard and mark their vehicles accordingly. A 1075 placard indicates flammable content. Having this placard in place ensures compliance with regulations.
Alongside your placard, you should get a placard holder to display your placard clearly. A stainless steel no-drill hazmat placard holder is ideal because it’s easy to mount and can last even in severe weather conditions. The pairing of a placard and placard holder makes it easier to avoid fines and penalties and eliminates unnecessary stress about breaking Department of Transportation laws.
2. A Propane Tank Jack
A standard 20-pound cylinder can weigh up to 40 pounds when filled with propane — and that’s not to mention bigger, heavier tanks. The heavy nature of propane tanks can make it difficult for small teams to lift them, and a propane tank jack makes the process easier.
Tank jacks are great for lifting tanks when you need to paint, position, level or reset them. With the help of a propane tank jack, one person can perform these duties without needing to enlist the help of others. The Fisk Tank Jak works with tank sizes up to a 1,000-gallon capacity, allowing propane service providers to lift tanks without damaging them.
3. Lifting Slings
There are other ways to lift heavy propane tanks. High-quality cylinder upright slings are strapping systems that make it easy to lift and protect cylinders. Thanks to these slings, people working with propane can easily maneuver cylinders without worrying about damage.
4. Propane Tank Straps
While lifting slings and tank jacks are beneficial for lifting heavy propane cylinders, there are also instances where you may need to transport a tank to the plant securely. Transporting propane tanks is a potentially dangerous task, and as such, there are certain safety rules that propane service providers need to abide by.
If you have applied for and been granted an exemption, a truck exemption strap will allow you to transport cylinders safely.
5. A Propane Saddle
Tank saddles, tank holders, propane saddles — whatever you call them, they’re a must-have if you’re transporting large propane cylinders. You want your cylinders to be secure, not rolling around.
Fisk’s propane saddles have an aluminum X-brace construction that provides exceptional durability and allows you to use these saddles for many years. Some additional benefits include:
- The ability to accommodate various cylinder sizes.
- Added protection to prevent damage to your tanks.
- Ergonomic handles for smoother handling.
- Compliance with necessary permits.
6. Outrigger Pads
Outrigger pads are essential for your boom truck and other propane tank moving equipment, as they distribute weight and prevent the truck from tipping in uneven terrain as you lift loads. In doing so, outrigger pads play an important role in worker safety, protecting both your employees and your trucks.
You need outrigger pads that effectively disperse pressure so that you have peace of mind. Aluminum outrigger pads are excellent for distributing a boom truck’s weight — they are very strong and can handle a lot of weight.
7. Lug Straps
Many propane service providers use cranes to lift cylinders and other heavy equipment. However, not all cranes have remote controls, which can make it difficult to move them the way you want. Lug straps help circumvent this issue.
Offset truck lug straps can hook onto propane tanks and offer you improved control when lifting them. Here are some benefits of lug straps:
- Lug straps offer safer loading options.
- Lug straps help balance your loads during lifting.
- Lightweight lug straps are easy to transport.
The 8-foot offset truck lug strap can support up to 10,000 pounds, depending on the angle at which you use it.
8. Extra Batteries
People working with propane gas installations often use a lot of battery-powered equipment. Sometimes, however, batteries fail, which can set you back quite a bit in terms of work. Extra batteries allow you to work despite these unforeseen obstacles, ensuring effectiveness.
The Hiab Remote Battery, for example, allows propane service providers to comfortably power and use remote controls for cranes, truck-mounted forklifts and tail lifts, no matter the weather conditions. With the right batteries, you can keep your equipment functioning better for longer, eliminate delays and get things done quicker.
9. An Air Inflation Kit
Flat tires happen, and when they do, they often cause frustration, delays and unhappy clients, especially since changing a flat tire can take a long time. Having an air inflation kit is a good idea, as it allows you to prevent and fix flats.
Fisk’s Air Inflation Kit boasts the AirMax® brand name, so you can rest assured that the valve stem extender will keep your truck wheels rolling smoothly. These air inflation kits are easy to use, and their lightweight packaging means you can keep one on hand wherever you go.
Your air inflation kit comes with straight valve stem extensions for the inner wheels, angled valve stem extensions for the outer wheels, and four brackets.
10. A Trailer Jack
Trailers are one of the most important propane delivery tools. Where a propane jack helps you lift your propane tanks, a trailer jack ensures you can easily lift and lower your trailer. If you often use trailers to install and transport propane tanks, you need a sturdy jack that can withstand harsh elements.
Fulton® trailer jacks are strong, durable and corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for use in the field. They also don’t take up much space, which means they’re perfect for traveling between sites. Fulton trailers are constructed from aluminum and are made for the industry.
Get Your Propane Service Tools From Fisk Tank Carrier
Fisk Tank Carrier has been in the propane business for decades, so we know what works and what doesn’t. Our products are made to last. More importantly, they’re made to make your life easier. Save time and effort with Fisk — shop our online store to get all your essential tank equipment for your propane services.
