Technical Release 00-R-8 FOREST RESOURCES ASSOCIATION INC. 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 350 Rockville, Maryland 20852 Phone: 301/838-9385 Fax: 301/838-9481

PORTABLE FUEL TANKS FACILITATE EQUIPMENT FUELING Fuel: storage/carriers June 2000 INTRODUCTION: Doll Lumber Company of Southington, Ohio operates three logging crews in northeastern Ohio. Equipment mix includes three skidders, a bulldozer, a truck- mounted loader, and two trailer-mounted loaders. To facilitate safe and efficient fueling of their logging equipment, Doll designed and fabricated portable fuel tanks that can be transported easily by truck and can be moved around the logging site by the skidders. GENERAL FEATURES: The tanks are fabricated so that a skidder blade can hook onto the tank and lift it to be moved. There is also Fig. 1: Doll Lumber’s custom-built fuel tank a steel grab tube that allows a knuckleboom loader to lift the tank and load it onto a log truck. Since skidder blades of various models differ, the tanks are built specifically for a particular skidder blade. Each tank is labeled so that the operator can easily identify the tank for his machine. The tanks are equipped with an electric pump that is operated from the skidder or loader by means of a plug receptacle located next to the seat of the machine. The pump is protected by an enclosure with a hinged door that can be padlocked. OPERATION: When moving to a new logging site, the skidder lifts the tank with the blade Fig. 2: A skidder (or a loader) may move the tank. and carries it onto a lowboy trailer. Chains can be easily passed through square channel iron that is welded onto the tank—in order to boom down the front end of the skidder with the tank in place. Once the skidder arrives on the new site, the operator can place the tank out of the way of the decking area. At the end of each workday, the operator drives his skidder to the tank, plugs in the pump, and fuels his machine. When the loader needs fueling, the skidder operator lifts the tank and moves it near the loader. The loader operator can then lift the tank onto the trailer, easily plug in the pump, and fuel his machine.

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APPLICATION: Jim Doll, owner of Doll Lumber, believes these tanks provide a safe, clean, and efficient way to refuel his logging equipment. By eliminating the need for the service or pickup truck to transport fuel, they improve the fuel efficiency of the pickup truck and save valuable bed space for other uses. The system eliminates spilling of diesel fuel in the truck bed. While on the job, the user may place the tanks away from the decking area and loader, yet retrieve them quickly. Occasionally, site conditions or adverse location can prevent a heavy fuel truck (from a local Fig. 3: Fuel tank’s pump and electrical cord. vendor) from reaching the job site. In this case, the skidder can transport the portable fuel tank to the truck for fill-up. If a local vendor is unavailable, or not cost competitive, the user may lift the tanks onto a log truck, transport them back to the mill site for refilling, and then return them to the logging site. SPECIFICATIONS AND COST: The actual tank is 30 inches by 60 inches and made from 7-gauge 3/16-inch steel. Tank capacity is 175 gallons. Each tank is equipped with a filter and has spill-proof caps. Jim Doll is now modifying his tanks to carry a fuel diaper in case of a fuel Fig.4: Receptacle in skidder (or loader) for spill. The pumps are 12-volt units, rated at 12 connecting to tank’s electric fuel pump. gallons/minute. The tank “hangers” for the skidder blade need to be tacked temporarily during fabrication until the proper configuration is achieved. Doll Lumber will use a double-walled unit for its next tanks. This improvement will be an added safety measure if the tanks are ruptured for some reason (such as vandalism). Approximate costs are $170 for the tank; $245 for the pump; $150 for miscellaneous steel, wiring, and plug; and 20 hours of labor. For additional information, please contact Jim Doll or Tom Pabin at 330/898-8097. Bill Loffer, Area Manager Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation 450 North Third Street Coshocton, Ohio 43812 740/622-6543 REVIEWED BY: Rick Meyer Appalachian Technical Division Forester

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